Gary Payton II received a standing ovation when he checked into Game 2 of the NBA Finals with 5:30 remaining in the first quarter. It was his first game action in over a month since he fractured his elbow in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Of the thousands of Golden State Warriors faithful in attendance at the sold out Chase Center, however, none was happier to see Payton back on the court than his Hall of Fame dad – who even wore GPII on his shirt. While some have just recently learned of Payton’s journey from going undrafted to becoming a key contributor on a potential title team, Gary Payton, Sr. saw a person he’s proud to call his son. And not for what he does between those four lines.
“The Glove” joined For The Win prior to Game 2 to talk about his son’s work in the community, the untimely injury before the Finals and his own work with Hennessy to help small businesses power through challenges from the pandemic.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity