When I think of Gary Payton, the very last thing I think of is his time in a Celtics uniform. It just doesn’t fit. He’s The Glove. A Seattle Supersonic. His years on the Bucks, Lakers, Celtics and Heat should just be forgotten. They’re kind of like Jordan’s years with the Wizards, Bob Cousy’s time with the Cincinatti Royals or Kwame Brown’s entire career: we should just pretend like they never happened.

But since I’m now remembering the last few years of his career, Payton should have an interesting perspective on the East’s top two favorites. He has played for both the Heat and Celtics. (Business Journal)

Just like anybody who follows the NBA, Payton said he is also interested to see how things will turn out for the highly improved Heat squad that now boasts of LeBron James and Chris Bosh in addition to resident superstar Dwyane Wade.

“Well, they have three great stars there. But like what I’ve said you’ve got to have more than just names. You’ll never know what will happen this season. You still have a great team in the Orlando Magic. You have a great team in the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are the defending Eastern Conference champions, so they [Heat] have to go through them. I just want to see what happens [with the Heat] just like everybody else…,” Payton said.

The Heat still have to go through Boston. I couldn’t have said it any better myself.

P.S. – Is it bad that I’m already fired up for the playoffs, even though there are still two months until opening night?

P.P.S. – I am now going back to pretending that the last four years of Payton’s career never occurred. Sorry, Gary, but you just lost your one ring.

(h/t ESPN Boston)