After the reversal of the victory over the Cavaliers, the Warriors' record has reached 13 wins and 2 losses, and they are still sitting on the first place in the league! Recently, everyone has been blowing about Curry's performance, but today the coach wants to talk about another player in the Warriors, he is Gary Payton II, a person full of positive energy.
As you probably know, Payton II is Gary Payton's son. The elder Payton is an NBA star, nicknamed "Glove", and is known as the best player to defend Jordan! Although he was born into a basketball family and his father is still one of the famous 75 superstars, almost no one knows Peyton Jr.
In April, the Warriors signed a short 10-day contract with Payton II, who played in the Development League for the Warriors' team. Payton doesn't have the ability to kill all sides on the offensive end, shooting just 17.9 percent from three-point range. But his defense was absolutely top-notch, averaging 2.54 steals per game, bringing Payton II to the attention of Warriors management.
This offseason, Payton II played the Summer League for the Warriors, a place for rookies to show their fists, but fans were attracted by Payton's maturity and steadiness. In the summer league game between the Warriors and raptors, Payton contributed an earth-shattering dunk, and his physical fitness was really better than his father!
At that time, the Warriors also had Bradley, and many people thought that the 15th place on the team's big list would be given to Bradley, and It was difficult for Payton to stay on the team. But who knows the Warriors didn't stay in the end, cutting both Payton and Bradley. Bradley was signed again by the Lakers, and the Warriors seemed to feel there was something to keep, so they signed Payton back.
Payton's first appearance was in the preseason Warriors against the Lakers, Payton played 11 minutes, 5-of-7 shooting, 12 points, 1 block and 1 steal. The Warriors won the Third Regular Season game against the Kings, Payton got 17 minutes of time, he had 10 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal, but the next few games Kerr "snowed" Payton, and he only had five or six minutes left to play.
In the Warriors' home game against the Hornets on Nov. 4, Payton Jr. once again got plenty of playing time. Although it was only 17 minutes, Payton exploded completely, and he had 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 1 block, helping the Warriors win a big home victory over the Hornets! Payton also completed a stunning dunk on Oubre's head, and became famous in one battle!
From this game, Payton won the trust of coach Cole, and he went into the normal rotation for the next game. Payton did not disappoint everyone, all kinds of in-situ bombing baskets, air-connected violent buckles... He became a regular for the top ten balls.
Payton's defense and blocks are more exciting to fans than dunks, and Peyton follows wherever the super scorer on the other side is! Even Clay, who was watching the game, couldn't help but praise: "Payton's defensive highlights I can watch for one night." ”
Not just Klay, all the Warriors players, including Kerr, admired Payton. Curry said: "Payton's athleticism is incredible, I don't even know how his dunks are done, the two of us are obviously the same. ”
Many people think that Payton is this year's rookie player, but he was born in 1992 and is already 29 years old! Payton was drafted in 2016 and was signed by the Rockets on a guaranteed contract. He briefly joined the Bucks in 2017 and then moved on to the Trail Blazers and Wizards. Now in the Warriors, Payton has finally found his place.
Payton did not live in the shadow of his father, he had his own athletic talent and way of playing, the elder Payton said: "My son's physical talent is incredible! I wonder if the postman Marlon came to my house when I was on a business trip. "Good fellow, green yourself...
So far this season, Payton has averaged 13 minutes per game, can get 6.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.4 steals, and shoots 40% from three points. Payton's defensive efficiency (91) is 8th in the league, behind Iguodala within the Warriors. His offensive efficiency (118.9) is second in the league, behind the Heat's Dedmond. Payton's net efficiency is 27.9, the league first!