Payton Makes His Point As Sonics Hold Off Jazz

Shawn Kemp said Gary Payton was making a statement. Payton denied it.

“He wanted to prove something against the quote-unquote best point guard in the league, and he did,” Kemp said after Payton’s layup with 10 seconds to go gave the Seattle SuperSonics a 94-93 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday night.

Seattle’s victory ensured that George Karl of the Sonics will coach the West for the second time in three seasons in next month’s All-Star Game in San Antonio.

Kemp will start for the West on Feb. 11, but Payton, a two-time All-Star, was ignored in the fans’ voting. He could be added as a reserve if Western Conference coaches vote him onto the team.

Jason Kidd of Dallas and Clyde Drexler were voted as the West’s starting guards. John Stockton of Utah was third.

“One game isn’t going to make a difference,” Payton said. “Everybody knows I idolize John Stockton and he deserves to go. But if I wasn’t going before this game, this isn’t going to change anyone’s minds.”

Payton outscored Stockton 24-12 on a night when Kemp was limited to 10 points on 2-for-9 shooting. Kemp grimaced in pain from a deep bruise on his left shoulder he sustained against Denver on Wednesday.

For the Jazz, Jeff Hornacek had 27 points and Karl Malone had 23 and 10 rebounds.

After Payton’s layup, Malone’s 18-footer hit the back of the rim as time ran out.

Payton’s winning basket came after Malone’s two free throws with 56.8 seconds remaining put the Jazz in front 93-92.

Sam Perkins of Seattle missed a 3-point attempt with 35.7 seconds to go and Stockton missed a layup at 14.2 seconds.

Kemp, getting his 12th rebound on Stockton’s miss, fired a pass to Payton, who found an open lane and went to the basket.

“They just pushed it out and Gary saw a gap,” Stockton said. “I don’t think anybody really wanted to foul him.”