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Shawn Kemp vs Alonzo Mourning, who was better?

Interesting question. I'd pick Zo if I were starting a team from scratch because he was a true defensive anchor and he didn't show too much of difference in production when he wasn't with a top pg. Kemp EASILY the better offensive player but his years of being an ultra-efficient scorer (any of his years shooting above .500 actually) were completely and utterly linked to the rise of Payton, once he left he was never a really "special" player again, certainly not on Zo's level.

Zo was a better player, but Kemp was more capable of taking a game over.

Good comparison Jordanbulls

Arguments for Kemp
1. Much more danegrous scorer
2. As shawngoat stated he was much more capable of taking a game over
3. Look at his series against Utah and Chicago in 95/96, were he crushed Malone, and turned in one of the best efforts in a hopeless cause against the bulls
4. Business, Kemp was a much more marketable player

Arguments for Mourning
1. Much easier to build traditional team around
2. Less of a headache
3. Worlds apart on defense

Conclusion: Really depends upon the nature of the team

zo cuz the reasons said above for each favor him, at least for me.

Am I missing something.....

Zo is comparable to Kemp offensively. Definitely not aesthetically (Zo's game was ugly and Kemps was flashy) but in terms of productions he's AT LEAST Kemps equal. Honestly I think he might be better but don't want to argue ( and don't think I need to)....

Zo defense>>>>>>>Kemp defense

Zo intangibles >>>>Kemps intangibles

On top of that Kemps statistics maybe inflated a bit due to playing with Payton.

So why isn't Zo considered the clear winner? It might not be a large margin but seems pretty clear to me....

Easily Alonzo, better inside player. Better defender.

Kemp was a better leaper and had a better jumpshot but wasn't even comparable as an overall player.

This is Zo IMO, but remember all the point guard remarks concerning Kemp? Zo played very well with Tim Hardaway as well. Not as good as Payton, but nothing to sneeze at.

didn't Kemp turn to crack post Payton?

BBallFreak wrote:This is Zo IMO, but remember all the point guard remarks concerning Kemp? Zo played very well with Tim Hardaway as well. Not as good as Payton, but nothing to sneeze at.

Zo played as well without Hardaway as he did with him. He wasn't with Tim in Charlotte.

Kemp's offensive dominance ended when he left Payton.

conleyorbust wrote:Zo played as well without Hardaway as he did with him. He wasn't with Tim in Charlotte.

I'm not arguing that point. I'm just stating that he had a very nice point guard with him throughout his prime, as well.

Kemp's offensive dominance ended when he left Payton.

The real question is the reason why his offensive dominance faded. Was it the loss of Payton or the loss of his sobriety?

I'm gonna go with Zo (much as I hate the guy). Offensively, I think Kemp does more but Zo is no slouch either. And then, defensively, it's not even a question.