Gary Payton was not in a good mood the day after his Lakers lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals and his cover, Chauncey Billups, was a big reason for the big upset.

Payton was fined $5,000 by the NBA for failing to talk to the media.

The Glove didn?t seem willing to take responsibility for his failings but then again, as somebody who took a relatively paltry salary in order to win a championship, he?s not the worst example of self-sacrifice.

The problem may be more of a basketball one:  Gary Payton?s offensive tendencies and active play may not be well suited to head coach Phil Jackson?s triangle offense.  

"It's been a difficult adjustment for G.P. to make coming over here," said Derek Fisher. "I don't think that any of us can understand the emotion that Gary's going through right now. He came in here for one reason and one reason only."

Does Payton?s pouting illustrate the fragile balance on these Lakers?  Before the NBA Finals started, they were seemingly a given to win the title, but then a day later, they seem like a team given to coming apart.