What Gary Payton Would Bring To Boston CelticsDecember 21 07 The Boston Globe reports that Payton has interest in joining the Celtics:
Ex-Celtics point guard Gary Payton watched on television from his Las Vegas home Wednesday night as his former team lost to the Pistons. And once Chauncey Billups hit the winning free throws with a tenth of a second remaining, Payton called his agent.
"He called me and said, ’Hey, I’m reminding you that the Celtics are a team I feel like I can help,’ " said agent Aaron Goodwin. The Celtics have been pleased with the play of second-year point guard Rajon Rondo. But there has been a feeling that Boston still needs a veteran backup at the position.
My Very Quick Am Take: Jesus Shuttlesworth, The Big Ticket, The Truth, and now The Glove? For those not up on nicknames, here’s the translation: Gary Payton wants to join Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and the new-look Boston Celtics. Of course, Payton is no longer a superstar and, if signed, would serve as a back-up table setter. Finding a second-unit point-guard became an issue for the Celtics following the Detroit-Boston game because the Pistons successfully applied full-court pressure on gunner Eddie House. What would Payton add? - He’s an established veteran. Payton has been to three NBA finals and won the 2006 championship with the Heat. His experience would come in handy.
- He’s a legitimate back-up point guard. Payton could check in for Rajon Rondo, run the offense, play a little defense, and talk some trash for ten-fifteen minutes per game.
- He played for Boston in 2004-05 and clicked with the Celtics’ current coaching staff.
"I loved [Payton]," Doc Rivers said. "Gary was great. He was a professional. He’s a veteran, he knows how to play, and he’s tough. So I always liked him and he knows that. That’s probably why he wants to come. We had a terrific relationship." (Boston Globe)
Boston currently has two roster spots available. Apparently, Celtic GM Danny Ainge and Payton’s representatives have been talking for some time. The former All-Star, if he can keep his strong personality in-check, would help the Celtics.
Should Boston sign Payton? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts or hit us up in HoopsVibe’s revamped fan forum.
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Posted by
OJ
on 12.24.2007 | most definitely he should sign his pros _ out way the negatives, 5 to 1, he has experience,defense, psychology, tough, he would know to pa-------first look for his shot last GP knows the system he can play for between 10 to 20 minutes at the max. a game.Only negative I see that he’s 39 not 29, . | Posted by
Stan Steamer
on 12.22.2007 | I always liked Earl Boykins. Can score and assist to turnovers is 3 to 1. Thus would be a good fit. . | Posted by
Hammer Head Johnson
on 12.22.2007 | H.H.J@hotmail.com, 305-230-3737: Look u pussy I will be u down, Jacob, I know you’re soft cuz you live in Australia, that’s where the real faggots live. Oly sucks he doesn’t even really write anything, he jocks off other people’s sh*t than puts his bitch azz "My Quick take". You are a loser Jacob come holla at me anytime, I will give that business son! . | Posted by
chickchikachyeaaaaaa
on 12.22.2007 | eeeeeeeeh gp could come back cuz chances are, the c’s are prolly gonna win a title soon...but is gp just hopping the band wagon? (like sumone stated below) or is he really going to be able to contribute and actually be an important piece to this team? but very true, the c’s need a better back up pg than eddie house, cuz house just comes in to score, he cant really run the offense that well...EH either way c’s are gonna get a ring in the next few years if not sooner . | Posted by
on 12.21.2007 | I sort of prefer taking a chance on a John Lucas or somebody who might be a long-term role player, but there’s no reason not to gamble veteran’s minimum on a guy who we know if nothing else can bring the ball up court. . | Posted by
Jacob (from Australia)
on 12.21.2007 | "jesus shuttlesworth" is a stupid nickname? do u even know where the fuk that came from. if u truly were in with the game of basketball then u would know. eva heard of a certain movie by the name of He Got Game??? and have u heard that ray allen happens to play the part of the person called Jesus Shuttlesworth??? dont have a go at Oly thinkin that he came up with it himself if u havent checked ur facts fagget. and stop complainin u lil bitches without oly and other writers this site wouldnt run!!! shut ur big a-------mouths or at least put ur real name down and ur address so we can smash the f-out of u dickheads... . | Posted by
on 12.21.2007 | I think Payton could help for 10-15 minutes a game, for sure!!! . | Posted by
tallgeek
on 12.21.2007 | GP was a top notch defender for many years in Seattle, Rondo is in the same mix, only with less offense. GP can not only maintain when Rondo gets a quick break, but can pa-------on years of knowledge during practice, and help him out on some of the old hands he’ll face in games, like Kidd & Nash. GP’s presence could also enable the C’s to give Pierce and Allen a couple extra minutes on the bench during the game, which would help greatly in the playoffs. GO SPURS GO! . | Posted by
energy971
on 12.21.2007 | how can you guys say that ?? gary proved that his career was over in miami so why it would change in boston ??? its over for him, i liked him but he should retre for good .. STOP HIRING OLD PEOPLE ! . | Posted by
on 12.21.2007 | gp go to boston . | Posted by
KING MIKE
on 12.21.2007 | I DON’T THINK THEY SHOULD SIGN HIM....THEY SHOULD GO AFTER A YOUNGER VETERAN POINT GUARD...NOT TO SAY (GP) IS TOO OLD, HE’S JUST NOT THAT GOOD ANY MORE LIKE HE WAS FOR SEATTLE. . | Posted by
Hammer Head Johnson
on 12.21.2007 | Oly is a pretty crappy writer, yet hoopsvibe seems to make him the franchise with his "blog". The only reason I check back is to see what stupid "unique brand of garbage NBA analysis" he comes up with next. Taking a sh*t is more interesting than his work . | Posted by
on 12.21.2007 | Gary Payton needs to retire. He WAS good, once upon a time; no longer. Gary, just go away... . | Posted by
on 12.21.2007 | yea boston should dedinitely sign gp, they need a backup for rondo and he can also play good defense. . | Posted by
oly sucks
on 12.21.2007 | Once again olys article sucks, do they pay you to write? if so i should be a sports jorunalist so i can take everyone elses ideas and make a dumb a-------story, "jesus shuttlesworth" stupidest nickname i ever saw, Waste of time like always, . | Posted by
Captain America
on 12.21.2007 | l i will do a impressionIM OLD AND WANT ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP AND WAS NEVER GOOD BUT PEOPLE WILL THINK I AM GOOD IF I HAVE TWO RINGS RIGHT ?no gary no . | Posted by
Grandpa Payton
on 12.21.2007 | Man this is the biggest bang wagon, ring hopper ever. Just stay retired and stop trying to ride other people’s coattails GP. You couldn’t get it in your prime, be happy with the one you got when you marginaly contributed. Just GO away GP . | Posted by
on 12.21.2007 | sorry should say sign him . | Posted by
on 12.21.2007 | Sing Him Boston . | Posted by
yourmom122
on 12.21.2007 | Yes I think that the Celtics should sign Gary Payton . |
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Oly Sandor | Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More |
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