Shawn Kemp the Most Athletic Power Forward Ever

[eliteballer]

In case anyone forgot. Seriously, like a 6-10 LeBron. The speed, power, explosiveness has always been mindboggling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQeMhYJe5JA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHaqPxsZwUY

[Scoooter]

Ralph Sampson maybe too.

[Batz]

:wtf:

[LosBulls]

Josh Smith says hi.

[eliteballer]

Josh Smith says hi.

and Kemp says, "Hi, I'm more athletic than you"

[LosBulls]

and Kemp says, "Hi, I'm more athletic than you"

and Josh Smith says "Hi, your just taller"

[L.Kizzle]

Maurice Stokes
Connie Hawkins
Gus Johnson
Larry Johnson
Antonio McDyese

[OldSchoolBBall]

Barkley for my money.

[eliteballer]

and Josh Smith says "Hi, your just taller"

and faster, stronger, more explosive, and more coordinated.

[eliteballer]

http://img498.imageshack.us/img498/5176/shawnkemp7jc.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/Shawn%20Kemp/All%20Star%20Game/shawn_kemp_121.jpg

[eliteballer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQC5g7yezgs

^MAYBE a case.

[LittleMoney45]

http://nba-history.pagesperso-orange.fr/images/as/nance_295_ADB20.jpg

[eliteballer]

Nance was a beast as well, but Kemp was basically him in a more massive frame.

[Bigsmoke]

what about Kevin Garnett?

[Nori]

What about guys like Amare, Josh Smith, McDyess?

[Kobe8]

what about Kevin Garnett?
:cheers: :cheers:

[eltonrosas]

What about guys like Amare, Josh Smith, McDyess?

They're great and maybe even better but not as athletic as Kemp and McDyess is not in that list.

[eltonrosas]

:cheers: :cheers:

He's tall and lanky but not as athletic as Kemp

[eltonrosas]

http://img498.imageshack.us/img498/5176/shawnkemp7jc.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/Shawn%20Kemp/All%20Star%20Game/shawn_kemp_121.jpg

bump

[KKittles30]

didn't tooo many people do this to Jordan in the Finals..then come right back down the floor and score on #23

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U59e_Vi6zc8


KEMP!

[evilmonkey]

Toss up betwen him and Dwight Howard... for me DH at 6

[Dwade305]

They're great and maybe even better but not as athletic as Kemp and McDyess is not in that list.

McDyess before the bum knees was a str8 up beast. IMO the most athletic 4 ever for that short span.

[White Chocolate]

Kemp probably wasn't the most athletic overall, but he was the most explosive by far. No one exploded off the ground like early-mid 90's Shawn Kemp.

[Chalkmaze]

Athletic as far as explosive jumping ability maybe, but he was no where near as fast or powerful as say Karl Malone.

[Fatal9]

http://oi38.tinypic.com/10crw21.jpg

Played a lot of SF though.

[Maga_1]

Yes, and he's one of the most athletic player ever too

[alenleomessi]

Blake Griffin says Hi I just entered the league! :cheers:

[eliteballer]

They're great and maybe even better but not as athletic as Kemp and McDyess is not in that list.

He most assuredly is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQC5g7yezgs

[White Chocolate]

He most assuredly is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQC5g7yezgs


McDyess pre-knee problems was nothing short of an athletic freak.

[me_]

[QUOTE=evilmonkey]Toss up betwen him and Dwight Howard... for me DH at 6

[DDensity]

It was also nice to watch GP dishing those sweet passes. Dude was awesome back then.

[CAstill]

Agreed and lol at Malone being faster than Kemp.

[nbacardDOTnet]

The ReignMan

VS SHAQ
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/Shawn%20Kemp/VS/d512e37e.gif

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELyKsc7yxzo

Fat Kemp VS Amare :oldlol:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp0bSjDy4Ks




http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/Shawn%20Kemp/All%20Star%20Game/shawn_kemp_121.jpg

from my Photobucket. =)

[Noyze]

What about guys like Amare, Josh Smith, McDyess?

Amare and Kemp are real real close in athleticism.

[Chalkmaze]

lol at Malone being faster than Kemp.

You obviously don't know your basketball history.

[MasterDurant24]

[QUOTE=evilmonkey]Toss up betwen him and Dwight Howard... for me DH at 6

[Manute for Ever!]

I'm surprised Round Mound hasn't come in here and written a poorly constructed, smilie infested essay entirely in bold explaining why he thinks Charles Barkley is the most athletic PF, topped off with a bunch of youtube clips

[Toizumi]

Hakeem and Alonzo Mourning were not 7'0. They both might have been shorter than Dwight.

I doubt that. Not that those inches really matter, but those videos of Hakeem and Dwight working out showed that Hakeem was taller. Picture doesn't really prove a thing but whatever:

http://www.slamonline.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/hakeem_olajuwom_dwight_howard.jpg

Mourning might've been Dwight's height though.

On topic. Kemp is the most athletic PF ever, followed closely by Amare (pre injury). Amare is still very explosive.. but back when he wore no 32 he looked more athletic to me?

[d.bball.guy]

Blake Griffin says Hi I just entered the league! :cheers:
:applause: but.....

[d.bball.guy]

http://oi38.tinypic.com/10crw21.jpg

Played a lot of SF though.
never saw that dunk before :eek:

[Nori]

For me, top 5 athletic PF to ever play this game:
1. Shawn Kemp
2. Amare Stoudemire(Closest thing to Kemp)
3. Antonio McDyess(In his prime)
4. Josh Smith
5. Larry Johnson

[allball]

Josh Smith says hi.

come on now. Kemp would destroy Josh.

[JDKMagic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o5_jGvyVvo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISTuUdfy_OE (1:50, wow)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7zcDZUrqNM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gHs6SsvbnE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaGUemh_QdQ

[ProfessorMurder]

For me, top 5 athletic PF to ever play this game:
1. Shawn Kemp
2. Amare Stoudemire(Closest thing to Kemp)
3. Antonio McDyess(In his prime)
4. Josh Smith
5. Larry Johnson

LJ>Smith

[wheyhigh]

wow...only 2 different people have mentioned amar'e....amar'e is up there with kemp, pre injury amare was ridiculous, not only did he have an incredible vertical but his explosiveness was absurd. from time to time he will still make a dunk that reminds me of himself

[O.J A 6'4Mamba]

reignman.

[thejumpa]

Yeah it's sad that no one mentions Amar'e. I watched a lot of Kemp back in the day and so far the closest guy to him is Amar'e. Big, mobile, and super explosive. I like that he looks to dunk whenever he is close to the basket. He never goes half ass when he wants to finish at the rim. Pretty crazy to see that he is still stupid athletic even after microfracture surgery and everything.

However, I don't even think a pre-injury Amar'e was the athlete Kemp is. Kemp was still a little more explosive, had better body control and finishing ability, and could actually run the floor and catch lops like it was nothing. Pretty impressive for a 6'10 PF.

[Kobe 4 The Win]

Shawn Kemp was insane. The dude was huge and he could jump out of the gym. He was fun to watch when he first came into the league.

[kumquat]

Yup - I agree Blake Griffin will be up there. Some of the stuff he's doing looks so effortless.

[Rake2204]

Some rare Shawn Kemp footage. All pre-'96 stuff. Famous dunks are included but many others are not often seen in normal Kemp mixtapes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U45lCyPhW4&feature=plcp

One more from the same user: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xiEpT1WuUw&feature=plcp

[Teanett]

http://i926.photobucket.com/albums/ad105/kg21minnesota/ZPhotos%20KG/8.jpg

[stax]

McDyess supposedly had a 47" vert before he took an arrow to the knee... :confusedshrug:

[TheBluest]

If you watch his Top 10 Dunks All-Time and maybe it's Dunks #6 and #3 I believe...

The one vs the Knicks

The one where he takes the ball 94 ft practically and destroys/obliterates everything in the arena pretty much speaks of how his athleticism was second to none

Of course what takes the cake is the Lister Blister(greatest in game dunk ever)

[TheBluest]

http://gifsoup.com/view/569744/shawn-kemp-lister-blister-o.gif

[Rake2204]

McDyess supposedly had a 47" vert before he took an arrow to the knee... :confusedshrug:
I would dispute that claim until the cows came home.

I marveled at McDyess' leaping and dunking ability prior to injury, but a 47'' vertical is Olympic-like leaping. It's likely James White and then a few inches on top. I think when you see someone with a 47'' inch vertical, you'll know it's a 47'' vertical.

For reference, here's a player who was rumored to boast a 45'' vertical. He's 6'3'' and set his school's records for the high jump (7 feet) and long jump (just short of 24 feet): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMgHlPbodGw. I feel as though it's relatively easy to notice how freakish that guys' hops were. So to imagine the 6'9'' McDyess with a vertical not just equal to his, but exceeding it by two inches. . . Antonio would have been hitting his neck on the rim.

[NewYorkNoPicks]

Um... Amare?

Amare is easily the most athletic power forward of all time, and thats why he was so dominant despite a lack of true polished bball skills.

I've seen Kemp as well (I started watching in 93). Amare is or was ( probablyh the better word) the most athletic ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnoOT3uqzZc&feature=related

[BigBalla44]

Um... Amare?

Amare is easily the most athletic power forward of all time, and thats why he was so dominant despite a lack of true polished bball skills.

I've seen Kemp as well (I started watching in 93). Amare is or was ( probablyh the better word) the most athletic ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnoOT3uqzZc&feature=related

Nah, I think Kemp was the better athlete. Kemp contorts his body better which is a sign of superior agility.

[kumquat]

Somebody please argue any PF can do any dunks with more athleticism Blake Griffin has done. Keep in mind kemp is one of my favorite PFs of all time, but Blake has it all over him.

[NewYorkNoPicks]

Nah, I think Kemp was the better athlete. Kemp contorts his body better which is a sign of superior agility.

agility has nothing to do with leaping ability

[Calabis]

[QUOTE=evilmonkey]Toss up betwen him and Dwight Howard... for me DH at 6

[BigBalla44]

agility has nothing to do with leaping ability

According to the title, are we ONLY talking about jumping ability? Athleticism has more to do than just that?

Still, I cant say youre wrong. Amare, Kemp, and Blake have a argument to the GOAT PF athlete. Some will say Bill Russell too but that's a different debate.

[tpols]

agility has nothing to do with leaping ability
But it does have something to do with athleticism.. which is what this whole thread is about.:facepalm

Kemp has so much style in his dunks.. he may not have the raw jumping ability of Blake, but he definitely had more flair and tenacity.

[LeFraud James]

Blake Griffin says Hi I just entered the league! :cheers:

Your post says Hi I just started watching basketball 2 years ago. :cheers:

[Rake2204]

Somebody please argue any PF can do any dunks with more athleticism Blake Griffin has done. Keep in mind kemp is one of my favorite PFs of all time, but Blake has it all over him.
What do you mean by "dunks with more athleticism"? Elevation? Variance in slams? Extension? A little bit of everything?

I think Shawn Kemp might have Griffin in a couple dunking categories. For one, Blake isn't touching Kemp's flair and for me, flair is a huge part of dunking. Granted, it's not a huge part of completing the dunk, but if dunking were just about completion, that'd make Shaquille O'Neal the greatest dunker of all-time and I'm not sure I'd be okay with that.

I really like Blake Griffin as a dunker so this is a tough one to debate. Griffin has some dunks Kemp never pulled off and might not have been able to pull off (his slams on Mozgov and Perkins) but Kemp may have had some certain slams I'm not sure Blake could pull quite like Kemp. Many of Griffin's dunks are excellent leaping feats and I enjoy them, but I feel like I'd take Kemp's highly stylistic Lister Blisters with a post-dunk taunt.


Kemp has so much style in his dunks.. he may not have the raw jumping ability of Blake, but he definitely had more flair and tenacity.
Agreed.

[senelcoolidge]

Yeah, Kemp was extremely athletic, but an underachiever. Should have been much better.

[bizil]

U have had some straight up beasts at the PF. They are unique because of how much size these guys have. Many of these guys weigh anywhere from 245 pounds all the way up to 265 pounds. Or u have a guy like KG at 7'0 with the frame of a SF who still is a beast and has the ferocity of a PF. But u could EASILY argue a prime Kemp is the most athletic PF ever. Blake jumps higher and is stronger, but Kemp was quicker and I dug the way how Kemp used his handle to get his shit off in addition to his drop step vertical or alleyoops. But of course Amare, LJ, Barkley, Gus, Stokes, McDyess, and Nance deserve love too. At their particular times, each could have been considered the most freakish for their era or even all time. But due to evolution, things tend to get better. And by the way, Barkley and KG are flat out the best players (and frankly by a good margin) for the freakish type PF's.

[Round Mound]

The Mixture of Power, Potence, Speed, Quickness, Agility and Handles = Barkley

[DuMa]

Kemp was great but dumb as rocks. he is 3rd on the list of guys who has the most games fouled out ever with 150+ something. he was always in foul trouble.

[kumquat]

The Mixture of Power, Potence, Speed, Quickness, Agility and Handles = Barkley

Hakeem begs to difer.

[CavaliersFTW]

Hakeem begs to difer.
power forwards only please. :facepalm

[Calabis]

I think people are forgettng some of the oops and putbacks Kemp was catching, not to mention his ability to move with the ball in his hands...also his end to end court speed was very good, also had a nice mid range jumper

http://wannadunk.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shawn-kemp-dunk.jpg

[NewYorkNoPicks]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdPTBwJGqew
^
Amare Stoudemire Top 100 Dunks l

[NewYorkNoPicks]

But it does have something to do with athleticism.. which is what this whole thread is about.:facepalm

Kemp has so much style in his dunks.. he may not have the raw jumping ability of Blake, but he definitely had more flair and tenacity.

Ok? and we're not talking about athleticism in terms of olympic sprinters; we're talking about athleticism as it relates in basketball, more specifically to a power forward.

Agility is more relevant in basketball when speaking of point guards like Steve Nash for example, so agile, so nimble, he could change directions in a millisecond...and thats valid...for POINT GUARDS.

Athleticism for PF's should be the combination of strength, leaping ability, ability to finish with contact, and speed on the fast break. Amare probably has the overall best combination of these attributes.

[CAstill]

Ok? and we're not talking about athleticism in terms of olympic sprinters; we're talking about athleticism as it relates in basketball, more specifically to a power forward.

Agility is more relevant in basketball when speaking of point guards like Steve Nash for example, so agile, so nimble, he could change directions in a millisecond...and thats valid...for POINT GUARDS.

Athleticism for PF's should be the combination of strength, leaping ability, ability to finish with contact, and speed on the fast break. Amare probably has the overall best combination of these attributes.


:facepalm
Kemp would bully Amare in the paint so no Amare is not stronger. Kemp was also much faster and could finish any dunk over any defender. So NO Amare isn't better at any aspect.

[NewYorkNoPicks]

[/B]

:facepalm
Kemp would bully Amare in the paint so no Amare is not stronger. Kemp was also much faster and could finish any dunk over any defender. So NO Amare isn't better at any aspect.

Have you watched basketball for 19 years? because I have...

[Rake2204]

Ok? and we're not talking about athleticism in terms of olympic sprinters; we're talking about athleticism as it relates in basketball, more specifically to a power forward.

Agility is more relevant in basketball when speaking of point guards like Steve Nash for example, so agile, so nimble, he could change directions in a millisecond...and thats valid...for POINT GUARDS.

Athleticism for PF's should be the combination of strength, leaping ability, ability to finish with contact, and speed on the fast break. Amare probably has the overall best combination of these attributes.
I sort of feel like athleticism is athleticism. Personally, I think Olympic sprinting ability would be one hell of a useful athletic quality to hold at the power forward position. Second, I find Shawn Kemp's agility is partly what made him so effective at the four position.

Even just looking at the attributes you found worth while for a power forward (strength, leaping ability, ability to finish with contact, and speed on the fast break) I feel as though nearly each of those categories is arguable in Shawn Kemp or Amar'e Stoudemire's favor. In terms of the strength, I'm not particularly well versed (I know Kemp is listed 30 pounds less than Stoudemire) but I will say it seemed Kemp's athletic agility allowed him to compete (often favorably) with the greatest of power forwards in his time.

[Clippersfan86]

When you combine strength, vertical, agility, explosiveness Griffin is tops. You can tell how desperate people are to discredit Griffin when they use dunking flair in an athleticism debate. If this was best dunking PF Kemp could still be argued but Griffin is the all around better athlete by a small margin.

[Rake2204]

When you combine strength, vertical, agility, explosiveness Griffin is tops. You can tell how desperate people are to discredit Griffin when they use dunking flair in an athleticism debate. If this was best dunking PF Kemp could still be argued but Griffin is the all around better athlete by a small margin.
My comment on Shawn Kemp's flair was in response to this quote:


Somebody please argue any PF can do any dunks with more athleticism Blake Griffin has done. Keep in mind kemp is one of my favorite PFs of all time, but Blake has it all over him.

The comment quoted is vague if nothing else. I wasn't entirely sure what was meant by "dunks with more athleticism" and I questioned said statement. I interpreted it as a dispute of who had the widest athletic range of dunking ability. By flair, I was largely referencing Kemp's ability to go beyond and not merely bring the ball back and dunk while jumping high. There were a lot of extra movements and maneuvers to Kemp's dunks that I felt derived largely from one's athletic ability.

Basically, if it could be defined as to what makes an "athletic dunker" (aside from jumping high) I think that'd help clear things up. As a fan of Griffin's dunks, I wasn't attempting to give him the short end of the stick. It was not an attempt to discredit Griffin.

[NewYorkNoPicks]

I sort of feel like athleticism is athleticism. Personally, I think Olympic sprinting ability would be one hell of a useful athletic quality to hold at the power forward position. Second, I find Shawn Kemp's agility is partly what made him so effective at the four position.

Even just looking at the attributes you found worth while for a power forward (strength, leaping ability, ability to finish with contact, and speed on the fast break) I feel as though nearly each of those categories is arguable in Shawn Kemp or Amar'e Stoudemire's favor. In terms of the strength, I'm not particularly well versed (I know Kemp is listed 30 pounds less than Stoudemire) but I will say it seemed Kemp's athletic agility allowed him to compete (often favorably) with the greatest of power forwards in his time.

I will agree with you that Kemp was definitely faster than Amare, no question...especially on the break. But I think that when you take all the attributes i listed, almost like a report card for instance, Amare's overall rating would probably rank above Kemps.

I see what youre saying with athleticism being...athleticism. But if that were the case then there wouldnt be different sports. There is a reason why certain players from one sport would be horrid at another, because each specific sport requires you to be dominant at certain aspects of athleticism. Take Hockey for instance, an elite goalie like Martin Brodeur is great at his position because of his reflexes and reaction time, but he probably couldn't out run a fat nba player like Glen Davis. Or take power lifting for instance, when they pull a small car tied to them by a rope, theres no NBA player who could do that, but brute force (specifically anaerobic muscle movement) is irrelevant for nba players.

[pauk]

and Josh Smith says "Hi, your just taller"

..and then Kemp says: "Hi, i have a 40" inch vertical leap and here is a picture of me going for a random rebound"

http://i49.tinypic.com/2j4y5op.jpg

[Rake2204]

..and then Kemp says: "Hi, i have a 40" inch vertical leap and here is a picture of me going for a random rebound"

http://i49.tinypic.com/2j4y5op.jpg
I feel obligated to say this every time you post one of these types of pictures. . . perspective is everything. There's really not a lot that can be derived from that photo that'd prove that Kemp is in fact at rim level. I get that your point is he jumped high, but that little thing about depth perception really can get in the way of well, the way things are perceived. It looks like Kemp is way in front of the rim in that photo.


I will agree with you that Kemp was definitely faster than Amare, no question...especially on the break. But I think that when you take all the attributes i listed, almost like a report card for instance, Amare's overall rating would probably rank above Kemps.

I see what youre saying with athleticism being...athleticism. But if that were the case then there wouldnt be different sports. There is a reason why certain players from one sport would be horrid at another, because each specific sport requires you to be dominant at certain aspects of athleticism. Take Hockey for instance, an elite goalie like Martin Brodeur is great at his position because of his reflexes and reaction time, but he probably couldn't out run a fat nba player like Glen Davis. Or take power lifting for instance, when they pull a small car tied to them by a rope, theres no NBA player who could do that, but brute force (specifically anaerobic muscle movement) is irrelevant for nba players.
I can agree with that too. However, I feel the two portions of athleticism you reserved for Olympic sprinters and NBA guards would both be quite beneficial to an NBA power forward, as I stated previously.

[Clippersfan86]

Rake I thought it was somebody else who mentioned flair. Wasn't meaning you would discredit.

[TheBluest]

but I feel like I'd take Kemp's highly stylistic Lister Blisters with a post-dunk taunt.



This dunk had every single dunk characteristic you'd want as a fan. He didn't miss and delivered in every single area...

I'd also like to mention Kemp wasn't one who got the ball delivered to him out of pick and rolls a lot building up a running start to launch. A lot of Kemp dunks/facials were him taking the ball off the dribble and weaving through defenses from a cram yam session...

He didn't use players to catapult himself to the rim and he didn't throw balls in the rim... he didn't need to... his natural athletic ability got him all the way to the rim no matter where he took off from...

The Original Locomotive..... Loco=Crazy Self Propelling Motive=Inner Athletic Mobility To Do So

[CavaliersFTW]

..and then Kemp says: "Hi, i have a 40" inch vertical leap and here is a picture of me going for a random rebound"

http://i49.tinypic.com/2j4y5op.jpg
Basketballs are roughly half the diameter of an NBA rim... In this image it may first appear that Kemp's head is rim level, however if you observe the basketball - it appears virtually the same diameter as the rim. An instant red flag that the perspective has been grossly foreshortened with a strong zoom lens and a clever crop. This does not at all represent a side by side view of Kemp and how high he jumped relative to a basketball rim. He is several feet closer to the camera than the rim itself making him appear both larger and higher than he actually is.

[pauk]

I feel obligated to say this every time you post one of these types of pictures. . . perspective is everything. There's really not a lot that can be derived from that photo that'd prove that Kemp is in fact at rim level. I get that your point is he jumped high, but that little thing about depth perception really can get in the way of well, the way things are perceived. It looks like Kemp is way in front of the rim in that photo.

1. Shawn Kemp was 6'10" (208 cm)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Kemp

2. Shawn Kemp had a 40" (102 cm) vertical leap
http://www.topendsports.com/testing/results/vertical-jump.htm

3. A NBA hoop is at 10' feet (305 cm)

4. Lifting a 6'10" (208 cm) guy 40" (102 cm) inches in the sky means that the top of his skull can reach an exact height of 10'2" (310 cm)... which is 2" inches (5 cm) above the rim...

5. The picture you see above shows that the top of his skull is at exactly 10'... which means that his vertical was only 38" inches in that picture.... 2" inches short of his capability (40")...

Then you can talk about picture perspective as much as you like, not saying that you are wrong about perspective in a picture and so on... but that KEMP could get his head right up there.... :cheers:

[necya]

http://youtu.be/KeUjEz8u0E4

damn, can't find the game versus the Mavericks from 94 :mad:

young Charles Barkley is most athletic PF i've seen.

[TheBluest]

I think people are forgettng some of the oops and putbacks Kemp was catching, not to mention his ability to move with the ball in his hands...also his end to end court speed was very good, also had a nice mid range jumper

http://wannadunk.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/shawn-kemp-dunk.jpg


When people say Flair which can encompass athletic ability depending on what qualifies as Flair. IMO Flair is do something other than launching off the floor to dunk no matter how high one gets

If a Player can say do the splits while launching for a dunk from distance versus another player that just goes up for one from the same distance the player who does the splits gets more credit for athletic ability

To take this further if the player who does the splits, cradles the rock from equal distance gets more credit for athletic ability

To take this further if the player who does the splits does a half reverse double pump from equal distance gets more credit for athletic ability

To take this further if the player jumps off 1 foot instead of 2 and still finishes with more power from equal distance gets more credit for athletic ability

To take this further if the player can do a spin off body contact and reverse dunk flat footed from equal distance gets more credit for athletic ability


You get the point here, the player isn't just launching himself off the floor to get a dunk off. IMO part of athletic ability is artistry

[pauk]

One thing i loved about Kemp was that he was so damn funky, full with swag, he had always some type of emotion/flair/expression/celebration after doing a dunk...

Could be a Kung Fu pose
Could be a staredown on the opponent he just dunked on
Could be just standing there and screaming
Could be a breakdance
Could be simply just holding his hands up the way he dunked the ball... for a long time..
Could be just skipping back n forth with that "Oooohhh or Eeewwww that was discusting" facial expression
Could be pointing at the guy he just dunked on
Could be just pounding his chest like a Gorilla
Could be going around and getting high-fives... from opposing players..
Could be just yelling out "You cant stop that!!"

:oldlol: dude was so freakin entertaining

[CAstill]

Have you watched basketball for 19 years? because I have...

Yes, I have. :rolleyes:

Show me any version of Amare stronger, faster
or a better leaper than Kemp 96.
Amare has never or will never
be as good as Kemp 96.
I understand Amare had
slightly comparable explosion
which is what draws the comparison in the
first place but Kemp was still faster, stronger,
and always had better hops. I could only imagine
how good Kemp would of looked with Nash on
the Suns. Kemp would of won a ring. Amare got
punked in the paint and never even got to the Finals lol.

[MasterDurant24]

Out of Barkley, Kemp, Amare, Griffin, and Mcdyess imo. And Philly Barkley is first for me, dude would get up and down the floor like crazy.

[Calabis]

Yes, I have. :rolleyes:

Show me any version of Amare stronger, faster
or a better leaper than Kemp 96.
Amare has never or will never
be as good as Kemp 96.
I understand Amare had
slightly comparable explosion
which is what draws the comparison in the
first place but Kemp was still faster, stronger,
and always had better hops. I could only imagine
how good Kemp would of looked with Nash on
the Suns. Kemp would of won a ring. Amare got
punked in the paint and never even got to the Finals lol.

Also Kemps handle and ability to create off the dribble, far superior to Amare

[Rake2204]

1. Shawn Kemp was 6'10" (208 cm)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Kemp

2. Shawn Kemp had a 40" (102 cm) vertical leap
http://www.topendsports.com/testing/results/vertical-jump.htm

3. A NBA hoop is at 10' feet (305 cm)

4. Lifting a 6'10" (208 cm) guy 40" (102 cm) inches in the sky means that the top of his skull can reach an exact height of 10'2" (310 cm)... which is 2" inches (5 cm) above the rim...

5. The picture you see above shows that the top of his skull is at exactly 10'... which means that his vertical was only 38" inches in that picture.... 2" inches short of his capability (40")...

Then you can talk about picture perspective as much as you like, not saying that you are wrong about perspective in a picture and so on... but that KEMP could get his head right up there.... :cheers:
You're mixing up what I'm trying to say here. I'm not addressing your picture so I can dispute Shawn Kemp's athleticism or vertical. I'm saying your picture is faulty and does not serve as a legitimate example of showcasing Kemp's athleticism. I'm saying it's a bad way to make a point. I'm in favor of proving Shawn Kemp's exploits, but it does not mean a picture of Kemp jumping well in front of the rim and thus distorting how close he is to the rim makes any kind of point. CavaliersFTW summed it up quite well:

Basketballs are roughly half the diameter of an NBA rim... In this image it may first appear that Kemp's head is rim level, however if you observe the basketball - it appears virtually the same diameter as the rim. An instant red flag that the perspective has been grossly foreshortened with a strong zoom lens and a clever crop. This does not at all represent a side by side view of Kemp and how high he jumped relative to a basketball rim. He is several feet closer to the camera than the rim itself making him appear both larger and higher than he actually is.

Further, to judge a player's vertical off of that picture ("The picture you see above shows that the top of his skull is at exactly 10'... which means that his vertical was only 38" inches in that picture.... 2" inches short of his capability (40")...") makes absolutely zero sense unless we know for a fact that 1) Shawn Kemp is the same distance away from the camera as the rim and 2) the camera was level enough to measure one's head to the rim itself without the old low angle routine playing tricks on us.

I'll use the same example I always use. Wilt Chamberlain was an athletic freak, no doubt about it. When he jumped in the air, I've heard reports his head was near rim level. However, that doesn't mean I can post the picture below to make my point.
http://www.movesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/wilt-chamberlain-ma-66.jpg

Finally, while I know for a fact Shawn Kemp had a ridiculous vertical, I do not find your source you linked to be reliable in any way, shape, or form. I have no doubt Kemp was rising up there, but I've never heard an official reference for his standing, one-step, or maximum vertical.

[NewYorkNoPicks]

Yes, I have. :rolleyes:

Show me any version of Amare stronger, faster
or a better leaper than Kemp 96.
Amare has never or will never
be as good as Kemp 96.
I understand Amare had
slightly comparable explosion
which is what draws the comparison in the
first place but Kemp was still faster, stronger,
and always had better hops. I could only imagine
how good Kemp would of looked with Nash on
the Suns. Kemp would of won a ring. Amare got
punked in the paint and never even got to the Finals lol.

Kemp got to the finals ONCE, Amare was literally ONE GAME from the finals; youre really grasping at straws there.

Ill agree Kemps faster, definitely faster, but a higher leaper? Stronger? Come on man...dont let "the good ole days" add bias to your views

[IcanzIIravor]

He's tall and lanky but not as athletic as Kemp

Pre-injury Amare was scary, but the Rain Man was a beast.

[Round Mound]

Hakeem begs to difer.


Hakeem did not have Good Handles (he had OK Handles, Great Footwork and Post Moves but Handles? No) and wasn`t as Powerful as Barkley either

[Rake2204]

Kemp got to the finals ONCE, Amare was literally ONE GAME from the finals; youre really grasping at straws there.

Ill agree Kemps faster, definitely faster, but a higher leaper? Stronger? Come on man...dont let "the good ole days" add bias to your views
I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable stating Amar'e Stoudemire was a better leaper than Shawn Kemp. It's not as if we're comparing David West to Amar'e here. Kemp's hops versus Stoudemire's hops is definitely not a "Come on man. . ." situation in favor of Amar'e.

In fact, on the contrary, I'd feel a lot more comfortable taking Shawn Kemp in a leap-off.

There's this from Amar'e, on a full run-out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp164npRuxE
Then there's this from Kemp, on a drop step: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQeMhYJe5JA#t=2m3s

And then there's this from Amar'e: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqc1MNA3GZ0
But then there's this from Kemp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2mzLPq3aiY

Even on his young, welcome to the league facial, it's not as if Stoudemire was levitating: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy7CKPD0hYc

I just can't take Amar'e over Kemp as a leaper.

[L.Kizzle]

I didn't go through all seven pages, but I'm pretty sure this guy didn't get mentioned.

Gus Johnson is the most athletic 4 ever.

[CavaliersFTW]

I didn't go through all seven pages, but I'm pretty sure this guy didn't get mentioned.

Gus Johnson is the most athletic 4 ever.
But didn't he play SF predominately?

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/125/1/e/gus_johnson_dunk_by_dantheman9758-d4yocdj.gif

[Rake2204]

I didn't go through all seven pages, but I'm pretty sure this guy didn't get mentioned.

Gus Johnson is the most athletic 4 ever.
Au contraire, I did see Gus get a mention elsewhere in this thread.

[L.Kizzle]

But didn't he play SF predominately?

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/125/1/e/gus_johnson_dunk_by_dantheman9758-d4yocdj.gif
Naw, he was mainly a PF. Though he could guard SF and everyone from Jerry West to Wilt Chamberlain.

[TheBluest]

In fact, on the contrary, I'd feel a lot more comfortable taking Shawn Kemp in a leap-off.


Then there's this from Kemp, on a drop step: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQeMhYJe5JA#t=2m3s


I just can't take Amar'e over Kemp as a leaper.


I see it was Dunk #4 in his Top 10 Dunks that shows his athleticism and Dunk #3

http://www.turntableast.com/newsletter/admin/Perso/PC/Slam-Dunk/1992-Shawn-Kemp-2.jpg Pretty Positive Blake nor Amare could do this Dunk 1 step inside the free throw line with the split on the legs

http://www.turntableast.com/newsletter/admin/Perso/PC/Slam-Dunk/1991-Shawn-Kemp-2.jpg

I have this card, it's in mint condition and Kemp was also majestic when he elevated.

So in conclusion yes I'd take Kemp over any power forward as a dunker. They'll probably never be another RM.

[Whoah10115]

Josh Smith is more athletic than Shawn Kemp?

[L.Kizzle]

Josh Smith is more athletic than Shawn Kemp?
Connie Hawkins is more athletic than Smith.

[CAstill]

Kemp got to the finals ONCE, Amare was literally ONE GAME from the finals; youre really grasping at straws there.

Ill agree Kemps faster, definitely faster, but a higher leaper? Stronger? Come on man...dont let "the good ole days" add bias to your views



Yes Kemp was stronger and a better leaper.
I'm not saying Kemp can bench way more than Amare
but based on how each establish themselves
in the post; Kemp has always been considered
the stronger player. Kemp was banging in the post
and not losing position with bigger opposition.
I couldn't say that for Amare with even smaller
competition. As far as leaping goes, read the thread
pretty sure this is a landslide in Kemps favor.
Trust me I've been watching ball for over 19 years....
:pimp:

[The Choken One]

Mcdyess is a freak...

Top 3 imo are Kemp/Mcdyess/Amare... just can't figure out order. Kemp probably #1... then not sure...

[senelcoolidge]

I didn't go through all seven pages, but I'm pretty sure this guy didn't get mentioned.

Gus Johnson is the most athletic 4 ever.

I was going to post about Gus Johnson, but than decided not to. Glad someone added him into the discussion. 12 rpg 16ppg for his career. One of the most athletic purely natural forwards ever. I think he played both forward positions but mainly the 3.

[HorryIsMyMVP]

I wish prime Nash could have played with prime Kemp. 2 of my favorite players.

[Dro]

I easily agree with this stat.....All the other guys people are naming, Amare, Griffin, Nance, Mcdyess....etc...they don't have the total athletic package that Kemp had....Those guys can't handle the ball like Kemp for one.....he handles the ball full court, FLUIDLY like a guard and then can end it with a poster...The guy is taking off, gliding through the air, and then he has the power like a Vince Carter...And you've never seen anyone catch an alley oop more effortlessly...And Blake can't dunk on people without committing an offensive foul everytime sticking his left forearm in the guys face so he can't block the dunk....That video the guy posted a few pages back is great...in the 2nd one, Kemp posterizes Alonzo EASILY with the LEFT hand on a fast break and he posterizes David Robinson a couple times too in that vid....

[Dro]

This dunk had every single dunk characteristic you'd want as a fan. He didn't miss and delivered in every single area...

I'd also like to mention Kemp wasn't one who got the ball delivered to him out of pick and rolls a lot building up a running start to launch. A lot of Kemp dunks/facials were him taking the ball off the dribble and weaving through defenses from a cram yam session...

He didn't use players to catapult himself to the rim and he didn't throw balls in the rim... he didn't need to... his natural athletic ability got him all the way to the rim no matter where he took off from...

The Original Locomotive..... Loco=Crazy Self Propelling Motive=Inner Athletic Mobility To Do So
/end thread..

[blacknapalm]

I easily agree with this stat.....All the other guys people are naming, Amare, Griffin, Nance, Mcdyess....etc...they don't have the total athletic package that Kemp had....Those guys can't handle the ball like Kemp for one.....he handles the ball full court, FLUIDLY like a guard and then can end it with a poster...The guy is taking off, gliding through the air, and then he has the power like a Vince Carter...And you've never seen anyone catch an alley oop more effortlessly...And Blake can't dunk on people without committing an offensive foul everytime sticking his left forearm in the guys face so he can't block the dunk....That video the guy posted a few pages back is great...in the 2nd one, Kemp posterizes Alonzo EASILY with the LEFT hand on a fast break and he posterizes David Robinson a couple times too in that vid....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hANRZZV9FvU

and kemp backs you up

[Rake2204]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hANRZZV9FvU

and kemp backs you up
Ha, wow. I still think Griffin's a great dunker though. There's no shame in someone not finding your dunks to be as diverse as Shawn Kemp's.

[theaussieguy]

griffin is more impressive IMO. kemp does not get as high as him plain and simple.

[Ai2death]

griffin is more impressive IMO. kemp does not get as high as him plain and simple.


Perhaps if kemp pushed of the defender like Griffen he would've.

[highwhey]

[/B]

:facepalm
Kemp would bully Amare in the paint so no Amare is not stronger. Kemp was also much faster and could finish any dunk over any defender. So NO Amare isn't better at any aspect.
:roll: :roll: :roll:

amar'e is up there with kemp. a lot better in certain areas as well. and amar'e is a great finisher fyi, pre-injury, there was no bigman he couldn't finish a dunk over. post-injury, he's still posterizing people, and finishing when he gets to the basket. a little unknown fact, amar'e has done very well in getting and1's, that is, i don't think he's ever lead the league but he's came damn close to it.

[alexrows]

griffin is more impressive IMO. kemp does not get as high as him plain and simple.
Kemp didn't need to jump as high since he was a little longer than Blake. And that may be a good thing since he never blew up his knees. McDyess always used to jump out of the gym, K-Mart and Amar'e the same, and you all know what those guys and Blake all have in common ;)
btw, SK did hit his head on the rim during his rookie season against Sacramento.
ps: and for people saying kemp didn't jump that high "now just watch this elevation right here":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89NSYa13wS4
his head is almost rim level, and the only thing Carr would be able to block here - even though he jumped and he was listed at 6'9" - is SK's head - and I'm not even sure about that

[CAstill]

:roll: :roll: :roll:

amar'e is up there with kemp. a lot better in certain areas as well. and amar'e is a great finisher fyi, pre-injury, there was no bigman he couldn't finish a dunk over. post-injury, he's still posterizing people, and finishing when he gets to the basket. a little unknown fact, amar'e has done very well in getting and1's, that is, i don't think he's ever lead the league but he's came damn close to it.

:facepalm

Such a great response you have here. :rolleyes:

Your insight is weak just like your avy pic.
Instead of proving anything you say, you just state Amare is up there lol.
You say he is better in certain areas as well (which is contradiction of
your previous sentence saying he's up there, implying not better just hanging in the realm of closeness)

Amare couldn't dunk on prime Shaq, Alonzo, Ewing, D-rob, or any physical force that was holding down the paint in the 90's. So miss me with his dunks
in a weak center era as a reason why he could compete with Kemp.
Kemp lead a team to the Finals against the GOAT and almost won FMVP
in a losing effort. Amare can't even be the best player on his team
let along play D or stay forcused enough to not do stupid stuff like
punch glass lol. You show me what Amare is better than Kemp at because it's not playing basketball.

[TheBluest]

:roll: :roll: :roll:

amar'e is up there with kemp. a lot better in certain areas as well. and amar'e is a great finisher fyi, pre-injury, there was no bigman he couldn't finish a dunk over. post-injury, he's still posterizing people, and finishing when he gets to the basket. a little unknown fact, amar'e has done very well in getting and1's, that is, i don't think he's ever lead the league but he's came damn close to it.

Kemp could finish over whoever he wanted to too. What you said here was par for the course for Kemp.

There was also a game in the playoffs I believe where he spun off Elden Campbell or A.C. Green on the right Baseline...he was being boxed out initially but from spin just to the inside of right lane he jumped caught the missed shot mid air with his right hand and crammed it.

If I can find that clip I'll post it. One of the sickest put back dunks I've ever seen.

[highwhey]

:facepalm

Such a great response you have here. :rolleyes:

Your insight is weak just like your avy pic.
Instead of proving anything you say, you just state Amare is up there lol.
You say he is better in certain areas as well (which is contradiction of
your previous sentence saying he's up there, implying not better just hanging in the realm of closeness)

Amare couldn't dunk on prime Shaq, Alonzo, Ewing, D-rob, or any physical force that was holding down the paint in the 90's. So miss me with his dunks
in a weak center era as a reason why he could compete with Kemp.
Kemp lead a team to the Finals against the GOAT and almost won FMVP
in a losing effort. Amare can't even be the best player on his team
let along play D or stay forcused enough to not do stupid stuff like
punch glass lol. You show me what Amare is better than Kemp at because it's not playing basketball.

amar'es pen!s is ~14 inches, what is kemps? start from the back of your throat and approximate.

[CAstill]

amar'es pen!s is ~14 inches, what is kemps? start from the back of your throat and approximate.

:wtf:

We go from talking ball to you taking balls.
You really are weak and that pig pic you have is still wack.
It's probably you. Nice to see you took out the ruler
with Amare last night, because i can tell you can't measure anything
else. You probably upped his 'Stats."

[alenleomessi]

amar'es pen!s is ~14 inches, what is kemps? start from the back of your throat and approximate.
Liar
http://kaboommagazine.com/userfiles/amare-big-pic.jpg