Gary Payton II has become an integral part of the Warriors' top-ranked defense, and explained Friday how he has developed and grown into one of the league's better individual defenders this season.
"Mike Brown, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala," Payton told reporters after practice on Friday. "I talk to those guys quite a lot, and they teach me every day, I go and ask questions, I learn. During games, I may mess up, but I have those guys right there to help me through that in games and it's tremendous and it's been huge for those old guys to help us young guys in games and in practice and I think that's a huge part of our defensive rating being so high."
The Warriors' defensive rating of 102.9 is the best in the NBA, and Golden State has maintained that spot even as Draymond Green remains sidelined while dealing with a back issue. The Warriors also allow the fewest points per game in the NBA (101.9).
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SIGN UP HERE Payton II himself has the Warriors' second-best defensive box plus-minus among players with at least 100 minutes this season.
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After failing to stick with several NBA and G League franchises, Payton II has carved out a crucial role in the Warriors' rotation this season.
Payton II guards multiple positions and brings elite energy in his 16 minutes and change per game, and has delivered a number of acrobatic dunks that have electrified Dub Nation.
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He might be passing along credit to the Warriors' veterans and coaches, but at 28 years old, Payton himself likely is an inspiration to young players across the country who might be getting overlooked.