Gary Payton Lost Son’s Favor After Strict Tactics Severed Their Relationship for Decades

During a recent interview with Complex, Payton opened up about the impact of his father’s intense coaching on his own parenting style. When asked if his dad’s harsh criticism influenced the way he treated Payton II, the former NBA star didn’t sugarcoat his response.

“I was very hard on my son, you know, and then our relationship got bad because of that. Me and my son have just finally started getting back to father, dad. Him liking me. And this is, he’s 33 now… Now I go to the games and I don’t say anything. So I gotta accept him for who he is,” Payton admitted.

It’s not often you hear a father talk about his son liking him as if it was something that had to be earned back. But for Payton, that was the reality. His intensity pushed his son away for years. And if you’re wondering how Payton II felt about it all, he’s been just as candid.

During an appearance on Dubs Talk, the Golden State Warriors guard confirmed what many might have guessed—his father’s legendary toughness didn’t stop at the court.

According to Payton II, his dad always wanted him to have “that dog” in him. The same fearless, aggressive mindset that made Payton Sr. one of the greatest defenders in NBA history. But there was a disconnect. Unlike his father, Payton II didn’t grow up under the same circumstances, and that difference made it hard to understand what his dad was trying to instill in him.

“He told me that I wasn’t really a good basketball player, but not in those words. He kind of lit a fire under me because me and him were always [butting heads] growing up, and I just wanted to prove him wrong,” Payton II shared. The Warriors star admitted that, for a long time, he struggled to find the relentless drive his father had.

And let’s be real—how do you replicate a 9x All-NBA defender and 1996 Defensive Player of the Year? That’s a lot to live up to. But over time, Payton II figured it out. The “dog” his father wanted to see in him? He found it.

“I knew what it was, I knew what [Gary Sr.] was talking about. The more and more I got better, he got quieter. I was like, ‘I must be doing something good if he’s not saying nothing.’ I feel like I got the dog and the instincts and everything from him for sure,” Payton II said.

However, Payton II believes it was not just his father who aided his growth as a player. Well, his mother, too, had a crucial role to play in this regard.

Gary Payton II credits his mom for his athletic prowess

Payton II may have inherited his father’s defensive grit and relentless energy, but when it comes to his athleticism, he gives all the credit to his mom. Surprised? You’re not alone. With a nickname like Young Glove and a reputation for lockdown defense, most would assume his skill set is purely a family tradition passed down from Gary Payton Sr. But Payton II sets the record straight.

“The athleticism– for sure, Monique James. Everything about it. [My] anticipation, jumps, speed, I definitely got it from my mom,” he admitted. And if you’ve ever seen him soar for a dunk or anticipate a steal before it happens, you can see exactly what he means.

Well, it makes sense considering James wasn’t just a spectator in the sports world—she was an athlete herself, running track and playing basketball in high school. Her speed, agility, and court awareness live on through her son, who brings those same qualities to the NBA.

It’s clear that the Warriors star got the best of both his mother and father. No wonder that even though Payton II doesn’t have the Hall of Fame resume that his father built over 18 seasons, he still plays with the same fire and determination.