Kemp

Number 50: Shawn Kemp

Ranking NBA players from various decades is a daunting task in of itself, but to rank different eras is virtually impossible. How can anyone possibly differentiate and accurate judge Bob Cousy from Isiah Thomas, for example. With this is mind, I have decided to rank the top 50 players from the 3 point era. Here is the first instalment. 

Despite all his entertainment value, it is far too simplistic to label Shawn Kemp as just an athletic juggernaut. Sure, Kemp was extremely explosive and his career montages of dunks and blocks will indeed live on forever. But there was far more depth to his game than those awesome highlights that we see. On the court, he was a very intelligent and complete player who played within the flow of the offense and rarely took bad shots. To compliment his freakish athleticism, he added a reliable jumper along with a polished post game. In addition to that, he was a willing and above average passer and made his teammates better, especially on the defensive end of the floor where his ability to protect the rim, was often overlooked. With Kemp protecting the rim, it allowed Seattle’s guards to play aggressive defence and pressure the ball all the way up the court and their vaunted half-court trap. In his first 7 seasons in the NBA, he improved his scoring average in each. In his first 8 seasons, he only shot the ball below 50% from the field twice (in his rookie season, and his 4^th season when he shot 49%). He also averaged 10 + rebounds each season from 91 to 97. When you consider his consistent improvement, it’s easy to see why many considered him a future hall of famer during his peak.

His game was explosive, unpredictable and at times lacked discipline. Only once (the lockout season in 99) did he average over 35 mpg. In certain games during the playoffs, he looked like he was the best player in the NBA. At other times, he seemed totally disinterested. On the 93 Sonics team (the one that pushed the Suns to 7 games in the Western Conference Finals), he averaged 16.5 ppg (on 52% shooting) and 10 rebounds a game. That was against the likes of Hakeem, Malone and Barkley. Then the very next year in the playoffs, he put up 14.8 ppg on 37% shooting against the 8^th seeded Nuggets who rolled them in the first round. In 95, The Sonics were upset again in the first round but Kemp put up monster numbers in 4 games (25 ppg on 58% shooting and 12 rpg).

So how does Kemp make the top 50 with solid, but not spectacular, numbers and a history of his team underperforming in the playoffs? The deciding factor was his play in the 96 playoffs. In the midst of Michael Jordan’s return season, the Sonics won 64 games and were the top seed in the West. That did not prevent them from dropping game 2 in the first round to Sacramento and losing the home court advantage. This was, as I mentioned before, losing in back to back years in the first round where they had absolutely no right to drop those series. Seattle responded by winning two tough games in Sacramento before moving on to face the two time defending champion, the Houston Rockets. The Rockets were a confident team full of veterans, capable of beating anyone. Seattle crushed them in 4 straight games. In the final game, Kemp poured in 32 points on 13 of 19 shooting and had 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. His defence on Hakeem throughout that series was a significant factor, and is even more impressive when we keep in mind how unstoppable Olajuwon had been throughout the playoffs the previous two years. He dominated and embarrassed Barkley and Malone twice. He made Robinson at times look silly. He outplayed Shaq and destroyed Ewing. To anyone who knows anything about basketball knows what I just said is not hyperbole. Over a span of 4 years, Hakeem and the Rockets would only be eliminated by Kemp and the Sonics (93 and 96, winning championships in 94 and 95).   

Kemp would battle Malone for supremecy in the West

Next up for Kemp was the aforementioned Karl Malone and Utah Jazz. Seattle jumped out to a 3-1 lead before Utah won the next two games to force a game 7. Malone and Kemp battled each other valiantly throughout this classic series, but throughout the first 6 games, the Mailman was playing better and was more consistent (even in Utah’s losses). Game 7 would come down to the final minute. Kemp would be fouled, he made both free throws. Malone would also be fouled, and he missed his. That was essentially the difference in that series.                                                                                                                                                                                         

The Sonics moved on to the NBA finals and faced the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls boasted Jordan, Pippen and Dennis Rodman, each of whom were all NBA defensive first teamers. The Bulls won the first 3 games, but the Sonics won games 4 and 5 convincingly to push the series back to Chicago. In game 4 (remember, this is against Rodman who is one of the all-time greatest defenders in the history of the league) he posted 25 points on 12/17 shooting and 11 rebounds. Game 5, he put up 22 points on 8/16 shooting and 10 rebounds. In game 6, Chicago would take care of business and win their 4^th title in 6 years, but Kemps incredible playoff run should not be forgotten. I have no hesitation in claiming that the 96 Sonics would have won the championship in most other years. They just ran into one of the best teams the NBA has ever seen. Would he have made the list if not for 96? No. But Iverson, Barkley and Dirk all get plus marks for special playoff runs (even if they didn’t always culminate in a championship), and I refuse to contradict myself by deducting grades for Seattle’s failures in the playoffs without rewarding their success. Sometimes in sports, the story will create a perception that is not accurate. Kemp’s career ending in a whimper does not discount the fact that he was a huge part of the Sonics ascension into the NBA’s elite and a revolutionary power forward.

A New Start

It's funny how we go in circles. I originally made this blog in 2011 with the intention of numbering the top 50 NBA players of all time. I even made an intro video showing the top 20:

The plan was to do this with my friend, Josh McDonald. But priorities take over. Josh got sick again and recently passed away and I was asked by his family to give a eulogy, which I accepted to do. People that heard me speak about him (and those that were unable to attend) requested that I make it available, which I did. I decided to put it on this blog rather than facebook or somewhere else, as blogs are usually more preserved than other forms of social networks. As people read it, and realised it was on a blog site, they asked why I don't continue blogging. My answer was simple; I didn't think anything I said had any meaning or merit. This was a lie. The truth is, I didn't want to share my thoughts with strangers.

I was running out of excuses, and it's impossible to lie to your sub conscious thoughts. This is something I kind of want to try. So here I am. The top 50 players is a go. Josh would have wanted me to continue and finish it. But also expect thoughts and theories on everything ranging from McDonalds menu changes to the sleazy world of politics. Also throw in pseudo analysis of Rugby, surfing and video games, and there should be enough variety to keep you entertained until your porn downloads are complete :)

- Matt
@such_a_bastard

Goodbye to my friend.

As some of you are aware (and have indeed helped me through this difficult time), recently my best friend lost his battle with cancer. Some of you have requested to see the eulogy that I presented at the funeral, so I've decided to post it here.

Good Afternoon everyone. We are here today to celebrate a Son, a brother, and a friend. We are here today to celebrate Josh, who left the strongest legacy that I could ever envision, and I feel honoured and privileged to speak about him. The first time I ever met Josh was through competition, playing against him on Monday Nights at Hornsby in the local Basketball comps.  His team, the Gauchos, were always better than ours, and when you play against a team and focus on their best players, you try to learn certain intricacies that they have in attempt to counter their strengths. With Josh, however, it was never about his technique, as flawless as it was. It wasn’t about his speed and strength. It was his intelligence, will and courage that separated him from everyone else on the basketball court, and it was these qualities would translate into life in general. That, and the fact he was the epitome of a gentleman on the court. Not once can I remember him berating a teammate or an official. Not once. He was always encouraging and supportive. Josh’s perspective and understanding, not just in sport but in much more important areas of life, was one that was so simple and yet so beautiful. He was always looking for the good in everyone and every situation, and he more often than not found it. These qualities were perfectly represented with his contagious smile and sense of humour that had the ability to make anyone feel comfortable regardless of the situation. The courage and strength he displayed throughout his journey was nothing short of heroic. We all wanted to support Josh, but he ended up being the rock that supported us. And I find myself in total awe when I speak about Josh McDonald.

You know, the first time I actually had a conversation with Josh; we were still on separate teams. He had just finished his game and our game was starting. I was on the bench, and we started talking about the NBA being shown on channel 10 again.  Here we were, relative strangers, talking like we were best friends. Josh’s personality was so friendly and empowering. He was a king amongst men. And the fact that I so vividly remember a random conversation that I had with him 5 years ago is proof that he was not just a very special and incredible human being, but (and I’m certain everyone else here would agree if I went around and asked you all individually) a one of a kind. A one of a kind son. A one of a kind brother. A one of a kind friend, and a one of a kind Man. And now, a one of a kind Angel.

The next season, I joined his team, and went up to Hornsby to shoot around by myself. By sheer coincidence, Josh was pulling into the car park as well. We ended up doing drills and talking for hours. From that point on, a few times each week we would go up there and hang out, get some shots up, play pick up games, talk about basketball and life, and I knew there was something very pure about Josh. After meeting and spending time with his family and talking with his Mother (Eva) and his Father (Ray) and sister (Leandra), along with his girlfriend (Mel), I’m certain that is where he got that genuineness from. Every time you guys walk out the door, hold your head up high and be proud, because Josh left one heck of a legacy that very few people can even dream of emulating. 

I always knew I would update this. My eulogy speech was directed towards his family and girlfriend and intended as a source of strength for them. I didn’t want it to be focused on me at all. How could I narrow down memories when there are so many of them? Instead, I’ll share them on here. Here’s the first part, centred around things that happened on the court.

The first time I played with Josh, it was a Monday night. Someone turned the ball over and I sprinted to stop a fastbreak. My old team, there wasn’t much commitment from my other teammates and I had been in that position before where I would be in a 3 on 1 (me being the one) so I would have to not only try and force a missed shot, but get the rebound. In this situation, I forced a tough shot and was getting ready to get the rebound when Josh skyed out of nowhere to get that board. Here he was, 6’5, and flying all over the court like me (I’m 5’11). I was shocked, but the next timeout I asked him who he pushed out of the way to get that rebound. He knew I was joking, and I probably should have said “I’m going to love playing with you”, but it wasn’t needed. It was the start of an awesome ride.

 It was crazy playing alongside him. I trusted him enough to pop a dislocated finger back into place for me. He trusted me enough to ask if he had dislocated his jaw (I had done that earlier in the year playing rugby). That game when I dislocated my finger, I had to shoot some free throws to ice a game (we were up 2, and the other team intentionally fouled to give themselves a chance to get back into the game). I airballed the first one, and laughed. Josh laughed with me and joked saying that I needed to practice more (because we used to work on our shot 3 or 4 times a week). Some guys on the opposing team started talking trash saying they would foul me again. Josh encouraged their strategy, having complete faith in me. I nailed the second. The other team (who were the reigning champs, by the way, so it was a big game for us) missed a 3, and I was fouled again. I made both which gave us a 5 point lead and sealed it. Josh was incredible that game, completely unstoppable. He was hitting face up jumpers, posting up, getting to the rim with ease. Looking back, that was my favourite game when I was on that team and one of my best basketball memories.

I’ve got more. The second game I played with the Gauchos (Josh’s team), it was against my old team. We didn’t end on such great terms, and unless if you’ve left a team where you were the best player and the heart & soul of, you won’t realise the significance of it and the importance of retribution of that disrespect. The first play of the game, I had stolen the ball and made a bullshit, left handed lay up  (after switching hands) over a 6’10 guy. We ended up blowing them out, in which I said some stuff I probably shouldn’t have to a lot of those guys. Josh said to me after the game “Do you miss them yet?” I laughed, then we then talked about more important things, like God of War 3.

One moment I do remember though, was a game we didn’t play together in. Josh was injured and couldn’t play in a semi-final. It was a low scoring game, and I was struggling. I made one 3, and then Jamie (the captain) set me up for another. As soon as I released it, and well before it went through the net, I heard this emphatic “YEEAAHH MATTY!!” That was Josh on the sideline, and he was probably more into the game than half of our guys that were playing. We ending up winning easily, but for me the turning point wasn’t me making those shots. It was Josh on the sideline and his support.

The absolute best basketball memories came from shooting around. We used to do this “beat the player drill” where you’d have to make shots from a specific area of the court. Make a shot, you get a point. Miss, and you get -2. You win if you get + 10, or lose if you go -10. Every other drill, just straight up shooting, and I was better than him. But Josh loved this drill. I hated it. When his tumour was in remission the first time (around this time last year, actually), the very first thing we did was that drill. He demolished it. It’s not an easy drill to complete! You can make 8 straight shots, but miss 3, and bam, you’re only up 2. It’s a mental thing. It was rare that he didn’t beat that drill, and he consistently smashed it. But to be able to do it after all multiple operations and chemo treatments was just insane.

It took him a while before he could start lifting weights again. He never really regained that pure explosiveness that he once had. One time, before all this started with the tumour, we were playing in a pickup game. He was at the top of the key, and he hit a 3. Next possession, the random tried to press up on him, and Josh blew right past him and threw down a massive left handed dunk. That was the last time I remember him dunking, although I’m sure he did again. I’m just drawing a mental blank here. Before he started lifting, I went to shoot around with him and his sister was there too, and there were 3 randoms up there as well who challenged us to a game. They didn’t take it easy on Leandra, but she is as tough as they come. I said to Josh, we have to make her the top scorer (because they viewed her as the weak link on our team). We became consumed with setting her up for easy shots, which she made. And when we had to finish them off, we did.

But the very best basketball moment I had with Josh was the last one. I had just fractured my foot, and had to miss 8 weeks of rugby. I went up with Josh to get some shots up, get the body moving a bit. It was funny, he asked what steroids I was on (because I had focused all my training on upper body strength for that time and ballooned up). But my lateral movement sucked. It was super rusty. Then Mahesh, Danny and one of their friends showed up, and wanted to play 2 on 2. I was hesitant, but I couldn’t say no. Not after everything he had been through already. Josh started well, and we rolled through them. We won 5 straight games, first to 11 (3’s worth 2, 2’s worth 1) with losing team subbing a player.

That was the final time we ever played.