Gary Payton one of the greatest point guards in NBA history has had his great and tough moments in basketball. One of his glorious memories was stepping up his game when he was with the Lakers in 2004. The Lakers lead the T-Wolves 2-1 in Western Finals. It just goes to show you the drive that Payton has always had.

Born July 23, 1968, as a kid, Payton grew up in a tough neighborhood in Oakland. Thanks to his dad he didn't have to go to Fremont High School where all the problems existed. Instead, Payton attended Skyline High, where later he was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics and was with them for a 12-year tenure. He has also played with the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.

He is nicknamed "The Glove" in recognition of his tenacious defense. As the story goes, Payton's cousin called him during the 1993 Western Conference Finals series against Phoenix and told him, "you're holding Kevin Johnson like a baseball in a glove," and the nickname was born.

While playing for the SuperSonics in 1995-1996 season, Gary was awarded the "NBA Association's Defensive Player of the Year Award". The National Basketball Association's Defensive Player of the Year Award has been handed out since 1983. The winner is selected by a panel of 125 sportswriters, each of whom casts a vote for first, second and third place selections. Each first-place vote is worth five points; a second place vote is worth three points; and each third-place vote is worth one point. The player with the highest point total, regardless of the number of first-place votes, wins the award. Since its inception, the award has been given to 14 different players.

Gary Payton's basketball career has earned him an estimated 104,811,095. Gary said "If it wasn't for people like Spencer Haywood, players like himself would never been able to make that kind of money."

Spencer Haywood was the only basketball player to win a Supreme Court decision where he was allowed to go directly into pro basketball from high school, making it possible for other players to do the same.

The video clip accompanying this story is of Spencer and Monique Payton at E40's Birthday party at the Poetry Club inside the Forum Shops. Monique is the backbone and stabilizer of the Payton household. We spoke on many topics with included a conversation about religion and health issue, focusing on Autism.

I will be bringing you all many more interviews each week here on VCO, among them look for videos interviewing E-40, VH1's Punk and many more.

Note: Video also "Video of the Day" on VCO homepage (11/30/07) or check archives HERE

My book of poetry entitled "Messages" was inspired by my dear friends C.J. Cansler along with Victoria Boone and Beryl Warren.   The group of poems along with some beautiful photographs are to inspire the reader.