Gary Payton

Payton still remembers the first time he played against his idol, Magic Johnson. It was 1990, Payton's rookie season, and the Los Angeles Lakers creamed the Sonics. As Payton recalled to the Denver Post's Adam Schefter, Johnson told him: "You're going to be good. But you've got to learn the game first." Payton certainly did prove to be "good," even great, as his seven selections to the NBA All-Star team and his eight consecutive years on the NBA All-Defensive First Team show. Even if Payton were to retire without an NBA championship ring, he would still be remembered as one of the best point guards of all time.