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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Kemp On A Mission After Snub?

Tacoma News Tribune

After being snubbed during the off-season by the U.S. Olympic basketball team selection committee, Shawn Kemp appears ready to prove the committee wrong. Yet he claims his outstanding fitness level and superb play in training camp is solely aimed at helping the Seattle SuperSonics win the NBA championship.

“I dedicate my season to the Sonics,” he said. “They’re (selection committee) hung up on All-American guys and I’m not USA Olympic image. I didn’t go to college. I came from a different route. And I can accept that. I realize my talent is as good as anyone on that team.”

Kemp did play for the U.S. in the World Championships and hit 69 percent from the field, but unless he’s a late addition to the U.S. team, he won’t play in the Olympic Games next summer in Atlanta.

Welcome to Seattle

The NBA’s lockout from July 1-Sept. 18 prohibited all communication between management and labor. As such, the Sonics couldn’t help Hersey Hawkins and David Wingate move to Seattle after they were traded by the Charlotte Hornets for Kendall Gill on June 27.

Fortunately, Monique Ellis, wife of former Sonic Dale Ellis, came to the rescue for Hawkins and his wife, Jennifer. She found them a moving company and a school for their children, and she spent time showing them homes.

Hawkins didn’t know Dale Ellis before the trade, but both players represent the same shoe company, Fila. A Fila representative put Hawkins in touch with the Ellises because of Monique’s real-estate expertise.

Bad timing

The lockout affected Byron Houston even more adversely. He closed on a house in Seattle three days before he was traded, along with Sarunas Marciulionis, to Sacramento for Frank Brickowski.

Hersey talk

Along with his career 40-percent shooting from 3-point range, including a career-high 44 percent last season, Hawkins brings to the Sonics an easy going self-confidence.

When asked about his role on offense, he said: “I have to come in here and look at the basket first and pass second. But I’m not going in with the idea of being selfish. I thought Kendall got plenty of shots when I looked through the daily boxscores.”

As for joining a team with a collectively bruised psyche, following its second consecutive first-round elimination from the playoffs, Hawkins said: “Hopefully, it’s not lingering in their minds. It’s over. How many times can it happen?”