Gary Payton Quotes

As far as LeBron James, to me, he's on his way to carving out the very best career that's ever happened in the NBA.

LeBron James is one of the best players in the league - and one of the best players to ever play the game.

Serena Williams is the greatest tennis player of all time, the greatest female athlete of all time, the greatest athlete of all time.

Obviously, Kobe is one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

I think anybody who saw him will tell you that Willie Mays was the greatest player who ever lived.

I'm a Michael Jordan fan just like everyone else. I just don't think he's the greatest player ever.

If Tim Duncan had Knicks on his jersey, he'd be a god.

Personal honors never meant much to Bill Russell, one of America's most successful athletes with 2 college titles, 1 Olympic gold medal and 11 - count 'em, 11 - N.B.A. championships with the Boston Celtics.

What defines greatness is when you hold all the records and what you mean to your fans, on and off the field, because that is who ranks you as the greatest receiver of all-time. The guy that holds all the records, the guy that has set the stage for all of us, you have to give it to Jerry Rice.

Overall, I think Michael Jordan is the greatest athlete in any particular sport. He dominated the game for the Chicago Bulls and brought the NBA to its greatest peak of popularity.

Everybody's got a Reggie story.

Kevin Garnett was a great player, but he wasn't Kobe Bryant.

He's an absolute icon. Everything he brings, how he carries himself. Never having trouble with the media, never done anything wrong. He's a superstar for a reason. He's LeBron James for a reason.

I'm just trying to pass Tim Duncan in championships if I can one day. That's my motivation; that's what I strive for. Tim is one of the greatest players who has ever played, so if I could get close or reach that plateau and have my name on that list.

I've had an affinity for Michael Jordan. He's probably the greatest athlete in my generation.

A lot of people wish they could be in the house with the greatest of anything. I just so happened to live across the hall from absolutely, positively the greatest women's basketball player ever.

As one of nine men, DiMaggio is the best player that ever lived.

It would mean a lot to me to get into the Hall of Fame, to be grouped with some of the greatest players in history.

Dirk is like the German Moses, invincible and inspiring. That is why 'His Name Is Dirk' must be the Official Fan Song for Dirk Nowitzki.

A lot of black guys always ask me, 'Did Larry Bird really play that good?' I said, 'Larry Bird is so good it's frightening.'

There was never a day when I was as good as Joe DiMaggio at his best. Joe was the best, the very best I ever saw.

The 50 greatest players don't matter when you're in the Hall of Fame. We all know that I was not one of the 50 greatest, I was one of the 25 greatest - in my mind.

Everybody talks about that one when they first meet me. 'Man, I still remember the play you shook Jordan.' Everybody gonna always remember it because it was Jordan.

I would want to change my name to Sachin Tendulkar if I could do it. He has tons of records; I am not even close to him. He is called as the 'God,' and who would not want to be a God in this mortal world?

The three-peat has never been attempted, ever, and for me, I think it will add to my legendary status. I want to become one of the greatest athletes ever to have competed in any sport, so for me, that's what it means.