Much like his father, Gary Payton II is making a name for himself as a solid defender. The Warriors player is currently coming off the bench for the franchise, and putting on solid defense performances, while also contributing offensively.
One of the more notable moments for Gary Payton II this season was his dunk against the Charlotte Hornets. Payton caught the pass from Draymond Green and dunked it over Kelly Oubre Jr. Payton II is known primarily for his defense, and fans weren't expecting him to show that level of athleticism.
Someone else who was surprised by this was Gary Payton himself. In a recent interview, Payton hilariously noted that he has no idea where his son got the athleticism he showcased from. He then hilariously questioned whether the mailman came around when he was away playing in the NBA.
"He's just athletic man. I was wondering if the mailman came around when I was out of town. Wherever (his) athletic ability came from, I'm just happy he got it."
Payton II has been one of the big reasons why the Warriors have been playing so well. Along with Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins, Payton II has established himself as one of the team's best defenders and routinely comes up with big defensive plays to help the team.
Going forward, he is likely to get more opportunities, based on how good he has looked for the Warriors. While players like Steph Curry and Jordan Poole have stolen the headlines with their offensive performances, Payton II's defense has been a key factor in the Warriors having the best record in the league.
As time goes on, there will obviously be more comparisons between Payton and his son. Payton is one of the most underrated guards in the league's history. Kevin Garnett even spoke about how he studied Payton's ability to manipulate all aspects of the game. Payton II will have to work really hard to live up to his father's legacy.
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