gold star for USAHOF

2. Gary Payton

2. Gary Payton
When you are nicknamed the “Glove” it is expected that you are one of the greatest defensive players of all time.  This is exactly what you get with Gary Payton. 

Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility (in 2013), Payton is to date the only Point Guard to win the Defensive Player of the Year.  “The Glove” who is also a co-holder for the most times named to the All-Defensive First Team roster is no one dimensional player as he exceeded 20 Points per Game six times and was a more than adequate distributor. 

Some have called him the most complete Point Guard in the game and the Seattle Supersonics were fortunate to have drafted one of the most entertaining players in NBA history. 

Let’s put it this way.  If you went to see the Sonics in the 90’s, chances are you spent your money to watch Gary Payton!

THe Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame elected Payton in 2013, and he was also named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Point Guard
  • Acquired: Drafted in the 1st Round, 2nd Overall 6/27/90.
  • Departed: Traded to the Milwaukee Bucks with Desmond Mason for Ray Allen, Ronald Murray, Kevin Ollie and a 2003 1st Round Pick (Which would be Luke Ridnour) 2/20/03.
  • Games Played: 999
  • Per Game Averages: 36.9 MP
    .498 eFG%
    .726 FT%
    18.2 PTS
    4.2 RB
    7.4 AST
    2.1 STL
    0.2 BLK

    94 Playoff Games
    38.6 MP
    .490 eFG%
    .700 FT%
    17.7 PTS
    4.4 RB
    6.1 AST
    1.7 STL
    0.2 BLK
  • Advanced Stats: 20.1 PER
    .529 TS%
    57.8 VORP
    123.8 WS

    17.8 PER
    .520 TS%
    4.5 VORP
    8.6 WS
  • Major Accolades and Awards: Defensive Player of the Year (1995-96)
    First Team All-NBA (1997-98 & 1999-00)
    Second Team All-NBA (1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99 & 2001-02)
    Third Team All-NBA (1993-94 & 2000-01)
    First Team NBA All-Defensive (1993-94, 1994-95, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01 & 2001-02)
    Second Team All-Rookie (1990-91)
    All-Star (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2003)
    Most 3-Point Field Goals (1999-00)
    Most 2-Point Field Goal Attempts (1999-00)
    Most Assists (1999-00)
    Most Steals (1995-96)
    Most Steals per Game (1995-96)
    Highest Offensive Box Plus/Minus (1998-99 & 1999-00)

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