Payton Not Thrilled but Has No Regrets

Gary Payton reiterated Monday that he was pleased to have played beside Karl Malone and other Lakers, and again left the impression that his time in the organization might be short.

An All-Star a year ago, Payton found himself watching Derek Fisher run his position in the fourth quarters of two of the last three playoff games against the Houston Rockets. “This is a sacrifice I had to do for this year. So, I’m not really worried about all that,” he said. “I’m not going to go back on it or nothing like that. We’re in the playoffs right now, we’ve got an opportunity to win a championship, I’ve still got a couple of years of basketball left in me. I know next year will be better, way better for me.

“I’m not really disappointed in anything, but I would be wanting to play a little bit better basketball.... But, I know next year will be better and I’ll be right back to Gary Payton.”

Payton says Coach Phil Jackson’s Laker system has muted his game. So, it remains possible that if Jackson does not return, Payton might.

In the meantime, Payton said, he would root for Malone’s offensive emergence and hope the next series, if there is one, brings more involvement.

“The playoffs ain’t over,” he said. “That’s what I’m saying. It’s just one series.... I know I can play at another level. I know I can do a lot of things. But, it’s not happening at this time.... I’ve got to worry about the 11 guys that are with me, and let’s try to win basketball games. If I [didn’t] do that, I’d be selfish.

“I don’t regret anything. I made the decision, I have to stick with the decision. That’s just the way it is. There’s always going to be years to come.... If we win a championship here, it was all worth it. That’s what I came here for.”