Payton Reaches out to Wright

Palm Beach Post

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MIAMI ? Since leaving the Seattle SuperSonics in 2003, point guard Gary Payton has gone from unquestioned leader of his team to on-court coach and life-skills adviser for young players.

"It's an adjustment," said Payton, a 15-year veteran now playing for the Heat. "But you get older. And when you get older, your mind changes about a lot of things."

For an example, consider the start of the fourth quarter of Tuesday's 95-91 exhibition victory against Orlando.

Coach Stan Van Gundy was telling Payton, the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer, to let him know if he needed a breather. But Payton was telling 19-year-old guard Dorell Wright to run downcourt as soon as he saw the ball come off the glass. Payton promised to get it to him.

Payton never left the game, and Wright scored 12 points in the final quarter. Eight of those points (three dunks and a jumper) were on assists from Payton.

"I did what he asked me to do ? just run ? and it worked," Wright said.

Payton, who spent his first 13 seasons in Seattle, wouldn't have tried a few years ago to help a youngster.

"You were in that mode where you didn't want to be the man that had to talk to them," Payton said. "They had to do things on their own. But when... you've got kids about the same age as them it's different. You start thinking as a parent and as a big brother and try to protect them."

Payton has been one of the Heat's most charismatic players during camp. He cracks jokes, talks loudly and keeps everybody loose. And even though he'll lead from the bench ? he has been a starter throughout his career ? Van Gundy said Payton's status is unquestioned.

"Sometimes veteran guys can be leaders and they have their own way of doing things and you're almost fighting them," Van Gundy said. "He's not that at all. Gary's been great at trying to get guys into our system."

And he's been great working with younger players who sometimes are seen as uninterested in learning NBA skills. Payton embraced that role two years ago with the Los Angeles Lakers and last year with the Boston Celtics.

"You're around (these young players) for nine months and you start seeing what kind of cats they are," Payton said. "They're real good cats and you just try to teach what you do and don't do."

Wright said he appreciates the guidance.

"On the court, off the court, whatever, he always gives me advice," Wright said. "He's handed it down to me."</div>

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