Champion Creed

The most glorious moment of Gary Payton's career was in 1996.

As a point guard, he won the DPOY, leading the Seattle SuperSonics to the Finals. He and Shawn Kemp became one of the league's best duos, seemingly able to achieve unprecedented glory for Seattle.

Then the joyful symphony abruptly stopped at its climax, and all beautiful fantasies came to a halt in the Finals.

The once-glorious DPOY was completely exposed in a point-to-point duel in the Finals, while Shawn Kemp's defense in the paint was turned upside down by O'Neal.

1996 became their most glorious yet painful memory of their careers.

After that, the Seattle SuperSonics abandoned Shawn Kemp, and Gary Payton never reached the conference finals again.

His name seemed to vanish from the league, with names like Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and even his little brother Jason Kidd gradually becoming more renowned.

Where was Gary Payton? Gary Payton had long since been crying bitterly in the corner.

But he was unwilling, not wanting to disappear from the league so unnoticed like Patrick Ewing, like his old teammate Shawn Kemp, like Alonzo Mourning, Charles Barkley, and others.

So he accepted a low-paying contract, a role he wasn't best at, subordinate to Tim Duncan.

He hoped to wear the ring that should have been on his hand in 1996, willing to sacrifice everything for that goal.

However, as Payton prepared to win, the man who had stopped him in 1996 appeared again.

"Roger."

"Gary, give your eulogy."

"I'm going to beat you today, your days of ruling everything are over, they must end!" Gary Payton shouted from the depths of his heart in rage.

Could this damned No. 14 stop him a second time? Absolutely not!

Roger calmly shook his head, "I told you to give a eulogy, not nonsense."

Payton's roar left no ripple in Roger's heart, because Gary Payton was just a loser.

In his prime, he couldn't cause Roger any trouble, there's no reason why he could do it at dusk.

There is only one player in the world who lost to an opponent at the peak and then lost to the same opponent at dusk, and that person is not in the Bay Area.

As Roger and Payton exchanged words, the Warriors had already inbounded the ball.

Tayshaun Prince passed the ball to Allan Houston, and Payton immediately stuck to him, not giving the Mid-range Shot King an inch, full of aggression.

Perhaps Payton's defensive threat wasn't that great to Roger. But to Allan Houston, Payton was like a ravenous lion.

Defending Allan Houston was very simple for a defender of Payton's caliber, as Allan Houston's ball-handling skills were average, and his finishing at the basket inefficient.

So just keep the aggression high and defend his shots relentlessly, even if beaten on tight coverage, he couldn't successfully challenge David Robinson and Tim Duncan.

Under intense pressure, Allan Houston could only hold the ball tightly, fearing a mistake could lead to a complete breakdown.

He lifted the ball over his head, trying to find a teammate. But Gary Payton gave Allan Houston no time to breathe, he jumped right up and tipped the ball out from between Allan Houston's hands raised high!

This former DPOY, after being called for an offensive foul, got the ball back himself!

Securing the ball, Payton led the fast break, but due to declining mobility, Roger caught up with him before he reached half court.

However, Payton did not stop, he still leaned into Roger, driving to the front court, stopping suddenly outside the three-point line, shaking for a bit of space before changing direction, accelerating for another breakthrough.

But just as Payton broke through, Roger got into position again, blocking his path. The moment they made contact, Roger decisively reached in and snatched the ball away!

Gary Payton lost possession in consecutive plays just past half court!

Gregg Popovich was furious, raising his hand and shouting at Payton, "I don't want to remind a veteran at every moment on what to do!"

Roger's counter was far more ferocious than Payton's, as he quickly shot to the front court and easily dunked. The stark contrast made Gary Payton appear his age.

He still yearned to trade shots with a top scorer, still wanted to prove to others, "I'm motherf***ing Gary Payton," but he was utterly defeated.

4 to 2, the Warriors lead by 2, but the Warriors fans cheered as if the team led by 20.

Against arch rivals like the Spurs, every point lead felt like a reason for fans to celebrate wantonly.

"Gary, give the ball to Tony," shouted Roger at Payton, "Your ball-handling is awful, and you're too slow. No, damn it, you're simply useless now. Listen, obediently take your position in the corner."

Roger continued his relentless taunting of the opponent; honestly, Roger couldn't understand what Payton was thinking, his recent decision to go solo was too abstract, like Xiang Zuo inexplicably slapping himself at the staircase and running away like a coward.

Is the Glove still living in the past? Does he think he is still a top-three point guard in the league?

With the Payton of today, if Roger really focused all his energy on him, he wouldn't even score 5 points in a game.

Payton fell silent, as in the last two consecutive plays, Roger easily made him suffer on the offensive end, as if Roger was the real defensive player of the year.