Isiah Thomas Sees A Lot Of Ralph Sampson's Game In Giannis | Run It Back 📺

On the first episode of Run It Back, Isiah Thomas breaks down film on Giannis and sees a lot of his game in former Houston Rockets great Ralph Sampson.
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[@BleacherReport]

Which player does Giannis remind you of the most?

[@goodprince5327]

He reminds me of Giannis Antetokounmpo

[@rifqin.azzaki6550]

Giannis is giannis bruh

[@avf1107]

None. 1/1

[@majin-ny]

Call me crazy, but I think he plays like Giannis…

[@supremkai1298]

He reminds me of shawn kemp. He shoots of the elbow. He dunks with power. Has a bit of handles, can pass. But all that ×20, and that's giannis

[@Itsjstlaw_]

Finally a new comparison to Giannis. Never really liked the comparison to Shaq, because Giannis more lankier, while Shaq was more bigger and the only thing comparing Shaq and Giannis was dominance

[@osas5211]

Hakeem was the closest

[@recoil53]

Incredible timing - I was actually thinking a couple days ago about this comp. Fans always prefer to pigeonhole current players to what they already know. The problem is that Giannis has a center's body but doesn't post and isn't used a lot as a rim runner. But he isn't exactly as nifty as a wing. That blinds some people to what he actually does. So I hit on Ralph Sampson, a center sized guy with a small forward's game. Shaq says that if he played today he'd play like Giannis. There is some sense in that if you see his college footage.

[@osas5211]

@@recoil53 Shaq in Orlando could do that not the diesel

[@louisb5766]

Clearly Imo is modern day shaq, I think this comp is a disservice to giannis

[@joejett5084]

Young shaq and gainnis is a good comparison but coaches just wanted him to play back to the basket. Young shaq was very agile at 280

[@Sneaker_R]

Giannis has the ferocity of Russ, runs and passes a lot like Magic (with today's game's analogies), has a Mamba like work ethic, finger roll like Gervin (George said it not me), is a point forward like Pippen (he said it also), runs the floor and dunks with Lebron's authority and if he carries on like this winning titles and finals MVP may end up in the same sentence (but never better imo) with Mike... the true and only GOAT (Mike not Giannis hehe). Peace!

[@dharhard398]

He not ahead of a lot of players.

[@camerondrain8166]

Only thing holding him back is that he had a late start. All the GOATs came into the league averaging close to 30 plus they had a long career. Giannis didn’t start really dominating until year 4

[@Sneaker_R]

@@camerondrain8166 still he got there (chip) before eg MJ and Lebron … am not comparing just saying that a late start is not so detrimental as you present it… I mean Giannis is 27 y.o. and he has 2 league MVPs, 1 title with finals MVP, 1 DPOY, 1 MIPY, 1 All Star MVP, 6 All star Appearances plus multiple All NBA team selections and, all that, when he still hasn’t reached his peak and keeps improving each year! Am not comparing Giannis to the GOAT (MJ) as yet but if he keeps ascending and improving there will be a time to be in the same sentence with MJ and the other top five players of all time!

[@morehoops]

@@dharhard398 At age 27 he is already somewhere between 15-20 greatest of all time, and he only turned 27 about 3 months ago

[@brandonalejandroblanco]

This comparison is pitch perfect and Giannis most likely will never have crazy injury woes so Giannis will change how bigs play for decades.

[@seuna.8438]

I am suspecting Giannis' knees. I pray those knees would allow us to enjoy his greatness for some years more.

[@brandonalejandroblanco]

@@seuna.8438 Those injuries would’ve been occurring already in my opinion. Secondly, those type of things don’t derail careers the way that they used to. Russ won a MVP after having bad knees. The shelf life of NBA greats is different now.

[@yvans.]

@@seuna.8438 Giannis didn’t play AAU basketball or on a Youth Academy in Europe he started late so he’s still fresh.

[@brianhill2171]

Got Wembyana coming into the league too … the game never stops changing. Scary to think what basketball will look like in 10-20 years, and not in a bad way, more like an incredibly exciting, high-quality way. Like it or not, the skill and talent levels in the league have continually risen so much, and that’s not gonna stop. The game doesn’t get worse, players don’t get worse, they get better and then get replaced by a new, even better generation

[@giorgoslolos9132]

My favourite retired player talking about my favourite active player.Thank you Bleacher Report🙌

[@Michael30786]

Isiah showing love giannis respect giannis generation talents high praise

[@Az-dc4nu]

Thanks Isaiah for running this back about past players. Ralph and Giannis is an apt comparison. Both very skillful. Today's NBA fans- remember there is nothing new under the sun 🌞.

[@DeuceAlchemist]

Nothing at all, every single archetype has been covered in the past. Only difference now is that systems have changed drastically and require different things of their players.

[@Az-dc4nu]

@@DeuceAlchemist 🎯 🎯 🎯

[@simonanderson4858]

Love Zeke man. One of the most personable NBA legends. Amazing contrast to his on-court reputation

[@jq7352]

I think most of his reputation came from the team he was playing on he seems like a nice guy on tv

[@jos234]

I'm just learning about this now and I'm mad that one is talking about this. It's a shame he got injured

[@dennischeng796]

Giannis is Power, Sampson is finesse

[@osas5211]

The game always comes full circle

[@11BusStop]

I like hearing about this comparison. Giannis and Ralph have opposite arcs to their progression it seems. Giannis was just learning basketball when he came in wear as Ralph was averaging like 20 as a rookie… I’m curious how Ralph and Portzigis compare?

[@come2morrow368]

I have spoken the same words about Ralph Sampson. He wasn't a burst. Ralph was a player before his NBA playing period. Ralph played at a time when positioned dictated how the player should play. The lane was smaller and crowded. A 7'4" Center is supposed to dominate the paint. And he played for an old school NBA coach, Bill Fitch, who made players fit his coaching philosophy instead of putting talent around Hakeem and Sampson. Bill Fitch wanted Ralph to be a dominant low post only player like Jabbar, David Robinson, and other great big dominant low post Center players. He and Ralph verbal altercations became a serious distraction for the team though Sampson was averaging around 18 pts and maybe 8 rebounds a game, which was great stats for a Center/PF during that era. Fitch believed Ralph wasn't dominant and actually said Ralph winning the All-Star MVP was disastrous to his game (paraphrasing).

[@stevebanks1640]

Injuries derailed Ralph. He was a beast before his body broke down

[@cjwrench07]

Sampson would have changed the NBA if healthy! *ESPECIALLY* during the 1988-2000 expansion era, that diluted most new talent to new teams so much duos were auto contenders. It was so bad that you could be a scrub .500 team and be battling for the 5th seed in the East in the 90s.

[@GameChanger-xi4iy]

Lol cap early 90's had a tough eastern conference, the early 2000's had the weakest eastern conference of all time.

[@purplemonkeydishwasher4241]

The east was strong in the 90s, it didn't become weak until the 2000s.

[@11BusStop]

@@purplemonkeydishwasher4241 I agree and would even say not until the mid-2000s was it that weak. Hornets, Bucks with Ray Allen, Big Dog and Sam Cassel, Pacers with Reggie Miller, Jermaine O’Neal, Jalen Rose, Knicks with Sprewell and Alan Houston, Raptors with Vince Carter, Philly with AI and Mutumbo were all strong in the early 2000s

[@loudjones2903]

Straight 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@spermwhale8236]

Ralph the 2k Demi god

[@Terror832]

Isiah “Let it be known” Thomas

[@Madvillainy48]

Hate to say this but it was only a matter of time for Ralph. Being athletic at 7'4" in the 80s was impossible to stay durable. Just look at Sabonis.

[@arnabiarnab3037]

Because back then players didn’t take care of their bodies like today…they showed up and played Now star players are spending $1 million plus just on nutrition and personal training

[@anthonybanks1948]

We need a rockets team with Ralph and Hakeem and Hakeem and Clyde In 2k been saying that for awhile now but especially with the defensive improvements they made this year

[@dabrownone]

Hes right, i never realized how similar they move and play is.

[@kendleoneal4080]

I remember that Ralph was hated on about his game. Coaches felt he was to soft because of his skill set

[@courylanders4142]

Well the guy doing the comparison is Isiah Thomas. He played against Ralph Sampson since High School. He should know.

[@amaaclay3891]

Good comparison in regards to the skillset of a tall basketball player.

[@Acshaun]

Great comparison, I remember watch Ralph at UVA he would have rewritten the record books

[@bigwillshouse1020]

Giannis is Giannis

[@detourr]

he is the original unicorn

[@lordgodspeed1539]

Ralph Sampson is my all time favorite Big

[@MrRedhops23]

I can definitely see that, never thought about it until now...

[@mark84g5]

Am I the only one who Giannis reminds of Dr. J?

[@recoil53]

Athletically or their game?

[@osas5211]

Jus Athleticism

[@fhtheking3661]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@brittdavid8591]

First off give it up for Mr. Thomas, young people aspire to be like Mr. Thomas , thank me later Applause

[@bsmoove2800]

People forget how great and unique Ralph was if it wasn't for his injuries Chicago would never seen no 6 Championships

[@MzTiffanyRivera]

GIANNIS IS THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO MILWAUKEE!!! BROUGHT OUR DEAD CITY BACK TO LIFE!!! THIS IS HIS CITY!!! GIANNIWAUKEE 💯

[@rxno6921]

7’4!!!???!!?? Whaaat??? 🤯

[@tennaj1367]

🤔Two things that are just facts; #1 Isiah Thomas has one of the highest baseball IQs in baseball history! #2 he's also pound-for-pound the best player to ever play in the NBA... PERIOD!!

[@imjustaguysama315]

❤️😍

[@GlueGuy20]

I came here coz Wembanyama is being compared to him a lot these days. And boy it was right. It's really possible to be 7'4" and mobile. It just sounds like a myth to me until I saw highlights of Sampson.

[@lishtins]

You can make a similar case with Jokic and prime Sabonis

[@PACNYY]

Isaiah Thomas, the 2nd best PG of all-time, spits that knowledge so pay attention. If you don't know that's he's #2 then do your research. Don't get triggered fans 😉.

[@Fish-ns5ny]

not even close to 2

[@nastradamus215]

@@Fish-ns5ny why not?

[@blackboyfly5647]

@@nastradamus215 curry better big o better YB better

[@zzzzzzzzzzz724]

Did you just say issiah is the second best pg all time 💀? Your joking right

[@DoseOfMaurice]

No 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 you gotta be a Detroit fan

[@MrMilkmanOG]

that pull up 3 from 3:50 tho gd

[@ericfurst6091]

I. T. has a great bb mind. 👏

[@kingtshilobo1849]

He does play like Giannis but a lot less aggressive

[@hiawathaclemons]

I was thinking more like Wilt Chamberlain but Sampson works too

[@vinceabueva3217]

I think KP is a more fair comparison. KP has post moves and silky smooth jumpers

[@KorisnickoIme84]

His teeth are amazing for someone that's 60

[@cirilloscater5545]

I love how it starts about who reminds him of Giannis,and then just like an old man goes on and on-drifting completely from the subject and onwards to a rumbling 😁😁

[@michaeljacksin9367]

they hd to change angles when he called Giannis a gifted ball handler

[@egroegoreca4138]

Nah...he just taller than Gianni's but the greek freak is on different level.

[@okorobia1]

Interesting... Ralph Sampson

[@GreeksGods12]

Isiagh is the best interviewer ever.. He should be on inside the NBA over Kenny Smith.. Shaq , zeek, Barkley would be cool

[@zhongtiger6575]

Giannis is shorter than Ralph Sampson

[@fefescariot]

Hi

[@CinqueMalcolm]

Sorry, but this comp is way off. Zeke is really trying to force it. Sampson was not like Giannis. The difference in power/play strength alone makes the comp goofy. Sampson was a string bean 7-4 compared to a Giannis who was a 6-9 kid before he had a spurt. Sampson was always huge.

[@atty.fernandog.madarcos8724]

Love Zeke takes 💯

[@shenk2210]

Ralph Sampson? He's the only TY CRANE

[@jgreed5]

Evan mobley look like Ralph to me

[@bsmoove2800]

Stop it

[@BinniamEskender]

not a bad comparison tho.. and remember it's Mobley's first year. Don't think Mobley will pass Giannis however

[@blackhenry6256]

There's nobody from the 80s or 90s like Giannis. Sampson is taller and doesn't have range or ball handling like Giannis.

[@blaqdiemenz]

The rockets did not know what they had... I'm Suprised the Lakers never made a trade for Ralph..

[@Amor1990]

That dude can move

[@mvpbrody1]

ong

[@NickPR87]

Giannis is already much, much better than Sampson. But I can see some similarities between them.

[@Az-dc4nu]

Much much better? Bro you smoking 🚬. Both went to the finals ralph perennial all star including all star mvp over numerous greats at that time. Ralph had to play who some say is the greatest player Kareem yearly 6 times a year and you saw how he dominated. You might like Giannis but he's not much much better Ralph would block Giannis shot and take boards from him. It would be a good battle. Always remember their is always someone before in this world 🌎. There is nothing new under the sun 🌞

[@Prd64twl]

6'-11" Bob McAdoo could shoot better than both of them...he just didn't have the 'handles' that they have.

[@osas5211]

He wasn’t 7ft 4

[@Prd64twl]

@@osas5211🙂 thanks...very true 🏀👍🏾

[@bsmoove2800]

Bob Mcadoo Buffalo Braves days the boy was cooking

[@lishtins]

They should do Curry and Muhammad Abdul Rauf

[@recoil53]

Klay Thompson and Reggie Miller.

[@osas5211]

Or #3 from the nets Dražen Petrović

[@bsmoove2800]

@@recoil53 hell naw he hit on the head Chris Jackson

[@jhanreyes5129]

Whaaaat??? 0:17

[@ckobo84]

People like to project with Ralph, but reality was he was merely a good player and showed no signs of being great. Shot a very poor percentage for his size, didn't rebound great for his size, was a mediocre shot blocker for his size. He just looked pretty and graceful, but actual substance was greatly lacking

[@PowerGearPerformance]

Gnannis wayyy better than Sampson..but Gnannis couldn't handle the "Dream"

[@lulavivafrita9826]

yeaah He just said it.. Samson wasn't just as good as Giannis He was better. It's right there, He didn't scream that, but let it out. Imagine Samson was Giannis aagainst real defense

[@honorablementionz3263]

What about shaq isiah thomas

[@DCdc-rn8sz]

I disagree with Isiah on this one...I have seen Sampson played, but Giannis is way better...More athletic and ferocious....I say giannis is a big Dr J or a big James Worthy...

[@goldmouthtakenoshit]

Definitely do not compare to no damn Ralph 🚮

[@imjustaguysama315]

Giannis > KD

[@pointchamberlain4782]

he’s more like wilt

[@bsmoove2800]

He's a mixture of Sampson and Wilt

[@stormteam3004]

Oh come on now, Sampson didn't have half the skills or ability compared to Giannis!!

[@alexandreb-h7423]

Well Obviously since nba players get better

[@icePalm00]

I see Giannis playing like Giannis. But I see a lil bit of Jermaine O’Neal in Giannis game.

[@luisenriquez2379]

The steady blinker regularly ban because timpani contemporaneously part inside a guiltless toe. imaginary, accurate garden

[@osas5211]

You not slick lol your words fall on deaf ears, anyone that watch Martin knows

[@b.7811]

Ralph was and could never be Giannis 😑😑😑😑😑😑😑

[@battyboifided6629]

U probs like 10

[@jqwiiiiqqirmnsnnsnnsnnsmjjrj]

I mean, he was extremely injury prone so we'll never know.

[@bsmoove2800]

Y'all new generational babies need to quit talking when u know nothing

[@bsmoove2800]

@@jqwiiiiqqirmnsnnsnnsnnsmjjrj we know we seen his game he took his team to the NBA finals in 86

[@purplemonkeydishwasher4241]

@@bsmoove2800 He was very good at the time, but Olajuwon was the best player on that team.

[@gdw9946]

Giannis is Giannis

[@bsmoove2800]

U too young to even know the man speaking facts