Soon to be Hall of Fame guard Gary Payton is planning to spend some time this summer working out with Rookie of The Year and fellow Oakland, Ca. native Damian Lillard.
According to The Portland Oregonian, two of the best guards in Oakland history are planning to team up shortly after Lillard returns from competing at the Team USA mini-camp now being held in Las Vegas.
“I like Damian Lillard because he’s from Oakland, California, and he’s a phenomenal basketball player,” Payton has previously told reporters. “He’s playing very well right now for Portland and I love his game.”
In earnestly working with Payton, the weakest part of Lillard’s game would seem to be on track to grow by leaps and bounds. Already, few can match the 23-year-old’s offensive skills; it’s on defense where Blazers’ coaches are hoping to witness marked improvement.
That’s where “The Glove” comes in. Long considered one of the league’s all-time best backcourt defenders, Payton’s rise to Hall of Fame pedigree is largely based on his on-the-ball prowess.
“I’m sure I will,” Lillard told The Oregonian of the prospect of him and Payton getting together. “The summer is not even close to being over.”
Payton spent much of last summer working with Washington Wizards guard John Wall, who showed marked improvement in his overall play last season and is now rumored to be finalizing a five year, $80 million extension with the team.
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