How a lifelong struggle paved the way for Gary Payton II's success with the Golden State Warriors

JUST SEVEN MONTHS ago, one of the most important role players on a club desperate to return to its dynastic reign and the son of the legendary Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton, was preparing to apply for a desk job in the team's video department.

Seven months ago.

Gary Payton II, 29, has had a basketball career full of rejection. He has been cut from teams four times in six years and spent five years toiling in the NBA's G League.

And he'd just been cut again.

Payton knew there was an opening in the Golden State Warriors' video coordination department, so he approached assistant coach Jama Mahlalela.

It was an opportunity, he thought, to still contribute and participate.

Get access to exclusive original series, premium articles from our NBA insiders, the full 30 for 30 library and more. Sign up now to unlock everything ESPN+ has to offer.

«I was dead serious,» Payton says. «If I get cut, I'm going to audition for that job.… I was just trying to stay around. I'd still be around the game, I could still help, travel whatnot. And then figure it out from there.»

But Mahlalela had other plans.

«I just talked to him about the criteria for the video room: A willing learner, someone who can get on the court still and play, whatever. And he's like, 'I'll do that,'» Mahlalela says. «And I'm like, Gary, I'm not letting you do that. There is no chance in the world you are going to do that. You are playing for this team.»

Payton was ready to do what he'd always done: adapt.

When he was in the second grade, Payton was diagnosed with dyslexia, a learning disorder that affects 10% to 15% of the U.S. population. Those with it often struggle with word recognition, spelling, reading comprehension, language and visual processing.

After