Gary Payton (born July 23, 1968 in Oakland, California) is a professional basketball player currently with the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association. Payton has played point guard for his entire career. He is nicknamed "The Glove" in recognition of his tenacious defense. As the story goes, Payton's cousin called him during the 1993 Western Conference Finals series against Phoenix and told him, "you're holding Kevin Johnson like a baseball in a glove," and the nickname was born.
