Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - What a great signing Gary Payton has turned out to be for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 35-year-old Payton, who signed with the Lakers as an unrestricted free agent last July, has started all 77 of the Lakers' games this season. He is third on the team in scoring (14.9 ppg), and leads the club in assists (5.5 apg) and steals (1.22 spg).

A nine-time All-Star, Payton has provided the Lakers with stability at the point guard, as well as veteran leadership, which has helped the team get through some tough times.

The Lakers have had to endure various injuries to All-Star Center Shaquille O'Neal, who has missed 15 games, forward Karl Malone, who was sidelined for 40 contests with a knee injury, and Kobe Bryant, who was not in the lineup for 17 games because of injuries and his on-going legal problems.

A former SuperSonic and Buck, Payton, who has the option to void the second year of his contract and become a free agent once again, has been a consistent performer for the Lakers. He has scored in double digits in 67 games this season and has played at least 30 minutes in 64 contests.

The Lakers floor general has been the glue that has kept the Lakers, who are currently just a half-game behind the Sacramento Kings for the top spot in the Pacific Division, together.

Selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight consecutive seasons (1994-2001), Payton has been a huge presence on both ends of the floor for head coach Phil Jackson. When he is having a tough night offensively, Payton has the ability to change the game on the defensive end. Even though he is getting older, the former Defensive Player of the Year, can still hang with the younger and more explosive point guards in the league.

It has not been the perfect world that Payton was hoping for when he signed with the Lakers. Payton and the 40-year-old Malone signed with LA because they felt it was the team that gave them their best chance to capture their first NBA championship. The two veterans, when in the lineup together, have fit in well with Shaq and Kobe and both seem to understand what is needed of them in order for the Lakers to win their fourth championship in the last five years.

However, injury problems and Bryant's court appearances have forced Payton to take a leading roll more often then was expected. The Oregon State product has been up to the challenge and has proven that he still has the ability to carry a team on his back if needed.

The addition of Payton will prove to be even more valuable when the playoffs start. He has played in 100 postseason contests over his 14-year career, and he gives Jackson another option when the game is on the line. Don't forget that he can make the big play on the defensive end to preserve a victory.

No matter what happens in the playoffs, it is very important for the Lakers to have Payton on their roster next season. With all that has happened to the Lakers this season, one has to wonder where would they be without Payton?

NOTABLE

The Lakers have five games remaining on their schedule. LA will host the Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors, while it will visit Sacramento on April 11th and Portland on April 14th.

Sacramento, which has six games left on its schedule, will host New Orleans Minnesota, and the Lakers. The Kings will visit the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets and the Warriors.

Minnesota, which leads the Spurs by 1 1/2 games for first place in the Midwest Division, is tied with the Kings for the top spot in the West. The Timberwolves play three of their final four contests on the road.