Former NBA star Gary Payton was one of the best all-around players to ever step on the court. The Glove made nine All-NBA Defensive teams in his career, while also making nine All-Star Game appearances.
Payton clearly played a different time when the game was more physical and refs didn't play such a vital part in a contest, but that doesn't stop the former Seattle Supersonics legend from thinking about which players in today's NBA he would have loved to go up against.
In a recent interview with Bleacher Report where Payton discussed numerous topics such as “The Last Dance” Documentary, he specifically referred to Grizzlies star Ja Morant and Celtics mainstay Marcus Smart as two players who play a similar game to him.
@Sasha_Kaun: If you were still playing today, who’s the player you’d most like to guard?
I would want to guard all of them. No more hand checking so you can touch them. But the one I would want the most is Morant. I think he has that dog that I have in myself, especially the way they are running. I would want my rules to come back and let us play and let the defensive player have an advantage to play.
@jonwilliams: What player in the NBA do you think plays most similarly to your style?
That’s kind of hard. I’d say nobody, but guys like Marcus Smart does a great job on defense, he’s starting to pick up his offense. My game was usually in the block. Beverley as well, he plays the defensive side. The only guy that can play 1-on-1 like me is Marcus Smart on being a defender.
A Morant and Payton matchup would certainly be a thrilling one. The Memphis guard is a high-flying, vibrant player who's quick and shifty, just like the Glove was.
As for Smart, he's solidified himself as one of the best defenders in the NBA. Although Payton may have been a better offensive presence than the Celtics guard, there's definitely that same dog on the defensive end in both guys.
One thing is for certain, Gary Payton would have still been must-see TV in the NBA today.
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