Friday, November 25, 2011

Flash Back Friday presents Shawn Kemp


    "Manchild"and "The Reign Man" are the two nicknames that most remember Shawn Kemp being tagged with in his career, with both being a great fit. You see, Shawn Kemp was a manly built kid while attending Concord High School in Elkhart, Indiana. Athletic as any D1 player in the country, Shawn Kemp was a man among kids. He received a letter of intent from the University of Kentucky but transferred from the school soon after arriving, after being accused of stealing and pawning two gold chains that belonged to, then head coach, Eddie Sutton's son which was also his teammate. After arriving to a small community college, Kemp with out ever playing in a college game, declared himself for the 1989, NBA Draft. Many questioned if he was ready, if he was getting in over his head and if he would last through 1yr @ all but they would soon get their answer. Drafted by the Seattle Super sonics, Shawn took several games in his rookie season to get in his groove, but once he did, it was over! In his second season, playing along side Gary Payton, Detleft Schrempf, Nate McMillan and Sam Perkins, Shawn Kemp excited the crowds and embarrassed defenders with his relentless air assault! PG Gary Payton must have thrown 10,000 alley oop passes to Shawn that year, or @ least it seemed like it anyway. Good shot blocker, with an array of great moves around the basket and hops out of this world Kemp became an All-Star, and a crowd favorite! He lifted the Sonics to becoming a force to reckon with and a annual playoff team. Kemp won a gold medal with the US team at the 1994 FIBA WOrld Championships. Kemp and the Sonics reached the finals in 1996 where he faced Michael Jordan and the Bulls. The Supersonics lost to the Bulls ina tough 6 game series but despite losing Shawn Kemp managed to put up averages of 23pts per at 55% from the field, 10 reb, and 2blocks. Later in his career, Kemp was hampered by drug abuse, 2 bus loads of kids by a bus load of different women and weight issues, but he will be remembered for his mind blowing highlights. Blake isn't the first of his kind, not at all. Before there was Lebron and Blake, there was the "Reign Man".....Shawn Kemp

Admire the Man-Child for yourself below


CLICK HERE:http://youtu.be/JTFNeJV_jJs

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