What did dunking mean to Shawn Kemp?

Shawn Kemp is without a doubt one of the most legendary dunkers in NBA history.

Kemp participated in the Dunk Contest four times — 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994 — finishing second in 1991 to Dee Brown. So Stephen Jackson wanted to know: What did dunking mean to the Reign Man?

“It didn’t mean that much to me at first.”

No really, Kemp says he wasn’t dunking that much when he first got to the NBA because he wasn’t getting that much playing time. But when he did get put into the game, Kemp was given a specific edict: Dunk or don’t shoot. Otherwise, it’s back to the bench.

It’s tough to play like that, but one night he was set loose against Charles Barkley with the instruction not to embarrass coach Bernie Bickerstaff. So did he get loose?

“No doubt, son.”

Kemp said before a game in New York, he told Dana Barros if he saw Kemp just throw it in the middle somewhere, Kemp didn’t care where. He would go and get it. It led to Kemp throwing down a double-pump reverse dunk that had everyone stop, frozen in awe of what he had just done. Kemp felt the crowd shift. And in the next 30 days he figures he had something like 54 dunks. In his words, it just created a beast. He went from simply dunking to trying to rip the rim down.

Watch or listen to the full episode below and keep an eye on DraftKings Network for new episodes of All The Smoke every Thursday at 6 p.m. ET!

SHOW BREAKDOWN

Shawn Kemp Opens Up On Downfall of 90’s Sonics, Bond with Gary Payton, Facing MJ in 1996 Finals

• One of the greatest dunkers the world has ever seen joins ALL THE SMOKE for an incredible episode. 6x All-Star, Shawn Kemp, sits down with Matt and Stak to reflect on his highlight filled career, including his chemistry with Gary Payton, facing off with MJ in the Finals, how he got his athleticism and dunking ability, and why he thinks Bill Russell is the GOAT. Plus, ‘The Reignman’ explains why he thinks he deserves to be in the HOF, discusses his relationship with Bobby Knight and why he snubbed Indiana for Kentucky, and shares an amazing story about getting sh*t talked by Larry Bird.

VIDEO:

Check out the DraftKings YouTube page and the All The Smoke Productions YouTube page for more. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on Instagram at @Matt_Barnes9 and @_Stak5_ as well as All The Smoke Productions.

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