Haywood Highsmith vs. Gary Payton Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Gary Payton and Haywood Highsmith that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2025-26
Haywood Highsmith: 2018-19 to 2024-25
Gary Payton: 1990-91 to 2006-07

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Haywood Highsmith 0 Gary Payton 1

NBA Seasons Haywood Highsmith 5 Gary Payton 17

Playoffs Played Haywood Highsmith 4 Gary Payton 15

All-Star Games Haywood Highsmith 0 Gary Payton 9

Honors and Awards

All-NBA First Team Haywood Highsmith 0 Gary Payton 2

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Haywood Highsmith 0 Gary Payton 9

All-Defensive 1st Team Haywood Highsmith 0 Gary Payton 9

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Haywood Highsmith 0 Gary Payton 9

Defensive Player of The Year Haywood Highsmith 0 Gary Payton 1

Steals Leader Haywood Highsmith 0 Gary Payton 1

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Haywood Highsmith 5.4 Gary Payton 16.3

Rebounds Per Game Haywood Highsmith 3.1 Gary Payton 3.9

Assists Per Game Haywood Highsmith 1.1 Gary Payton 6.7

Steals Per Game Haywood Highsmith 0.7 Gary Payton 1.8

Blocks Per Game Haywood Highsmith 0.4 Gary Payton 0.2

Totals Stats

Total Points Haywood Highsmith 1,171 Gary Payton 21,813

Total Rebounds Haywood Highsmith 681 Gary Payton 5,269

Total Assists Haywood Highsmith 233 Gary Payton 8,966

Total Steals Haywood Highsmith 160 Gary Payton 2,445

Total Blocks Haywood Highsmith 87 Gary Payton 285

Total Games Haywood Highsmith 218 Gary Payton 1,335

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Haywood Highsmith .449 Gary Payton .466

3-Point Percentage Haywood Highsmith .374 Gary Payton .317

Free Throw Percentage Haywood Highsmith .605 Gary Payton .729

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Haywood Highsmith 6.5 (2025) Gary Payton 24.2 (2000)

Rebounds Per Game Haywood Highsmith 3.5 (2023) Gary Payton 6.5 (2000)

Assists Per Game Haywood Highsmith 1.5 (2025) Gary Payton 9.0 (2002)

Steals Per Game Haywood Highsmith 0.9 (2025) Gary Payton 2.9 (1996)

Blocks Per Game Haywood Highsmith 0.5 (2025) Gary Payton 0.3 (2001)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Haywood Highsmith 3.5 Gary Payton 14.0

Rebounds Per Game Haywood Highsmith 1.6 Gary Payton 3.7

Assists Per Game Haywood Highsmith 0.6 Gary Payton 5.3

Steals Per Game Haywood Highsmith 0.4 Gary Payton 1.4

Blocks Per Game Haywood Highsmith 0.1 Gary Payton 0.2

Totals Stats

Total Points Haywood Highsmith 122 Gary Payton 2,155

Total Rebounds Haywood Highsmith 56 Gary Payton 575

Total Assists Haywood Highsmith 20 Gary Payton 811

Total Steals Haywood Highsmith 14 Gary Payton 216

Total Blocks Haywood Highsmith 5 Gary Payton 32

Total Games Haywood Highsmith 35 Gary Payton 154

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Haywood Highsmith .516 Gary Payton .441

3-Point Percentage Haywood Highsmith .404 Gary Payton .315

Free Throw Percentage Haywood Highsmith .833 Gary Payton .706

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Haywood Highsmith 7.3 (2025) Gary Payton 25.8 (2000)

Rebounds Per Game Haywood Highsmith 3.3 (2025) Gary Payton 8.6 (2002)

Assists Per Game Haywood Highsmith 1.6 (2024) Gary Payton 8.7 (2003)

Steals Per Game Haywood Highsmith 0.8 (2025) Gary Payton 2.2 (1997)

Blocks Per Game Haywood Highsmith 0.5 (2025) Gary Payton 0.4 (2002)