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Gary Payton Says Jason Kidd Was The First LeBron

Gary Payton and Jason Kidd have a lot in common.

Both grew up in the Bay Area, both were All-Stars multiple times, both were on All-NBA teams, and both were among the best defenders the league has ever seen on the point guard position.

The two legends also are good friends and when Jason Kidd was inducted into the Hall of Fame on September 7, Gary Payton was the one giving him the honors of inducting him at the ceremony.

During an interview with ESPN, Payton told Ohm Youngmisuk that Kidd actually was the first ‘LeBron’ due to him creating a buzz even before playing his first game of college basketball.

“People don’t know, J was the first LeBron [when it came to the attention surrounding one player] coming out of high school,” fellow Oakland Bay Area native and Basketball Hall of Famer Gary Payton said. “He was good. Really, really good. In the Bay Area, that’s what all the talk was about — J-Kidd.”