A heated exchange between Gary Payton and Jordan Crawford almost turned physical during a Big 3 game between the Enemies and Bivouac. Crawford, who scored 20 points in the game, was taunting Payton throughout the matchup, leading to a face-to-face confrontation after a timeout.
The situation escalated, with Gary Payton clapping in Crawford’s face and Crawford shoving Payton, leading to a separation by their teammates. The intensity of the game, which Bivouac won 50-46, was palpable, with both teams now heading into the playoffs with a 6-1 record.
Gary Payton, known for his trash-talking during his NBA career, seemed to be in his element, but the situation could have easily gotten out of hand. The Big 3 league has already made headlines this year with a $5 million offer to WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark, which she declined.
The incident between Payton and Jamal Crawford may be a sign of things to come in the playoffs, with tensions running high and stakes increasing. Payton’s reputation as a master instigator was on full display, but it remains to be seen how far things will go in the pursuit of victory.
Vernon “Mad Max” Maxwell opens up about iconic fight with Gary Payton
Vernon Maxwell, aka “Mad Max”, was known for his fiery temper and fearlessness on the court in the 1990s. He’s now opening up about his infamous fight with Gary Payton during their time as teammates on the Seattle Supersonics in the 1999-00 season.
Gary looked back, got the ball, and just turned around and knocked the sh*t out of Shammond. He busted. him wide open. Blood was everywhere, coming through his fingers, all over the floor.
Vernon Maxwell said on Gil’s Arena
The altercation began during a team practice scrimmage, where Payton was dominating rookie Shammgod Williams, who Maxwell was mentoring. When Payton hit Williams in the face, causing him to leave the court bleeding, Maxwell saw red. The next time down the floor, Payton tripped Maxwell, leading to a brawl at mid-court.
The fight spilt into the locker room, with teammate Chuck Person intervening to break them up initially. However, Maxwell and Payton continued to go at it, with Horace Grant trying to intervene and getting struck in the shoulder by a five-pound weight Maxwell was carrying. Maxwell is now sharing his side of the story on Gilbert Arenas’s podcast.
