"Carrying a guy's bag wasn't in his contract" - Shawn Kemp says Gary Payton never did rookie duties for the Sonics vets

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Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton clicked from the jump in Seattle. However, Kemp revealed that he and “The Glove” had different personalities and auras as NBA rookies.

In a special piece for The Players’ Tribune in 2018, “The Reign Man” divulged that, like any other NBA novice, he did his fair share of rookie duties for the Sonics veterans, and he never had an issue with it. By contrast, that was hardly the case with Payton, who had always been brash and fearless from the get-go.

“When the older guys told me to do something, I did it. I didn’t ever make a thing out of it. That’s just what anyone goes through as a rookie. Maybe you have to carry an extra bag or grab somebody a Coke or a deck of cards. To me, it was never a big deal,” Kemp wrote.

“Gary, though. Nah. He wasn’t trying to do those things,” he continued. “He was the second pick in the draft and he walked around like, you know, carrying a guy’s bag wasn’t in his contract. Guys occasionally got annoyed with him, but for the most part, everyone would let stuff slide because they knew Gary actually had the skills and the heart to back up what he said.”

Everybody knew Gary walked the talk

Kemp, as well as the entire Sonics organization, knew early on that Payton was undoubtedly a great player. His aptitude for shutting down opponents and leading his team to victory had been unmatched since his college days.

However, one thing Payton struggled with was forging a good relationship with his Sonics teammates off the court. His brash demeanor and intense competitiveness often rubbed his fellow players the wrong way, creating tension within the team.

Due to his impressive repertoire, Payton unsurprisingly became Seattle’s star. While everybody agreed in unison that “The Glove” was one heck of a player, Kemp said that the divide in opinion about Payton’s leadership style ultimately affected the team’s dynamics and chemistry.

In simpler terms, Shawn confided that everybody loved Payton as a player, but the same thing couldn’t be said about him as a person.

“It’s like, even his rookie year everyone kind of saw it as — Gary could be the future of Sonics basketball,” Kemp shared. “But if you’re going to ship out every player or coach who initially didn’t get along with him, then you’re not going to have a very deep bench. So there was an adjustment period with Gary and everyone. But it was worth it.”

Gary’s bravado was too much sometimes

Among those who didn’t see Payton eye-to-eye was then Sonics head coach George Karl. Their relationship was often tumultuous, with both men having strong personalities that clashed frequently.

Payton and Karl’s conflicts were often publicized in the media, with rumors of heated arguments and disagreements during games and practices. Their on-court dynamic was complicated, as Gary was unapologetically himself. On the other hand, George, known for his strategic coaching style, sometimes found it challenging to deal with GP’s intensity and arrogance.

While Payton’s dedication to winning was admirable, his aggressive personality was sometimes too much to bear that it caused rifts within the Sonics locker room. Some teammates found his trash talk and demanding nature foul, while others felt alienated by his wild antics.

“Vin Baker and David Wingate are the only players that are truly Payton’s friends… In a brutally honest yet divulging statement, one Sonics player said last season: ‘He better hope he doesn’t die, because nobody on this team would be going to that funeral,'” a report once read.

Gary and Shawn made the Sonics great again

Because of Kemp’s lax and laid-back personality, he never had drama with Payton. Together, they formed a dynamic duo that captured the hearts of fans and struck fear into the minds of their opponents.

Payton proved to be a defensive maestro who patrolled the court with skill and tenacity. His ability to lock down his matchups earned him numerous accolades, including being named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1996. GP’s intensity also set the tone for the Sonics.

On the other hand, Kemp provided consistent scoring as a high-flying power forward with incredible athleticism and finesse. Shawn’s combination of strength, agility, and skill made him a nightmare for defenders. His electrifying dunks became a signature move that energized the Sonics’ fans and demoralized their rivals.

Payton and Kemp formed a formidable partnership that propelled the Sonics to new heights of success. In the 1995-96 season, the duo led the Sonics to an impressive 64-18 record and made a deep run all the way to the NBA Finals.

Over the years, Payton and Kemp matured as players. They may have struck other people differently, but their legacies would forever be intertwined with one another.