Shawn Kemp was an awesome player for the Sonics!  He was my favorite Sonic for the longest time.  Additionally, I met him in the tunnels after a couple games and he was a very nice polite guy, who signed his shoes and gave them to my younger cousin.

When he & Gary Payton were on the Sonics, the team was fun to watch.  The Dynamic Duo as they called themselves.... Batman and Robin... along with Detlef, Hersey and Sam Perkins!  What a team!

What happened in Seattle was a CRIME to Shawn Kemp.... and a HUGE insult, IMO.  Here is Shawn Kemp, an aggressive ball player, fun to watch, dunks that made you in awe.... consistant for our team, playing like the All Star that he was... and the club brings in Jim McIlvaine, for way more money!  Give me a break!  If I was Shawn Kemp I would be pissed off too.  Hell, I am not Shawn Kemp and I WAS PISSED!  Talk about an insult to his skills & abilities & what he contributed not only to the team, but to our town which was a great team to watch and cheer for!! 

I remember it being all over the news that Shawn Kemp wanted a raise in his contract, people for and against, blah blah blah.... Well damn straight he wanted one and he DESERVED one based on what they were paying Jim McIlvaine for his avg PPG of 2.3 and 2.9 RPG. 

Til this day.... #40 is one of my favorite numbers.... because of Shawn Kemp. 

I will never forget how the Sonics screwed him over.... and IMO, f*cked with his life in the process. 

The highlight of Kevin Johnson dunking on the "Dream" equal about 35% of his actual time on the floor. There was a guy who was electric, but could never stay healthy long enough.  I think Sir Charles put it best when seeing KJ in uniform. "What is it picture day?"