Image via Complex Original
Shawn Kemp was a bad man in his prime. He was a double-double machine that helped Gary Payton and the Seattle Supersonics become one of the NBA's best teams during the '90s. Kemp had an all-around game that included a mid-range jumper and he was also a decent post-defender because his hops allowed him to protect the rim.
The Reign Man was mainly known for his dunks, though. He was one of the best in-game dunkers the league has ever seen. Blake Griffin dunked on bums compared to this guy. Shawn has shitted on the likes of Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo, Scottie Pippen. The list goes on and on. So, sit back and join us as we celebrate the Reign Man's 43rd birthday and countdown Shawn Kemp's Most Badass Dunks.
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20. ATTN: NBA
When: 12/2/1989
Game: Pistons @ Sonics
Kemp wasted no time in establishing himself as a force around the rim. This clip is from his rookie season. He and Kevin Calabro were made for each other. Kemp and Dominique Wilkins had the craziest putbacks jams.
19. Baller Blockin'
When: 1994
Game: Sonics @ Clippers
After denying an injury-ridden Dominique Wilkins, Kemp slams down a tomahawk jam on the other side. *sigh* We miss the Sonics.
18. Luc, The Reign Man Is Your Father
When: 3/18/1997
Game: Sonics @ Bulls
It was pretty much a wrap when Kemp went to the bucket like that. Luc Longley didn't stand a chance and he should've called out his teammates for leaving him out to dry. Kemp was so quick to the rim and threw it down like the basket owed him some money.
17. Someone Shot The Rifleman
When: 1995-1996 Season
Game: Sonics @ Spurs
He can't be doing old Chuck Person like that. That's fucked up. Marques Johnson had mad jokes, too. "They'll be talking about that one in church."
16. International Flight
When: 8/19/1994 (FIBA World Championships)
Game: USA vs. Greece
Kemp took his high-wire act oversees during the 1994 FIBA World Championships. The Greek defender must be a bull fighter during the day because he was playing that matador defense. And then they get mad when we call the European game, "soft." Take a charge, foul the man, or be a poster.
15. Hakeem The Nightmare
When: 5/12/1996
Game: Sonics @ Rockets
Holy shit, that floor is ugly. If that was a couple years earlier Kemp would've never made it to the rim. Hakeem got tired mid-air and just was like, "fuck it." And the foul.
14. Dunks on South Beach
When: 2/28/1997
Game: Sonics @ Heat
There were only a select few that dared to challenge Shawn Kemp above the rim. None of them played in this game. The lane opened up like the Dead Sea whenever Kemp attacked the basket.
13. The Worm is Giving Out Free Rides
When: 6/12/1996 (Game 4, 1996 NBA Finals)
Game: Bulls @ Sonics
The spin to the cup is straight up ridiculous. There was nothing the Worm could do, but wait until the ride was over. Some folks really thought the Sonics had a real shot to knock off the Bulls in '96.
12. Jam Session
When: 4/8/1995
Game: Sonics @ Mavs
Kevin Calabro makes this clip special. Each call gets you hype and each dunk is more powerful than the next. "It's a jam fest, baby! And we love it! We love it!"
11. Senior Citizen Abuse
When: 5/20/1996
Game: Jazz @ Sonics
Antoine Carr was tight. Peep how he punched the padding afterwards. It's not your fault that the Reign Man threw it down on your face. The only person that could stop a Kemp dunk is God. Carr should've known what was coming.
10. Alligator Arms
When: 6/7/1996 (Game 2 of the NBA Finals)
Game: Sonics @ Bulls
Even one of the greatest defensive players wanted no parts of Shawn Kemp. Scottie jumped right into a poster. Kemp was one of the most violent dunkers ever. Yikes.
9. Leave Him Malone
When: 5/28/1996
Game: Jazz @ Sonics
Converting the and-one makes the cipher complete. Kemp had some of the best putbacks. The Mailman paid dearly for not boxing out and made matters worse with the lazy foul. The Sonics were the best in the West during the 1996 season, but the Bulls were the best in history that year.
8. Dikembe Part I
When: 1994 First-Round Playoffs
Game: Nuggets @ Sonics
Mt. Mutombo lost this battle, but won the war. This was one of the highlights of the Sonics disappointing first-round loss to the eighth-seed Nuggets. He dunked on the whole team. Take that with you to hell and tell 'em Shawn sent ya!
7. Dikembe Part II
When: 4/6/1995
Game: Sonics @ Nuggets
The Reign Man snuck up on Dikembe for the first dunk, but not for the second. Mutombo volunteered to get dunked on. Homie was on the floor chillin' until he saw Kemp coming down the lane and figured, "Hey, I wanna be on a poster." It looks like he got his wish.
6. Coast to Coast
When: 1993-1994 Season
Game: Lakers @ Sonics
6'10" power forwards aren't supposed to be able to take it full court like that. Every Laker defender looked confused and what the hell was Nick Van Exel doing? Is that what he calls defense? Old man John Edwards thought about going up, but decided not to. Smart man.
5. Way to Take a Charge, Barkley
When: 1996-1997 Season
Game: Rockets @ Sonics
To Chuck's credit, he was in the twilight of his career. But, damn Chuck, don't just stand there, foul the man. At least he didn't move out the way like another guy on this list. Kemp stayed playing cats post-slam.
4. Double-Pump Action
When: 12/16/1989
Game: Sonics @ Knicks
What a dunk! Kemp double-pumped when he saw the defender and almost broke the rim. There was no better in-game dunker.
3. Who Got Da Props?
When: 4/30/1992
Game: Warriors @ Sonics
This dunk was so amazing the guy that got dunked on gave Shawn dap. Like: "Word, son, you got that shit off. Word." That's what Gatling gets for picking on Nate McMillan like that. Kemp had the best poses after dunks and he loved dunking on the Warriors.
2. Dunkfest Courtesy of Alonzo
When: 2/27/1995
Game: Hornets @ Sonics
Kemp absolutely emasculated Alonzo Mourning during this game. Kevin Calabro again with the dope commentary. TNT or ESPN needs to hire this guy. "Get on that magic carpet and soar, baby!"
1. Thank You, Alton Lister
When: 4/30/1992
Game: Warriors @ Sonics
Did he have to point at him like that? This was at a time when Kemp did what he wanted. That was a dunk contest dunk and Alton Lister was the prop. It's sad that the taunt after would get you a tech these days.