Respektu. History in the makin`:

During his 15-year NBA career, Payton has appeared in 1,186 games (1,180 starts), averaging 17.6 points, 7.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.97 steals in 36.5 minutes per game, while shooting 46.9 percent from the field. Payton was elected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight consecutive seasons (1994-2001) and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1996, becoming the first guard to win the award since Michael Jordan in 1987-88. He currently ranks tied for 3rd (Maurice Cheeks) on the NBA’s all-time list in steals (2,331), 6th in assists (8,508) and 25th in points (20,829). During the 2004-05 season, Payton became just the 29th player in NBA history to accumulate 20,000 career points. He also became the first player in NBA history to achieve 20,000 points, 8,000 assists and 1,000 steals (teraz już ma 2,331) during the course of a career.

Payton has appeared in 129 playoff games during the course of his career, averaging 15.7 points, 6.0 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.50 steals in 37.9 minutes per game.

Payton has twice won Olympic Gold as a member of the 1996 and 2000 U.S. Men's Olympic Teams. In addition, he was named to the All-NBA First-Team in 1998 and 2000, the All-NBA Second Team in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1999, and All-NBA Third Team in 2001.

Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round (second overall) of the 1990 NBA Draft, Payton’s 13-year career with Seattle was highlighted by selections to the NBA All-Star Team seven straight seasons.

A Gary dalej ma ego większe od siebie ;) :

"We are very fortunate to have been able to acquire a player of Gary Payton's stature," Heat president Pat Riley said. "He is a proven veteran and will be a big addition to this team."

ncluding playoffs, Payton has played in 1,315 games; he's started all but six of them. Yet he may be a reserve in Miami, something that he's apparently fine with.

"I'm going to try to help Jason as much as possible," Payton said. "He has never had a guy like me to guide him. When I come into camp, I'm going to try to help him. I'm not going to try to beat him up or beat him down."

"Look at Pat. He's won championships and he knows what to do to get that extra oomph," Payton said. "Pat probably realized he didn't have that ... and he needed somebody who could make big plays at critical times."

Payton said he doesn't expect this to be his final season, although he acknowledged that winning a championship could spark a change in that plan.

He believes he could play as many as three more years, yet his sense of urgency to win a championship is stronger than ever.

"We have a lot of new guys coming in that are going to have to learn the system," Payton said. "And we are going to have to get it together right away. I think that is where a lot of people are concerned about us. We have a good shot, we have a lot of talent here and we have to get cohesive very quickly."