Kemp vs. Hawes

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Kemp vs. Hawes

I was at the Rip The Cut Tournament for several hours Saturday at Cleveland High School and watched the entire game between the Home Team -- Brandon Roy, Jamal Crawford, Will Conroy and Spencer Hawes -- and Old School -- featuring Eldridge Recasner and Shawn Kemp. And yes, the 38-year-old Kemp was going 1-on-1 with the 20-year-old Hawes in a battle of Seattle-then against Seattle-now.

Kemp did not embarrass himself in 1 1/3 games Saturday. I say 1 1/3 because he showed up with seven minutes left in Old School's first game, stepped onto the court and did a coast-to-coast score with a layin. Kemp can still dunk with ease, his hops have not declined that much, but it was obvious the Reign Man was trying to wow the crowd with no-look passes and a few reverse dunks. Sorry folks, there were no replays of his dunks on Alton Lister or Chris Gatling (Dunk No. 5). And by the way, in what world do you give dap to the dude who just dunked on you? Only to Shawn Kemp.

When Kemp hit the court Saturday, the guy guarding him whispered to himself "Damn, Shawn Kemp." And he spent two minutes in awe. Now I am not saying Kemp could be an All-Star Again, but he could help an NBA team in limited minutes because he knows the game probably much more than in his physical heyday.

He definitely held his own against Hawes, who wasn't exactly playing at maximum tilt. None of those NBA guys were playing as if it were the playoffs. They were just trying to entertain the fans, which they did. Conroy has crazy handles and plays with fire, even arguing vehemently with the official on a few calls.

Hawes was thrilled to play against Kemp. The two worked out together before the 2007 draft. "That's the biggest (thrill) playing against a legend. Everyone has seen the video and that's like the Reign Man, and especially with the Sonics leaving, it makes it a little bit extra (thrilling)."

Kemp and Hawes exchanged post moves and Hawes is in very good shape and had no problem getting to the basket. Kemp would probably need to lose 20 pounds to get into an NBA training camp, but this wasn't like watching Ali against Holmes here. None of the overflow crowd was shaking their heads in disappointment watching him play. They were thrilled and it's amazing how much talent Seattle has because there were some ballers out there today.

Saw Peyton Siva chatting with some of the NBA players but didn't get a chance to watch him play. But the Seattle players definitely know who he is and were lauding him for his committment to Louisville.

Former UW standout Doug Wrenn showed up in street clothes and said he is likely to play Sunday, when the Home Team plays in the winner's bracket game at noon. He just finished his season in Korea.

Posted by at May 24, 2008 11:06 p.m.

Comments

#132137

Posted by jafabian at 5/25/08 12:11 a.m.

Who else was there? Mark Sanford maybe? Bobby Jones? Tre Simmons? Chris Walcott?

The Sonics should pick up Kemp. Someone to help guide the younger players.

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#132145

Posted by unregistered user at 5/25/08 1:14 a.m.

Any sightings of the following Puget Sound (Federal Way) ballers? Mike Dickerson, Donny Marshall, Roberto Bergerson (Boise State; drafted by Atlanta), Quincy Wilder (Washington's #1 prospect 1996; USC: 1996-97)

(Not that I'm expecting Gary to actually respond to someone on his blog...)

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#132167

Posted by withoutatrace at 5/25/08 7:42 a.m.

Don't forget Webster and Doug Christie from Seattle.

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#132245

Posted by unregistered user at 5/25/08 12:30 p.m.

Shawn Kemp help guide people? I hope that is a joke? After you pick up Shawn Kemp to guide younger players the only worse move you could make would be hiring Michael Jackson as a babysitter

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#132261

Posted by unregistered user at 5/25/08 2:59 p.m.

The subject's basketball you idiot not life choices. Shawn Kemp was an Icon in his time.

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#132322

Posted by petemj at 5/26/08 1:50 a.m.

clint richardson?; keith harrelson?; scalabrine?;
rod derline?

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#132960

Posted by yeadont at 5/28/08 12:10 a.m.

the scouting report in the story is pretty off the mark.

kemp was more of an athlete than a greatly skilled player. and he was an amazing athlete, but not the kind of guy who is of real use to a team once he's past his prime. rough way to put it, but that's the way it goes. a lot of guys like kemp over-rely on their athleticism, and don't work on their skills.

now brandon roy ... he'll be valuable when he's 40. he's all-around.

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#133445

Posted by wutitiz at 5/29/08 1:47 a.m.

I always think there is a lack of appreciation for the work Kemp put in to achieve what he did. When he arrived in the NBA he was just a dunker, but he worked hard to develop the 10-15 foot shot and that was what got the Sonics to the finals.

Some of the complaints about his off-court life are valid, but to a large extent it's just people piling on him. Half are just failed, embittered people looking for someone to dump on, and the other half are just perpetual whiners.

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#134445

Posted by unregistered user at 5/31/08 5:58 a.m.

Kemp was 24/12 consistent playoff performer. A lot of these so called stars today don't put up those numbers every night. Garnett was 16/6 last night. If Gary showed up and Nate's back didn't give up, you would be lauding Kemp for delivering the title against MJ.

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#135779

Posted by Tim Hall at 6/4/08 12:39 p.m.

Kemp was Amare Stoudamire before Amare Stoudamire. He was a complete beast in the paint and nobody wanted any part of him durning the Sonics playoff runs. Some of those moments still get me all excited. It's too bad he made some bad choices

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#136913

Posted by david puddy at 6/7/08 4:26 p.m.

Correction - Shawn Kemp COULD'VE been an icon. Instead he alienated himself from the fanbase and franchise that made him, showed up in Cleveland post-strike at 300 lbs (which led to a quick deterioration of his game), had continuous run-ins with the law, developed a consistent drug habit AND infamously had 7 children with 6 different women. It's a shame really.