NBA Draft: Every team’s best pick ever

Jun 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) speaks to the media during a press conference after game four of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Warriors won 108-97. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

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SEATTLE – DECEMBER 26: Gary Payton /

Oklahoma City Thunder: Gary Payton, No. 2, 1990 NBA Draft

This was a tough decision to make. Go with Kevin Durant, who is on his way to becoming one of the best players to ever play in the NBA? Go with Scottie Pippen, who was drafted by the Supersonics and traded to the Bulls? Go with James Harden, who was drafted by the Thunder? In the end, the choice came down to Gary Payton, the second overall pick in the 1990 draft. The Seattle SuperSonics may be no more, but Payton’s legacy endures.

The trash-talking point guard from Oakland played 13 seasons in Seattle, harassing point guards on defense and scoring on them on offense. An 11-time All-Star, Peyton helped take the franchise to the NBA Finals in 1996, powering past opponents in tandem with Shawn Kemp. He was the face of the organization for more than a decade, injecting them with swagger, confidence and top-tier point guard play. Payton was named to an incredible nine straight NBA All-Defensive First Teams, winning Defensive Player of the Year in 1996 — one of just a handful of perimeter players to ever win the award. No one played quite like Gary Payton, and he’ll always be remembered for his success in Seattle.

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