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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

The NBA summer league action has only just started. However, the players have already put on a show. From clutch moments to high-flying, they have displayed everything needed to play in the NBA. One of the moments caught the eye of LeBron James.

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In the matchup between the Warriors and Raptors, Gary Payton II took off. He finished a great dunk and got everyone on their feet. Likewise, it was noticed by LeBron and he took to Twitter to give the young man his praise.

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LeBron James approves of Gary Payton II

The Warriors’ young trio of Payton-Kuminga-Moody were seen in action, and they sure did not disappoint. Towards the end of the game, Payton drove right up to the rim and put the defender on his poster. It was one of the best dunks of this summer league.

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Well, LeBron James saw Payton’s high-flying dunk and gave his compliments to the young man, saying that the dunk was nasty. Having a player like LeBron James compliment you on a dunk means you are doing it right. The ‘King’ also made a name for jumping out of the gym in his younger days.

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Moreover, the fact that LeBron is watching the younger generation and is pushing them forward is a great thing to see. It just shows that he is a true ambassador of basketball, and is working towards securing the future of the game.

The Bay went on to win 90-84 against the Toronto Raptors. Payton ended the game with 13 points and 2 steals. In addition, he made himself the star of one of the best highlights of the summer.

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Who is Gary Payton II?

As the name suggests, he is the son of Hall of Famer Gary Payton. For Payton II, he is yet to have his break in the NBA. He came into the league in 2016 playing for Milwaukee. Currently, he is on his 4th team since entering the league.

He hardly played last season, being a part of just 10 games for the Warriors. In those games, he averaged 2.5 points and 0.6 steals in 4 minutes. Like his father, the 28 YO will also be looking to make his name in the NBA. Gary Payton is regarded as one of the greatest defending guards to play the game.

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His son will hope to keep his father’s legacy going. But, do it in his own way. With his recent performances, he has shown that he can ball with the big players. Hence, he could become more of a role player in this coming season.

Moreover, as the Warriors look like a competing team, he could add a title to his name, something his father could not achieve in the NBA. Do you think Gary Payton II can surpass his father?

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Written by

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Anuj Talwalkar

4,468 Articles

Anuj Talwalkar is a senior NBA Newsbreak specialist at EssentiallySports, trusted for his real-time coverage and fast, accurate updates on league developments. With five NBA seasons and two Olympics coverages under his belt, Anuj stands out as the go-to reporter for the NBA Matchday Newsdesk. As part of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, he continuously refines his hard reporting with grounded storytelling shaped by fan culture and court-level insights. An economics graduate and lifelong OKC fan since the Supersonics era, Anuj combines analytical thinking and a genuine passion for basketball. He’s recognized for both his live news coverage and feature writing, with aspirations to someday interview Russell Westbrook. Anuj’s reporting is marked by its reliability, depth, and strong connection to the pulse of the NBA.

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