Jordan got the best of Kemp in the '96 Finals, but Kemp's high flying style was all too exciting. |
Shawn Kemp In The '95-'96 NBA Finals
If there ever was an NBA Finals matchup that featured two regular season juggernauts in the Seattle Supersonics and Chicago Bulls. The Sonics won 64 games and the Bulls set the regular season record for wins with 72-10. Unfortunately for Seattle they ran into an absolute freight train in what could be considered Jordan's best year. The Bulls burst out to a 3-0 lead, but the Sonics rallied back with two monster wins at home, yet in classic Jordan-fashion the Bulls finished Seattle off in Game 6.
But our focus isn't on the prowess of the Bulls or how damn good Michael Jordan is, it's about Shawn Kemp. The "reignman" as they called him was the first true poster dunker, not Dr. J, not Dominique, not Daryl Dawkins. Kemp's cock it back and jam it in your face style was vicious, but it was scintillating. He also would let you know that you just got posterized with a finger point in your face. This picture is amazing not only because he's dunking over Jordan but that he's also got his legs wide like Jordan always did. Plus that Sonics jersey is classic.
If I could put my finger on one player not named Jordan that represented "90s cool" it would be Kemp. He was a straight gangster on the court playing with energy and a swagger that fit the times perfectly. His lanky frame made it seem like his dunks were coming from the parking lot. Unfortunately drug addiction got the best of Kemp like many players of that generation.
I look at the Reignman as the role model for the likes of Vince Carter, Blake Griffin and Jason Richardson so enjoy his top tens and think of him every time Blake Griffin puts his you know what in someone's face.
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