Rumor: Warriors Interested in Gary Payton

by Atma Brother ONE on Jan 7, 2008 9:23 AM PST in Rumors

With the Warriors waiving the DJ yesterday and T-Hud being out for the season at least, you'd hope calling up Kosta Perovic was just a first step to some much needed roster changes. Is bringing back a hoops legend the next move? From Janny Hu [SFGate]:

The Warriors are looking to improve their team's passing and all-around savvy, and one option is signing Oakland native Gary Payton out of retirement to play for his hometown team.

Though questions surround Payton, 39, who hasn't played since last season, sources say there has been enough mutual interest on both sides to merit recent conservations, and Mullin didn't exactly dismiss the possibility.

"I mean, again, there's a lot of different scenarios we're going to look at, probably more guards than bigs and swings," Mullin said when asked directly about Payton.

Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin, declined to comment.

If the glove fits, you must bring back the hit!

Make the jump for a few thoughts and links on GP.

For years (meaning dating back to the mid 90's) I've wanted the Warriors to bring back the GP to the Bay. He brings to the table extremely high hoops IQ, a desire to win, leadership, and solid fundamentals. Plus he's so Bay wit it!

A few links to reminisce about one of the greatest point guards of all time:

Daily Play Hype #27: East Bay Funk
Oakland's All-Time Greatest Point Guard: Gary Payton or Jason Kidd? [HoopsVibe]
GP feeling free, retirement plans 'kind of definite' [ESPN.com]
Missing the point: The Glove doesn't get enough love [ESPN.com]
The Video Doesn't Lie: Gary Payton Burns Bright [True Hoop]
10 greatest point guards ever [ESPN.com]
We will remember you ... [ESPN Page 2]
Gary Payton's Career Numbers [NBA.com]

Sadly Payton isn't exactly a diaper dandy anymore and I don't think he has that much left in the tank. I'm guessing he's still in phenomenal shape as he was during his whole playing career, but I have my doubts about a 39 year old with such heavy mileage being able to run and gun in Nellieball. Clippers point guard Sam Cassell is around the same age as GP and still playing solid ball for the Clips, but I'm not sure he could handle the pace of Nellieball either. Not to take anything away from Payton, but at this point in his career his name is bigger than his game.

The Warriors might actually be better off taking a shot with a NBDLer or someone with some upside. Typically you win with experienced, good vets and die with young, inexperienced youth, but given Payton's age and naturally declining playing ability this is probably a situation where you toss out that guideline. Is Payton at this age really going to give you that much more on the court than a call up? Names rumored to be on the trading block like Carlos Arroyo, Kenyon Dooling, Jason Williams, and Smush Parker would probably give the Warriors more on court production than Payton at this point too. On the free agent front Earl Boykins' price tag is going to be much higher, but at about 8 years younger than Payton he's probably a much better option as well.

I won't lie though. If the Warriors bring back The Glove for a final home going, I'd be ecstatic. I'd even turn up the volume on my TV set a few more notches to see if I can pick up a bit of his hilarious trash talking!

Does one of Oaktown's finest still have enough left in the tank to help the Dubs out this season? Do you want the Warriors to add him to the roster?

99% of rumors never happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!

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Comments

please, please, please

love the Glove!

Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious.

by Kobe on Jan 7, 2008 9:27 AM PST reply actions

Payton

Amphibious.. lives in both land and water? :]

I'd be all for payton as long as his contract wasn't high priced.

by Bloot on Jan 7, 2008 9:37 AM PST reply actions

Aside from a legit big man

What the Warriors really need is a viable backup guard who can give Baron a rest. Lord knows BD's legs aren't going to last until April pushing the ball for 46 minutes a night.

Gary Payton would be a scoring threat to come off the bench and spell Baron for stretches in the game. Who knows if the glove would be willing to be a role player, but it's probably all he could handle at 39 playing in Nellie's system.

then we will fight in the shade.

by Swamp Thing on Jan 7, 2008 9:51 AM PST reply actions

washed up

Gary Payton would be a scoring threat to come off the bench and spell Baron for stretches in the game.

Once upon a time this was true. He may still be a scoring threat, but it's mostly an idle threat unless last year's numbers were a total abnormality, I'd say he's spent and we'd be far, far better off looking for someone out of the NBDL. Since Payton had been in a steady decline for the past 4 seasons, I suspect that he'll be no better than the player he was last season and may be worse. If he's no better than he was a couple of years ago, he'll be no better than Hudson was, and we all know how that went.

by jae on Jan 7, 2008 1:23 PM PST up reply actions

Remember: 5 minute showers!

mutual interest on both sides to merit recent conservations

This being California, and that we're in a drought, I welcome conservation wherever I can get it, even if it doesn't make sense in a given context.

by leee @ Golden State Of Mind on Jan 7, 2008 10:06 AM PST reply actions

GP

I don't know... I never have been huge on Gary Payton... so I am not sure if I would welcome his coming to Oakland

Thunder!!!

by PHUT! on Jan 7, 2008 10:51 AM PST reply actions

blah

I'd rather have Watson, over a decade younger and with upside.

Payton couldn't beat out Chris Quinn, Jason Williams, or Smush Parker (or Daquan Cook, heck), Riley didn't even think he could get 15 minutes of worthwhile play out of him, how are we gonna do it in a faster paced more demanding system?

He hasn't balled all year and he's gonna run with us? HypermegaFAIL if this is true.

the only way this is good is if Payton starts roiding

SB Nation Quality Control

AIM: Jetforze

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Jan 7, 2008 10:54 AM PST reply actions

so down

I would be SO down to have GP in the house. I realize he is getting on in years, BUT he does always seem to play great against the W's in Oaktown. Maybe he can channel that energy he gets from being home in the Bay into 10 or so good minutes per night? Besides what Bay Area hoops fan wouldn't always love to see its homegrown superstar players suit up for the Ws?
Boom D, Capt.Jack and GP on the court talking trash...priceless.

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Jan 7, 2008 11:15 AM PST reply actions

GP

OGs will remember that GP is murder on opposing PG's on the block--he's crafty & (as Kobe says) amphibious, baby! And everybody knows that Nellie LOVES to post his PGs. (hell, he used to post Timmy Hardaway all the time!)

So, while at his age, the Glove can't keep up w/ the young Warrior gazelles, he won't need to. They'll have Jax, Barnes or Ellis bring up the ball & use GP on the post. From there he can score, kick to shooters or dish to cutters (Beans will love him.)

After the bucket, he'll pick-up the ball-handler & do some Lindsay Hunter-like ball-hawking.

See, the real reason to get GP is for defense.

Mainstream national wisdom says BD will break down physically or at least lose effectiveness late in games playing 40+ And he might. But sure as shootin' he will cruise on defense a lot more nights, saving himself for clutch offense. And he should--he's the Warrior's best offensive player.

But the dubs need his shutdown defense, too--like on AI in Denver last week. Having GP 10-15 minutes a night allows BD to either sit or play off the ball, where the defensive demands are less. Ellis at the point isn't the answer to this problem--he's not experienced enough to play position defense--GP can & will (esp w/ Jax helping on the high screen/roll).

GP all the way!! (For veteran's minimum, of course.)

by bringbackbarry on Jan 7, 2008 11:53 AM PST reply actions

shut down defense?

Payton hasn't been a shutdown defender for at least half a decade. In Miami he wasn't even an adequate defender, let alone "shutdown."

by jae on Jan 7, 2008 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

please no

by GameSix on Jan 7, 2008 12:37 PM PST reply actions

wishful thinking

Wow, I can't believe so many people are seduced by the "hometown boy" factor.

you guys remember Troy Hudson? The guy that absolutely sucked when he could drag his broken body on to the court? The Warriors got him, essentially, for free this offseason.

They could have gotten Payton for just as cheaply.

but they chose Troy Hudson instead.

Get it?

PAYTON COULDN'T EVEN BEAT TROY HUDSON!

Now people say he's gonna bring "shutdown defense" or and a "low post game"? Was Payton's name on the Michell report and I just missed it? Is payton related to Terry Cummings?

SCOTTIE PIPPEN has scored more points lately than Gary payton.

Let's bring in Pippen to play point forward.

Is Rodman still around?

SB Nation Quality Control

AIM: Jetforze

by OptionZero @ Golden State Of Mind on Jan 7, 2008 12:46 PM PST reply actions

NONstory

for those of you who read the article, this is a name being used to fill a nonstory - the only way GSW signs GP is as a favor to him, his family, etc. to let him "retire" here in a ceremonial fashion

he can't play anymore even at the Heat's pace much less ours

move on & give Wats-hisname your love for 10 days ...

by hardcore on Jan 7, 2008 5:05 PM PST reply actions

lets not waste money

on a washed up player

by gswLLBatman on Jan 7, 2008 6:21 PM PST reply actions

Just a question...

Is this rumor for real? Even after the Warriors signed CJ Watson?

F**K REFS!!!

by faetati on Jan 7, 2008 6:32 PM PST reply actions

THE GLOVE

OAKLAND O.G. ALWAYS PUTTIN IT DOWN FOR THE TOWN, FUCK YEA BRING HIM IN, WE DONT HAVE TIME FOR YOUNGER PLAYERS TO DEVELOP, BARON ONLY HAS A FEW YEARS AT HIS PEAK...LETS GO MULLIN, MAKE A MOVE... ON ANOTHER NOTE, IMO WARRIORS NEEDA DO SOMETHING B4 THE TRADE DEADLINE, MAYBE ACQUIRE RON ARTEST FROM THE AILING KINGS??????

by bayboi4life on Jan 7, 2008 7:45 PM PST reply actions