Patrick Beverley Is This Generations’ Gary Payton, Says Shaq & Bobby Jackson
Gary Payton is arguably the greatest defensive point guard in NBA history. In fact, he is the only point guard to win the Defensive Player of the Year. He captured the award in 1996 that season he also led the Seattle Supersonics to the Finals against the Chicago Bulls, but would go on to lose in six games.
The Glove over the cross of his career was a nine-time All-Star and named to the All-Defensive team nine times. He also won a championship ring with the Miami during the 2005-2006 season. Gary was a trash-talking menace on the basketball court that would shut down his opponents and give you buckets on the other end as well.
Gary was a once in a generation player and there has not been anybody like him since. Well, hold on acc
ording to Shaq on Inside The NBA the other night said, “Patrick Beverly is a modern-day Gary Payton.”
.@SHAQ on #INSIDETHENBA: “Clippers’ Patrick Beverly is a modern day Gary Payton”
— Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson 📍 (@ScoopB) April 15, 2019
Recently, Bobby Jackson an assistant coach with the Sacramento King stated that Beverley reminds him of a mini Gary Payton.
“I consider a Mimi, Gary Payton. He is able to defend his man as Gary did, but he has not been able to produce on the offensive end as Gary did,” Jackson told me.
.@patbev21 is a mini @GaryPayton_
says @SacramentoKings Bobby Jackson #Clippernation— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) April 15, 2019
Beverley was very influential in the Clippers game two playoff games against the Golden State Warriors on the defensive end and help them come back from 31 points. Both Kevin Durant and Beverley fouled out of the game in the fourth quarter.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
