Get to know... Gary Payton
High point in life: Having my kids. Basketball created me a little bit. But becoming a father is the highlight of my life.
Low point in life: When my parents died. The kid growing up in Oakland, California, never thought that he would be as popular as I am now. They raised me to be who I am, and be where I'm at right now.
On my playlist: One More Chance, by Biggie Smalls; The Ghetto, by Too $hort; Ghost Ride It by J-Diggs. I'm a big Bay Area fan, so I like E-40 and Too $hort.
One thing I would never buy: A cheetah or a lion. Where would you even house it? Even having a dog is almost like having one of your kids.
Today I'm craving: A Big Mac, from McDonald's.
Last thing I ordered online: Some Vitamin C. I have them in my bag right now.
App I check before bed: It used to be Instagram. Now, I play a game on my phone called Dominoes.
Advice I'd give my 18-year-old self: I wouldn't give myself any advice, because then I wouldn't be Gary Payton. I think God put me as the way I should be. I want to go through the ups and downs that I went through. That's the only way I learn.
My favourite subject in school: Math. I'm very good at numbers. Very, very good.
I'd swipe right on: No one. Never. Why would you want to? I have to come in person to meet you. That's being more realistic. On an app, you can't look someone in the eye and see if they're real. I think I'd like to meet somebody in person and do it the old school way. I want to take you out, date you a lot.
My secret skill is: I play darts, cards, shoot pool. I'm very good at baseball.
A superpower I wish I had: I wish I was invisible. That way, I can sneak on a lot of things, like into somebody's meeting and see what they're up to.
My favourite Sunday memory: Watching NFL football. I'm a big San Francisco 49ers fan, and I enjoyed watching Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott.
My favourite bad habit: Oh, that's a good one. I think it's eating late at night, candy and stuff like that before going to sleep.
The best thing about fame: That you get to meet more famous people that you'd have never met otherwise, and they want to meet you too.
The worst thing about fame: Your privacy. You don't have a lot of it.People believe that you're obligated to do things for them, in times like when you're trying to spend time with your family at dinner, and they come up to you asking for an autograph or a picture. I get what Michael Jackson went through.
From HT Brunch, July 05, 2025
Follow us on www.instagram.com/htbrunch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
New York Knicks remain interested in free agent Ben Simmons as teams await his final decision in free agency
New York Knicks are interested in Ben Simmons (Image via Instagram / @bensimmons) According to reports, the New York Knicks are still considering Ben Simmons. The Knicks are still in the running for guard/forward Ben Simmons, a free agent, according to Ian Begley of SNY. He recently claimed that New York's overall salary cap of $207.8 million will reportedly allow the team to sign a rookie free agent and a veteran to a minimum contract. New York Knicks eye Ben Simmons for final roster spot amid limited free agency options This time of year, there aren't many storylines in the NBA summer. However, the NBA front offices are still working to improve the roster. The coaching staff of the New York Knicks has already undergone significant changes. Ian Begley of SNY recently reported that three-time All-Star Ben Simmons, who is still unsigned in free agency, is now getting a lot of interest from the New York Knicks. After playing for the Philadelphia 76ers for four seasons, the Brooklyn Nets for three, and the Los Angeles Clippers for a half-year, he is making his first foray into free agency. Stating the same, Ian Begley said: 'Ben Simmons is certainly a candidate for the Knicks' final roster spot. As of earlier this week, New York continued to show strong interest in signing Simmons as teams in on Simmons await his decision. He's garnered interest from several teams around the league. The Knicks also have maintained interest in Landry Shamet for that final roster spot..' Ben Simmons is looking for a team (Image via Instagram / @bensimmons) As per the same report, the competing teams are awaiting his decision. Ben Simmons' addition to the New York Knicks has some advantages. He is quite large and has significant defensive activity. Despite his offensive shortcomings, he is still a skilled passer, especially when the floor is open. However, he might not feel the need to join the team after earning more than $203 million in his NBA career to date. Furthermore, he probably would have signed by now if he had received stronger contractual offers. His choices are limited since the teams have already spent all of their money, but the New York Knicks are still interested in him. Also read: The Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks eye Darvin Ham for coaching staff shake-up For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Luka Doncic wants LeBron James to finish his career with Los Angeles Lakers despite growing tensions
Luka Doncic opened up about LeBron James (Image via Instagram / @lukadoncic) NBA icon Luka Doncic recently expressed his opinions clearly regarding playing with another giant, LeBron James . In recent weeks, the relationship between two players has been in the news. This happened particularly after a number of stories indicated that the four-time NBA champion wasn't overly happy about the team focusing on the new player from a business and game perspective. Meanwhile, according to a recent Dallas Hoops Journal report, Luka Doncic doesn't want the NBA's all-time top scorer to push but to finish his career in purple and gold. Luka Doncic opens up about LeBron James while staying in the Los Angeles Lakers amid trade rumors LeBron James and Luka Doncic have a history. In a stunning trade that sent 2020 NBA champion Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the Slovenian guard, the Los Angeles Lakers' front staff matched them together prior to the 2025 trade deadline. The Slovenian superstar has made his position clear behind closed doors. This happened despite mounting tensions about LeBron James' schedule and the team's decision to center itself around Luka Doncic. Additionally, rumors started circulating after Rich Paul's cryptic remarks went viral as the NBA giant decided to opt into the last year of his contract. Moreover, an ESPN report claiming that the NBA giant felt "disrespected" by the L.A. Lakers ' choice to switch to Luka Doncic further ignited a fire. However, neither the team's front office nor LeBron James' camp have formally pursued a trade or buyout. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic is making every effort to silence the commotion. According to him, the NBA icon will spend the rest of his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He wanted him to retire while wearing the yellow and purple jersey. LeBron James and Luka Doncic are L.A. Lakers' teammates (Image via Getty Images) Moreover, according to people close to the organization, Luka Doncic is actively recruiting around LeBron James rather than merely putting up with his presence. The NBA icon will get $52.6 million in the final year of his contract next season. It would be exactly what Luka Doncic wants if he decides to retire following the 2025–2026 season. On the other hand, this weekend, the 26-year-old Luka Doncic is anticipated to sign a contract extension with the L.A. Lakers. Also read: Lakers reportedly sidelining LeBron James from key decisions amid Luka Doncic era and team ownership shift For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
'We Are Underpaid': Why Stephen Curry Says NBA Stars Deserve More Than Just Massive Salaries
Stephen Curry's concern regarding underpayment of NBA stars (Image Source - Getty Images) Golden State Warriors legend Stephen Curry has long been seen as the face of modern basketball greatness - boasting four NBA titles, two MVPs, and a reputation as the greatest shooter in history. With career earnings surpassing $410 million, one might assume Curry has nothing to complain about financially. Yet the superstar recently made a bold claim: NBA players are underpaid. His reasoning, however, has less to do with salaries - and everything to do with ownership and equity. Stephen Curry's Key Argument: The CBA Locks Players Out of True Wealth Speaking in a recent interview, Stephen Curry made it clear that his issue isn't with the enormous paychecks NBA stars already receive. Instead, he pointed to the league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) as the primary roadblock to greater financial fairness. Under current rules, active players are prohibited from holding equity stakes in the teams they play for or the NBA itself. 'I think, because of the way the CBA is structured right now, we can't participate in equity,' Curry explained. 'And that's a big deal because it is a partnership with ownership. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo It's a partnership with the league, and we're on the short term of that revenue.' In his view, this exclusion keeps players from benefiting from the long-term growth and profitability of the league they help drive. NBA Salaries Are Huge - But They Don't Tell the Whole Story Stephen Curry On Drake Loyalty, Retirement Date & Trash-Talking Kobe | 360 With Speedy Stephen Curry acknowledges that to most people, an NBA salary - especially his own - sounds outrageous. He is set to earn over $55 million during the 2024–2025 season, and that figure will approach $60 million the following year. Meanwhile, the average NBA salary sits around $12 million annually, among the highest in professional sports. But Curry insists the real money lies elsewhere. Since he entered the league in 2009, his own team's valuation has exploded. The Golden State Warriors were worth just over $300 million at the time - today, Forbes values them at over $9 billion. That growth, Curry argues, has been driven by the players' talent, visibility, and global reach - not just by front-office decisions or ownership strategy. The Missed Financial Upside: No Equity, No Long-Term Wealth Stephen Curry's central frustration is that while team owners see exponential returns on franchise value, players only collect taxable annual salaries - no matter how much the league profits from their success. While retired legends like Michael Jordan have found ownership opportunities post-career, the league still bars active players from doing the same. 'We want to be able to participate in that rise,' Curry said. 'Hopefully, sooner than later, those rules change a little bit so that players can participate more in the upside of team equity, the league, valuations, and all that type of stuff. Just because I think we deserve it.' With billion-dollar media rights deals and expanding global revenue, Curry believes equity access would create a fairer, more balanced system - especially for the superstars whose brands fuel the league's rapid growth. Is It Really About Greed? Curry Says No - it's About Fairness Unsurprisingly, Curry's comments have stirred mixed reactions. Some critics argue that millionaires complaining about being underpaid come off as tone-deaf. But Curry clarified that he isn't bemoaning his wealth or seeking pity. Rather, he sees this as a fairness issue, especially given how much value players create for franchises. He emphasizes that the goal isn't more salary - it's a stake in the future. Team owners, he says, can continue reaping the rewards of franchise growth for decades, while players - whose playing windows are short - don't get a long-term share of the pie. Looking Ahead: Could Equity Be Part of the Next NBA Labor Deal? With another round of labor negotiations on the horizon, Curry's comments may influence how players and the union approach the next CBA. There is growing momentum around the idea of allowing active players to hold equity, provided safeguards exist to avoid potential conflicts of interest. In an era where athletes are also investors, entrepreneurs, and media moguls, the NBA may need to modernize its rules to keep up with the evolving business of sports. If Stephen Curry's Underpaid, What Does That Say About the System? Stephen Curry's argument turns conventional thinking on its head. If someone making $60 million a year says he's underpaid, what does that mean for everyone else in the league - or for future players? The point isn't about pity - it's about structure. Why should those who carry the NBA on their backs not be allowed to participate in the long-term financial success they help build? If stars like LeBron James or Stephen Curry could invest in their franchises while still playing, it could mark a revolutionary shift in how professional athletes interact with their leagues. Curry's vision isn't just about money - it's about creating true partnerships between players and the sport they elevate. Also read: Jonathan Kuminga Eyes Exit From Golden State Warriors as Suns and Kings Make Aggressive $90M Payday Push Whether the NBA moves in that direction remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: when a generational talent like Stephen Curry speaks out, it has the power to spark meaningful change. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
