Payton was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1990 and quickly established himself as one of the best point guards in the league. He was a master of the pick-and-roll and was known for his tenacious defense. He was also an excellent passer and a great leader on the court.
Payton was a key member of the SuperSonics team that reached the NBA Finals in 1996. He was also a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team in 1996.
Payton was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2003 and then to the Boston Celtics in 2004. He finished his career with the Miami Heat in 2007.
Throughout his career, Payton was known for his competitive spirit and his ability to make his teammates better. He was also known for his trash-talking and his willingness to take on any challenge.
Payton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. He is widely considered one of the greatest point guards of all time and his legacy will live on for many years to come.
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1½ hours
2006–2013
In this virtual showdown, we're pitting two of the Miami Heat's most iconic teams against...
Shaq's 2006 Miami Heat vs Lebron's 2013 Miami Heat • Full Game Simulation / In this virtual showdown, we're pitting two of the Miami Heat's most iconic teams against each other: Shaquille O'Neal's 2006 squad and LeBron James' 2013 crew. The 2006 Heat, under the leadership of Pat Riley, were a formidable force, with Shaq providing the muscle in the paint and Dwyane Wade offering speed and finesse. Their season culminated in the franchise's first NBA championship, a feat they achieved by defeating the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. On the other side of the court, we have the 2013 Heat, a team that was part of the "Big Three" era with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Their season was marked by a remarkable 27-game winning streak, the second-longest in NBA history, and ended with their second consecutive championship after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in a thrilling seven-game series. This simulated matchup promises to be a clash of titans, with both teams having left indelible marks on the franchise and the sport itself.