Rookies have some very traditional jobs. They sing their fight song at training camp, wish the veterans a happy birthday in front of the team, carry the bags and wear ridiculous backpacks. They also have the time-honored tradition of bringing donuts to practice for the veterans.
Yes, the delivery of the morning Krispy Kremes at practice is a rite of passage for many rookies as they mature and learn the ins and outs of the NBA.
Markieff Morris, the Phoenix Suns rookie taken 13th in the NBA Draft, and his twin Marcus Morris, taken a pick later, might be taking their training for the rookie hazing a little too far. Markieff Morris and his twin brother Marcus Morris are training with Shawn Kemp.
Yes, none other than the once – Reign Man who flew the air with relative ease and then slowly let himself go to drugs, food and lots of other vices. Kemp even turned down assistance from the Cavs to help him control his weight. So it would make sense that he is now training the next batch of NBA players right? Well, the Suns cannot tell Markieff Morris not to train with Kemp… at least, they cannot right now.
Kemp made some really bad decisions in his life, but it is probably worth remembering that Kemp was still an incredibly gifted basketball player. He averaged 16.2 points per game with the Sonics and went to five All-Star Games. Not to mention he was the inspiration for YouTube highlights everywhere (even before they were invented). He was a super athlete.
I am sure he can impart some wisdom to the Morris twins before their rookie season (eventually) begins.
Kemp has been the butt of many many jokes since he blew up in Cleveland and started having numerous problems. He has fathered nine children all from different women (one is a standout at the University of Washington now). He was arrested for marijuana possession, was rumored to abuse cocaine and other drugs and was in jail for a few years too. When he played his final season in Orlando, he could barly even get off the floor — a far cry from his Reign Man days at the Tacoma Dome.
Nowadays though, working out with Kemp may not be such a bad thing.
Kemp has settled in Seattle and is absolutely beloved there. He has slowly ventured back out into the public where Seattle has embraced him as a hero.
“I never abused drugs or had an alcohol problem,” Kemp said in an introspective by Steve Kelley of The Seattle Times. “I had a Shawn Kemp problem. That’s what you find out. When you’re unhappy with yourself, you do unhappy things. I just expected so much of myself, and when those doors that were open to you fall down, you have to find yourself.”
Kemp said he found himself while he was in jail. And he has come out as a better person. He is seen throughout the city now — waving towels at Seattle Storm games or helping run a restaurant he co-owns.
It may sound ridiculous after the way he let his basketball career nose-dive, but he is training NBA players and imparting whatever nuggets of wisdom he can. Seattle native Spencer Hawes is also working out with Kemp this offseason.
So maybe Kemp is a good role model for the Morris twins as they prepare for the first NBA season. Maybe they won’t have to get those Krispy Kreme donuts quite yet. Hopefully they learn something from the Reign Man.
Photo via DayLife.com.
