Gary Payton played in 999 regular-season games with the Seattle SuperSonics, plus 28 with the Milwaukee Bucks.

And while both collected numerous All-Star appearances and other accolades, one thing eluded them both... The ring.

And so, on July 16, both Malone and the Payton signed on with the Los Angeles Lakers in hopes of capturing the ultimate prize.

When NBA.com asked NBA General Mangers which player has the greatest hunger to win the championship in 2003-04 as part of a preseason survey, 38.1% picked Malone and 19.0% picked Payton.

But would that hunger be enough, along with L.A.'s already All-Star lineup to go the distance?

As the Lakers match up against the Timberwolves in the 2004 Western Conference Finals, the dream is not yet realized, but it is most certainly still alive.

So, did the two veterans make the right move? Will this be their year?

Both Payton and Malone have been to the Finals before -- Malone's Jazz fell to Michael Jordan's Bulls in the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals, and Payton's Sonics fell to Michael Jordan's Bulls in the 1996 NBA Finals. Will they be back in 2004, and will the result be different?

Are you a Sonics fan or a Jazz fan, and are you rooting for or against your team's former star?

NBA.com wants to know what you think, so send in your thoughts, and we'll post some of the best responses later this week.