NBA superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry are two of the best players of the current generation. Both have won four championships so far with multiple individual accolades as well. Furthermore, the two are still going strong in the league despite their age and are the best players in their respective teams. Curry and James are completely different in terms of their role and style of play. But when the game is on the line, they will come through. However, this NBA legend who had a major beef with Michael Jordan does not see himself in either of them.

2006 NBA champion Gary Payton was one of the best defensive players ever and was nicknamed The Glove for his ability to steal the ball. He recently said that he does not see himself in anyone in the league.

Gary Payton on current stars

Gary Payton recently made an appearance on the Breakbeat Media show called Trashh Talk amidst the All-Star weekend in Utah. During the sit-down, Payton answered some interesting questions about NBA legends like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and so forth. Given his reputation for trash-talking, Payton talked about his trash-talking while playing in the NBA. At the beginning of the show, the host, Bubba Dub asked Payton who in the NBA today reminds him of himself. The nine-time NBA All-Star replied, “Not a damn person. No one.”

Payton then said that the only person who comes close to him in terms of defense is his son, Gary Payton II. The 1996 DPOY added, “But nobody would be compared to me. I was the only motherf***er that can do it, you know what I’m saying.”

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The host then talked about Payton going toe to toe with NBA legend Michael Jordan. The Seattle Supersonics legend stated that he does not back down from anyone including Jordan. He noted that he respects the Chicago Bulls legend because he talks back. Payton added he does not talk trash to his opponents who do not talk back. Payton shocked the world when he locked down Jordan in game-6 of the NBA Finals. Furthermore, he once claimed MJ avoided guarding him.

Michael Jordan vs. Gary Payton

The Seattle Supersonics and the Chicago Bulls faced each other in the 1995-96 NBA Finals. Throughout the series, Michael Jordan and Gary Payton locked horns going back and forth. The Bulls won the first three games comfortably. However, the Supersonics came back strong and won the next two straight games making it 3-2.

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Anticipation for game-6 was through the roof and some predicted the Supersonics would force a game-7. In game-6 Payton locked down Jordan for just 22 points. With immense pressure from Payton, MJ struggled from the field making just 5 of 19 shot attempts. However, the Bulls were still able to win and sealed the title in game-6.