Gary Payton

Gary Payton is the only point guard in NBA history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award, and that distinction tells you everything about what made 'The Glove' special. His perimeter defense was suffocating — he could take away an opponent's dribble, deny passing lanes, and force turnovers with a combination of quick hands, elite footwork, and relentless trash talk that got inside players' heads.

Payton's offensive game was far more complete than his defensive reputation suggests. He averaged 16.3 points and 6.7 assists for his career, with multiple seasons above 20 points per game. His mid-range pull-up was reliable, his floater in the lane was crafty, and his ability to control pace and tempo made Seattle's half-court offense hum for over a decade.

Payton finally won a championship with the 2006 Miami Heat at age 37, a long-awaited ring for a player who had come close with the 1996 SuperSonics. That Seattle team won 64 games and reached the Finals before losing to Jordan's 72-win Bulls. Payton's defense on Jordan in Games 4 and 5 — after coach George Karl finally allowed him to guard MJ full-time — was the only time in that series anyone slowed Jordan down.