Gary Payton is a legendary NBA figure for many reasons. First, he is one of the best defensive guards of all-time and that, coupled with big-time offensive production, earned the now 48-year-old induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Beyond that, Payton’s nickname of “The Glove” is an absolute all-timer and, perhaps best of all, he is known as one of the best trash-talkers in the history of the sport.
That memorable disposition was on full display recently, as Payton was conspicuously absent for the first day of BIG3 practice and media availability in New York. While Payton would later arrive and lead his team, the 3-Headed Monsters, to victory the following day, Bonsu Thompson of Bleacher Report reports that Payton wasn’t around. Be warned: The Glove used some NSFW language to describe why he had to miss the event.
Coach Gary Payton was absent for the media reception and both practices. Yesterday, the only point guard to win Defensive Player of the Year was reportedly on his way to Chelsea Piers. Not even the BIG3 commissioner and president knew his whereabouts. “He’s a big boy,” said Roger Mason Jr., while cruising around Chelsea Piers’ courts in a custom black suit, clearly bankrupt of answers. “He’ll find his way.” Today, Payton is unresponsive. This, a day before the BIG3’s debut and 3HM’s reintroduction.
Turns out GP never made it to NYC. He was back home on the Left Coast. “I had stuff to do,” Payton would say later. “I had businesses to handle. Shit. This ain’t my motherfuckin’ job.” He laughs. “This ain’t paying my bills.”
In short, this is seemingly Payton being Payton.
It should probably be noted that, as he notes, the BIG3 is not Payton’s principle moneymaking venture at this point in time and that other obligations would clearly come first. Obviously, this kind of thing wouldn’t go over well in a more formal setting but part of the charm of the BIG3 is that it is a throwback entity in a lot of ways and Payton’s mere presence (along with Allen Iverson, Chauncey Billups and others) bring the intrigue of the league to the table.
More than anything, though, this is the brash, to-the-point response that no one should be surprised about coming from Payton and, in the end, it actually makes a ton of sense given that he presumably isn’t commanding gobs of money to be plugged into the BIG3.
(Via Bleacher Report)
