Real Recognize Real

Shawn Kemp and Chris Gatling

(April 30, 1992)

Immediately prior to this exchange of respect, Gatling had manoeuvred around Kemp to throw Nate McMillan's shot back to whence it game. Kemp gathered the loose ball and proceeded to throw down the second best poster of this series. You may have seen the first.

It's unlikely you'll see someone in today's game high five the dude they just dunked on.

The Lister Blister

April 30, 1992

We had a moral obligation to commemorate this dunk.

All-Star Rewind: Shawn Kemp in the Kamikaze II

Shawn Kemp at the 1996 All-Star Game in the Navy Kamikaze II. Click through for higher resolution.

BONUS: The original colorway at work.

GIF of the Week: The All-Star Weekend is Coming

Mike '97

BONUS: The view Kemp and Hakeem had.

Card of the Week: Tim Thomas ft. the Karl Malone "Special Delivery" Dunk

The other night against the Thunder, Quincy Miller broke out what we consider to be the most pedestrian signature dunk in NBA history, the Karl Malone "Special Delivery".

We re-visited a Ball Is Life mixtape to find that Quincy has been doing this for a while.

However, over the past twenty years there have been a few other players to have paid homage to this dunk, and we thank Quincy for providing the inspiration behind this edition of Card of the Week.

TIM THOMAS. While you shudder, the double-headband donning 6'10 forward was an explosive dunker when he felt like it, particularly during his younger days as a Sixer and Buck. His 1997-98 Flair Showcase card has him in full Special Delivery mode albeit with the palm of his left hand not quite cupping the rear of his cranium.

On the subject of Tim Thomas, special mention must go to The Grand Archives, who has shown our man a lot of love on his exceptionally curated basketball Tumblr.

Thomas aside, the greatest player to ever execute this dunk in an NBA game is none other than the King himself back on December 9, 2008:

The story does not end here though. At the height of his powers in the early 90s, Scottie Pippen pulled out the Special Delivery while Malone was actually still doing the dunk himself. We suspect this particular effort may not fall into the "imitation is the highest form of flattery" category.

But like all good Card of the Week entries, this is a cautionary tale. You best have a clear runway if you are going to attempt any form of fast break showboating. In our opinion, this is the greatest chase-down block by Hakeem Olajuwon during his stellar career. And he's had a few.

UPDATE

Since we ran this piece, a number of other examples have been submitted by numerous members of our extended family, including efforts by the Dank Brothers, Blake and DeAndre Griffin:

Even Shawn Kemp, the swaggiest dunker this side of Ricky Davis indulged in a little Mailman action for the enjoyment of Vincent Askew.

We can't let this go without featuring this incredible homage by none other than Eric Montross, in high school no less. 

If you know what film this screenshot is taken from we'll send you on an all expenses paid dinner with Eric. He is a good man.

EPILOGUE

Et tu, Lamar?

Card of the Week: Shawn Kemp Pro-Vision

The Fleer Pro-Vision series of the early to mid 90s probably deserves its own blog (just ask Primetime).

In our first installment of Card of the Week, we pay tribute to this series with one of the most striking Shawn Kemp cards ever printed. Click through for higher resolution.

While we're on the subject of Kemp, peep this Youtube channel for some rarely seen highlights of the Reign Man in his prime.

We hope to ensure Card of the Week is in fact a weekly fixture, however here is a list of our favourite card websites if you are chasing some cardboard nostalgia.

Fat Shawn Kemp
The Johnny Kilroy Collective
F A C T O R Y S E T
Kicks On Cards
The Card Museum