Gary Payton II and the Golden State Warriors

Living in the shadow of a famous father is not easy, and Gary Payton II and the Golden State Warriors know it.

There is a lot of pressure and high expectations to meet.

Gary Dwayne Payton II is a clear example of how difficult it can be to have a famous last
name.
Born on December 1, 1992 and the son of legend Gary Payton, the player has had a
challenging career in the NBA.

During his college years, Payton II played for Salt Lake Community College; he averaged
14.1 points and 7.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game during his sophomore season.

From there, he was transferred to the Beavers of the Oregon State University, where he
played two more seasons, in which he averaged 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists
per game.

 Being chosen in both seasons as the best defensive player in The Pac-12
Conference and included in the best quintet, both absolute and defensive.

In January 2021 he would try to enter the world of basketball again, being chosen by the
Raptors 905 in the 15th position of the NBA G League draft.

 But he did not last long in the G
League and, on January 8 April 2021, signed a 10-day contract with the NBA’s Golden State
Warriors.

The Opportunity in the Golden State Warriors

After being cut by four teams, things didn’t look too promising for Payton II on the Warriors.
In fact, the player already had a plan B prepared in case he was left out of the team.                                                                                                                                                                                                      His intention was to become part of the team’s coaching staff.

“I was dead. If they had cut me off, I would have worked there. I wanted to continue in the
sport, I will be able to help,” he told ‘ESPN’.

But franchise coach Steve Kerr saw great potential in the player and set out to exploit the
player’s gifts on defense.

Thanks to work carried out by Kerr, today, Payton II has earned the title of bulldog and has
become one of the instrumental players in the Warriors’ defense.                        

He contributed 15 points in 26 minutes of play in Game 5 win that clinched its first-round series

over the Nuggets.

“I don’t even know how to begin on that one,” head coach Steve Kerr said when asked to
describe Payton II’s efforts. “I thought he was just a huge factor in the game, and he
deserved to stay out there the way he was playing… He came through big time.”

In fact, his performance has been so impressive that some can’t believe this is the first time
Payton II has played in the playoffs.

“He doesn’t seem too phased by anything,” Kerr said. “I guess when you’ve bounced around
like he has — been in the G League, played on 10-day contracts — there’s a lot more
pressure in that than there is in playing in a high-stakes game.”

Even team leader Curry was impressed by Payton II’s performance. “The playoffs bring the
best and the worst out of you,” Curry said. “It’s in his DNA and he looked very composed out
there in a very big moment.” 

Warriors vs. Grizzlies

The Warriors have to get past the Grizzlies to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

The best bookmakers put the Golden State at -20 to advance, while Memphis is at +210.

70% of experts predict that the series will be defined in six games, while only 10% believe
that the Grizzlies will win the series in seven games.

At VIP Sportsbook, we believe the Warriors have everything going to win the series. The
team has shown exceptional performance, and Curry, Klay, Thompson, and Green look like
the powerhouse that dominated the NBA a few years ago.

In addition, breakout players like Poole and Payton II have given the team greater depth on
the bench and boosted performance.

According to specialized sites, the Warriors have a 56% chance to make the Western
Conference Finals. While the Grizzlies get a 46% chance to make it to conference finals.

Bet Now For Your Favorite Team

Looking to place your bets on the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs? VIP Sportsbook has
got you covered! With the best betting lines and top-notch customer service, our site is
perfect for ensuring a safe and successful betting experience. So don’t wait any longer, head
to VIP Sportsbook, and make your picks today!