Shawn Kemp Appreciation Thread

[ILLsmak]

I don't usually make threads but I'm sitting here watching some hardwood classics I taped of the sonics.

I don't understand why people use the fact that Shawn Kemp was basically a coke head (right?) and got all out of shape and became ass as a strike against his bball ability. That dude was a ****ing beast, just the way he moved. Like people would say Blake griffin is better and it's like wat. Amare. I dono. Those guys did work but I feel like Kemp had way more mental toughness and balls of steel. Coke or not.

But you have to actually watch him play opposed to looking at stats.

-Smak

[72-10]

Kemp beasted in his prime, and played a lot of his game above the rim.

Amare got stats, but he had trouble moving his feet to get in defensive position to block and alter more shots than he did. His 2 blocks a game was quite literally not taken to be more.

[FKAri]

Mental toughness? Dude not only became a coke head but also an alcoholic and the world's foremost expert on bonbons. Incomparable mental fragility. He was a child in a man's body.

[ILLsmak]

Mental toughness? Dude not only became a coke head but also an alcoholic and the world's foremost expert on bonbons. Incomparable mental fragility. He was a child in a man's body.

Disagree that drug or alcohol has anything to do with someone's mental toughness, esp in a single thing. It's like saying someone like ozzy isn't mentally tough out there pissing on himself on the stage cuz he's a drug addict.

At the more serious comment: Yea he really moved his feet well on d. He was so fast and slippery end to end too. Kemp moved like a Sf. It sucks that people become drug addicts but I'm not gonna take away from their accomplishments. Sure it catches up people but he was really a unique talent. He balled out in the finals vs one of the goat teams and man to man defenders.

V underrated. Sux he fell victim to drugs but it happens. It's like Grant Hill or Penny tho. Just he got ****ed a different way. If he had five or six good years that's a pretty big body of work, and arguably he was better for longer than that. It doesn't make him worse in his prime because he turned into a fat ass and crashed and burned.

-Smak

[ILLsmak]

Infact I'd argue inner demons can be channeled into mental toughness and the level of self destruction is just not having that focus (like in the off-season when you wanna go hard but have nothing to pour self into.) And eventually it over takes you. So when he was in game I think he was locked in but who knows. Just my pov.

-Smak

[Smoke117]

I don't usually make threads but I'm sitting here watching some hardwood classics I taped of the sonics.

I don't understand why people use the fact that Shawn Kemp was basically a coke head (right?) and got all out of shape and became ass as a strike against his bball ability. That dude was a ****ing beast, just the way he moved. Like people would say Blake griffin is better and it's like wat. Amare. I dono. Those guys did work but I feel like Kemp had way more mental toughness and balls of steel. Coke or not.

But you have to actually watch him play opposed to looking at stats.

-Smak

I don't like Blake Griffin, but he's clearly a more talented basketball player than Kemp was. Even if Kemp didn't let his demons take control I'm pretty positive he wouldn't have aged well. Blake Griffin is going into his 30s with a pretty good game beyond just being athletic and explosive.

[LostCause]

I don't like Blake Griffin, but he's clearly a more talented basketball player than Kemp was. Even if Kemp didn't let his demons take control I'm pretty positive he wouldn't have aged well. Blake Griffin is going into his 30s with a pretty good game beyond just being athletic and explosive.

Peak Kemp is better than Blake ever was

Though really, while Blake IS more skilled offensively than Kemp was (yet not nearly as efficient - Blake only barely edges him out in FG% and TS% even including Kemps coked out declined years and playing in the databall/historic efficiency era), his defensive impact may as well be nonexistent in comparison

Blake's decent advantage offensively doesn't compensate for the large gap between them defensively

[ILLsmak]

I don't like Blake Griffin, but he's clearly a more talented basketball player than Kemp was. Even if Kemp didn't let his demons take control I'm pretty positive he wouldn't have aged well. Blake Griffin is going into his 30s with a pretty good game beyond just being athletic and explosive.

I dono. Blake is like brute athletic, strong and crazy hops. He can shoot but we're also cross comparing eras. Kemp could attack the rim. Kemps athleticism was like ballet. It's hard to see how it would not have aged ok. N Blake isn't doing shit but getting stats. I know you like cp. Maybe with Kemp the clips would have done something.

It's one of thoae things where you're like Yea logically Blake is better than Kemp but then it's like... But wait, is he? I mean it's something that needs more thought than most people give it. I'd actually give amare a better look for being better than Kemp cuz for all his flaws amare was a monster scorer. Blake is good and has a well rounded game but it hasn't really led him anywhere.

I don't see how Kemp could not instantly play Blake's role in everything but shooting. And he prol could hit threes a little but I dunno if I'd want him wasting his time practicing them. He'd be even more deadly end to end nowadays.

Edit :@ lostcause, Yea I agree that Blake has a more well rounded game but as you said it doesn't make him better. Blake is a weird baller and maybe he would have been even crazier had he not come into the nba on an injury, but his hops and everything are two foot power jumps where as Kemp just slithers thru people. And yea Kemp had a much higher motor on o and d. Might be more foul prone too tho. He did some wild shit but it was mostly good.

Like in one of the gms I was watching he took it on the break right into polynice n flattened him. Haha got a charge and in retrospect was probably stupid but it was so aggressive and he was thinking dunk dunk dunk and polynice got up like he was dazed by the hit. Those things are positive impact plays imo.

-Smak

[NBAGOAT]

I don

[NBAGOAT]

I dono. Blake is like brute athletic, strong and crazy hops. He can shoot but we're also cross comparing eras. Kemp could attack the rim. Kemps athleticism was like ballet. It's hard to see how it would not have aged ok. N Blake isn't doing shit but getting stats. I know you like cp. Maybe with Kemp the clips would have done something.

It's one of thoae things where you're like Yea logically Blake is better than Kemp but then it's like... But wait, is he? I mean it's something that needs more thought than most people give it. I'd actually give amare a better look for being better than Kemp cuz for all his flaws amare was a monster scorer. Blake is good and has a well rounded game but it hasn't really led him anywhere.

I don't see how Kemp could not instantly play Blake's role in everything but shooting. And he prol could hit threes a little but I dunno if I'd want him wasting his time practicing them. He'd be even more deadly end to end nowadays.

-Smak

Main difference for me is Blake can really pass. Didn

[Smoke117]

I dono. Blake is like brute athletic, strong and crazy hops. He can shoot but we're also cross comparing eras. Kemp could attack the rim. Kemps athleticism was like ballet. It's hard to see how it would not have aged ok. N Blake isn't doing shit but getting stats. I know you like cp. Maybe with Kemp the clips would have done something.

It's one of thoae things where you're like Yea logically Blake is better than Kemp but then it's like... But wait, is he? I mean it's something that needs more thought than most people give it. I'd actually give amare a better look for being better than Kemp cuz for all his flaws amare was a monster scorer. Blake is good and has a well rounded game but it hasn't really led him anywhere.

I don't see how Kemp could not instantly play Blake's role in everything but shooting. And he prol could hit threes a little but I dunno if I'd want him wasting his time practicing them. He'd be even more deadly end to end nowadays.

Edit :@ lostcause, Yea I agree that Blake has a more well rounded game but as you said it doesn't make him better. Blake is a weird baller and maybe he would have been even crazier had he not come into the nba on an injury, but his hops and everything are two foot power jumps where as Kemp just slithers thru people. And yea Kemp had a much higher motor on o and d. Might be more foul prone too tho. He did some wild shit but it was mostly good.

Like in one of the gms I was watching he took it on the break right into polynice n flattened him. Haha got a charge and in retrospect was probably stupid but it was so aggressive and he was thinking dunk dunk dunk and polynice got up like he was dazed by the hit. Those things are positive impact plays imo.

-Smak

Blake is also a great ball handler and passer. Kemp was never those things. Nostalgia is always overrating Kemp, but he was never close to the level of a Barkley or Malone which are the two 90s PF's he played along. Those two are both top 20 players of all time. You then add in the Garnett's, Duncan's, and Dirks? Kemp isn't close to tier those 5 were and isn't even a top 100 player of all time.

[ILLsmak]

I see you changing my thread title.

I dunno, to me tho Kemp had handles. Kemp could push the break like I said. He had amazing foot work, too, or he wouldn't have been able to get to the rim in such crowded lanes. In this era, he would have had more space, but yea he was def a spaz w/ fouls and shots, but that's just his energy. COCAINE.

I agree he's not Barkley or Malone... haha, but I mean he was still an all-nba player. Getting all NBA 2 with guys like that in the NBA is pretty good.

I don't think nostalgia overrates him. I mean I was just watching him play. His game is unique. I think it deserves APPRECIATION.

-Smak

[Smoke117]

I see you changing my thread title.

I dunno, to me tho Kemp had handles. Kemp could push the break like I said. He had amazing foot work, too, or he wouldn't have been able to get to the rim in such crowded lanes. In this era, he would have had more space, but yea he was def a spaz w/ fouls and shots, but that's just his energy. COCAINE.

I agree he's not Barkley or Malone... haha, but I mean he was still an all-nba player. Getting all NBA 2 with guys like that in the NBA is pretty good.

I don't think nostalgia overrates him. I mean I was just watching him play. His game is unique. I think it deserves APPRECIATION.

-Smak

Kemp had handles? lol. Yeah for a PF I guess. In the 1994 all star game that idiot George Karl tried to have Kemp initiate the offense vs a Prime Scottie Pippen and Scottie completely embarrassed Kemp as it was a joke trying to have Shawn Kemp run your point. (Drexler and Richmond were the two starting guards) Shawn Kemp is a big part of the reason Scottie skated to that all star mvp.

[CAstill]

It's clear who has actually watched Kemp. Lol @ anyone questioning who was the better shooter. Kemp's midrange game was another level than Blake's and his post game was another stratosphere. Kemp was definitely not a player based on just athleticism. Even when he left Seattle he lead the Cavs to the playoffs mostly based on his post game. Lol at anyone thinking scottie embarrassed Kemp. Kemp went to dominate him, Jordan, and Rodman in the finals within 2 seasons of that. Bulls got lucky George Karl sucked and couldn't adjust defensively until game 4.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Kemp was a monster in the playoffs from 95-98

easily a better run that any big from this era

he was a far better defender than Blake but he did have some bad turnover problems

[NBAGOAT]

It's clear who has actually watched Kemp. Lol @ anyone questioning who was the better shooter. Kemp's midrange game was another level than Blake's and his post game was another stratosphere. Kemp was definitely not a player based on just athleticism. Even when he left Seattle he lead the Cavs to the playoffs mostly based on his post game. Lol at anyone thinking scottie embarrassed Kemp. Kemp went to dominate him, Jordan, and Rodman in the finals within 2 seasons of that. Bulls got lucky George Karl sucked and couldn't adjust defensively until game 4.

Most of his career you

[Manny98]

Best player in the 96 finals :applause:

[Round Mound]

Underrated defensively...

[CAstill]

Best player in the 96 finals :applause:

The only thing you've ever said correct

[GimmeThat]

side note, David Robinson was drafted in 87 but did not play until 89-90 due to service commitment with the United States Navy.

[Bawkish]

OP is probably one of those kids fathered by Kemp

just kidding :lol

[soots]

Kemp was top 3-5 player in the league when he was focused.

Problem was he was focused for maybe 2 seasons max.

The lifestyle got to him. He was more gangster than pro athlete.

[Overdrive]

Cle trade & lockout killed his career.

[scuzzy]

Cle trade & lockout killed his career.
he had arguably his best season in Cleveland

[BarberSchool]

Salute to Shawn's Semen.
That sh!t ends with the letter "T"

CEMENT YOU F#@KING IDIOTS.

[Stringer Bell]

Kemp was top 3-5 player in the league when he was focused.

Problem was he was focused for maybe 2 seasons max.

The lifestyle got to him. He was more gangster than pro athlete.

Even in his peak seasons 93-94, 94-95 and 95-96, he had way too much tough competition ahead of him to be top 5. Those 3 centers in Hakeem, Shaq and David Robinson. MJ, Pippen, Child-Rapist Malone, Barkley, Penny, his own teammate in GP. He peaked in the 96’ finals after being heavily bashed for the Sonics failing badly in the 94 and 95’ postseason and was expected by many to take over the mantle of best PF, but ended up being disgruntled after the Sonics paid a shitload to that backup center because of the new CBA rules. Then he ended up getting fat and having drug issues.

Very disappointing how it went.

[ILLsmak]

Salute to Shawn's Semen.
That sh!t ends with the letter "T"

CEMENT YOU F#@KING IDIOTS.


haha at this joke and the illegit child joke. yea Kemp was crazy, but he was a true talent. I've never understood why people who are truly talented are held to a higher standard than what they did. He did enough.

He just had a 'feel' for bball. Maybe it was too easy for him. Who knows. Whatever happened, happened, my point was more just that it's not like he wasn't an amazing player because he got fat and trash. That's some hater shit.

also @ smoke yea you said pip, but I'd not want Blake Griffin handling the ball against Pip either. haha. My point was that his handles are at least as good if not better than Blakes. I personally think better because like I said he could dribble fast. Blake does moves, like his step back, but it's just a move. Kemp was fluid. Blake has a tight handle but it's really basic and like I said he lacks the explosion of Kemp. Kemps handle might have been looser, but it wasn't like it slipped out of his hand a lot and he did some wild shit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f96b5XAbHhc Look at how slow this dude is with the ball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aymO0QFTjW0 look at how high and sloppy Kemp's handle is, but he actually gets by people.

Edit: or like this shit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYtGDRdcy-M I think you're underestimating how wild it is.


-Smak

[Overdrive]

he had arguably his best season in Cleveland

I agree, but in SEA he was kept in check.

[warriorfan]

He had a one of a kind package of height/length, athleticism, strength, and fluidity. You don

[jstern]

Whenever I hear Shawn Kemp I remember a McDonald's cup back around 93 that had a picture of him and the words Reign Man.

Black soda cup with like green fonts. I think the green mixing with the black in some parts. Hard to describe. And I think there might have been something else related, not on the cup, saying that he was one of the few players to make it to the NBA without playing in college. I think it was my sister who told me that during that moment.

I believe there was a Gary Payton cup also.

[72-10]

Best player in the 96 finals :applause:

might actually be true...

though it's difficult to say that given the Bulls took that 3-0 lead