Welcome to Part 1 (of 3) of our Dazzling Dunks extravaganza! This one focuses on Shawn Kemp. If you haven't had your daily dose of dunks yet, go ahead and have a few. Even if you think you've had your fill, just have a couple more. Go on. You know you want to...
Shawn Kemp - The "Rain Man" is one of my favorite dunkers of all time. I actually saw Shawn Kemp play against the Bucks at the Bradley Center back in the day. I don't remember what exactly what year, but it was during the Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson era in Milwaukee. Kemp was an established dunker at the time, though, and when he stole a pass at half-court during the game, the crowd was expecting something phenomenal. He had a fast-break with no defenders in front of him, and everyone was suddenly on their feet.
He did a fairly simple two-hand reverse jam, and the crowd was actually a little disappointed, but my point is this: Those few seconds of anticipation as he dribbled to the hoop were scintillating! We didn't know what was going to happen next, but we were ready for it. What's more? That play, that unspectacular, non-memorable slam is actually the only thing I remember from that game. Hmm, you know what? I'm not sure I really had a point here, except that Shawn Kemp kicks ass in the jamming department...
Random Thoughts on the Kemp video... Kemp was a tall guy, like 6-10 or so, but he could definitely fly. There was a time when he was probably the best dunker in the NBA. The #8 dunk in this video, an alley-oop from Gary Payton, a.k.a. the helicopter slam, is one of my favorite dunks by anyone ever. Classic! ... I also really enjoy the #3 dunk (a double-pump two-handed reverse jam down the lane) and obviously #1. The Double-Finger-Point pose Kemp does after he delivers the facial (at the 2:31 mark) is the one of the all-time great dunk celebrations.
Pop Quiz: Better nickname? ... "Rain Man" or "Big Dog".
My answer: Hmm, I'd have to go with "Big Dog" on this one. "Rain Man" is definitely a cool nickname, but if you walk into rooms and you're introduced to everyone else as "Big Dog"... that's pretty awesome, and tough to beat. "Rain Man" is a way better dunker, though.
More Dazzling Dunks!
[Ed. note: This piece was posted originally as a super-long three-dunker extravaganza but has since been broken up into more easily digestible chunks of dunks.]
Shawn Kemp - The "Rain Man" is one of my favorite dunkers of all time. I actually saw Shawn Kemp play against the Bucks at the Bradley Center back in the day. I don't remember what exactly what year, but it was during the Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson era in Milwaukee. Kemp was an established dunker at the time, though, and when he stole a pass at half-court during the game, the crowd was expecting something phenomenal. He had a fast-break with no defenders in front of him, and everyone was suddenly on their feet.
He did a fairly simple two-hand reverse jam, and the crowd was actually a little disappointed, but my point is this: Those few seconds of anticipation as he dribbled to the hoop were scintillating! We didn't know what was going to happen next, but we were ready for it. What's more? That play, that unspectacular, non-memorable slam is actually the only thing I remember from that game. Hmm, you know what? I'm not sure I really had a point here, except that Shawn Kemp kicks ass in the jamming department...
Random Thoughts on the Kemp video... Kemp was a tall guy, like 6-10 or so, but he could definitely fly. There was a time when he was probably the best dunker in the NBA. The #8 dunk in this video, an alley-oop from Gary Payton, a.k.a. the helicopter slam, is one of my favorite dunks by anyone ever. Classic! ... I also really enjoy the #3 dunk (a double-pump two-handed reverse jam down the lane) and obviously #1. The Double-Finger-Point pose Kemp does after he delivers the facial (at the 2:31 mark) is the one of the all-time great dunk celebrations.
Pop Quiz: Better nickname? ... "Rain Man" or "Big Dog".
My answer: Hmm, I'd have to go with "Big Dog" on this one. "Rain Man" is definitely a cool nickname, but if you walk into rooms and you're introduced to everyone else as "Big Dog"... that's pretty awesome, and tough to beat. "Rain Man" is a way better dunker, though.
More Dazzling Dunks!
- For the best of Dominique Wilkins, click here.
- For the best of Clyde Drexler, click here.
[Ed. note: This piece was posted originally as a super-long three-dunker extravaganza but has since been broken up into more easily digestible chunks of dunks.]
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