Gary Payton and the Nike GP IV

Gary Payton and the Nike GP IV

The Nike GP IV was released in 2001. This would be the final shoe in Payton’s signa-ture line. Learn more about the Nike GP IV below.

IV

The GP III took a lot of risks and really tried to push the envelope when it came to sneaker design and tech. The IV got back to basics and the result was something closer to the GP I & II.

There was no removeable outer shell. No zipper or boot system. It was a much cleaner and simpler silhouette that focused on the basics.

Stability was at the forefront. The upper used a synthetic lightweight leather and a mesh blend. There were Zoom Air units and traditional lacing.

Supersonic

The Seattle Supersonics, which is now a defunct franchise, picked Payton with the sec-ond overall pick. He quickly made an impact on the Supersonics franchise and team with Shawn Kemp to create one of the best all-time duos. Shawn Kemp was a highflyer whose dunks consistently made the highlight reels. Payton was usually the one lobbing the ball to Kemp for one of his breathtaking jams.

The Sonics peaked with Payton and Kemp when they met the Chicago Bulls in the 1996 NBA Finals. The young Sonics were a worthy opponent, but in the end, Michael Jordan was able to lead Chicago to victory. The Bulls won 72 games in the 1995-1996 season. Winning the series against Seattle cemented them as one of the best ever.

NBA Champion

The Glove eventually left the Sonics after a successful run. Unfortunately, he never won the NBA Championship for Seattle. GP got his first and only NBA Title with the Miami Heat in 2006. He also played for the basketball teams the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Ange-les Lakers, and Boston Celtics in his career.

Legacy

Payton is a one of a kind baller. Known as one of the toughest guards to ever play, he is one of the few point guards to ever win DPOY. His trash talk and big personality on the court got him a lot of attention.

But Payton is a legit all-time great. He is a multiple time all-star, Olympic Gold Medalist and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.