Here's what you had to say about SuperSonics guard Gary Payton, whose 11-year run with the team might by nearing the end in light of his latest antics:

'The Glove' fits Stern's new 'Dream Team'
Growing up on the East Coast my entire life and being a die-hard Lakers fan was not easy during the 80's. But, by watching Magic and Bird and Dr.J and the like I learned the difference between good, hard competition and trash. And trash is what is infecting the NBA these days, plain and simple. Stern should take Payton, Camby, I. Rider, Iverson, Sprewell, Strickland, Kidd, and the other major delinquents in the league and make a team out of them. The kicker: Bribe Rodman with some drugs to be coach.

Darren McManus
Windham, N.H.

A Sonic would show at Payton's funeral -- incognito
I think that the suspension will show Gary that the Sonics are not his team, that the upper management is in charge. I don't think that he needs to go to another team, unless the situation in Seattle is worse than I think it is. I think that this suspension is a lesson that will teach "The Glove" that he needs to be a team player, not a "me" player. As to the teammate saying he wouldn't attend a Payton funeral. To me that sounds cold, and I expect that that person will show up to the funeral incognito. Gary's a passionate player, but he shouldn't have to fight with his teammates or his coaches over how the game is played. If he wants the game to be played his way, he can start his own league the GBA. Presuming that he hasn't learned his lesson

Charles F. Waldo
San Diego, Calif.

Return of the Native?
Gary is one of the most arrogant players in NBA history. This coming from a guy who hasn't really ever done anything special (in my opinion). He was upset Wednesday night because the Suns shut him down. That really hurt his pride,to be humiliated at home – especially since it was his hometown rival who did it (Jason Kidd). It was ironic though, that Payton was upset at Patterson who, at least in the first half, was playing better than any other Sonic. Gary is nothing but trouble. He needs to go back to Oakland and play pick-up ball again, then he can be "the man" and pick a fight with anyone and everyone. If the Sonics want to make the play-offs they don't need that kind of contention in their own locker room. Trade him.

Ron Parkinson
Gilbert, Arizona

Quit crying, Sonics
Everyone knows Payton is probably the most vocal guy in the NBA. He never shuts up. I think his teammates should quit crying. Payton is the best PG in the league and who cares what he says out there?

DJKAOS
Corvallis, Ore.

What a waste of talent
I think that this is such a waste of talent. Gary Payton is so tremendously talented and unfortunately his ego is bigger. Someone should have taken him to task for his behavior and his big mouth long ago. Now it is like teaching an old dog new tricks. He says he was wrong but lets see how wrong he thinks he was by watching his future antics off of the court. This seems to be a problem in all pro sports with these prima donna athletes. It needs to be addressed and action of some type taken.

Deborah Williams
Danvers, Mass.

Welcome to the party, pal
Now the world knows what Sonics fans have known for years – Gary Payton is concerned only with Gary Payton, and his real competitive drive is towards attention, not winning.

Jeff Drake
Austin, Texas

Hey, Gary: Know your role, shut your pie hole
Gary Payton needs to know his role and shut his mouth. What he is doing is ripping holes in the team and setting a bad example for the younger players on the team. Nate McMillan was a short term fix, but he is learning the hard way just as Paul Westphal. Gary is a great player and a proven floor general but needs to learn the team concept and keep his personal feelings and ideas on how to run the team to himself. Maybe a change of scenery would be good because you can't build a team around a player who tries to run everything, just ask Orlando and Penny.

Kevin Stiles
Ft. Smith, Ark.

Payton still needs to mature
If I was the Sonics GM, I would trade Payton. The coach and/or the organization shouldn't have to manage the best player on the team. The best player on your team should also be the leader. How many internal problems did Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan cause when they were playing. None. Their individual goals coincided with the team goals. Winning no matter what it takes. Payton doesn't appear mature enough to lead. He still needs to be coached.

Patrick Dignan
Boston, Mass.

Payton will struggle where ever he goes
Payton is alienating himself from his team, his coaches, and his fans. He clearly struggles with failure having been to the NBA finals in 1996 and since watched the demise of the best defensive team of the 90's. He has seen Shawn Kemp run himself out of town along with George Karl. He has seen top-level talent being suppressed under the current management. He has the grounds for being bothered by the current status of this team, but that is where leadership and whiners part company. If Payton WERE a leader, we wouldn't see any of these events occurring. We would see Gary's playing pick up and the team rallying around him. Fresh Start? Gary will struggle where ever he goes as he clearly cannot be a leader in this game. The Sonics for that matter will continue to fail as long as Wally Walker has his hands on this team (which will apparently be an indefinite amount of time).

Shawn H.
Tacoma, Wash.

Sonics' past mistakes costing them now
Is G.P. out of line? You better believe it. But you have to wonder about what could have been if only the Sonics had not paid (Jim) McIlvaine so much money, or had not run George Karl out of town. These two events were the catalyst that has pushed Payton over the edge. Imagine being a key piece of a championship puzzle that had made it to the Finals, and then having it snatched out from under you. G.P. has played his entire career in Seattle and has worked and worked at developing his game every year only to watch the Sonics organization pocket the gate money year after year and never address the lack of talent. How would you feel knowing that soon it will all be over? To G.P., looking at Ewing (who had the same problem in New York), is like looking through a pair of binoculars three, four, five years in the future.

Tabb
Hayward, Calif.

Payton's great, but Lewis is the future
Gary Payton is the premier point guard in the league for almost a decade now. I believe he deserves a better chance to win than what he's got in Seattle. Did anybody really think that bringing Patrick Ewing, at his age, will improve the team? You have to admire Payton for staying so long in the same team, while sharing the ball with the likes of Shammond Williams and Brent Barry, who are very nice players, but so is every player on the Golden State Warriors. It is time for him to get a chance at a better place. Get younger players for Payton, and base the team on Rashard Lewis – the kid has bright future.

Elad Cohanim
Las Vegas, Nev.

Hate to say it, but it's time to go
I've been a Payton supporter and admirer for as long as I can remember. His tenacious defense, dedication to every aspect of the game, and his refusal to back down to anyone has always endeared him to me. He was and is a guard who can truly do it all. But, after reading about the recent incidents regarding the suspension this year as well as his teammates' comments about his on-court attitude, maybe it's time to stop rooting for The Glove if he really is this much of a jerk. I hate to say it, but Seattle would be smart to trade him now for some young talent so they can begin building a contender while letting their young stars (Rashard Lewis, Desmond Mason) flourish.

Ryan Roos
Fredonia, N.Y.

Last rites
I don't believe that teammates of Payton would not attend his funeral if he were to pass on. I believe that, along with 99.9-percent of the other funeral goers, the team would show up to spit on Payton's casket.

Jon
Las Cruces, N.M.