The difference between the Blazers offer and the Warriors offer was >4x his career earnings, has anyone ever left 4x career earnings on the table? He put his body on the line for GSW, played 200 crucial playoff minutes, started a couple games, finished even more, and brought us a title all for a Vet Minimum. A top five most important minimum contract dynasty Warrior along with Porter/McGee/West/Barbosa.
Count me as a 'yes' for GPII. I'm realizing that on this whole HWFL thing, I've become totally inconsistent. I don't care. GPII embodies something of the Warrior culture and spirit -- like JTA and Damion Lee. Durant was a WAY better player and had a huge impact on winning in his three years with the Ws. I still have a soft spot for him. But increasingly, he does NOT embody the team-first, buy into the system, scrap-until-you-find-a-way-to-contribute ethos of the Ws.
GP2 supercharged Kerr’s High IQ, motion heavy, defense to offensive philosophy as well as any role player ever has albeit in a limited span (an f’n championship span!), not the voters fault he wasn’t kept around for a shot at Warriors Legend, guy was a fast break machine!
I'm not generally as big on longevity for its own sake. My categories for inclusion generally are one or more of: 1) Foundational; or 2) Did he contribute in a significant way to a championship or to a historical achievement - all based on my own non-scientific "how do I feel about it" meter; 3) Does his story and/or personality resonate with the Warriors ethos; or 4) Did he sacrifice and entertain through bad years (for instance, I tend to feel kind of wistfully HWFL'y toward Eric Paschall under this criteria - not enough to put him in, but still). By my evaluation standards, Payton is as much a HWFL as Kevin Durant. Obviously he has the story and personality, but also I think Payton was the extra sauce the warriors needed to get by an extremely good Celtics team. So Yes.
Very interested in the results of this. Not as clear cut as I initially thought it would be, both internally and externally. DubNation Divided?!
GPII was such an unexpected highlight/feelgood/redemption story of last season - Be still my beating heart!!
Going with my, does he get passed the HWFL Club bouncer test: This time the bouncer is not so sure. He wasn't expecting GPII to be trying to get in the club quite so soon, and in a Trailblazers uniform at that. He calls inside and says "Hey Fellas, it's GPII at the door, is he allowed in?" The club hushes and quietens down. All eyes look toward the three shadowy figures sitting at the back of the club. Finally, the shorter one stands up. He surveys the other members and thinks about the qualities they each embodied and personified playing in a Dubs jersey that have allowed them into this exclusive and hallowed room. He thinks about his ex teammate and the 'Underrated' journey he's been on... The one you all know, followed, and loved. And he says to crowd, "If there is anyone here among you who would not vote GPII in, speak now or forever hold your peace". The room stays silent. "That's what I thought. Let the little big man in."
The bouncer let's him in as GPII gets greeted to thunderous cheers inside. He closes the door, steps in front, and wonders who the next person trying to get in will be...
No. Actually GP2 is where I draw the line (Damion Lee is right on the other side of said line). Had a phenomenal year capped off with a championship run and translated that into a handsome payday but just not enough longetivity playing meaningful minutes for the dubs.
I'm so torn. I love GP2, love the way he kept grinding until he found his place in the league, and super-love his defense and the fact that he could play the dunker spot. Then again, as others have pointed out, he was only here for a year and change. Then again again, as thesarunas pointed out, if Spellman and Clark are in, it makes absolutely zero sense for GP2 to miss the cut.
Ultimately, however, three wrongs don't make a right. If GP2 had stayed, I'd be a yes. But his "one year and a few games" here isn't quite enough. I vote no.
Further, I'd suggest a re-vote on fellows like Spellman and Clark. Time and perspective have not been kind to those takes.
To all those who have reservations about lack of tenure, I say this: if given the opportunity, would you want him back on the Warriors? My answer is "hells to the mf'n yes!" So...yes
The difference between the Blazers offer and the Warriors offer was >4x his career earnings, has anyone ever left 4x career earnings on the table? He put his body on the line for GSW, played 200 crucial playoff minutes, started a couple games, finished even more, and brought us a title all for a Vet Minimum. A top five most important minimum contract dynasty Warrior along with Porter/McGee/West/Barbosa.
Count me as a 'yes' for GPII. I'm realizing that on this whole HWFL thing, I've become totally inconsistent. I don't care. GPII embodies something of the Warrior culture and spirit -- like JTA and Damion Lee. Durant was a WAY better player and had a huge impact on winning in his three years with the Ws. I still have a soft spot for him. But increasingly, he does NOT embody the team-first, buy into the system, scrap-until-you-find-a-way-to-contribute ethos of the Ws.
GP2 supercharged Kerr’s High IQ, motion heavy, defense to offensive philosophy as well as any role player ever has albeit in a limited span (an f’n championship span!), not the voters fault he wasn’t kept around for a shot at Warriors Legend, guy was a fast break machine!
Holy yes. For sure. HWFL.
Went from almost in the video room to playing key minutes in a finals run...
Yes absolutely
Hope I'm not too late. yes. I mean Yes. i mean YES.
(shame on everyone who said no. even Goofus.)
Does the Pope poop in the woods when no one is around?!
I say “Hell Yes”!!
To the people who say no: could an unheralded, journeynan, “undersized” player ever give you more than GP2 gave you this past season?
I say nay.
I'm not generally as big on longevity for its own sake. My categories for inclusion generally are one or more of: 1) Foundational; or 2) Did he contribute in a significant way to a championship or to a historical achievement - all based on my own non-scientific "how do I feel about it" meter; 3) Does his story and/or personality resonate with the Warriors ethos; or 4) Did he sacrifice and entertain through bad years (for instance, I tend to feel kind of wistfully HWFL'y toward Eric Paschall under this criteria - not enough to put him in, but still). By my evaluation standards, Payton is as much a HWFL as Kevin Durant. Obviously he has the story and personality, but also I think Payton was the extra sauce the warriors needed to get by an extremely good Celtics team. So Yes.
For those that voted yes:
Aragorn:
“We have time. Every day GP2 moves closer to HWFL status.”
Gandalf:
“Do we know that?”
Aragorn:
“What does your heart tell you?”
Gandalf:
“That GP2 is in. Yes. Yes, he's in.”
Yes due to the absolute joy he gave me by beating expectations on both defense and offense. A critical member of the Championship team.
Very interested in the results of this. Not as clear cut as I initially thought it would be, both internally and externally. DubNation Divided?!
GPII was such an unexpected highlight/feelgood/redemption story of last season - Be still my beating heart!!
Going with my, does he get passed the HWFL Club bouncer test: This time the bouncer is not so sure. He wasn't expecting GPII to be trying to get in the club quite so soon, and in a Trailblazers uniform at that. He calls inside and says "Hey Fellas, it's GPII at the door, is he allowed in?" The club hushes and quietens down. All eyes look toward the three shadowy figures sitting at the back of the club. Finally, the shorter one stands up. He surveys the other members and thinks about the qualities they each embodied and personified playing in a Dubs jersey that have allowed them into this exclusive and hallowed room. He thinks about his ex teammate and the 'Underrated' journey he's been on... The one you all know, followed, and loved. And he says to crowd, "If there is anyone here among you who would not vote GPII in, speak now or forever hold your peace". The room stays silent. "That's what I thought. Let the little big man in."
The bouncer let's him in as GPII gets greeted to thunderous cheers inside. He closes the door, steps in front, and wonders who the next person trying to get in will be...
No. Actually GP2 is where I draw the line (Damion Lee is right on the other side of said line). Had a phenomenal year capped off with a championship run and translated that into a handsome payday but just not enough longetivity playing meaningful minutes for the dubs.
I second the person who said “Duh!”
That’s a hard yes. Dude personified the best of Dubs heart and soul and unexpected talent. We do not win without him.
I'm so torn. I love GP2, love the way he kept grinding until he found his place in the league, and super-love his defense and the fact that he could play the dunker spot. Then again, as others have pointed out, he was only here for a year and change. Then again again, as thesarunas pointed out, if Spellman and Clark are in, it makes absolutely zero sense for GP2 to miss the cut.
Ultimately, however, three wrongs don't make a right. If GP2 had stayed, I'd be a yes. But his "one year and a few games" here isn't quite enough. I vote no.
Further, I'd suggest a re-vote on fellows like Spellman and Clark. Time and perspective have not been kind to those takes.
Yes.
To all those who have reservations about lack of tenure, I say this: if given the opportunity, would you want him back on the Warriors? My answer is "hells to the mf'n yes!" So...yes