In a significant early career moment, Shawn Kemp found himself in the challenging position of facing Larry Bird during his rookie season with the Seattle Supersonics in 1989. Kemp, who had just entered the NBA from high school, was pitted against Bird on what turned out to be a particularly challenging night. Bird, despite being aware of critiques suggesting he was past his prime, was determined to prove otherwise.
Growing up in Indiana like Bird, Kemp was already under pressure, with some suggesting he was the best player to come out of the state. The situation was further complicated by a USA Today article that hinted at Bird’s decline. “Larry came out that night with a clear intent to make a statement,” Kemp recalled in a recent appearance on the All The Smoke podcast. “Before the game, he gave me a look and said, ‘It’s going to be a tough night for you.'”
Adding to Kemp’s difficulty was the fact that his teammate, Xavier McDaniel, was dealing with knee issues, leaving Kemp as the primary defender against Bird. “When we arrived in Boston, X was struggling with knee pain. It was unfortunate timing,” Kemp said. Despite his efforts to play strong defense, Bird’s performance was outstanding. Bird managed to score 40 points, grab 11 rebounds, and dish out 10 assists, even though Kemp believed he had guarded him intensely.
Following the game, Bird acknowledged Kemp’s defensive prowess by sending him a letter. “He said he’d never faced such tough defense,” Kemp shared. Bird’s respect for Kemp’s effort highlighted the rookie’s challenging yet formative experience against one of the NBA’s legends.
