Posted by Caseloads:

Posted by tkf:

payton may be done, but one thing about getting older in the NBA, on most nights you won't be able to score like you used to, but you can still defend for decent stretches. Payton can defend, and if you play him 17 mpg he can defend that spot well for 17mpg, and that for miami will be huge, if he can do that, and I think payton can still defend at least...

you lose the ability to defend first actually. defense takes more energy and speed than offense.

actually guys like Ron harper, Dennis Johnson, Derrick Mckee became great defensive players as they got older and neither were really quick guys, good defense requires effort, smarts and ability. It takes a lot more energy to score and work for shots, if all payton has to do is defend and dish the ball to shaq, he should be fine...