RealGM 2023 Top 100 Project - #53 (Gary Payton)

[LA Bird]

Vote: Nate Thurmond
Nom: Ray Allen

• Thurmond was MVP of the Warriors over Barry and, when healthy, was arguably the more impactful player over their overlapped primes. Barry had some weak prime WOWY numbers in 70/71 (55-56 with, 29-28 without) that get overlooked because it happened in the ABA. In contrast, Thurmond had 10+ SRS WOWY impact in 67/68 similar to peak Walton.
• GOAT man defender and shut down Wilt and Kareem in their peak regular seasons (67 Wilt: 24 ppg on 64% TS -> 18 ppg on 50% TS. 72 Kareem: 35 ppg on 60% TS -> 23 ppg on 43% TS).
• Locked up Kareem for a second consecutive playoffs in 73 (23 ppg on 45% TS) en route to a upset which was Kareem's only loss to a non-title team in a 7 game series until 86.
• Not too worried about the rings narrative for 1975 considering Thurmond's consistent impact on team wins and that they were a one off title team that wasn't that dominant anyway. Besides, if we are going to be ring counting, this list would already be very different (ahem, Isiah).

[Doctor MJ]

Hey y’all some stuff came up. I’ll be able to tally in the next few hours but can’t right now.

If trex or beast can and wants to tally they can go ahead.


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[Doctor MJ]

Induction Vote 1 - Paul Arizin
Induction Vote 2 - George Gervin

As noted I’m a believer in Arizin.

Gervin’s a guy I considered much earlier. I think he has a case over Arizin.

Nomination Vote 1 - Dave Cowens
Nomination Vote 2 - Ray Allen

Cowens has been next in line for me. To be honest while I’ve had him ahead of Thurmond there’s a good debate to be had there.

Allen is a guy who could have slid in a while ago tbh. Definitely have him ahead of trade partner Payton.


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[Doctor MJ]

Induction Vote 1:

Payton - 7 (AEnigma, trex, Winta, iggy, Samurai, Rishkar, Clyde)
Embiid - 3 (trelos, HBK, beast)
Arizin - 2 (OSNB, Doc)
Thurmond - 2 (Ohayo, LA Bird)

No majority. Going to Vote 2 Payton vs Embiid:

Payton - 1 (OSNB)
Embiid - 0 (none)
neither - 3 (Doc, Ohayo, LA Bird)

Payton 8, Embiid 3.

Gary Payton is Inducted at #53.



Nomination Vote 1:

Cowens - 3 (AEnigma, Samurai, Doc)
Gasol - 1 (trex)
Mutombo - 1 (trelos)
Walton - 1 (HBK)
Allen - 3 (iggy, OSNB, LA Bird)
Bobby - 1 (beast)
Wallace - 1 (Rishkar)
Reed - 1 (Clyde)
none - 2 (Winta, Ohayo)

No majority. Going to Vote 2 Cowens vs Allen:

Cowens - 0 (none)
Allen - 3 (trex, Rishkar, Clyde)
neither - 3 (trelos, HBK, beast)

Allen 6, Cowens 3.

Ray Allen is added to Nominee list.