People are Talking about Shawn Kemp Comeback Again

by **VlaDiv** on Fri Mar 24, 2006 2:54 am

It's on hoopshype.com and insidehoops.com.
The 36-year-old Reignman has been bringing this up a few times over the last couple seasons, at the beginning of this season, and now again.
He says he's looking at the HOF, not just making a roster.
I wonder where he would go. Lakers, Bulls, Nuggets, Rockets, Knicks?
His 90s Seattle days made him a favorite for many of us, but can he do it now?

by **Jing** on Fri Mar 24, 2006 2:56 am

that would be pretty interesting, but he'll be nowhere near where he was when he left.

by **Amphatoast** on Fri Mar 24, 2006 2:57 am

Lakers could use him. Maybe he can help Kwame..

by **cyanide** on Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:04 am

I don't think he'll be back as much as I would like to see him back. It's kind of like all the talk about Dennis Rodman making a comeback, but it never happens.

by **VlaDiv** on Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:16 am

It is kind of like Rodman, but Rodman is actually 8 years older than Kemp. 8 years ago, Dennis Rodman was still a Chicago Bull with two stints in LA and Dallas left in him. Both guys have abused their bodies, according to the media. It's sad cause Kemp was a perennial allstar who fell off way too soon. He should still be in the league right now.

by **dada** on Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:34 am

The last time Dennis tried to make a comeback he wasnt even in shape, it was like a joke. At least Kemp seems to be making the effort and of course he wont be the same but if he is really enthusiastic about this then I am sure he will make an impact on whichever team picks him up. The HOF talk is kinda stretching it but if thats what keeps him going then I cant complain.

by **Its_asdf** on Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:06 am

Shawn Kemp's career wasn't all that great anyway, and the way that his career ended also doesn't really help.

It'd make a nice comeback story, but I'm not a fan of Kemp to say the least.

by **VlaDiv** on Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:16 am

It's amazing how Kemp dropped off in his move to portland. Look at his stats, he went from borderline star to bench fodder. Granted portland was a deeper squad, but he just fell off when he hit the "jailblazers".

======age=== gp ppg rpg apg
1999-00 30 CLE 82 17.8 8.8 1.7
2000-01 31 POR 68 6.5 3.8 1.0

by **Its_asdf** on Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:11 am

He was a lard ass to say the least during his last few seasons.

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Fri Mar 24, 2006 11:48 am

Its_asdf wrote:Shawn Kemp's career wasn't all that great anyway, and the way that his career ended also doesn't really help.

For a few years there, he was one of the top forwards in the league.

I'd like to see it happen, just so he has an opportunity to finish his career more on his terms. He was one of my favourite non-Bulls back in the day, mainly because he's my cousin's favourite all-time player.

by **TRUball** on Fri Mar 24, 2006 3:46 pm

For a few years there, he was one of the top forwards in the league.

He was in the 50s, or 60s in SLAM's List of the 75 Greatest of All Time, I do believe.

by **VlaDiv** on Sat Mar 25, 2006 5:45 am

Good mix of votes. 6 think he can still play, 8 say he is done and 4 think he will make a team, but that's about it.

As for your signature, you are forgot one: the blocked shot. I love the swat!

by **Fenix** on Sat Mar 25, 2006 7:23 am

Its_asdf wrote:Shawn Kemp's career wasn't all that great anyway, and the way that his career ended also doesn't really help.

You bastard. Kemp in his prime was the man, practically unguardable. If Rodman couldn't stop him, no one could. Psychically and talent-wise, he could be the best power forward of all time. He was just that good. Quicker and more explosive than Amare, had midrange game, some post moves and was effective on the other end of the court. If he kept improving and didn't eat that much, he would become the shit.

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:58 am

Unfortunately when it seemed he'd matured in 1996, he had that falling out with the Sonics the next year when Jim McIlvaine was brought in. In all fairness, I'd be miffed too considering what they were paying McIlvaine but his play suffered, he demanded a trade and although he performed well in the leadership role his first year in Cleveland and had a few good years there, the lockout hurt him more than most with his conditioning. The cocaine habit didn't help either.

by **axare** on Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:45 pm

He would be a 15th man and rot...

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:47 pm

I don't know about that. Even Vin Baker has very quietly seen a brief flash of court time for the Clippers.

by **Its_asdf** on Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:54 pm

VanK wrote:
Its_asdf wrote:Shawn Kemp's career wasn't all that great anyway, and the way that his career ended also doesn't really help.

You bastard. Kemp in his prime was the man, practically unguardable. If Rodman couldn't stop him, no one could. Psychically and talent-wise, he could be the best power forward of all time. He was just that good. Quicker and more explosive than Amare, had midrange game, some post moves and was effective on the other end of the court. If he kept improving and didn't eat that much, he would become the shit.

I've never watched basketball in the 90's, but his stats aren't that impressive. He's only scored about 20 ppg once, so I didn't think he was anything too special.

by **Fenix** on Sun Mar 26, 2006 1:23 am

If stats mattered that much, Malone would be considered one top 3 player n the history.

by **Its_asdf** on Sun Mar 26, 2006 1:54 am

Well, he IS arguably one of the top power fowards in the history of the NBA.

by **VlaDiv** on Sun Mar 26, 2006 2:03 am

Andrew wrote:I don't know about that. Even Vin Baker has very quietly seen a brief flash of court time for the Clippers.

I agree. I was shocked when Baker was brought back. They could have grabbed some D-league type. And Baker seems much the lesser to Kemp in my eye.
Although Vin was never out of the league yet, in terms of missing full seasons. That probably makes teams more realistic about signing him because he hasn't been out.

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:36 am

That's true, but he was heading towards "out of sight, out of mind" status. It did appear as though he was done with basketball.

I've never watched basketball in the 90's, but his stats aren't that impressive. He's only scored about 20 ppg once, so I didn't think he was anything too special.

Stats don't really tell the whole story with Shawn Kemp. He had a few years where he didn't see much playing time because back then, a team wouldn't thrust a player without college experience into the starting lineup with significant court time straight away.

But not only did he help pave the way for the likes of Kobe, KG, T-Mac, Amare and LeBron, he was also a new breed of power forward: athletic, agile and strong with a fine post up game, but he could also swoop to the basket, put the ball on the floor (he could and would dribble coast to coast) and knock down the long two, even a three from time to time. He played on some extremely balanced teams during his Seattle days; the 1996 Sonics' entire starting five averaged double digits in scoring.

His stats may not be as great as they could have been, but as I said they don't tell the whole story.

by **The_Flying_Tomato** on Wed Mar 29, 2006 5:12 pm

he's my favorite PF ever. Amare close 2nd.

by **VlaDiv** on Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:31 am

word on hoopshype and realgm is that the mavs are looking at kemp. he met with avery j. Would love to see this go down, but i'm not holding my breath.

by **artestfighttrainer** on Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:35 am

Hope he reunites with Payton in Miami but def. a very big longshot.

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Tue Apr 04, 2006 12:25 pm

I'd still like to see it happen. Once again, here's hoping.

People are Talking about Shawn Kemp Comeback Again

If in shape, can Kemp seriously comeback?

People are Talking about Shawn Kemp Comeback Again

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