[d-ravParticipant]

One word; speechless. What if…

[kaceyParticipant]

What if what?

I don’t get it.

[kaceyParticipant]

What if what?

I don’t get it.

[mrknowitall313Participant]

what if he didnt have injury prone career

[mrknowitall313Participant]

what if he didnt have injury prone career

[Tim49461Participant]

was he really 7-4?

[Tim49461Participant]

was he really 7-4?

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

As good as he was, he wasn’t as good as Olajuwon when they played together.

Frankly even if he was healthy throughout his career I don’t think he would have been as good as Hakeem, Shaq, Robinson, or Ewing. He was considered soft unlike the other guys I mentioned and was not as good defensively. Athletically, yes he tested through the roof, but as Shawn Kemp will attest there is more to becoming a great player than physical gifts.

I think Alonzo Mourning or Brad Daugherty could’ve been just as good if they had stayed injury free as well.

[gregoden08Participant]

Yup…you’re right, he wasn’t, but when he was healthy, he was still one of the top centers in the league. Personally, I would rather have a healthy Sampson over a healthy Zo (mainly because of the 7 inch height difference).

[gregoden08Participant]

Yup…you’re right, he wasn’t, but when he was healthy, he was still one of the top centers in the league. Personally, I would rather have a healthy Sampson over a healthy Zo (mainly because of the 7 inch height difference).

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

As good as he was, he wasn’t as good as Olajuwon when they played together.

Frankly even if he was healthy throughout his career I don’t think he would have been as good as Hakeem, Shaq, Robinson, or Ewing. He was considered soft unlike the other guys I mentioned and was not as good defensively. Athletically, yes he tested through the roof, but as Shawn Kemp will attest there is more to becoming a great player than physical gifts.

I think Alonzo Mourning or Brad Daugherty could’ve been just as good if they had stayed injury free as well.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

Give me Alonzo Morning over Sampson anyday, the guy was 7’4 but can barely average 2 BPG, Give me Zo’s dominant shotblocking, intensity,and mean streak, regardless if hes only 6’10.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

Give me Alonzo Morning over Sampson anyday, the guy was 7’4 but can barely average 2 BPG, Give me Zo’s dominant shotblocking, intensity,and mean streak, regardless if hes only 6’10.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Sampson might’ve been the most athletic 7 footer in league history until Garnett came along.

I had to give you a point for mentioning Sampson..nobody else on here does…or they’re too young to have seen him play…

I think if he had came out his junior year when the Lakers had the 1st pick…People would be talking about how great he was..Magic would’ve made him look so good..But he remained at Virginia until his senior year becuz he wanted to win a ring…But didnt get one..

The Lakers offered James Worthy a guy that was named a top 50 player all-time for him…

He was much better then Mourning & Daugherty..But not better then Ewing or Hakeem…Sampson’s combination of skills and Athleticism hadnt been seen in the NBA since a young Kareem..But unlike Kareem ,Sampson failed to create a go-to move..and he sometimes tried to do too much on the floor,like starting a fast-break ..And teaming him with Hakeem was successful for a while…But it forced him out on the perimeter while he seemed confused at times..But if injuries hadnt stalled his career he’ll be a Hall of Famer…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Sampson might’ve been the most athletic 7 footer in league history until Garnett came along.

I had to give you a point for mentioning Sampson..nobody else on here does…or they’re too young to have seen him play…

I think if he had came out his junior year when the Lakers had the 1st pick…People would be talking about how great he was..Magic would’ve made him look so good..But he remained at Virginia until his senior year becuz he wanted to win a ring…But didnt get one..

The Lakers offered James Worthy a guy that was named a top 50 player all-time for him…

He was much better then Mourning & Daugherty..But not better then Ewing or Hakeem…Sampson’s combination of skills and Athleticism hadnt been seen in the NBA since a young Kareem..But unlike Kareem ,Sampson failed to create a go-to move..and he sometimes tried to do too much on the floor,like starting a fast-break ..And teaming him with Hakeem was successful for a while…But it forced him out on the perimeter while he seemed confused at times..But if injuries hadnt stalled his career he’ll be a Hall of Famer…

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

Yep Sampson was possibly the most athletic 7 footer in the NBA until Garnett (I say possibly because David Robinson would certainly give him a run for that honor) but being more athletic doesn’t necessarily make him better than Mourning or Daugherty in my books.

How was Sampson “much better” than Mourning? Sampson was a better ball handler/passer and had a nice repetoire of moves but Mourning also had terrific handles for a big man and he was a better shot blocker/defender while being a more physical presence down low.

The numbers certainly don’t bear out that argument.
Sampson’s first three seasons (his healthy seasons):
21.1 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.4 BPG and 2.0 APG on 52 FG% and 66 FT% in 1983-84
22.4 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.0 BPG and 2.7 APG on 50 FG% and 68 FT% in 1984-85
18.9 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.6 BPG and 3.6 APG on 49 FG% and 64 FT% in 1985-86

Mourning’s first three seasons:
21.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.5 BPG and 1.0 APG on 51 FG% and 78 FT% in 1992-93
21.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 3.1 BPG and 1.4 APG on 51 FG% and 76 FT% in 1993-94
21.3 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.9 BPG and 1.4 APG on 52 FG% and 76 FT% in 1994-95

Yes Sampson had to share touches with Olajuwon but Mourning had to share touches with a 1st overall pick of his own in the frontcourt in All-Star Larry Johnson.

I can see an argument for why Sampson was slightly better than Mourning. But “much better” I can’t buy that.

some highlights for comparison, if anybody is interested…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMwuMPmtH3w

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

Yep Sampson was possibly the most athletic 7 footer in the NBA until Garnett (I say possibly because David Robinson would certainly give him a run for that honor) but being more athletic doesn’t necessarily make him better than Mourning or Daugherty in my books.

How was Sampson “much better” than Mourning? Sampson was a better ball handler/passer and had a nice repetoire of moves but Mourning also had terrific handles for a big man and he was a better shot blocker/defender while being a more physical presence down low.

The numbers certainly don’t bear out that argument.
Sampson’s first three seasons (his healthy seasons):
21.1 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.4 BPG and 2.0 APG on 52 FG% and 66 FT% in 1983-84
22.4 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.0 BPG and 2.7 APG on 50 FG% and 68 FT% in 1984-85
18.9 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.6 BPG and 3.6 APG on 49 FG% and 64 FT% in 1985-86

Mourning’s first three seasons:
21.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 3.5 BPG and 1.0 APG on 51 FG% and 78 FT% in 1992-93
21.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 3.1 BPG and 1.4 APG on 51 FG% and 76 FT% in 1993-94
21.3 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 2.9 BPG and 1.4 APG on 52 FG% and 76 FT% in 1994-95

Yes Sampson had to share touches with Olajuwon but Mourning had to share touches with a 1st overall pick of his own in the frontcourt in All-Star Larry Johnson.

I can see an argument for why Sampson was slightly better than Mourning. But “much better” I can’t buy that.

some highlights for comparison, if anybody is interested…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMwuMPmtH3w

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

^^^ Dwighthoward…

numbers can sometimes be misleading…Adam Morrison 2 Rings..Robert Horry 7 rings…..Ewing,Barkley,Dominique,Stockton,Malone & Lebron 0 rings…lol

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

^^^ Dwighthoward…

numbers can sometimes be misleading…Adam Morrison 2 Rings..Robert Horry 7 rings…..Ewing,Barkley,Dominique,Stockton,Malone & Lebron 0 rings…lol

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

But I didn’t just give the numbers…

What about Sampson made him “much better” than Mourning?

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

But I didn’t just give the numbers…

What about Sampson made him “much better” than Mourning?

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Even though Mourning was a Warrior on defense..People still said he wasnt a franchise center….Sampson wasnt as physical inside as Mourning..But Sampson had a better skill set…Before Lebron came into the league..Sampson was the most hyped player to enter it since Kareem…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Even though Mourning was a Warrior on defense..People still said he wasnt a franchise center….Sampson wasnt as physical inside as Mourning..But Sampson had a better skill set…Before Lebron came into the league..Sampson was the most hyped player to enter it since Kareem…

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

To me, and this is just my opinion, if I were choosing between the two, I would take Morning because he was an anchor on both sides of the court. Yes Sampson may have been slightly better on offense, but only by a hair, Morning’s ability to anchor the defense to me makes him more valuable. This is like choosing between Yao Ming vs Dwight Howard, Yao has a slight edge on offense, while Dwight is an anchor on defense, I would take Dwight who is a force on both sides of the floor.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

To me, and this is just my opinion, if I were choosing between the two, I would take Morning because he was an anchor on both sides of the court. Yes Sampson may have been slightly better on offense, but only by a hair, Morning’s ability to anchor the defense to me makes him more valuable. This is like choosing between Yao Ming vs Dwight Howard, Yao has a slight edge on offense, while Dwight is an anchor on defense, I would take Dwight who is a force on both sides of the floor.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

I disagree to anyone who says Morning is not a “franchise type Center”, the guy put up 20PPG 10RPG 3BPG, those are Dwight Howard numbers, and I consider Dwight a “franchise type Center”.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

I disagree to anyone who says Morning is not a “franchise type Center”, the guy put up 20PPG 10RPG 3BPG, those are Dwight Howard numbers, and I consider Dwight a “franchise type Center”.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

its not whut i think..i heard that the 1st couple of years during Mourning’s career….i guess pople said that becuz he was undersized

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

its not whut i think..i heard that the 1st couple of years during Mourning’s career….i guess pople said that becuz he was undersized

[TRC1991Participant]

the thing about Zo was that he wasn’t going to let anyone bigger then him control the paint…he was as tough as you get and even though he was 6’9.5”-6’10” he had a long wingspan and was a very hard worker in the post

[TRC1991Participant]

the thing about Zo was that he wasn’t going to let anyone bigger then him control the paint…he was as tough as you get and even though he was 6’9.5”-6’10” he had a long wingspan and was a very hard worker in the post

[Thomas C.K.Participant]

What injury or injuries did Ralph Sampson suffer that cause his career to take a downfall?? I don’t recall him ever missing a large amount of games like Sam Bowie did, it seems like in his 4th season(1985-1987) his skills just diminished because he looked like a Hall Of Famer during his first 3 years. Didn’t he start in the All-Star Game as a rookie??

[Thomas C.K.Participant]

What injury or injuries did Ralph Sampson suffer that cause his career to take a downfall?? I don’t recall him ever missing a large amount of games like Sam Bowie did, it seems like in his 4th season(1985-1987) his skills just diminished because he looked like a Hall Of Famer during his first 3 years. Didn’t he start in the All-Star Game as a rookie??

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

Sampson had problems with his knees that really derailed his career after three seasons.

As far as the Mourning-Sampson comparison goes, I think I’m going to stop mentioning Zo in this thread. I originally was just trying to bring him up as a name comparable to Sampson because I honestly feel that even if Sampson had gone injury free he never would’ve been truly elite. But it’s kinda veered off topic since then.

Back to Sampson. I agree with many of the things you are saying Rudeboy, Sampson was ridiculously hyped coming into the league and had incredible athleticism and height.

That being said I remember watching him when I was young (and granted I was a small kid but I used to watch a ton of ball with my dad and still remember much of it to this day) and he just never seemed to dominate or show the ability to take over a game in the NBA. He didn’t seem to have “it”. That quality that all the greats have.

I remember him being a very good center but he was not quite as good as Kareem, Moses Malone or Olajuwon during his time. But was better than all-stars like Robert Parrish, Joe Barry-Carrol and Jack Sikma.

It says alot that during his rookie season in which he made the All-Star game, Houston still had the worst record in the league (although I know there were whispers that they had tanked games). Quite simply I never got the impression that I was seeing an all-time great when I was watching Sampson play. Obviously just my own opinion off course.

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

Sampson had problems with his knees that really derailed his career after three seasons.

As far as the Mourning-Sampson comparison goes, I think I’m going to stop mentioning Zo in this thread. I originally was just trying to bring him up as a name comparable to Sampson because I honestly feel that even if Sampson had gone injury free he never would’ve been truly elite. But it’s kinda veered off topic since then.

Back to Sampson. I agree with many of the things you are saying Rudeboy, Sampson was ridiculously hyped coming into the league and had incredible athleticism and height.

That being said I remember watching him when I was young (and granted I was a small kid but I used to watch a ton of ball with my dad and still remember much of it to this day) and he just never seemed to dominate or show the ability to take over a game in the NBA. He didn’t seem to have “it”. That quality that all the greats have.

I remember him being a very good center but he was not quite as good as Kareem, Moses Malone or Olajuwon during his time. But was better than all-stars like Robert Parrish, Joe Barry-Carrol and Jack Sikma.

It says alot that during his rookie season in which he made the All-Star game, Houston still had the worst record in the league (although I know there were whispers that they had tanked games). Quite simply I never got the impression that I was seeing an all-time great when I was watching Sampson play. Obviously just my own opinion off course.

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