“For point guards, he was a nightmare” - Clyde Drexler gives a glimpse into what it was like playing against Gary Payton

Clyde Drexler was the second-best shooting guard of the 1980s and 1990s behind his rival Michael Jordan . They dominated as perimeter players, cementing themselves with phenomenal athleticism and a natural knack for scoring.

Both superstars played against some of the best defenders of that era, but the standout for them remains Gary Payton of the Seattle SuperSonics. Since Clyde played for division rival Portland Trail Blazers, he had many encounters against The Glove.

“GP i s The Glove because, on defense, he was like a glove. For point guards, he was a nightmare. Those long arms, he was quick, he was fast, he was tenacious, and he was just mean enough to want to shut you out,” Clyde said on 75 Stories.

Gary was a bold defender

Any time Payton played defense, he was looking to stop his opponent by any means. He took every matchup personally, taking it upon himself to take that player out of the game. As The Glove, Gary played suffocating defense every time down the court. He would keep the opposing players in check with his long limbs and quick lateral movement.

Aside from playing elite defense, the guard loved to talk trash to his opponents. He locked them up and mentally rattled them, frustrating them to the point that they made mistakes.

He is the quintessential defender because he does everything you would want from an elite stopper, which is why he deserved to win the 1996 Defensive Player of the Year, the last guard to win the award until Marcus Smart won it in 2022, cementing the comparisons between the two.

Payton is a legendary point guard

Gary had a long and successful career, but the championship eluded him for years. Moving to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2003/04 season was his golden opportunity, but the Detroit Pistons pulled off the upset in the Finals. Thankfully, Payton managed to play a couple more years, winning the championship with the Miami Heat in 2006 alongside Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal.

This prompted fans to fondly recall Payton's standout performances in the 1990s, where he excelled as a point guard, driving the SuperSonics' offense while demonstrating elite defensive skills. Teaming up with Shawn Kemp, Gary led an entertaining squad, culminating in a memorable NBA Finals appearance in 1996 against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

The Glove is now seen as one of the best point guards in the game and a respectable voice in the NBA community. He is the prime example of an elite two-way talent in the guard position, setting the tone for modern-day players, including his son Gary Payton II, to be more involved in defense.

Related: Gary Payton says Seattle was the original Lob City: "I was doing that in the early 90s before even that boy was even in diapers"