Shawn Kemp's New Hobby

Shawn Kemp's greatest moments took mere seconds--those brief moments when he'd transform a fast break or a baseline move into something unforgettable with his amazing power and leaping ability.

But now, Kemp tells the Times' Jerry Brewer, he's interested in a sport where success comes from not from moments of brilliant improvisation, but from hours of repetition.

"I'm actually thinking about running some marathons. My goal is to run the New York City Marathon in about two years. That's a big challenge for me."

It would be an even bigger challenge because of Kemp's height--as much as it worked for him in basketball, it will work against him as a runner.

Says running expert Jim Fortner: "Taller runners are generally at a disadvantage because of weight (body mass)."

Body mass increases exponentially as we get taller, so the taller you are, the more mass you have to move. You're also generating more heat, which your body has to dissipate.

There's some precedent for tall ex-ballers turning into long-distance runners.

Former Rockets center Pete Chilcutt, who matched up against Kemp in the '96 playoffs, has run a few marathons.

Perhaps the two can match up again, in what would be the craziest-looking marathon in history.