FATHER-SON BASKETBALL STARS
Gary Norris Gray-Staff Reporter
Fans know they are getting old when they can remember these current players fathers in uniform on the floor for example the Glove in Seattle, Gary Payton, one of the greatest defensive guards in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Supersonics. His son Gary Payton II returned to play for the team in the East Bay. The Golden State Warriors continue to make NBA history with five members of the current team with father-son connection, fathers who played in the association years ago and now their sons 20 years later are taking over the courts in San Francisco. Plus, the Warriors added another father-son team in General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. son of Mike Dunleavy who played and coached in the NBA. Passing down the front office skills to the basketball floor. Could this be a trend for other teams to follow, because there are 36 other father – sons teams that have played or will play in the NBA.
Today Gary Payton II looks like his father on the court making steals and scoring critical buckets, stopping the opponent from scoring is his task on the floor. Yes, he might even be called the Glove Jr. He does not like that name but it fits. Pun intended. Right from the start Gary Payton II attended the same university as the senior Gary Payton attending Oregon State University.
Two players, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have changed the shooting dynamics beyond the three-point arch, breaking records and winning championships. Teams all over the league are trying to copy this basketball style. This would be the blue print for the Golden State Warriors.
GARY PAYTON II
The Glove Jr. is faster, has a long arm reach and quicker foot speed. The Golden State Warriors are happy Gary Payton II wears the blue and gold. Gary Payton II came to the Warriors through the D-Leagues (Developmental League) which most players have done so the past 10 years improving their playing skills. Payton did this while under contract with the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards winning the G League Championship in 2019 for the Wizards organization.
HERE ARE THE WARRIORS FAB FIVE
Trayce Jackson-Davis -Dale Davis
Gary Payton II- Gary Payton
Andrew Wiggins- Mitchell Wiggins
Stephan Curry- Del Curry
Klay Thompson- Mychal Thompson
KLAY THOMPSON
As a child Klay must have watched the films of the championship years of the Los Angeles Lakers with Magic Johnson and Kareem. Observing what needed to be done to win championships. Klay must have received an A in class because he is following his father’s footsteps. Mychal was on the 1978 All Rookie of the Year team, Klay would be named to the 2011 All Rookie of the Year team. Mychal won two NBA Championships, Klay has doubled that with four NBA Titles and still playing. Mychal must have passed on the cool genes and championship mentality to Klay Thompson because #11 hardly ever rattles on the court. Klay when he is hot can rip your heart out with his off the wing three pointer jumpers and the creation of the Bay Area Splash Brothers.
WARDELL STEPHEN CURRY II
Del Curry must have passed his shooting skills to his son Wardell Stephen Curry II because #30 is the best shooting guard to ever play the game. Little girls and boys are now saying I can do that, no matter what size they are….And they can because skinny little Steph Curry has taken the league by storm. Steph is the Baby Face Assassin has grown up and doing it with style and grace not showing up teams unless provoked. Curry knew what his weakness happened to be and worked on it during the off seasons. He muscled up to become four-time NBA Champion, NBA Finals MVP, two-time League MVP, 10 time all-star, 2 time scoring champion, 7-time three-point champion, four-time free throw champion, field goal percentage champion, this list never ends. The Other member of the Splash Brothers team.
ANDREW WIGGINS
Mitchell Wiggins must have given his son Andrew #22 the grit, determination, and heart to keep going in difficult times. The Elder Wiggins has a serious medical issue the past three years while his son prefers not to discuss the problem publicly. It is good to see the Bay Area Media respecting this young budding star’s request and not pressed the issue. The team has granted him a leave of absence last year as well as this year. Wiggins has shown greatness on the floor this year with his offensive skills under the backboard.
Andrew had the weight on his shoulders having to carry the Minnesota Timberwolves his rookie season after being traded from the Cavaliers pre-season. Wiggins never played a game in Cleveland and history has been changed forever. He would become Rookie of the Year in Minnesota and moved the T-wolves to the playoffs. It was not enough for the Minnesota organization. They wanted Wiggins to be the team leader and he was not ready and did not want that job. Andrew moved to a better place the West Coast and the Golden State Warriors. He does not have to be leading scorer or captain of the team. He can just fit in and play his game
This seems to be a perfect fit because with his shooting and defensive skills and experience he can blend in with the team and the pressure to carry everybody is not there. He does not have to be a star every night but when the game on the line #22 comes up big.
TRAYCE JACKSON-DAVIS
Dale Davis and Trayce Jackson-Davis, this father son team can claim that they both wore the Golden State Warrior jersey Dale played in the Atlantic Coast Conference with the Clemson Tigers and a first team all-ACC first team with his # 34 retired at Clemson.
Dale might have passed the workhorse mentality to his son because Trayce never gives up in practice or in a game. He made the NBA highlight reel when the Warriors played the San Antonio Spurs in Texas when he posterized rookie Victor Wembanyama on an outstanding slam dunk and has blocked Giannis Antetokoumpo shots, players twice his size. The Warriors won both games.
The Big Five on the Golden State Warriors reminds all sports fans yes, we are all getting older and time marches on, whither we like it or not. Curry and Thompson remind everyone how perfect basketball could be on the West Coast. While Wiggins, Davis, and Payton II can let everyone get a glimpse of the future and how it could be a perfect mix on the basketball floor years from now.
Gary Norris Gray – Writer, Author, Historian. Gibbs Magazine-Oakland, California and New England Informer- Boston Mass. THE GRAYLINE:- The Analects of A Black Disabled Man, The Gray Leopard Cove, Soul Tree Radio In The Raw, and The Batchelor Pad News Network Disabled Community Activist. Email at
glcgray@gmail.com
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