https://youtu.be/pa-fSdiNruM
Cameron Payne ensured that his name would be written upon the sacred pages of NBA lore by getting ejected from the first game of this series. The infraction? Pushing Alex Caruso after a rebound for no discernible reason.
Keep in mind that the NBA lore book is a gigantic tome filled with uninteresting minutia. Payne’s name is indeed in there, but it’s not in a very prominent place, and it’s in a 9-point font. NBA historians will easily overlook his singular achievement of getting ejected from a playoff game as they quest for information on Jerryd Bayless’ infamous game-winner in the 2015 playoffs.
Next to the part about Payne getting ejected is a little side note about LeBron “NoDefense SuckBalls” James writhing around in pain after barely landing on his shoulder, then getting up to stumble around a bit, then dramatically getting down on one knee and putting his forehead in his hand like he just suffered the loss of a beloved household pet. NBA lore is nothing if not complete.
Payne does NOT get an entry in NBA lore for this performance, which was statistically superior to his statline in game one (five points, one assist, and one ejection), but was not historically notable in the way that his ejection was. However, he can soothe his bruised ego by remembering that the really important thing is getting a DownToBuck highlight video to commemorate his performance. That’s a way higher honor than getting noted in some dusty tome full of pointless facts which is kept locked in Adam Silver’s office and is protected by ancient spells cast by a grizzled ageless wizard named James Naismith.