With the Golden State Warriors making it to the NBA finals, a major piece came back to help his team. After suffering a fractured elbow in the series against Memphis, Gary Payton II made his way back to the floor in Game 2.

Likewise, the Oracle crowd showered him with love and gave him a standing ovation during his return. While in an interview with JJ Reddick, his father Gary Payton revealed how Kobe Bryant was a huge part of his son’s career.

Gary Payton is one of the most skilled guard defenders to grace the game of basketball. He was the first-ever point guard to win the DPOY and revolutionized guards’ contribution to the defensive end. One of the players who took inspiration from him was Kobe Bryant.

Payton joined forces with him in 2003. While the duo didn’t win a championship together, they formed a close bond. Payton gave the Mamba all his defensive tips. And after that, Kobe gave it back years later by helping out Gary Payton II. Further, he revealed Kobe would talk to his son and even help out the Warriors star in his own way.

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Kobe Bryant helps Gary Payton II before his journey with the Warriors

During his interview with Reddick, Payton spoke a lot about how he and Bryant formed a bond when he joined the Lakers. The 9-time All-Defensive guard also said he was really glad about the opportunity to get to know the Mamba so well.

However, after Kobe took Payton’s tricks while playing for the Lakers, he made sure to help out the junior. Payton said just before his unfortunate passing, Kobe would talk to Gary Payton II and even send him his shoes.

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He said: “I was glad I went to the Lakers that year. And he was going through a lot of stuff, I got to know him very well. He got to be around my kids a lot. Right before he passed, he was talking to little Gary, sending him shoes stuff like that. It was just something that was really. really good about me just to get to know Kobe Bryant.” 

Now following the legacy of his father, Payton II quickly became essential in the Warriors lineup. He was one of the biggest reasons they were the number one defensive team in the league at one time. And now that he is back for the finals, the Bay surely has a huge bonus.

Facing off against a tough offense like the Celtics, having a defender like Gary Payton II can make all the difference. Moreover, the 29-year-old also has his eyes to honor the help he received from Kobe.

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Do you think Payton II will impress in the NBA finals this year ? Let us know in the comments below.