Gary Payton on CP3

by Junsier on Dec 5, 2008 4:43 PM CST

From Ball Don't Lie, an excerpt from the interview with The Glove:

BDL: Is there a point guard in the game who reminds you of yourself?

GP: (Pauses) No. I don't think anybody reminds me of me, because I did it on both ends of the floor. I played defense, I posted up, point guards don't post up [anymore] like I did, and guard somebody end to end, and get steals and stuff. Most point guards now, what they're doing is playing passing lanes, and some of them always talk about why they haven't been on first-team defense. Like Allen [Iverson] and Chris Paul, they're both my buddies, and I like them both, but that's not defense right now. Defense is more like an on the ball type of guy, like Bruce Bowen, but I don't think any point guard plays like that right now.

BDL: Who in your opinion is the best point guard in the game right now?

GP: Chris Paul.

BDL: Not Rondo?

GP: (Smiles) Nooo. No Rondo. Nooo Rondo. Chris Paul and then a close second would be [Deron] Williams.

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I agree

GP was a stright beast on d, and when he was young he was an efficient offensive option that would just beat dudes up on the post up. Still he doesnt have anything on CP’s offensive or leadership skills. Still I am a big GP fan.

by jdpourciau on Dec 5, 2008 10:02 PM CST reply actions

GP led a team to the finals

that’s not leadership? until the hornets win a nba title with Paul at the reigns CP3 has NOTHING on GP

by Carrion on Dec 8, 2008 4:12 AM CST up reply actions

Individual contributions. Team contributions, wins.

Please learn the difference.

by Rohan on Dec 8, 2008 1:58 PM CST up reply actions

Seriously?

I don’t want to get in to this because Ireally do believe that Payton was a gamer, but that’s a terrible argument. Nothing on CP? Are you drunk? Chris average more assists in his second year in the league then Gary averaged in the prime of his career.

We are talking about the same dude who argued a call to the ref WHILE THE PLAY WAS STILL GOING ON.

And when was leading a team to the finals a sign of anything.? Tell Dirk that. Chips are all that matter and GP got his on the back of Shaq and D Wade.

by jdpourciau on Dec 8, 2008 11:14 AM CST reply actions

Haha, let the guy think whatever he wants.

I’m sick and tired of people equating titles to individual greatness. I mean Jalen Rose called Tony Parker a better PG than Paul just because he has 3 rings. It’s a lazy, lazy way of evaluating players.

by Rohan on Dec 8, 2008 2:00 PM CST up reply actions