WATCH: Gary Payton trash talks & gets into scuffle with former Celtics guard during Big3 game
An altercation took place between Gary Payton and Jordan Crawford during an ill-tempered game in the Big3 league. Payton, who is the head coach of the 'Bivouac', got in the face of Crawford, who was attempting to lead the 'Enemies' to a seventh straight victory.
Payton could be seen talking trash to Crawford at the beginning of possessions but the latter seemed to be shrugging it off. However, things almost came to blows when Payton appeared to place his hands on Crawfods' face while doing a clapping motion after he hit a corner three.
Crawford pushed Payton's arm before choosing to walk away while other players stepped in to defuse the situation.
Both Gary Payton and Jordan Crawford played in the NBA before coming to the Big3.
Many basketball fans might recall Payton as one of the toughest perimeter defenders during his time in the NBA. During the 1995-96 season, he led the league in steals with 2.9 per game. In that same year, he won the Defensive Player of the Year award.
At the peak of his career, he was also one of the best two-way guards. From his breakout season in 1993-94 to 2002-03, he made the All-Star team nine times. During that period, he also averaged over 20 points in a season eight times.
Payton is known as one of the Seattle Supersonics' best players in franchise history although he never won a title there. The 56-year-old did help the team reach the Finals in 1996, where they ran into Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Gary Payton would eventually win a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. His last game was in 2007.
Meanwhile, Jordan Crawford's NBA resume is less remarkable. He played for the Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans.
He was neither an All-Star nor a champion but he carved a role for himself as a volume scorer who could be a sparkplug from off the bench. He averaged 12.2 points per game throughout his career and last played in 2018 for the Pelicans.
Also read: "Why are we playing basketball?": Gary Payton is perplexed at the backslash Damian Lillard has received over trade request
Gary Payton's Bivouac handed Jordan Crawford's Enemies their first loss of the season
The Enemies were alone at the top of the Big3 before they faced the Gary Payton-coached Bivouac. Prior to their contest, the Enemies held a 6-0 record with the Bivouac hot on their heels with a 5-1 record of their own.
With both teams battling for the top spot, it was understandable that the game got heated. Payton tried to get into Crawford's head with his trash-talk in an attempt to throw him off, but Crawford came away with a game-high 20 points.
However, the former Boston Celtic player's scoring would not be enough to continue his team's undefeated streak as the Bivouac got to the 50-point mark first to secure the win.