ARVYDAS SABONIS TOP 10 PLAYS OF HIS CAREER

[@jrdnruiz2]

Sabonis (old, with two practically broken legs) came to America, where the best basketball players play, during the most competitive era, and held his own, against prime Shaq who is considered a top 3 center all time, taking the Lakers with Kobe Bryant, a top 5 player all time, to game 7 of the WCF. Then he went back to Europe and was voted MVP in his final season as a basketball player at age 40. Even as a shell of his former self, to the very end, he was great.

[@T-roc57]

If he had a relatively healthy let's say 17 year career in the nba i think he'd be the goat hands down...it's an "if" ofc but there was nothing he wasn't excellent at. Shooting (from all over), post up, rebounding, defense, passing, iq, handles, footwork, leadership (his teammates loved him), clutch... Then like you said even with no knees/damaged achilles', back problems & a shell of his prime self in his late 30's he put up 15 & 9 every night vs prime shaq, the admiral, dream, ewing etc.

[@MsBearhot]

@@T-roc57 chill bro, he was great I agree but he wasnt even the best player on those Portland teams.

[@T-roc57]

@@MsBearhot-I was referring to his prime before the injuries...i don't think you understood my comment.

[@guillermodorantesbalanzar1359]

Kobe is not a top 5 player, in fact he is hardly a top 20.

[@T-roc57]

@@guillermodorantesbalanzar1359-He's right around top 10.

[@hoodoolem]

7 foot 4, with legitimate athleticism, shot blocking instincts, strength like shaq, jumper like Dirk, passing like Bird or Magic. He’s like the dream player.

[@varneris]

jumper like Dirk :)))))))))))))))))))))))))

[@coops1992]

Nah he was worse then Wemby, KP, Dirk and even his own son Domantas.

[@kwstaspatronhs2027]

Then you never see prime sabonis before injuries. Like jokicbut biger,stronger eith better abilities and faster.​@coops1992

[@Mrt-yg9mw]

@@coops1992 lol? you are retarded, but its fine i guess if you are american, as you have seen him only after his prime and without legs already. Domas has a bit of his father, but his fathers prime is not reachable for him because hes playing similar, but lets say 27y old Domas is playing like 37y old Arvydas without legs.

[@timhoheisel8939]

@@coops1992catastrophic comment

[@randysandberg5615]

We, America, never saw the young Sabonis. Our misfortune.

[@ЮрийКолотушкин-ы6з]

Не печальтесь, чем вам Домантис не нравиться??

[@ЮрийКолотушкин-ы6з]

Ваша беда только в том, что вы индейцев загнали в резервации, читайте Д..Ф. Купера, и всё пройдёт. Да благослави Вас Бог🙏

[@alurban1105]

I'm 49 years old Lithuanian. It breaks my heart on thinking what could have been. Don't forget that unlike today's European players he had no chance to watch nba or to be on nba summer league. He was behind iron curtain

[@milosjovicevic6083]

@@randysandberg5615 🙄 Young Sabonis was worse player than Sabonis with 30 lol Young Sabonis couldnt even win the Euroleague. He barely scores 13 points against USA coleague team on Olimpic lol

[@milanbabic7017]

He was a really great player. Great center! Might be one of the best ever. Greatings from Serbia.

[@marios8120]

Yes, better then Rađa, better then Divac. Croatia greeting

[@PhoenixAscending]

He IS one of the best ever, no question. Greetings from America

[@ilikeflour]

hes a legend, one of the greatest could’ve beens. greetings from britain

[@JORGERODRIGUEZ-sw8mj]

He is from Lituainia

[@archie34734]

If Sabonis would have played in the NBA from an early age he would have been in the top 5 of NBA centers all time.

[@gupalegria6948]

True

[@georgemakedonopoulos664]

True

[@cflo1386]

Yup

[@MrBallaBoy21]

Very true

[@vernpascal1531]

Yes..if he was healthy. A 7'3 Larry Bird or Rick Barry in their prime....

[@TheSwiftCreek2]

I was an '80 baby and grew up in Portland watching Clyde. Later, after moving, watched Wallace, Bonzi, and Sabonis lead the Blazers to the western finals (cough: nba finals) against the Lakers. When Sabonis was in the game Portland surged ahead. When he sat, Portland didn't know how to score. Without moving, Sabonis was the most critical piece to Portland scoring. Amazing. Wish I could have seen him when he could move.

[@bradleycopeland4393]

Great point. He changed the court for sure because he could drain 15 footers all day long which would draw the other team's center out. Now days everybody can shoot, but back then he was the only big man that could reliably.

[@TheSands83]

God if that original 90-92 blazers had him that would have been scary. They drafted him in 80s

[@davidnavon5250]

@@TheSands83 Just imagine they had him in the finals of 1990? or even in 1992? Do you think the outcome would have been different? As someone who saw him at an early age I can tell you that back then he could jump , block and still had the same game intelligence you saw from him in the NBA although his 3 point shot was not that great at the time.

[@BrandonEllJ]

I remember as a kid watching that series and being glad when he sat so my team could recover haha.

[@Jkev24]

There's been really only like 4 centers that have given Shaq trouble: 1. Hakeem 2. Yao (though he kind of figured him out after the first matchup) 3. Rick Smits 4. Sabonis Aside from Hakeem (who really didn't "Stop" Shaq and also didn't have a chance to guard Lakers Shaw in his prime), all those guys that gave Shaq trouble were 7'3" and taller, but also weren't lanky like a Shawn Bradley. They were guys that were north of 250lbs, longer than Shaq, and were fairly strong. Smits and Yao were both in their primes and honestly, old Sabonis played him better than those two did. I'm half Lithuanian and a Lakers fan, so I'm proud to have seen that Sabonis at that age keep Shaq from being an unstoppable beast. If he was younger, I really think Portland takes that series as Shaq would have had way more problems against a younger Sabonis and I doubt Sabonis would have been in as much foul trouble as well (Shaq was still too quick for him. It was more of Shaq's quickness that caused Sabonis issues than it was his strength).

[@jumpmaninspired]

I'm from Portland. I saw Sabonis a play a few times when I was a kid. He was huge and the best passing center I've ever seen. His hands were so massive they wrapped around the ball like a grape fruit but he had the touch of a point guard. No one who has ever played had the physical ability to pass like him, he was a freak of nature like a goliath. I think he is up there with the great centers like Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem, Shaq, Russell. He was old and slow by the time he got to the Blazers although it was still a treasure to have him just like we have Carmelo now in his golden years. Portland is like the retirement before retirement for some of the greats, Pippen played here to and was good for us. Maybe it's like a reversal for bad picks we've had like Bowie over Jordan and Greg Oden over Durant.

[@spraymaster]

A young Sabonis in the NBA would have been amazing. Best passing big man of his era

[@Jux925]

Of any era. Now Jokic is playing similar style

[@oliverjordan695]

And good 3point shooter like a free throw. He could hit it close to half court easily.

[@montej4380]

True

[@edvardthomson7264]

Sabonis a way better player but Luc Longley was a better passing center in that era

[@allensagalla6340]

Edward Thompson Oh yes, Luc Longley, Australia's basketball pride back in the day

[@masterclass299]

My god the shot blocking ability, the 3-pt. Shooting, the post play, the passing this guy was a complete package

[@BlizzRM10MOZES]

It is so awesome to see people from all over the world knowing who this man is. He was more than a basketball player.

[@shawnsimmons4718]

(Ron Weasley voice) He's an artist!

[@gumdeo]

He is a legend!

[@luigivincenz3843]

Yup. More than being Damontas dad..

[@mattchooblink]

@@shawnsimmons4718😂😂😂

[@MuhammadAli-wy6hk]

We were fans of Sabonis in Great USSR and how I missed this time. He was greatest player in Europe, my big respects and hello from Uzbekistan🙏🇺🇿🇹🇷

[@edvinasm7902]

Every Lithuanian hates your comment. Sabonis included. He was in Great Žalgiris and Lithuania. His dream was to play for Lithuania, not the ussr

[@heavyhitter5538]

Great USSR😂😂😂😂wtf

[@Murtuzzali]

​@@edvinasm7902but he was playing for USSR team and play his best. Гори в аду любой нацизм!

[@Murtuzzali]

​@@heavyhitter5538Country were Sabonis was born and played

[@antanassmetona4054]

@@Murtuzzali he was born in Lithuania. Not anywhere else.

[@przemysawjanowski6181]

One of the greatest ball players of all times. Just imagine how good he would be if he had not been forced to play when unhealthy in the 80s..

[@PhoenixAscending]

Yep. Good ole Soviet Union for ya

[@daschwah]

Prime Sabonis looked like he was playing with a NERF hoop. Insane agility and power for a man that size.

[@228allday]

@Jeremy Leveille Wilt Chamberlain

[@228allday]

@Jeremy Leveille I agree with you on the shooting part

[@lupodelupis3672]

Young Avydas was nasty, really nasty. Not only he could score in every way, but he had mad passing skills and he was strong as an ox. He instilled fear to the other centers!

[@vinvince8747]

he was a different beast, no one could stop him, even if they fouled him in every step. There will never be another Arvydas Sabonis. His son is amazing player too, but can never reach farhers level.

[@ripperduck]

He was something before he blew out his knees, and, even with bad wheels, he still played in the NBA....

[@Pretendentas]

Not only knees. But both achiles

[@vicinoorsini5163]

one time a doctor looked at an Xray of his ankles (multiple fractures, past and present) and said "this man cannot be walking"... he was going through the NBA season playing back to backs

[@johnybee8261]

he tore his both Achilles before coming to NBA... and it was Soviet doctors faults...

[@almukas]

@@johnybee8261 it has nothing to do with Soviet doctors lol he was going up the steps that were cracked and thats were tore his achilles ... I know that for a fact he told that in his documentary...

[@alekseydrotenko3289]

@@almukas but they probably forced him to play instead of proper rehab. everyone thinks that the soviet officials demanded he play and the doctors eventually cleared him even though they knew he was injured and playing would cause long term damage.

[@MauricioY_]

Tks for the post !!! Sabonis was 25/30 years ahead of his time. Only recently centers started to be able to play like him.

[@АрамБалаян-о2м]

Вот это дааааа 🔥, вот повезло людям в его время ходить на матчи.. захватывает дух.

[@anatolfrombelarus7940]

Видел Сабониса вживую в 1989 года на матче Жальгирис - РТИ :) И даже фотки делал.

[@golantrevize2256]

Magnífico jugador. Uno de los mejores de toda la historia.

[@tadaskazlauskas3748]

The Hero of Lithuania ❤❤❤ Pagarba amžiais !!!

[@ArtKulik]

Tadas Kazlauskas Not only he is a Hero of Lithuania but he also a Hero of CCCP era!👊😉

[@aringastarlovas]

He would have never played for USSR, he was forced to do that.@@ArtKulik

[@pliusminus1915]

Su metais pasidarė godus babkėms 🤷

[@Jomarcor1982]

My first basketball game on a stadium was in Valencia, I think around year 89 or 90. The game was a Valencia-Valladolid (his first club outside the URSS, because after 86 big injury nobody thought he was going to be a great player). Watching him dominating the game was an absolute shock for everybody. He initiated the game as a PG, he moved with elegance and he passed with the vision of a great game director. Of course, he was a nightmare for the tallest men of Valencia Basket Club. Bill Russel, the Big Russ, a living legend, stated that he could have been one of the greatest centers ever if he hadn't had injuries. I will not speak about rankings: watching him play was absolutely amazing. Absolutely amazing, I insist.

[@Mryochay]

Haha On 1:10 the broadcaster saying: and this was Sabonis seventh block.. eighth.. ninth.. tenth

[@gupalegria6948]

Hahaha I didn't know that

[@asafprintz6787]

In Hebrew hahaha

[@RingRingRingBananaPhone]

ahahahahhaha

[@martin26011]

Although he came to the NBA later in his Career, he was one of the first exciting basketball players that came from Europe. Great big man.

[@mrvk39]

Sabonis, before all the injuries, was like Jokic trapped in David Robinson's body

[@duloo97]

Chauncey Billups said on ESPN few months about how Jokic and Sabonis are similar, in one way, yes, both of the players had perfect court vision, passing talent, soft hand not just around the rim, but also from deep and 3-point range. But he said after that "neither guy could jump over a piece of paper or could run". But really that is not true, if you see just some of this highlights from this video or you find a little bit more of him in his prime years in Europe, you'll see how actually he was athletic, he was strong and tough by nature, and that he wasn't from a physical standpoint similar or same as Jokic. Jokic never could dunk behind the head, or block three times opposing center from paint, or dunk on David Robinson. I am pretty sure that Chauncey nor Paul Pirce nor Jalen Rose (they were in the studio ) ever seen some footage of Sabonis beside NBA when he was in his late years, way later from his prime. Yes, I'm sure 100% that Sabonis would be one of the best, but REALLY one of the best centers in the history of NBA and world if he played from the beginning in NBA, but that's another story. I just wanted to emphasize how these commentators on studio even if they were professional players, many times don't know really about some players. And I'm from Serbia, and I think that in some areas like creativity, ball handling, and some other technical details Jokic is better than Sabonis. But Sabonis never was in physical aspect like Jokic he was way stronger, and he could jump more than Jokic in every situation. When they maybe watched Sabonis in Portland he was in his late years, after many injuries. (But even then he was fighting against Shaq, and was a dominant player.) And your comment is accurate! Best regards from Serbia :)

[@mrvk39]

@@duloo97 yes, you are spot on! NBA payers judge Sabonis for what he did just in the NBA. He was very athletic and in great physical shape before Soviets forced him to play through injuries and destroyed his ligaments. He was 31 yo when he came to the NBA but his tendons were those of a 40 year old, so he played below the rim and relied on his IQ and court vision and size. Jokic shares Sabonis' court vision and size and IQ but is young and healthy but just not naturally athletic. I hope Jokic has a long and successful career in the NBA - I predict an MVP and a potential for rings. Good luck!

[@sydneystroud4397]

@@mrvk39 People forget Sabonis was post-injuries and past his prime by the time he got to Portland.

[@mrvk39]

@@sydneystroud4397 very true!

[@mrvk39]

@@TML0677 he was overweight by the time he got into the NBA.. he if you look at his footage as a younger player for USSR, before injuries, he was fairly lean. Yeah, I think Robinson is 7'1 and Sabonis is 7'3.

[@АндрейКондратьев-д4л]

Гениальный литовский центровой сборной СССР! Долгих лет, Сабас!

[@drsapnis]

Sbornoi CCCP only because it was occupied. He is always Lithuanian. Fck the ussr

[@АманжолБулат]

Арвидос Сабонис. Лучший центровой, всех времен. Желаю здоровья и всего самого наилучшего вам и вашей семье. Булат. Г Костанай Казахстан

[@fernandomonarlora7586]

I’m missing at least one play from his Real Madrid time... What an amazing player he’s been at every age, in every team!!!

[@leganlegan1159]

Es verdad, nos hizo ganar la Octava. Aquellos tiempos en los que Mendoza fichaba a Petrovic y a Sabonis

[@MerkinMuffly]

It's too bad we never got to see him play NBA in his prime

[@sekainiheiwa3650]

who cares about your f NBA we saw him playing here

[@LilMilan420]

@@sekainiheiwa3650 stfu, nobody cares if you’re jealous of the Nba ffs 🤦🏻‍♂️ why tf you think Sabonis went to finish his career in the NBA instead of some piss poor euro league. Why do you think that every players dream in a foreign league is to make it big in the NBA. I guarantee Sabonis had regrets about not going NBA sooner.

[@VD1350]

@@LilMilan420 he finished career in Eurolaegue and its not poor

[@LilMilan420]

@@VD1350 he was old, the man said the NBA was too physically and mentally draining at that point. Which is exactly why he would’ve loved to have been able to play from a young age

[@kingas5555]

@@LilMilan420 NBA is trash

[@paulkorbut4553]

Арвидас Сабонис - это икона любого мальчишки, занимавшегося баскетболом в СССР. Футболка под майкой, спокойствие и всегда красивый баскетбол!

[@mclarenf-1team.503]

Priviet ! Atkyda Ti ?

[@paulkorbut4553]

@@mclarenf-1team.503 Saint-Peterburg

[@mclarenf-1team.503]

@@paulkorbut4553 Tak priviet iz Litvi - Kaunas .

[@paulkorbut4553]

@@mclarenf-1team.503 Thank you! 😊👍

[@kastytis3791]

@@paulkorbut4553 не обращай внимание . троллей или идиотов достаточно везде

[@alessandropanzeri2310]

35 years 2 broken leggi down 3-1 in the CF against Kobe and Shaq trained by Phil Jackson and he forced Lakers to game 7 leading of 12 points at the beginning of the 4th quarter. 3 Olympic medals,European Champion and Euroleague Mvp(he was 40 years) and Champion. I think that he is one of the most underrated players of all time

[@MistressAkasha]

The 198 dislikes are David Robinson, his relatives and his friends

[@shenghan9385]

Hahaha

[@scouter-xn6zi]

@@raulpablos4578 Robinson was a great player, too, an original Dream Teamer. Spare highlights don't make someone God or useless (not referring to Sabonis, of course).

[@christopherallen7549]

He tried it twice and Sabonis was like hell naw lol

[@pierre-yvesgrelier8800]

@@raulpablos4578 Hakeem Olajuwon Did

[@vamoneygroup]

😂 David got abused in 86

[@eddiedantes7470]

Sabonis, Duncan, Akeem...sweet hands big men.

[@modestasgendvilas4779]

Sabas is No1 for sure !!!!! Great video, best wishes from Lithuania !!!

[@gupalegria6948]

Thanks!

[@vincetheprince4110]

Amateur Sabonis was a beast! No one in the world was better. Robinson had nightmares going against Arvydas

[@robertofuegogarcia3977]

Para mi el mejor jugador de baloncesto que a visto mis ojos, si sabonis no hubiera tenido la lesión y se hubiera ido a la NBA con 22 años no hubiera existido un jugador que le hubiera hecho sombra.

[@cflo1386]

Sucks he didn't play in the NBA in his prime. Sabonis is a legend.

[@el0kadur]

And yet, he was so dominant, not even a young Shaquille was able to stop him

[@Jux925]

When he arrived to NBA, hes legs were operated twice.

[@yahir5813]

Now we get to see his son play. Who's already an all-star

[@modestasgendvilas4779]

Sabonis in NBA in his prime = Champion rings for Portland 7 times in a row for sure 100 % !

[@timhoovermusicman]

@@modestasgendvilas4779 Dam right! If we could've got him here in '88 .....

[@31umberto]

Арвидас ВЕЛИКИЙ!!!

[@jamesmacdonald4079]

I've never seen 8/10 of those highlights so thanks for uploading.Sabonis when healthy was just too dominant and it's sad he came later in his career to the NBA he had the best intangibles of anyone ALL TIME

[@CrazyLinguiniLegs]

“He’s not your Vydas, he’s not my Vydas, he’s Arvydas.”

[@charlesarturo7718]

Arrr vydas!

[@morozmoroz3875]

Сабонис - легенда!!! Крутейший баскетболист!

[@sergiodario58able]

Woao! Thiis is not a man, this is a tank in motion, a force of nature, a steam roller, a man mountain!

[@GianniTamai]

what you mean I'm pretty sure he was a man

[@godra051]

He was a beast!

[@ernieball20]

As we can see from No.3, before his injury he was so very fast.. that following dunk over David Robinson on Goodwill Game in 1986... Legend!! 😎😎🥰👍

[@Pretendentas]

It 2asnt goodwill games. It was world championship

[@andrijarucevic3187]

It wasn'tGG, it was WC.And USA won iz, but Sabonis was way better than Robinson.

[@mr.orisha52]

If he would have played early 80s centers would've been in trooooooouble. Peace from class of 89😎🎤

[@allensagalla6340]

One of the best European NBA legends, thanks for uploading :-)

[@Deined]

Hah! This vid not only manages to capture some of Sabonis's best NBA plays, but it also shows about everything I've heard about his pre-NBA days, including him bodying David Robinson and the '88 U.S. team and shattering backboards. Liked and favorited. :)

[@AA-ds9wq]

those poor usa players on this highlights. sabas was something else before injuries and he was good enough to be better than most in nba after the injuries.

[@ivanlucero9361]

Sí hubiese llegado a la NBA con 23/24 años se hubiese convertido en uno de los más grandes de todos los tiempos

[@gupalegria6948]

Sin ninguna duda

[@aytbbi2153]

Pero no le dejaron y luego vino la lesión, una pena . Aun así dominó Europa y luego lo hizo muy bien en NBA .Nada que envidiar a la grandes centers de la época

[@gilionazog7822]

Lástima de la lesión, si no como bien dices hubiese sido uno de los más grandes pivots de la historia

[@markufer4418]

Desde luego, lo vi jugar desde que apareció en la selección sovietica con 17 años, con 2,20 hacia lo que le daba la gana, se movia como si midiera 2 metros, pase, tiro de media y larga distancia, un fenómeno

[@Jomarcor1982]

@@markufer4418 Como si midiese 1'80. Era una exageración, un talento puro acompañado de un cuerpo de ciencia ficción. Fíjate que ya convertido en un tío sin movilidad seguía siendo el mejor pivot pasador. Una pasada.

[@NJTDover]

Excelent compilation of a young and old Sabonis.

[@ChromeTecNina]

Only the old man sabonis footage matters because Euroleague NBA in the 1980s was absolute garbage. That's why that other white guy who only played over there and died young, I forget his name, but I feel he's overrated

[@gupalegria6948]

Thanks!

[@alejandrolorenzo8823]

@@ChromeTecNina I think you are talking about Fernando Martín. He played at Portland in 1986-1987

[@sebastiannowakowski5084]

Sabonis starts as center in my all time fantasy team

[@russell2910]

Cool. Now, do one on Greg ostratag

[@saiken811]

1st of its kind, if only he could go to the NBA at his prime

[@captainzeppos]

Lol Patrick Ewing in his prime going against an aged Wonder of Nature (as Sabonis was called in Europe) and getting owned twice. Priceless. Sabonis would be torching today's NBA and he would easily do 25-15 or more in the 80s-90s NBA as well. When he joined the NBA in 1995 after winning the Euroleague, he had super damaged achilles tendons (both of them) and he was over 30 years old.

[@MarkSmith-hf5nh]

The reverse dunks and the rejections are just cruel

[@lavart7043]

#2 is just amazing! Hit the three and run for the rebound right after the shot! outstanding effort!

[@sebastianliwinski222]

Two straight blocks on Robinson 😮👏🇱🇹

[@vytautasrekus4320]

He's legend

[@aha3885]

The lord of the rims. More power than Sauron.

Legends never die...

[@anonimogarcia1976]

Great selection with a lot of oldies, zalguiris, ccpp and even forum Valladolid

[@motoz30]

30 years ago Bill Walton said Sabonis, and Bird, were the two best players he'd ever seen.

[@aha3885]

Totally agree.

[@WILTALK]

@Roger Martin Jabbar would have had a real problem with Sabonis in his prime. Jabbar always had trouble with Eaton when he was on him defensively. Eaton was just a very tall space eater who did not have any mobility. Yet his sheer size and strength bothered Jabbar. Sabonis had the size, more strength and mobility than Eaton. Jabbar was not a strong player and he would have ended up in the stands just like Robinson did. Jabbar never had to face a guy the size of Sabonis with his mobility and skill set. We need to remember Dawkins was only 6'10" as was Bob Lanier who was considered a giant in that era. He never had to face a 7'3" player who was as mobile and physically strong as Sabonis.

[@WILTALK]

Basketball is a game of matchups and Sabonis would have been a matchup nightmare for Jabbar. The player who would have matched up best with Sabonis was Hakeem Oligewan. That would have been an interesting contest. Jabbar had a hard enough time matching up with Bill and Sabonis in his prime was more skilled, 4inches taller and much stronger.

[@ShaunPhillipsAV]

@@WILTALK little Hakeem Olajuwon would have all kind of troubles with Sabonis, the same way he had troubles with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar when they tried to let little Hakeem guard Kareem one on one. Little Hakeem is not a real 7-footer. He's not even six foot ten.

[@watchmanonthewall14]

@@WILTALK Kareem was deceptively strong. Dont let his thin body type fool you. Also, he faced an older Wilt, and in those battles, I'd give Kareem a slight edge.

[@gricius]

Sabonis was 20 years ahead of his time. Shooting 3s and making passes. The reason for that is because when Sabonis was very young, he trained as a point guard but then experienced this crazy growth spurt

[@gricius]

@epics7 nice to know. Thanks for sharing Edit: I watched Sampson's highlights. He was more like an athletic lengthy big like Kristaps Porzingis. Also very skinny. Sabonis was much heavier, like Shaq but could pass and could shoot 3s

[@WILTALK]

The player really responsible for changing the way big men played the game was Kresimir Cosic who played for BYU but didn't want to play in the NBA because they were not ready for a 6'11" player bringing the ball down court on fast breaks. He became the Yugoslavian coach and changed he way they played in Europe first which soon was followed by the NBA.

[@RomanDobs]

THE MAN THE MYTH THE LEGEND

[@270yis7]

He was actually kind of washed up by the time he finally arrived in the NBA. 80s Sabonis was a beast.

[@petervanbuskirk500]

And he was still really good!

[@NameCallingIsWeak]

I remember some old Sabonis/Shaq threads, where folks were saying "Sabonis in a wheelchair >> Prime Shaq" LOL

[@MrNeeskens]

Great selection! Greatest european center ever (escussi, signore Meneghin; perdón, señor Martín). I love the way he kisses goodnight to David Robinson!!

[@Pretendentas]

By they way at number 3 he dunks over David Robinson

[@gupalegria6948]

Yeeeeah!

[@zauliuz]

before that he give 2 blocks for him too. or it wasn't admiral?

[@gupalegria6948]

@@zauliuz you are right!

[@Pretendentas]

@@zauliuz yes in 1992 Olympics. But Sabas wasnt the same then

[@wazza9089]

Yeah that was a super dunk but it is Sabonis in his prime v Robinson as a kid basically. Pity were never got to see their Prime together. Pity the NBA never saw the prime of Sabonis either. Before the internet all we saw was the NBA and just hear the legend of Sabonis, would have been good to to see him in his prime

[@sweetpera]

Such a great video. Wish he played from a young age in the NBA he would be one of the best ever no doubt. Thanks for posting thanks for sharing such a great video

[@giohummer1]

The Best european center ever... Respect

[@tasosfort2474]

And the third best European player after Nick Galis and drazen petrovic

[@alexanderruppert1705]

@@tasosfort2474 lol

[@brandybrown8296]

Good Lord the wonders we would have all witnessed if Sabonis hadn't existed in the stone ages, trapped in Russia. Had he arrived in the NBA young, pre-injury and in his prime ... he'd be considered among the best ever to play in the NBA. Full stop. Period.

[@SuperYankis]

yes!

[@ak-47chegevara72]

Сабас лучший центр XX-ого века!

[@jonathanalarcon6303]

Ademas de anotar y de rebotear, a pesar de los problemas de rodilla, tenia una visión de juego que muchos bases ya quisieran! Gran video agur desde Valencia!

[@_Myns]

Number 3, playing with USSR team, is insane. Dunk to an indirect alley oop. Rebound and dunk in one!

[@marios8120]

Yes, and vision of game as well - he approach in a second wright for that nick of time for scoring. Also, his back dunking -two in one. When he dunk with that big figure and strength from the back we got also two in one - defense with back, and attack with scoring.

[@zorankalina4399]

Far the best center from Europe I ever saw... Maybe, even best of all All the best from Cr🌞atia.... Thank you Arvidas....you ...ah🙂👌🍀🖖

[@brokl26]

He's not your Vidas, he's not my Vidas he's Arvidas. He belonged to all of us

[@Самаритянка-г8и]

1982 год в Куйбышеве видел молодого Сабониса….. фантастика…. Как и весь чемпионат СССР!)

[@joseluisblasco4993]

Cuando Sabonis jugaba en el Real Madrid yo y mis amigos ibamos todos los domingos al Palacio de los Deportes. Uno de cada dos domingos, a ver a nuestro Estudiantes. El otro, a ver a Sabonis.

[@ericbernardo7154]

The best player in the world during his prime

[@kenkuka3350]

Арвидас ТЫ ЧЕМПИОН!жальгерес просто супер ссср.от себя. я бачком в урну попал о САБОНИС!твое имя стало нарицательным за долго до шумахера!

[@iuriizelenenko9477]

Сабонис красава!Помню как играя во дворе,я уже тогда слыхал его имя!А это мне было 8 лет.В 1986 году.Литовский "Жальгирис" рулит!!!А еще были Бразаускас и Куртинайтис кажется...

[@rollotomasi4045]

Would have loved to see him play with Drexler, Porter and Petrovic!

[@davidnavon5250]

@Jeremy Leveille Alanta drafted him at 86. Back then it was the cold war abd I don't know if he even knew he was drafted. They passed the rights to portland at 89. Now , if portland were able to get him back then, that would have been interesting (although already crippled at that point). But judging from they way they treated Petrovic, I don't know If he would have gotten a fair chance.

[@thecodemongoose]

The only player in basketball history to shatter the backboard with a one hand dunk. Politics and injuries prevented us from seeing him. But there'd be a lot of HOF games who wouldn't be in the HOF had Sabonis came to the NBA young and healthy.

[@blue83galant]

Those reverse dunks were INSANE!

[@Silenced_by_Utoob]

He muscled through Shaq like Shaq was a guard 😂😂😂

[@geraldstewart7377]

Sabonis was the real deal!!!

[@andrewtingzhou6668]

Even when he was old, slower, Sabonis still a NBA all star

[@TheWolf2Man]

The one of the legends 🙏 I was just a kiddo watching him do his magic. It was the era of true rough real men basketball ☝️ I miss that. If I compare nowadays players, only Luka Doncic is playing similar. Is, old soul player.

[@bigavelik]

Sabonis out there looking like a white version of Wilt...What a player!!

[@juanjohernaninigo193]

Recuerdo Real madrid Joe arlauckas y sabonis. Campeones de Europa

[@victormayoralmartin4194]

El mejor jugador de baloncesto que mis ojos han visto

[@josemanuelcaballero1162]

Sabonis around 92 was a fucking nightmare. Would have some NBA rings if he d made the right move by those years.

[@maxfight0701]

He would destroy today's big men

[@mpolster24]

People need to understand that before all the injuries, this guy was basically a bigger more athletic Jokic

[@milosjovicevic6083]

😂 Not even remotely close lmfao.

[@oliverjordan695]

He had everything.. if healthy and young he would be top five centers ever in nba. We yugoslavs gated him he was so good. But we had drazen kukoc radja divac paspalj danilovic ... Still.. He was one and only. Congrats arvidas. A basketball giant and a giant of basketball...

[@dovydasjackevicius72]

ahaha..I also hated yugo players xD but they were so good. miss those rivalties :D we also got Karnisovas, Marciulionis, Kurtinaitis and many more...well 1995 final..damn damn xD but it's sport so anything could happen..so right now we got some talk topics at least. I bet u guys hate us for 2015 euro semifinal. cheers

[@oliverjordan695]

@@dovydasjackevicius72 yugoslavia was disolved in 2015. I am slovene ... daneu vilfan zdovc dragic doncic... Russia was a constant rival and greece.. and many of ussr players were from zalgiris. Damn shame for sabonis playing not in his prime in nba but he played good even if injured. Ofcourse as a basketball nation, yugoslavia, we respected other good players. Gallis. We had to be clever if not taller. Balkan trickery and improvisation.

[@duloo97]

@@dovydasjackevicius72 I really,y respect Lithuanian school of basketball, you had though history so many good shooters, and I really think that if something is a trademark of Lithuanian basketball that is shooting. But you also had great big guys beside Sabonis. And also I think that our rivalry is still well and live. We lost from you also in the world cup for the bronze medal in 2010 in Turkey (when we were awfully robbed in the semifinal game against Turkey... Still hurt ahahah) In 1995. Yugoslav (Serbian and Montenegro today's) players were really motivated and angry to everyone (in sport way) and eager to show the whole world and Europe what they could do, after 5 years of sanctions and not playing on big tournaments. They were so motivated to win the title and show that "positive spite". And these players were from a generation of Yugoslavia 89' team which was Europian Champion, then 1990 in Argentina world cup winners, and then one more time Europian champions in 1991. It is very sad that that country and that basketball generation collapsed and not shined fully. Croatia couldn't defeat the dream team alone in 92' Barcelona Olympic games. I think that these Yugoslav players if wasn't been war and collapse of the country could beat Americans back then. Others country and players were watching in Jordan and other USA players like that they are GODS... On the other hand, our players were motivated and arogant in sport way. You must have that if you want to beat the best. The problem with teams in 92' and even now is that they are respecting Americans too much. After that Yugoslavia (or Serbia and Montenegro) won the world championship in 1998, and 2002 in Indianapolis. (Where we beat USA team, and Argentinians in finals, 2 years later this Argentian team would also beat the USA and won 2004 Olympic gold medal) but after that, we didn't have so big achievements till 2014 and 2016. Now Americans maybe don't know, but Yugoslavia/Serbia have the same number of world cup titles as USA, 5 titles. I would support and cheer for any team in the world who can beat the USA team. You guys have also that spirit and good players to fight with USA team. You almost beat them in Olympic games 2000 in Sydney and also in London 2012 where you lost by just 5 point...See you in China this summer, I wouldn't be happy to meet with you guy in the tournament xd. But If you come to the finals, I will support you! We live for the matchup against USA team.

[@dovydasjackevicius72]

@@duloo97 thank for a nice comment :D awesome to hear normal discussion and I really can feel your love for basketball! I can talk bout it all day...p.s. i am afraid for Lithuania this world cup will end badly xD and u guys gonna be top4 easily. good luck

[@brankosrdic6057]

per population slavics rule world sport

[@celaltapan4212]

Şaka bir tarafa efsane dir sabonis gelmiş geçmiş en iyi merkez oyuncusu ve oynadığı takımın lideridir .gerisi hikâye

[@jurijantonov631]

Kas iš Lietuvos?👍

Nu tai sveiki :)

[@jurijantonov631]

@ sveikas!

[@AveChristusRex789]

Aš 🤞

[@For-sage]

ir As!!!

[@mantvens]

Aš tai turbūt irgi, o ką? :)

[@tikbalangbukid]

A Legend. ''one of the greatest ever to play the game..'

[@Michalis_Sideratos]

Oh man what a BEAST!! The Best European Center EVER, he could do it ALL before the phrase "stretch 5" was even conceived . People say Gomelsky made him play injured and he was the main reason for his downfall. I would guess that as a CCCP head coach it was either gold or....cleaning up Chernobyl.

[@ВоваАндр-ю6м]

Сабонис это звезда, жаль поздно заиграл в НБА

[@CarlosDiezS4nchez]

Tengo 54 y aún me acuerdo de la primera vez que ví a Sabonis jugar y la impresión que me dió, fue el primer pivot grande al que vi tirar y pasar como un alero, botar como un base y a la vez, intimidar y dominar la pintura, tuve mucha suerte de verle triunfar en el Real Madrid antes de ir a la NBA. Por cierto, la jugada 1 fue en el Torneo de Navidad del Real Madrid en el antiguo y tristemente desaparecido pabellón de los blancos, recuerdo haber visto ese partido por la tv y flipar con ese mate. Arvydas Sabonis es leyenda!!!

[@dougpinnick3712]

Un monstre !!!!!

[@raul-8087]

The BEST 5 i have seen. Sabas!!!!!!!!!

[@АндрейСтомиков]

А где те 3 очка, которые Сабас положил югам в полуфинале ЧМ-86, на последней минуте, при минус 9??? На последней секунде владения сумасшедшим броском с попаданием от щита? Легендарный камбек с минус 9 за 45 секунд с выходом в овертайм и последующей победой там?

[@akakinarmania7566]

Ia toje samoe podumal 👍👍👍