In an electrifying and contentious Big3 league matchup, tensions boiled over as former NBA players Gary Payton and Jordan Crawford clashed in a dramatic altercation. Payton, the head coach of Bivouac, squared off against Crawford, who was leading the Enemies in their quest for a seventh consecutive victory.
The incident began with Payton, known for his legendary trash-talking, getting in Crawford’s face at the start of possessions. While Crawford initially shrugged off the verbal jabs, the situation escalated when Payton clapped his hands in Crawford’s face after the guard hit a corner three.
Crawford retaliated by pushing Payton’s arm away, sparking a near brawl as players from both teams rushed in to defuse the situation. Both Payton and Crawford are no strangers to the spotlight, having played in the NBA before joining the Big3, a 3×3 basketball tournament.
Payton and Crawford had distinguished NBA careers
Payton, one of the NBA’s toughest perimeter defenders, led the league in steals during the 1995-96 season and won the Defensive Player of the Year award. He was also a nine-time All-Star and averaged over 20 points per game eight times during his career. Although he never won a title with the Seattle SuperSonics, Payton did secure a championship with the Miami Heat in 2006.
On the other hand, Jordan Crawford’s NBA career was less distinguished. He played for several teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and New Orleans Pelicans.
Known as a volume scorer, Crawford averaged 12.2 points per game and was a reliable spark off the bench. His last NBA stint was with the Pelicans in 2018.
Enemies and Bivouac lead the tournament
The Enemies, leading the Big3 with a 6-0 record, faced the Bivouac, who were right behind with a 5-1 record. With both teams vying for the top spot, the game was bound to be intense.
Payton’s attempt to rattle Crawford with his signature trash talk only fueled the fire. Despite Crawford scoring a game-high 20 points, it wasn’t enough to prevent Bivouac from reaching the 50-point mark first and securing the win.
The clash between Payton and Crawford added a dramatic twist to an already high-stakes game, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next showdown in the Big3 league.
