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2. Shawn Kemp

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2. Shawn Kemp

Shawn Kemp was one of the most popular and productive players of the 1990s. He came straight out of high school as Seattle’s First Round with the body of a Greek God and was considered one of the best pure athletes in the NBA. Kemp struggled as a rookie, but the Power Forward averaged over 15 Points and 9 Rebounds over the next two years while adopting the nickname of the “Reign Man,” one of the best nicknames of the sport.

Along with Gary Payton, Kemp and the SuperSonics emerged as contenders.  Seattle won the Western Conference Finals, though they lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.  Though Kemp did not win a title with Seattle, from 1992-93 to 1996-97m he was one of the best players in the game.  In that five-year period, Kemp was a perennial All-Star, earned three Second Team All-NBAs and averaged well over a double-double with strong blocking numbers.   The Cleveland Cavaliers traded for Kemp in 1997, but before long, it was evident he was not the same “Reign Man.”

Kemp was still a very good player in his first two years with the Cavaliers, adding a sixth All-Star in 1997-98, and had a career-high 20.5 Points per Game the year after.  While he was still productive, his weight was becoming a problem, and as he got older, it became a bigger problem.  Kemp was traded to Portland, and was unable to average 10 Points per Game and was demoted to the bench.  He played two years there, then a final one in Orlando before he retored.

Kemp’s recent legal troubles involving a connection to a drive-by shooting won’t help his Hall of Fame cause, as did other past drug arrests, and his weight problems.  That should not negate what he did accomplish on the court, which was very impressive.




Should Shawn Kemp be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 80.2%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 10.8%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 6%
No opinion. - 0.5%
No way! - 2.5%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Elkhart, Indiana, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Thursday, 01 January 2009
  • Position: Power Forward
  • Games Played: 1051
  • Per Game Averages: 27.9 MIN
    14.6 PTS
    8.6 RB
    1.6 AST
    1.1 STL
    1.2 BLK
    .488 FG%
    .277 3FG%
    .741 FT%

    88 Playoff Games
    33.4 MIN
    17.3 PTS
    10.7 RB
    2.1 AST
    1.3 STL
    1.8 BLK
    .498 FG%
    .200 3FG%
    .797 FT%
  • Advanced Stats: 19.1 PER
    .555 TS%
    89.5 WS
    19.4 VORP

    88 Playoff Games
    20.5 PER
    .584 TS%
    9.5 WS
    3.5 VORP
  • Played For: Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle Super Sonics
  • College: Trinity Valley CC
  • Drafted: 1st Round, 17th Overall in 1989
  • Major Accolades and Awards: NBA All-Star (6) (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 & 1998)
    Second Team All-NBA Selection (3) (1993-94, 1994-95 & 1995-96)
    NBA Championship Rings: (None)
    FIBA World Basketball Championship (1) (U.S.A., 1994)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten MVP Finishes
    10th in 1992-93, 8th in 1993-94 & 7th in 1995-96
    Top Ten Finishes: Rebounds (3) (1994-95, 1995-96 & 1996-97)
    Top Ten Finishes: Rebounds per Game (3) (1994-95, 1995-96 & 1996-97) 
    Top Ten Finishes: Offensive Rebounds (5) (1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96 & 1996-97)
    Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Rebounds (2) (1994-95 & 1995-96)
    Top Ten Finishes: Blocks (2) (1992-93 & 1993-94)
    Top Ten Finishes: Blocks per Game (1) (1993-94)
    Top Ten Finishes: Field Goal Percentage (3) (1993-94, 1994-95 & 1995-96)
    Top Ten Finishes: 2-Point Field Goal Percentage (1) (1995-96)
    Top Ten Finishes: Effective Field Goal Percentage (2) (1993-94 & 1995-96)
    Top Ten Finishes: True Field Goal Percentage (2) (1993-94 & 1995-96)
    Top Ten Finishes: Free Throws (6) (1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 & 1999-2000)
    Top Ten Finishes: Free Throw Attempts (7) (1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 & 1999-2000)
    Top Ten Finishes: PER (3) (1993-94, 1994-95 & 1998-99)
    Top Ten Finishes: Win Shares (1) (1993-94)
    Top Ten FInishes: Defensive Win Shares (6) (1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1996-97 & 1997-98)
    Top Ten Finsihes: Box Plus/Minus (1) (1993-94)
    Top Ten FInishes: Defensive Rating (5) 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97 & 1997-98)
    Top Ten Finishes: Usage Percentage (3) (1997-98, 1998-99 & 1999-00)
    Top Ten Finishes: Total Rebound Percentage (5) (1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95  & 1995-96)
    Top Ten Finishes: Offensive Rebound Percentage (7) (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1995-96  & 1996-97)
    Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Rebound Percentage (4) (1991-92, 1993-94, 1994-95 & 1995-96)
    Top Ten Finishes: Block Percentage (1) (1993-94)
  • Notable All-time Rankings: 28.  Offensive Rebound Percentage: 12.2
    33.  Total Rebound Percentage: 17.8
    34.  Offensive Rebounds: 3,026
    35.  True Shooting Percentage: .584
    40.  Defensive Rating: 100.1
    44.  Defensive Win Shares: 52.2
    54.  Free Throw Attempts: 5,805
    54.  Defensive Rebound Percentage: 23.4
    56.  Blocks: 1,279
    58.  Defensive Rebounds: 5,808
    65.  Rebounds: 8.834
    69.  Free Throws: 4,304
    79.  Block Percentage: 3.2
    96.  Usage Percentage: 25.0

Should Shawn Kemp be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 80.2%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 10.8%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 6%
No opinion. - 0.5%
No way! - 2.5%
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