Sports Nicknames - The Glove

Gary Payton was one of the best point guards in the NBA during the 1990s and the best player in the history of Seattle Supersonics. Payton is Sonics' all time leader in points, minutes played, assists and steals.



He spent 17 seasons in the league, being recognized as a tough defender, which brought him the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1996 and the nickname "The Glove".

His nickname dates back to the 1993 playoffs when the Sonics survived two game-seven series against Utah and Houston to advance to the conference finals, where they faced Phoenix. Young Payton was matched up with Kevin Johnson, one of only three point guards in the history of the league who has averaged more than 20 points and 10 assists in three straight seasons. Despite the Sonics losing to the Suns, Payton played tremendous defense on Johnson which led Payton's relative to say: "You're holding Kevin Johnson like a baseball in a glove."

Nine times Payton was named in the league's first defensive team, and twice in the first team. He led the league in steals in 1996 and won the NBA championship as a role player for the Miami Heat in 2006.

In 2007, Payton finished his playing career, recording 21,813 points and 8,966 assists.

"The Glove" represented the United States in several big tournaments. He was part of the teams that won the gold medals at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

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