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.
