In this week’s Classic episode of Legends Of Sport, we flash back to the weekend that started this podcast! Andy chats with George “The Iceman” Gervin & “The Glove” Gary Payton, two ballers with legendary nicknames, at the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
George, whose rise from ABA baller to NBA legend is no ordinary story, talks about the genesis of his nickname “The Iceman,” memories from his playing days, growing up in the Motown era, the 1983 All Star Game, playing with a young Michael Jordan in his final year, why he doesn’t consider MJ the GOAT, how Magic Johnson changed the game, the George Gervin Youth Center, and more!
Next, Andy is joined by “The Glove,” Gary Payton! Gary describes his path from Oakland to Oregon State to the NBA, the influence of his father on him & other NBA’ers from Oakland, the heartbreak from the Supersonics leaving Seattle, the bombing that occurred during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, his world famous trash talking, going “full neck,” the Gary Payton-Shawn Kemp duo “The Rainman & The Glove,” the genesis of “The Glove” nickname, his sons, and much more! Original Air Date: March 6, 2018.
Topics discussed in this episode:
3:52 How George got “The Iceman” nickname
6:04 Growing up in the Motown era
6:56 George and Andy reflect on the 1983 All Star game in Los Angeles (Andy’s first NBA assignment)
10:04 His thoughts on playing with a young Michael Jordan
13:42 The evolution of the game of basketball, including introduction of the 3-point line
19:11 Impact of NBA legends like Oscar Robertson and Spencer Haywood on the game
20:30 George’s greatest achievements, the George Gervin Academy, a tuition-free charter school in San Antonio and the George Gervin Youth Center, and his impact on Spurs legend David Robinson.
22:55 George’s “finger roll” and Andy’s “Come Fly with Me” photo of Michael Jordan – paying homage to those before you.
28:12 George’s tribute to his mentor, Julius “Dr. J” Erving
36:11 Andy & “The Glove” Gary Payton share memories about Seattle SuperSonics basketball
39:00 GP reflects on Oakland childhood, his father’s influence and how his mom his college for him
45:24 The heartbreak when Seattle lost the SuperSonics and current efforts to bring an NBA team back
48:19 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and why Gary’s gold medal means more to him than an NBA championship
53:09 Growing up with his father’s tough love and GP’s own parenting style
57:35 Gary’s “full neck” trash talking, what MJ taught him his rookie year and how Gary taught a rookie named Jason Kidd the same lesson.
1:02:30 Playing with Shawn Kemp, “The Rainman & The Glove”
1:04:13 How Gary got “The Glove” nickname
1:05:54 Why Gary chose George “The Iceman” Gervin and John Stockton to be his Hall of Fame Induction presenters
