[joe2324Participant]

 I was watching some old video on Sampson and my god he was incredible in those first few years before injuries set in. At 7’4, I don’t think we’ve ever seen some with that much agility and speed. He had a nice nice hook and a nice soft touch around the basket. On many plays, you can see him slashing to the basket like a small forward except he’s 7’4! 

It just makes you wonder how good the rockets could have been with Sampson healthy and oh by the way one of the greatest centers ever in Hakeem. 

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

he didnt have a signature move ala kareem’s skyhook or duncan’s bank shot..but good lord he was so versatile…..you can say he was ahead of his time….becuz back then observers felt he wasnt physical enough…but he still posted great numbers while playing center and at the power forward positions..his style of play would be perfect for today’s game….

that all star game when he was named mvp was a classic..sampson and magic put on a great show…it had alot of fans dreaming about how things might’ve been if he came out his junior year and joined the lakers….

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

he didnt have a signature move ala kareem’s skyhook or duncan’s bank shot..but good lord he was so versatile…..you can say he was ahead of his time….becuz back then observers felt he wasnt physical enough…but he still posted great numbers while playing center and at the power forward positions..his style of play would be perfect for today’s game….

that all star game when he was named mvp was a classic..sampson and magic put on a great show…it had alot of fans dreaming about how things might’ve been if he came out his junior year and joined the lakers….

 

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 If Sampson wasn’t saddled by injuries, Hakeem would have more than 2 rings.

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 If Sampson wasn’t saddled by injuries, Hakeem would have more than 2 rings.

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Weird side note but my dad played golf with Ralph last year and sent me a pic with him from his house after in Phoenix, apparently they have mutual friends. 

[Chilbert arenasParticipant]

Weird side note but my dad played golf with Ralph last year and sent me a pic with him from his house after in Phoenix, apparently they have mutual friends. 

[BallBeenLifeParticipant]

As a Minnesota sports fan I was excited to see how his son Ralph Sampson III was going to be as a Gopher playing for Tubby Smith. But unfortunately he was as soft as a pillow in the post.  

[BallBeenLifeParticipant]

As a Minnesota sports fan I was excited to see how his son Ralph Sampson III was going to be as a Gopher playing for Tubby Smith. But unfortunately he was as soft as a pillow in the post.  

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I agree that he was way ahead of his time. He had a skill-set that people had never seen before for a player his size, and I don’t really think he was ever really properly utilized. If he had come along 20 years later, imagine what a terror he would have been on the defensive end in today’s pick and roll dominated league. He could of been like a taller and longer version of Anthony Davis. He still had a decent career and made the hall of fame anyway despite the injuries ( although I think it was kind of a generous induction given that his career was relatively short and unremarkable after his first few seasons). Him and sabonis are definitely 2 of the best "what if" guys from that time period.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I agree that he was way ahead of his time. He had a skill-set that people had never seen before for a player his size, and I don’t really think he was ever really properly utilized. If he had come along 20 years later, imagine what a terror he would have been on the defensive end in today’s pick and roll dominated league. He could of been like a taller and longer version of Anthony Davis. He still had a decent career and made the hall of fame anyway despite the injuries ( although I think it was kind of a generous induction given that his career was relatively short and unremarkable after his first few seasons). Him and sabonis are definitely 2 of the best "what if" guys from that time period.

[HitsterParticipant]

 He played all 4 years in college, and featured on numerous Sports Illustrated covers in that time, given his injury problems it almost makes you wish he’d been a current day and and done guy and got a few more peak years in the NBA. 

Certainly him and the Dream could have been one of the great frontcourts ever and if he’d stayed healthy, the Rockets would have been right up there before Hakeem finally won his two titles. They would have been true contenders with Bird’s Celtics (Len Bias another great what if), the Showtime Lakers, Daly’s Pistons and Jordan’s Bulls.

The thought of Sampson mixing it for years with Kareem, Ewing, Robinson and Sabonis if he’d come to the NBA earlier would have been awesome.

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 He played all 4 years in college, and featured on numerous Sports Illustrated covers in that time, given his injury problems it almost makes you wish he’d been a current day and and done guy and got a few more peak years in the NBA. 

Certainly him and the Dream could have been one of the great frontcourts ever and if he’d stayed healthy, the Rockets would have been right up there before Hakeem finally won his two titles. They would have been true contenders with Bird’s Celtics (Len Bias another great what if), the Showtime Lakers, Daly’s Pistons and Jordan’s Bulls.

The thought of Sampson mixing it for years with Kareem, Ewing, Robinson and Sabonis if he’d come to the NBA earlier would have been awesome.

 

 

[Author]

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