Shawn Kemp

[alfdogg 0]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/spor...938_kemp24.html

 

I posted this in the Offseason thread, then thought about it awhile and decided this was worth its own topic.

 

The linked article is about Shawn Kemp's comeback attempt. I skimmed through the article and looked at some of the pictures, and he looks better than he has since the lockout of 1998. In the article, it says that the Cavs were worried about Kemp having a heart attack when he showed up after the lockout, but in his two years there, he still averaged around 19 points and nine rebounds per game. Then he was traded to Portland and his minutes dropped drastically (about 16 minutes per in two seasons) and only averaged about 6 points and 4 rebounds (which still translates to 18/12 per 48 minutes). In Orlando in 2003, he was a part-time starting center averaging 7 points and almost 7 rebounds per game. I remember him that year looking not so small even when standing next to someone like Shaq, but still showing some occasional flashes of the old Kemp around the basket. Judging from recent pictures of his conditioning, I think it's worth a shot, if for just a one-year deal to see how it works out.

 

What do you guys think?

[Sandman9000 0]

Fuck him. I hope he dies.

 

Seriously.

[Bored 0]

When you are not in the league anymore it is tougher to find new baby's mommas.

[Sandman9000 0]

"It's tough as hell to be good,'' he says. "By me stepping out of my contract a couple years ago, if that don't prove heart, I don't know what else does. I didn't have to do anything. But I don't want to disrespect the game of basketball.''

 

So it's now courage to walk away from your responsibilites, huh?

 

I could get into all of that, all of the double-talk in the article, all of the wasted potential, all of that.

 

Instead, I hope he dies.

[Brett Favre 0]

"It's tough as hell to be good,'' he says. "By me stepping out of my contract a couple years ago, if that don't prove heart, I don't know what else does. I didn't have to do anything. But I don't want to disrespect the game of basketball.''

 

So it's now courage to walk away from your responsibilites, huh?

 

I could get into all of that, all of the double-talk in the article, all of the wasted potential, all of that.

 

Instead, I hope he dies.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I think what he tried to say was, that since he wasn't as good as he was before, and couldn't honor the big ass contract, he was man enough to walk away from all the money he knew he didn't deserve, instead of collecting the paycheck for crappy ass play.

[Ripper 0]

Yeah, Kemp didn't have some baby contract. he was making double digit millions a year and decided to let it go..not be bought out if I remember correctly, but just end it because he didn't feel that he deserved the money. I think that did take heart.

 

Like Alfdogg said, Kemp never REALLY fell off. People just stopped giving him time. He was still putting up allstar numbers at his fattest while in Cleveland. He was just really bad to look at. People were ignoring what he was doing on the court and looking at his appearace.

 

All things said, Kemp never really fucked over a team. He had problems off court, but there is no reason that he shouldn't be accepted back into the NBA. If he worked off his problems, I look forward to him getting another chance.

[Dangerous A 0]

I got no problem if a team wants to take a chance on Kemp. Their risk. I like a good redemption story. Not sure of his chances for success, but I wouldn't mind seeing the attempt.

[Sandman9000 0]

All things said, Kemp never really fucked over a team. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Other then Seattle.

[Ripper 0]

How did he fuck over Seattle? He got pissed (justifiably so) and wanted a trade. When a person can't trust his teammates, then they are going to want to leave. Of course, all the coke and alcohol were part of the distrust...but still. he wasn't the only one that went crazy is Seattle anyway.

[Black Lushus 0]

if he comes back lighter, cleaner, as athletic as before, hell yes he should have another chance...now if he fucks THIS time up, it's another story...

[Ripper 0]

I am still just amazed at the fact that Shawn Kemp NEVER actually showed a decline in skills. With minutes, he produced right around the same rate. If it weren't for the fact that the Portland team was so overstocked at the time, he would have still been producing.

[ant_7000 0]

I guess he deserves a chance, I doubt he'll make a serious impact again, he'll just be riding the bench on some bad team.

[Ripper 0]

That picture of him with his hands on his face is going on the wall as a poster though.

[Darthtiki 0]

This is the basketball equivilent of The Rolling Stones going on tour to support Mick's kids

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

It's not like Kemp killed anyone. Of course he deserves an opportunity.

[Rendclaw 0]

Definitely an interesting story of someone trying to redeem himself...

 

I don;t see why he shouldn't get a second chance, if he can produce. I'm not even talking about the sick numbers he put up in 90s, but a solid and respectable 17 points and 10 boards. I just have difficulty believing that statement about him being at 85-90% of his athleticism... between his aging, the drug abuse and the other overindulgences, I would say that 65-75% would be more accurate.

 

At the very least he took care of his money, despite the multiple kids of out wedlock...

[MrRant 0]

If he's in shape, I wouldn't mind seeing him even back on the Sonics as another big body.

 

I still remember meeting the Reign Man and he was very cool.

[Vampiro69 0]

Hey you have to pay the child support bills somehow. When you don't go to college and spend all your cash you have to do something.

[lomasmoney 0]

see except he didnt spend his money and he did albeit briefly go to college he just didnt finish.....so that takes away the funny in your comment

[AboveAverage484 0]

Why did he leave in the first place, I can't remember.

 

Everybody seems to forget how good Kemp was, especially when he was at his peak in the '96 Finals. He just gets shit on by a lot of people because of his personal life.

[Vampiro69 0]

So he went to JUCO for a year. I still say that having 8 kids out of wedlock takes a drain on the bank account, espically since he is an athlete.

[Guest news_gimmick]

I wouldn't mind seeing both Kemp and Payton making their way back to Seattle for one last run, both can be productive for the team. And with various players leaving Seattle this offseason I think it would be worthwhile.

 

 

Tom

[Rendclaw 0]

Gary Payton is pretty much done. He isn't the shutdown point guard that he has been known for for years.

 

Considering the direction that Seattle is going in, I think getting Payton and Kemp back would be a major step backwards for that franchise. The past is the past, Rashard Lewis is the future. Turn the page.

[Guest news_gimmick]

Well I didn't mean center the team around them as they would only have a year or two at most, but short term deals for both wouldn't hurt the team now. Adding Payton and Kemp to the lineup with Lewis and Allen would help them for this season if anything. Besides Payton is a longshot anyway, I doubt it will happen but it was just something I thought of.

 

Tom