Gary Payton is the only point guard in NBA history to win the Defensive Player Of The Year Award.
During his 18 year career, he was a 9-time Allstar and a member of the All-Defensive Team 9-times as well. In the mist of 1995-96 season, Payton became the steal champion, and also made history by becoming the first point guard to win the Defensive Player Of The Year Award. Earning him the nickname “The Glove” because of his stellar defense.
His will and determination along with Shawn “The Reignman” Kemp helped lead the Seattle SuperSonics to the NBA a Finals for the first time since 1979. This time it was against the 72-10 Chicago Bulls, and the Sonics would lose in six games. Resulting in the fourth title for Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Phil Jackson.
The following season Kemp would be traded away to Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade and the Sonics acquired Vin Baker from the Milwaukee Bucks. Payton would play five more seasons in Seattle before being traded to Milwaukee for future Hall of Famer Ray Allen in 2002-2003. In 2006, Payton would finally obtain that exclusive championship with the Miami Heat, as a member of the supporting cast alongside Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal.
In 2013, One of the NBA’s greatest trash talkers would take his play amongst the rest of the basketball greats in Springfield. As a first ballot Hall of Famer on September 9th, 2013, former Mayor of Seattle J. Mike McGinn declared September 9th “Gary Payton Day.”
Happy “Gary Payton Day” #Seattle. pic.twitter.com/yEiH1urwk8
— Gary Payton (@gary_payton20) September 9, 2018
About the Author
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.
