Tim Kempton is an American former professional basketball player who worked as a power forward/center across the late 1980s and 1990s. Selected in the 1986 NBA Draft (6th round) by the Philadelphia 76ers, he built a journeyman career that spanned multiple NBA stops and overseas leagues. Known as a dependable depth big, Kempton contributed with screens, rebounding, physical post play, and savvy veteran minutes.
Career Snapshot
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- Draft: 1986 NBA Draft, Philadelphia 76ers (6th round)
- Pro Career: Late 1980s–1990s across the NBA and international Basketball
- Profile: Role player valued for toughness, screen-setting, and interior presence
Draft and Early Years
Tim Kempton entered the NBA in 1986, a year stacked with frontcourt talent. Coming from a traditional big-man background, he faced a deep rotation landscape early, earning opportunities through training camps, 10-day looks, and rotational minutes.
NBA Role and Journeyman Path
In an era of bruising post play, Kempton found roles with multiple franchises, filling gaps as a reliable reserve. His value often surfaced in matchups that demanded size, fouls to give, and extra possessions via offensive boards—classic depth-big contributions.
Playing Style and On-Court Value
- Strengths: Screens, put-backs, mid-post touches, box-outs, and rim protection fundamentals
- Offense: Short-roll decisions, dump-offs, and the occasional mid-range jumper
- Defense: Physical post defense and help positioning within 1990s schemes
Stats Perspective
While not a volume scorer, the “Stats” that often defined Tim Kempton’s impact were per-minute rebounding, screen assists (informally tracked then), and efficient shot selection near the rim. He exemplified how role players drive winning margins without headline numbers.
International Experience
Beyond the NBA, Kempton spent time in European leagues, adapting to FIBA spacing, ball movement, and officiating. That overseas seasoning often sharpened fundamentals—footwork, passing reads, and defensive positioning—that translated back to the NBA.
Era Comparison and 2025 Fit
- 1990s Context: Post-centric offenses, tighter paint, and different illegal-defense rules
- 2025 NBA: More pace-and-space, pick-and-roll switching, and stretch lineups
- Fit Today: As a modern depth big, Tim Kempton would likely be asked to screen, rebound in space, defend in drop, and hit short-roll reads—high-IQ tasks for a rotation center.
Legacy, Family, and Community Impact
Tim Kempton’s legacy sits in the fabric of NBA role players who sustain rosters over long seasons. His family ties to Basketball—most notably his son’s path through college and the pros—extend that legacy and invite a broader “Legacy” and “Discussion” on how hoops knowledge passes through generations.
What to Rewatch/Research
- Late 80s/90s game clips to study interior spacing and paint battles
- Team-by-team stints to see how different coaches deployed a reserve big
- Overseas highlights for FIBA tactics and how they differ from the NBA
2025 Conversation Starters
- In a data-rich era, what “Stats” best capture a depth big’s value from the 1990s?
- How would Tim Kempton’s screen-setting and rebounding translate to 2025 Basketball?
- Which modern teams could use a player with his profile off the bench, and why?
- What do fans remember most about journeyman centers from that era—toughness, adaptability, or reliability?
- How should we weigh international experience when evaluating an NBA role player’s “Legacy”?
Share your take: Where does Tim Kempton fit in the broader NBA role-player conversation, and what defines his Legacy for you in 2025? Add clips, memories, and metrics to keep the Discussion going.