Shawn Kemp was a walking highlight during the 1990s, as he pulled off powerful dunks almost every game. He and Gary Payton were the most exciting duo in the NBA as they elevated the Seattle SuperSonics into title contention.
Payton was the team's superstar, but Kemp always delivered the most exciting moments. When Shawn had the ball, he would try to dunk on his opponents with his elite athleticism and unmatched strength. He was superb, but he drew inspiration from Dominique Wilkins, who did it regularly when the 'Reign Man' was growing up.
"Dominique Wilkins, man. If you watched me dunk, you gotta see a little Dominique inside of me. I was one of the young kids who watched the TBS and the Dominique Wilkins show," Shawn said about being inspired by Nique. "Dominique was so cold when he tore his Achilles, he came back and dropped 40 and 50s on people."
Kemp wants people to give Wilkins his well-deserved flowers
When the NBA community speaks about the 1980s, only a few players and teams are mentioned–the Lakers, Celtics, and Pistons. The 76ers might be brought up because of their 1983 title, but for the most part, it is cut and dry.
That should not be the case because the NBA was far deeper than most people realize. There were stars from teams lost in time, like Adrian Dantley and Alex English. The NBA community might remember Dominique for his dunk contest battles and overall rivalry with Michael Jordan , but Shawn wants everyone to remember the true 'Nique.'
The Atlanta Hawks legend was a fierce dunker who could finish over anyone in the paint. However, he was also a superb scorer who dominated every matchup. Wilkins loved pulling up for mid-range jumpers and driving to the hoop, showcasing his natural knack for scoring. Anyone can look at Dominique's numbers and see his consistency as a scorer, putting up 20+ points per game from 1983 to 1994.
"It's a crying shame that a guy like Dominique couldn't play for a great team at the end of his career. Always feel like those guys like Dominique get at least one chance to play for a veteran team," Kemp continued.
Related: Shawn Kemp on why LeBron should have never been compared to Jordan: "I think LeBron should be compared to Magic Johnson"
Dominique influenced Shawn's style
Watching Kemp in the '90s would remind old-school fans about Wilkins in the previous decade. 'Nique' even got to play in the '90s, even after he suffered the Achilles tear . He was still a prolific scorer, bucking the trend of players' careers ending when they suffer that injury.
'The Reign Man' was an intimidating player, standing at 6'10" and weighing 280 pounds. Most people would think he would play a back-to-the-basket style, but Shawn played more like Dominique with his drives to the basket and finishes above the rim.
Kemp might have struggled late in his career, but he was still a six-time All-Star and a three-time All-NBA player. Some might overlook him, but he was superb and deserves more credit for how he played the game.
Related: "I think he taught Michael Jordan how to play" - Shawn Kemp credits controversial ex-Bull for MJ's growth as a player
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