Los Angeles Lakers: Did ESPN’s all-time NBA ranking get it right?
By Amaar Burton
Gary Payton
ESPN rank: 53
Growing up a fan of the Seattle Supersonics and witnessing Gary Payton‘s entire run from start to finish, I have a bias here. “The Glove” is one of my favorite athletes ever, so I wouldn’t argue against him being among the top 50 in history.
At the same time, I can be reasonable enough to admit No. 53 sounds about right for GP.
Similar to Dennis Rodman, ESPN recognizing Payton will satisfy those who appreciate defense.
The 1995-96 Defensive Player of the Year and league leader in steals is still the only point guard to win the top defensive honor. He sits No. 4 on the all-time steals list with 2,445 thefts and an average of 1.8 steals per game.
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Payton wasn’t just a defensive specialist, though. He was a legit No. 1 offensive option who was good for 20 points and eight assists per game at his peak, when he helped make the Sonics a serious title contender for a few years.
Seattle lost to the Bulls in the 1996 Finals, and Payton lost again in the 2004 Finals as a member of the Lakers “super team” with Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone. That was Payton’s only season in L.A., when he was past his prime but still a solid starter.
Payton did pick up a championship before he was done, as a backup with the Miami Heat in 2006.