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Monday, January 22, 2001
Kemp still adjusting as Blazers' role player
Associated Press
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CLEVELAND -- Shawn Kemp strolled into Gund Arena smiling and
laughing with his Portland teammates. He was back in Cleveland, and
for the first time in two years, Kemp didn't hear any boos, fat
jokes or trade rumors.
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That was before the game. The heckling came later as Kemp and
the Trail Blazers had their worst game of the season, shooting just
28 percent in an 84-58 loss to the Cavaliers.
Kemp, who left Cleveland in August overweight and unwanted, is
glad he no longer is with the Cavaliers.
"The one good thing about the situation is that every day I
don't have to hear all the talk about Shawn Kemp," he said.
"That's a relief."
Kemp returned to Cleveland on Monday for the first time since
being traded during the offseason to the Trail Blazers as part of a
three-way deal that sent Brian Grant to Miami.
Kemp's no longer a star, but a bit player for the powerful Trail
Blazers, and that's OK by him.
"Everyone on this team has sacrificed," he said. "We're all
working toward a championship. People are always going to be
negative when they mention my name, but I can accept that and
that's what makes it easier for me to go on."
Kemp's return did go as he had hoped. He scored just four points
in 20 minutes and was booed each time he touched the ball.
"It's not the first time I've been booed," he said. "It's not
like it's my first or second year."
Things didn't work out in Cleveland for Kemp, traded to the Cavs
in 1997 and signed to a seven-year, $98 million contract. He made
the All-Star team and led them to the playoffs in his first season
but it was downhill from there.
In '98, his image was tarnished when it was revealed he had
fathered seven children by six women. The next year, he showed up
after the six-month lockout weighing more than 300 pounds. Last
season, he arrived late for practices, games and team flights and
quarreled with Cavs coach Randy Wittman.
He became a target for fan abuse, and Cleveland couldn't wait to
get rid of him.
"Last year I knew there was going to be a change," Kemp said.
"I knew something was going to happen. Anytime you're playing with
a team that's losing, the main guy is going to take a lot of the
heat.
"I accepted the responsibility for being the head guy, and we
didn't win so I took the blame. I took a lot of hits for a long
time around here. But I'm still standing. I knew it was time to
move on."
No one's pointing fingers at Kemp in Portland, even though he is
averaging only 6.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per
game. He played only six minutes Saturday in a loss to Sacramento.
After pledging to be in shape at the start of the season before
the Cavs dealt him, Kemp showed up in Portland overweight again.
He has slimmed down since the season started, but Kemp's still
struggling in his adjustment as role player after being the Cavs'
go-to guy.
"This is he best shape I've been in 2½ years playing wise," he
said. "It's been an adjustment coming off the bench and getting
used to the minutes. But before the season is over, I'll have my
day.
"Once we get in the playoffs, I'll have my fun. Guys on this
team know that, this organization knows that."
Blazers coach Mike Dunleavy is pleased with Kemp's attitude and
progress.
"He's trying to fit in and he's working hard at it," said
Dunleavy, who was ejected during Monday's loss. "He's working on
getting in better shape, but it's still a situation where we
haven't quite found the niche that we were looking for."
Kemp doesn't have to prove anything to Cavs fans upon his
return. He maintains he did all he could to help Cleveland win, and
he's not concerned if the boos drown out the cheers.
"It will be a good night for us team-wise," he said. "When I
walk out of this building tonight, I'll be smiling."
He wasn't and neither were the Blazers.
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