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| Gary Payton Milwaukee Bucks Career Photos |
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| Gary Payton Milwaukee Bucks Biography |
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(2002-2003)
Gary Payton was traded to the Bucks at the trading deadline, February 20, 2003 along with Desmond Mason for Ray allen, ending Payton's career in Seattle after 12 1/2 seasons and reunited him with coach George Karl. Payton left Seattle as the Sonics all-time leader in games played, points, minutes, steals, assists, field goals made, field goals attempted, three-point field goals made and three-point field goals attempted. Payton's contract expired at the end of the season, and the Sonics risked losing the nine-time All-Star guard over the summer to the free agent market with nothing in return.
In a news conference after Payton was traded, Nate McMillan said: "To be a part of Gary Payton leaving the city of Seattle is one of the most difficult things I've ever had to encounter, It's hard for me to show the excitement because I'm losing not only the players but also a very close friend", who played eight seasons with Payton before retiring in 1998.
Payton had always said he would like to retire as a Sonic and finish his career in Seattle, but the Sonics ownership wouldn't offer him an extension on his contract and he was no longer happy about the situation he was in and was expected to leave Seattle as a free agent. After being traded Payton thank the fans for supporting him for all his years in Seattle. In an interview after being traded, Payton said, -"First of all, I'm glad to be in Milwaukee and not in Seattle. The guys in Seattle complained about everything, so I had to expend a lot of time and energy trying to make everybody happy. The Sonics also had a lot of young players, so I also had to try and get them motivated. Once the lights were turned on, I had to make sure that everybody got involved in the offense and that they all got the shots that they wanted. I'm much more comfortable over here, and that's mostly because the Bucks have so many veterans. These guys can motivate themselves and create their own shots. That leaves me free to just go out and play."
What about re-upping in Milwaukee? "My family will make that decision. They've been in the rain for a long time, and I'm not going any place where they won't be happy. But I must say that I love George Karl, and as long as we're rolling, Milwaukee is a good play to play."
The Bucks finished the season with a 42-40 record and made the playoffs, but the Bucks lost in the first round to the New Jersey Nets. |
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| Gary Payton Milwaukee Bucks Career Achievements |
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• Started in all 28 games with the Bucks
• Led the Bucks in scoring 10 times
• Led the Bucks in assists on 20 occasions
• Led the Bucks in steals nine times
• His first game as a Buck was the 1,000th of his career (vs. Portland on Feb. 22)
• Ranked 2nd in the NBA in assists
• Ranked 10th the NBA in minutes
• Ranked 13th the NBA in steals
• Ranked 15th the NBA in double-doubles (28)
• Scored in double figures on 79 occasions
• Scored at least 20 points in 48 games
• Scored 30-or-more points in four games
• Scored 40-points vs. Indiana, Dec. 4 (with Seattle)
• Handed out double-figure assists 26 times
• Grabbed double-figure rebounds twice
• Recorded 28 double-doubles (21 with Seattle) |
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| Gary Payton Milwaukee Bucks Career Stats |
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Year |
GP |
FG% |
3PT% |
FT% |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
TO |
STL |
BLK |
02/03 |
28 |
46.6 |
29.4 |
74.6 |
19.6 |
3.1 |
7.4 |
2.0 |
1.4 |
0.3 |
Playoffs |
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vs. Nets |
6 |
42.9 |
6.7 |
70.0 |
18.5 |
3.0 |
8.7 |
2.2 |
1.3 |
0.2 |
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