ARTICLE FROM probasketballtalk.com (Full story click here)

As many of you sports fan know, “The Glove” Payton entered the Basketball Hall Of Fame last week and we here in Seattle had big smiles on our faces to see “GP” going in the Hall!! It was a great day. It was to see Bernard King FINALLY getting in too!

Payton played more than 12 years here in Seattle for our departed Sonics and became one of the greatest guards in NBA history. He teamed up with my good friend “The Reignman” Shawn Kemp for plenty of great highlight film material over the years. And become one of the best defensive guards in history. If Gary was not a first ballot Hall Of Fame member then no one is!!

“GP” was traded from the Sonics back in the day because of one clown and his name is “Mr. Starbucks” Howard Schultz. Recently Payton put Howard on blast saying he ruined the Sonics and ruined the city of Seattle when it comes to having a NBA team. And it is true folks.

Schulz is responsible for our city not having a NBA team. The Sonics were sold to Clay Bennett who moved the team to OKC and after 41 years the NBA left our city. It was and is very very sad. And Payton did not want to leave Seattle but he was traded that also was a sad day as a sports fan here in Seattle and Howard has not really showed his face in Seattle when it comes to the public since 2008 when he sold the Sonics. No interviews on sports radio or on TV. I will NEVER buy anything in Starbucks. That is for sure!!

As for many Sonic fans, we want to thank “GP” for every thing he did for our city on the court and off and hopefully we can obtain another NBA team and the Hall Of Famer Gary Payton will be in the front office!!     Gordon Curvey