NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton has never been one to mince words, or hold his tongue for anybody. Payton was honored by Oregon State with his own “Gary Payton Night” when the Beavers hosted Cal on Saturday night.
Payton met with the media before the ballgame and shared his feelings on everything from his son, coaching and the state of today’s NBA.
When asked what he doesn’t like about the current NBA game, the Glove responded by saying “everything.”
Payton addressed the lack of defense, selfish play, and an NBA that has gotten soft. He pointed out that he’s from the era of Bird, Magic, Jordan, Pippen and Rodman where players went to the basket andgot knocked on their butts.
Payton also pointed out that today’s game prevents players from being able to properly guard or challenge rivals because the new rules prevent players from playing one-on-one defense.
The Hall of Famer said he’s only impressed with three current point guards in the NBA – Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo and Tony Parker.
Payton then finished it off by saying the NBA would benefit from players having to spend a few seasons in college so that they could mature, and not enter the NBA as disappointments.