<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Payton trash-talked his way through practice, initiated a good-natured feud with Kobe Bryant and generally made noise all over the court as the Lakers prepared for Sunday's Game 1 of the NBA Finals against Detroit. The Lakers accepted the volume of Payton's voice as a positive omen. "Gary's had his moments before, but this was a long duration of them," coach Phil Jackson said. "We just had a lot of fastbreak, animated drills and he got going. He and Kobe got into kind of a kidding match and it kept going farther and farther, but it was in good fun." And did Bryant match Payton's mouth? "He was hanging in there," Jackson said with a smile. Bryant didn't take offense to the ribbing. "It was good to see," Bryant said. "It was good to see him get fired up. He plays his best when he's going like that. He's been calm in practice, but he's at his best when he's extremely dynamic." </div> I love this, GP is firing up the troops, getting them ready to roll...one thing GP, are you going to be ready? GP talks
That's all that Payton has been doing all season is talk. Talk to the media, talk to Karl, and half heartedly talk to his opponents. This is his chance to salvage his season. I knew all along that going to the Lakers was a bad move for him but now he has an opportunity to have an impact on the highest stage possible. There are only two ways that Detroit is going to win this series. If Rasheed dominates Karl and if Chauncey Billups dominates Payton. I feel like Iverson at this point after hearing about Payton's pre-game preparations--"We talking about practice, not a game, we're talking 'bout practice." Payton has the ball in his hands and he is getting starters minutes. If you are upset about your role then play your way out of it.
I think Gary Payton is going to be ready. Him and Karl Malone have never won an NBA championship and Gary Payton deseved to be pumped. This is his first experience when he's absolutley sure that he's going to win in these Finals. Him matching up against Billups also makes him to play more agressive D.
Gary "the glove" payton can still play defense boys, and still talk as good as ever was able to. Gary beign fired up for the finals can mean only 2 things 1. Overconfidence or 2. Determination to take his first ring.
