Image via Complex Original
Some may not remember that the 1990s Seattle Supersonics had a squad. It isn’t hard for us to forget hall-of-famer Gary Payton, but what about the other half of Seattle’s 1-2 punch?
Shawn Kemp held it down as the Seattle’s power forward and dunk posterizer extraordinaire. Although his career ended two decades ago, a lot of people still wear his sneakers today. The Reebok Kamikaze I & II, among other great shoes, were put on the map by none other than the Reignman himself.
In Kemp’s 14 seasons in the league, he was a six-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Second Team member. Despite his time in the league hopping from team to team after his time in Seattle, he still displayed his sneaker heat in memorable ways.
So to celebrate Kemp’s Birthday today, here's 25 Iconic Sneaker Photos of Shawn Kemp.
RELATED: Shawn Kemp's Most Badass Dunks (Video)
RELATED: The 25 Best Reebok Basketball Shoes of All Time
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Sneaker: Reebok Optix Mid
"Sorry Rodman, didn't see you down there". Just another day in the office for the Reignman
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze II
Who says you can't wear sneakers with a blazer? Kemp showed that the Kamikaze II can go with any outfit.
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze
Kemp kept it stylish in the Reebok Kamikaze I in the mid 90s - and looked ready to take on all challengers.
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze II
Reignman attacking the rim as usual. Just don't get caught without an umbrella.
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze
If you had hops like Kemp, all that's left to do is figure out how bad you want to break the rim.
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Sneaker: Reebok Vertical
No line was too far for Kemp to Jump from. The Reignman made this free throw line attempt look easy.
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze II
No one was too big for Kemp to D up. Here he is going head-to-head with his brandmate at the time, Shaq.
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Sneaker: Reebok Optix Mid
Kemp going over the game plan with his Seattle Supersonic teammate Gary Payton - who went on to become a hall-of-famer and have some classic kicks of his own.
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Sneaker: Nike Air Flight 89
It wasn't always about Reeboks for the Reignman. Early in his career he wore Nikes for his nightly acrobatics.
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Sneaker: Reebok Crossover II
Kemp and Mourning shared a moment on the court during the 1994 FIBA World Championships in 1994. The USA basketbal team that year, dubbed "The Dream Team II", also included the likes of Larry Johnson, Reggie Miller, and of course - Shaquille O'Neal.
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze II
Drop pass from the middle of the lane drawing two defenders - including Vlade Divac in the Air Max Way Up. Wouldn't this have made a dope Reebok ad?
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Sneaker: Reebok Optix Mid
This is how it's done. Kemp showed Jordan that he wasn't the only one that could take flight.
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Sneaker: Nike Air Alpha Force
Think you could've go dunk for dunk with the Reignman? Throughout his career, he participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest four times ('90, '91, '92, '94).
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Sneaker: Nike Air Flight 89 Low
Unfortunately, of the four NBA Slam Dunk Contests Shawn Kemp participated in, he won none of them. However, he did come second place in 1991 to Dee Brown, who famously pumped up a pair of Reeboks to win the contest. Irony?
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze
The Glove approves of this jam. Just remember to get out of Kemp's way when he drives to the hoop.
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Sneaker: Reebook Aftershok
It's no secret that Shawn Kemp was one of Reebok's biggest player endorsers in the mid '90s. In addition to the kicks, peep the reversible jacket game.
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Sneaker: Nike Shox Limitless
Kemp geared up in Nike Shox toward the end of his career in the '00s, where he spent time playing for the Portland Trailblazers.
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Sneaker: Reebok Insta Pump
The Reignman skied to contest Scottie Pippen's shot at the NBA All-Star game in 1993, which was the first of Kemp's career.
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze II
Air Kemp? A little tribute from Reignman to the G.O.A.T. himself in 1996.
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze
No one else could accessorize their kicks by wearing a sweatband to the knee quite like Kemp. And when he drove to the hole, people got out of his way.
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Sneaker: Reebok Reignman III
During his Cleveland Cavalier days, Kemp faced off against the Knicks in his third shoe with Reebok. Charles Oakley didn't stand a chance.
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze II
In a heated matchup between the Chicago Bulls in 1996. Kemp made Jordan work for every point. Both teams would eventually meet in the NBA Finals that year, where MJ earned his fourth championship.
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Sneaker: Nike Air Flight Lite II Mid
Rims had no chance against Shawn Kemp's windmill. Here's an example of one of these dunks from the 1990 Slam Dunk Contest.
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze II
Kemp back in NYC's Rucker Park for the re-release the Kamikaze II. The blue colorway that Reebok re-released signified the letter of intent Kemp signed to join the University of Kentucky Wildcats.
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Sneaker: Reebok Kamikaze II
Who else could rock a pair of Kamikaze IIs with a rain suit? Most likely the guy whose nickname was the Reignman.