<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Boston Herald: He's still being listed as a point guard, but Gary Payton is sounding more and more like a coach. He was lecturing Marcus Banks [news] privately after practice again yesterday, and later he talked about the young Celtic players he's developing. Doc Rivers makes less money than Payton, but, heck, GP is doing part of his job. And with a team this young, Job 1 is force-feeding wisdom to the seven first- and second-year players. Payton is starting with the basics. ``We've got a lot of young guys,'' he said. ``Right now if they were still in high school, they'd be going to either gym or eat. It's a difference when you come up here and every day you've got two hours to just work hard and then you've got, what, 22 more hours just to play and go do something else. What they gonna do, play Playstation? You know what I'm saying? </div> Source
Well, Im glad that Gary Payton has realized that hes now a celtic and im glad that hes not holdin out or anything. I think that he can help out Banks a lot especially in the defense area.
It's good that Payton is taking on a leadership role, and now that he's not whining anymore, I think he'll have a very productive season as second fiddle to Pierce.
Some conspiracy theroists have come up with the idea that Danny Ainge played the Lakers like a game of Scrabble. It's known that there was some form of communication between Payton and Ainge after the trade happened and before GP was scheduled for a physical. Some believe that Ainge's unorthodox methods combined with Payton's new found hatred towards the Lakers combined to a mutual decision to "work" the Lakers for whatever they were worth. There aren't very many direct quotes that can be found where Payon actually spoke out against going to Boston. There were little statements here and there about his family, and his disrespect for the Lakers, but not much came from his mouth into the public ears. Payton had a physical scheduled, whether it was imaginary or not, in which he didn't show up for. The Celtics were then able to amend the trade, getting their previous first round pick, Marcus Banks, back. I almost believe the story, now that GP is here and has such a great attitude. I wouldn't put it past GP and DA to act out such a plan, either. But regardless of how any of that went down, it's just plain great to see him as a Celtic. He is a veteran presence that is much needed on this roster, and I love to see him taking a leadership role.
wad a great piece of news. i would love to see boston go back to its winning ways. looks like payton has finally decided boston is for real. he is already putting up nice numbers in the preseason games.
Its good to hear Payton has a positive attitude on being with the Celtics,and its even better that he is stepping up as a leader.He can be a good mentor to younger players like Marcus Banks,Delonte West and Jiri Welsch,and help them become become better point guards.
