Payton’s Wedding Spares Very Little Sonics Guard Busy Bragging As Day Of Excess Draws Near

One thing Gary Payton admits he had to “calm down” in order to become successful in the NBA was his nonstop talking.

But it is the offseason, and the Sonics star has one extravagant wedding to brag about.

The July 26 event promises to live up to its buildup.

One solid indication is how the festivities are set to begin.

First, Payton, his longtime girlfriend, Monique, and 15 bridesmaids and 15 groomsmen will arrive in a fleet of convertible Mercedes Benzes.

“That’s how the party’s rolling,” Payton said, uncovering a big cheesy smile.

Payton’s agents, Eric and Aaron Goodwin, said the use of so many Mercedes might be wishful thinking. But that hasn’t prevented Payton from doing what he does best: thinking big.

The fashion alone figures to provoke conversation.

The wedding party will be attired in original designs. Payton said he had at least three suits made for him to wear throughout the day.

“It’s going to be one of the greatest things in my life,” Payton said. “It’s going to be nice. This summer is going to be a big shabang.”

Maybe even bigger than last summer?

There is no $80-something million contract to sign or an Olympic gold medal to grab this time around. Just an event billed to be 100 times more entertaining than the Sonics’ trip to the 1996 NBA Finals.

With an estimated cost that could easily pay President Bill Clinton’s annual salary, the wedding is expected to attract a well-to-do guest list of more than 600 people, including entertainers, basketball executives and droves of NBA players.

Penny Hardaway? There.

Jamie Foxx? Wouldn’t miss it.

Mitch Richmond? Count him in.

Brian Shaw? Mark Curry? Jason Kidd? There. There. There.

Even Shawn Kemp will abandon his standoff with Sonics management long enough to stand up for Payton.

“I’ve got the Barry Ackerleys, the Wally Walkers, all the NBA players coming. It’s going to be a nice event,” Payton said.

“In two weeks it’s going to be something you’ll never forget. We’ll have it on video, and I know it’s going to go crazy during the season… . They’ll keep talking about it.”

Perhaps none more than Payton.

Soon some 15 groomsmen will pass a diamond-studded, gold band from one end of the chapel to the altar per a preacher’s request for a wedding ring. As the “Glove” explained the forthcoming exchange, he jokingly called it the moment his bachelor’s license gets revoked.

There is laughter. Payton flashes that teeth-baring grin again.

He might as well practice.

“I hope it goes well,” he said.

Payton admits letting his bride-to-be handle all the preparations practically ensured a jazzy affair.

“She’s doing a good job at it,” Payton said. “What’s different about this wedding is she’s got everybody staying at (an Oakland-area) hotel - the wedding is at the hotel and the reception. You move from one ballroom to another ballroom.

“The ballroom is the most extravagant thing. It’s just something (awesome). She’s got thousands of dollars worth of flowers. We’ve got bows all over the chairs … .”

There wasn’t a budget.

“She rolled,” Payton said of the expenses. “It’s a high one.”

Just like that cloud he’s on.