Gary Payton Make Bold Zion Williamson Comparison
New Orleans Pelicans All-Star Zion Williamson has been on a tear this season. He is averaging 26.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in 52 appearances this season. Last night against the New York Knicks, he scored 34 points, nine rebounds, and five assists in a loss.
Many have compared to the young star to NBA legend Shawn Kemp. This week, Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson had Kemp’s former teammate NBA Champion and Hall of Famer Gary Payton on the Scoop B Radio Podcast. During their chat, Robinson asked Payton about the comparison between WIlliams and his former teammate ‘The Reign Man.’
“Very much. Me and Shawn talk about this all the time. We had an interview about this, and people were telling who reminds you of this guy, and YES, HE DOES! I think the only thing that Zion doesn’t have but Shawn had was that mid-range jump shot and really good,” said Payton.
“I think Shawn was a better free throw shooter but as in height wise and getting to the bucket you know, it was cool. Now I don’t know if Zion is going to be the defensive player that Shawn turned into after a while but right now, that’s the young Shawn Kemp of the NBA. The way he’s playing right now…sheeiiit, he’s gettin’ 30 a night every day! So I think he’s going to be real good.”
Shawn Kemp played 13 seasons in the NBA including seven seasons in Seattle, including helping to lead them to the NBA Finals in 1996 alongside Gary Payton. They would lose to the Bulls in six games.
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.
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