Former Laker Gary Payton Reacts to Being Compared to Clippers Patrick Beverley
Hall of Famer Gary Payton is the only point guard to win the Defensive Player of the Year. The former nine-time All-Star achieved the feat during the 1995-1996 season. During his 16 seasons in the NBA, Payton averaged 16.3 Points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game.
Gary Payton along with the likes of Detlef Schremp, Shawn Kemp, Sam Perkins, and Nate McMillan helped to lead the Seattle Supersonics to the NBA Finals in 1996. Unfortunately, for them, they would come up short losing in six games to the Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen.
This wouldn’t be the last time Payton would help a team to the NBA Finals. He would return to the Finals in 2004 with the Los Angeles Lakers, but would end up losing to the Detriot Pistons in five games and again in 2006 as a member of the Miami Heat. The third time was a charm as Payton, and the rest of his heat teammates would beat the Dallas Mavericks in six games, after going dropping the first two games on the road.
Gary Payton is a once in a generation type of player, and there hasn’t been body to come close since he retired. However, Payton’s former Laker and Heat teammate Shaq back in April on Inside The NBA said, “Patrick Beverley is a modern-day Gary Payton.”
.@SHAQ on #INSIDETHENBA: “Clippers’ Patrick Beverley is a modern day Gary Payton”
— 👑📍Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson (@ScoopB) April 15, 2019
Also back in April Sacramento Kings assistant coach Bobby Jackson share with me, that Beverly reminded him of a mini Gary Payton.
.@patbev21 is a mini @GaryPayton_ says @SacramentoKings Bobby Jackson #Clippernation
— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) April 15, 2019
This past weekend the Big 3 was in Dallas for their third annual visit, and I had to the opportunity to get Payton’s take on the comparison to Patrick Beverley.
“I’ll take that! That is my little youngster and love him a lot, and going to work with him a lot. So, you guys will see me at a lot of Clippers games now that you mentioned it. So, yeah, has that dog in him and I like him. I was watching film on him yesterday to about things he could do or change on defense, and we are going to work that. I don’t care about the offense its, not the same he has two players that are going to be really high profile on offense with Paul and Kawhi.
So, I think if he can average 12 to 14 points, I think it will be really good. I think he should focus on trying to win Defensive Player of the Year because I am the only one ever to win it and he should focus on trying to become the second one, and I think he can do it. “
Last season Patrick Beverley averaged 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. Beverley will be entering his seventh seasons out of the University of Arkansas. The Los Angeles Lakers draft the 6’1 point guard with the 42nd pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. The day of the draft the Miami Heat would acquire in exchange for a 2011 second-round draft pick and cash considerations.
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.
