Stealing Seattle’s Spotlight

Gary Payton did not love the gluttony of 3-point shots or the wide-open style of play in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal between the Sonics and Rockets Monday night.

“We were in a groove and it was a good groove, too. … (But) I can’t get any steals that way,” said Payton, grinning.

What other response would you expect from the NBA’s newly crowned defensive player of the year?

Earlier in the day - before Monday night’s tipoff and before Houston forward Mark Bryant fell on Payton’s back and gave everyone in KeyArena a good scare - Payton had been bestowed the prestigious award.

A quaint trophy had been shipped up to this left-hand corner of the map, where never before in franchise history has a Sonics player received an award of such recognition.

But these are good times for the Sonics, finally.

They are in the second round of the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Seattle has grabbed the national basketball spotlight.

And Payton, at 27, is coming of age.

Monday night, just to make sure everyone is clear on why he hands-down beat out Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon for the defensive honor, Payton played his usual role of defensive stopper.

He had two key steals late in the fourth quarter. The first one helped open a 97-90 lead after Payton fed Hersey Hawkins for a 3-pointer with 5:20 remaining.

The second left Olajuwon trapped on the floor, with Shawn Kemp eventually gaining control. Kemp was fouled and sank two free throws to seal the Sonics’ victory, 105-101.

“It was a gusty win,” Payton said. “We shot well and we played well. We just kept gutting it out.”

For Payton, it was a sweet finish to what had already been a good day - except for his strained back, which is sore and will require treatment.

Somewhere along the line, the 6-foot-4 point guard chose to be enough of a student of the game to understand he could raise his own to greater levels.

Payton’s mother, Annie, watched her son Monday night and confirmed the defensive award meant a great deal to her son.

“He worked real hard for this,” she said. “His father was the one who pushed him, but Gary wanted to be good. He pushed himself. He doesn’t let injuries stop him.”

That much was evident when, in the second quarter, Payton wound up underneath Bryant in an ugly spill. Payton refused to come out.

But more than his toughness, more than his refusal to allow injuries to sideline him, Payton’s game is hung on defense. Quick hands are the key he said, and dedication to hard work.

“In high school, I was offense minded,” Payton said.

“I liked George Gervin a lot and you know he didn’t play no ‘D.’ He didn’t play no ‘D’ at all.”

But somewhere between Oregon State and his No. 2 pick by the Sonics back in 1990 and now, Payton listened closely to everyone who told him he could be one of the league’s most outstanding defensive players.

“The Glove” was born. It helped that Payton plays for George Karl, with whom defense is key.

“When I heard about Gary getting the award, I was excited,” Karl said.

“Gary has shown tremendous growth and the team has supported that. I don’t know if Gary Payton can win that award unless he is on a great defensive team. But at the end of the game, he likes to be the stopper.”

For the Sonics, the lack of a dominant center means the defense is hinged entirely on rotations and ball pressure.

“A center is the player who cleans up mistakes,” Karl said. “But a point guard is as pivotal as a center. That’s where the game starts. He’s the one who directs the game.”

The Sonics do it by cutting down angles - by making the opposition lengthen their entry pass, inviting turnovers. These are the reasons why Payton led the league in steals (2.85 per game) and why the Sonics led the league in turnovers forced with 18.5 per game.

Unfortunately, a discussion about Payton’s coronation as defensive player of the year is not complete without contemplation of another, slightly less pure matter. That would be money: how much Payton will get and where he’ll get it.

Come July, when his contractual obligation to the Sonics ends, Payton is eligible to take a free-agent ride across America.

Pat Riley is going to come calling, with a big bouquet of south Florida orange blossoms in hand. Riley wants Payton in Miami, directing the Heat’s rise is the East.

Make no mistake, the recognition Payton received further bolsters his standing as one of the hottest commodities on the market. It will take $50 million to sign him.

The Sonics want to keep Payton. It will be a top priority. But the Sonics have numerous players without contracts and a coach who has said the next team he signs with long term is going to be one that shows him complete confidence.

“Where coach Karl is going to be is going to be a big influence on me,” Payton said. “He’s my coach. He has helped me be the player I am.”

Karl and Payton are not necessarily a package deal. But in their minds, the relationship and foundation for success is solid.

“Gary and I have come a long way,” Karl said. “It’s a relationship that I know I will talk a great deal about. It has gone from crazy and wild to one of respect and love. And there is still room in it to grow, too.

“I tell him, when you sign that multimillion deal, I’m still going to tell you what I think you need to do. He’s got a game that can improve.”

Said Payton: “Whatever happens, it’s all going to be good.”

His mother, however, seemed to be a little more convinced about where the NBA’s best defensive player will be trying to defend his title.

“I think he’ll be here,” Annie Payton said.