RealGM

I recently came across this gem of a video on YouTube and it got me thinking, when they were both at their respective peaks, who would be a better player to build a team around in the current NBA?



Personally, I think peak Kemp would be a better player in today's league. On offense their scoring numbers and efficiency rates were pretty comparable, although I think Kemp’s superior athleticism and ability to run and push the ball up the floor would make him a more desirable offensive weapon in this current era of pace and space. And obviously Zo was the more impactful and decorated defender during their era, but at the same time, a lot of people seem to forget just how great Kemp was on that end of the floor as well. During his best season (1995-96) he was 2nd in the league in defensive rating, 4th in defensive win shares, and 3rd in total rebounds. Just like Shawn Marion, I find it quite astounding that he never made an All-Defensive Team. Today I think he would be one of the more sought after defensive bigs because of his crazy athleticism and ability to seamlessly switch onto smaller players on the perimeter. And for the cherry on top, he would undeniably be the most dangerous lob threat in the league.

Kemp is certainly better suited for the pace and space era, people forget he was one of the best bigs to run the floor, with and without the ball. He is arguably the greatest athlete ever who played at roughly 2 tier on both ends in the 90s, which was loaded with many of the best bigs ever. He is similar to Giannis in size and style of game but his passing was not as developed, as the guards handles the ball more in every other era, but his jump shot was better. Mourning fit the pounding game and ran the floor pretty well, while having a good jump shot. He'd be a good choice for best interior defender and shotblocker but likely would be less offensively, with his career style as it was.

In a tougher, more contact era both were very good and lead teams to good success.