Gary Payton II Expected to Return for NBA Finals
After the rough fall Gary Payton took in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals it is reported by Shams Charania that, “There is optimism that he could return as soon as Game One of the Finals.”
This news coming after a gentleman's sweep against the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals, where they missed GP II’s defensive presence. The Dubs ended up resorting to multiple defensive looks to guard the highly talented superstar Luka Doncic. Not having the six-foot-three defensive guard out of Oregon State University definitely affected the Warriors’ rotations too as we saw multiple guys get more minutes than they were accustomed to. Players like Damion Lee, Bjelica, Moody, and Kuminga all saw key playoff minutes down the stretch and were even helpful in trying to comeback against the Mavs in Game Four.
But with ample time left until the Finals, GP II, Otto Porter Jr, and possibly Andre Iguodala, all have a chance to rest up and play if healthy. And for GP II that opportunity may be closer than we thought. It just speaks to his resilience and willingness to want to play as many players would be out for an extended period with an injury like Payton’s. He has worked his tail off in recovery and knows how much this run means to not only him, but the guys involved.
If he does return for Game One, we might see his minutes restricted but he would still draw the other team’s best offensive player on defense. If the Warriors play the Celtics that might mean having to guard the league's Defensive Player of the Year in Marcus Smart. So hopefully this gives Payton a chip on his shoulder to outwork the DPOY no matter what. It also might mean having to guard Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum for multiple possessions, both of whom are highly talented scorers. But if the Heat force Game Seven and win, then GP II would draw Kyle Lowry along with any other shooter that Miami has on deck, including the likes of Tyler Herro or Max Strus. Not to mention Jimmy Butler’s scoring in the midrange and the paint that is key to their success.
Payton provides somewhat of a relief for guys like Curry and Wiggins who are being forced to play more defense in the playoffs as the matchups become more difficult. It also helps Klay Thompson as he can focus on putting the ball through the hoop rather than picking someone up forty-eight feet in the backcourt. This isn’t to say Steph or Wiggins or anyone else on the squad hasn’t improved their defense this season, but Payton specializes in it. The Warriors’ strength comes from their numbers as we have seen in seasons past. So having Gary Payton II back for the Finals would greatly help them be more of a force defensively. But Payton also provides some instant offense as well.
We saw this in the first round’s Game Five against the league's MVP, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets, where Payton hit three three-pointers and racked up fifteen points in the Dubs’ crucial closeout game. Not only can he hit threes, but he is a great cutter and always finds himself open at the rim. Curry called him, “The tallest six-foot-three guard ever.” The way he can sky in for a rebound or soar in for a poster dunk, something that could ignite the Chase Center crowd in the Finals and motivate the team.
All around this is a good sign for Payton and the Warriors as having that extra defensive presence and someone who has earned the trust of players and fans alike can only help them secure another championship. And for Payton, he will look to capture his first championship after years of fighting his way into a role that finally fits him.
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