Shawn Kemp

Shawn Kemp leads an all-star rookie class. This big powerful phenom (6' 10'' 245 lbs.) was drafted before playing college ball, making him one of the youngest veterans in the league. He did attend Trinity Valley Community College, though he never played ball. Kemp can dazzle the fans with his power slam, and is a ferocious shot-blocker. Shawn is also a great rebounder, he has compiled 3 20-20 games in his career in points and rebounds. His career high is 42 points (12/10/94 against the Clippers).
Shawn is a regular participant in the all-star game, playing in six and starting five, and a 3-time all-NBA second team selection, most recently 1996. He started for the western all-stars in 1997, finishing second to Charles Barkley in voting. He became the first Cleveland player to start the game in 1998 when he finished second in voting to Grant Hill. Shawn teamed with Gary Payton to lead the Sonics against the Bulls in the 1996 NBA Finals, but came up short. He led his team in points and rebounds in the series, though, proving his value to the team. In other all-star events, he was runner up to Dee Brown in the 1991 slam dunk competition. Kemp was named to Dream Team II, but his attitude probably kept him off of Dream Team III.

Kemp sat out training camp in 1996 to protest what he thought was an unfair long term contract that he signed. The league rules prohibited the Sonics from renegotiating Kemps contract until 1997-98. On September 25th, Seattle traded Shawn Kemp; Milwaukee traded Vin Baker and Sherman Douglas; and Cleveland traded Terrell Brandon, Tyrone Hill, and a 1998 1st round draft pick (top 10 protected). Seattle received Baker; Milwaukee received Brandon, Hill, and the draft pick; and Cleveland received Kemp and Douglas. Cleveland restructured his deal to a 7 year, $107 million contract. On August 30, 2000 in a 3 team trade, Portland traded away Brian Grant and Gary Grant and received Shawn Kemp; Miami traded away Chris Gatling, Clarence Weatherspoon, a conditional 1st round draft pick, and cash and received Brian Grant; and Cleveland traded away Shawn Kemp and received Chris Gatling, Clarence Weatherspoon, Gary Grant, a conditional 1st round draft pick, and cash. Shawn never really did much in Portland his first year, as he only started 3 games for the Blazers and questions of his weight dogged him all year long. The experiment finally ended, when Kemp allowed the Blazers to buyout the rest of his contract following the 2001-2002 season. He later signed with Orlando on a 1 year, minimum ($1.03 million) contract.

This Page maintained by:
Larry Brooks