Gary Payton has always been known for his ability to get under the skin of his opponents during his illustrious NBA career, and it seems he hasn’t lost his touch.
Over the weekend, Payton found himself at the center of an altercation with Jordan Crawford during a Big3 game.
It’s been more than 15 years since Gary Payton retired after an extraordinary 17-season NBA career, where he earned accolades such as nine All-Star selections, multiple All-Team honors, and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
Payton’s legacy as one of the greatest trash-talkers in basketball history is well-documented, often mentioned alongside Michael Jordan and Kevin Garnett. For Payton, talking trash was as essential as breathing.
In 2017, Payton transitioned to coaching, taking the helm of the Big3 league’s Bivouac team, which features former NBA talents like Gerald Green and Corey Brewer.
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On Saturday, his team faced the Enemies, an undefeated squad featuring Nick Young and Jordan Crawford. The intense matchup ended with Payton’s Bivouacs handing the Enemies their first loss of the season, triumphing 50-46 and improving their own record to 6-1.
Jordan Crawford put up an impressive performance, scoring a game-high 20 points.
However, he couldn’t escape Payton’s relentless verbal onslaught. The situation escalated when Crawford, frustrated by Payton’s constant chirping, approached the 56-year-old coach and shoved him. The altercation quickly involved other players, with Isaiah Austin and Quincy Miller joining in while Jaylen Johnson tried to defuse the situation.
Despite his storied career and accomplishments, Payton continues to prove he’s as fiery as ever, still stirring the pot in his mid-50s during Big3 games.
His enduring passion for the game and knack for getting into opponents’ heads remains a testament to his competitive spirit and love for basketball.
