Milwaukee Bucks 2016-17 Season Review: Gary Payton II

The Best of Payton II

In his first game as a Buck, Payton II scored his first NBA points. They came against the Dallas Mavericks as the young guard entered the game and very quickly knocked down a smooth three after Khris Middleton circled the rim and kicked out.

If that didn’t feel like a statement introduction, Payton II put an exclamation point on his debut only a minute later as he found space along the baseline and smashed home a powerful dunk.

Although the three-point make isn’t necessarily reflective of Payton II’s strengths, that sequence offers a nice snapshot of what he seems to be about. Payton II has been around the NBA for his entire life thanks to his father’s illustrious playing career, and he certainly never looked afraid to seize the moments that came his way in the opening stages of his NBA journey.

Payton is athletic and determined, and there were glimpses of promise even in such a brief stint. Now it’s just about whether he can channel them into something more meaningful longer term.

In only six NBA games, the numbers and highlights are limited, but Payton II’s highlights from his time with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Houston Rockets’ D-League affiliate, should offer cause for excitement too.