Jeff Ruland: The first Nikola Jokic? The Too-Short Career of an Original Triple Double Big Man | FPP

[@jeffruland2176]

Great job. As far as my body. Couple of bad doctors and they rushed me back when I was hurt. My own fault. Best Mc nasty

[@squamps]

You the man Jeff!! Gained a bunch of new fans with this one, so glad I discovered your game!!!

[@ForgottenPlayerProfiles]

Played through injuries and always showed up for the fans. A true professional, nothing but respect

[@PatrickGlover-yl4bv]

Mahorn, frank johnson and McNasty especially was a tough combo! Always gave the Celtics trouble. Much Respect!

[@jasonwolfe3252]

Didn't know that you embraced the nickname. Johnny Most was the best R.I.P

[@jeffruland2176]

@@jasonwolfe3252 you know the whole story???

[@inallairness]

Jeff was a legit star of the 1980s. Had he not faced injury problems, he'd absolutely be among the top-tier of great NBA bigs.

[@Casey-zp9kv]

It sucked that the 80's was filled with so many great Centers because Ruland got forgotten. Hes Absolutely in the top 5 big men in the Bullets/Wizards franchize history.

[@ethanniedorowski116]

I'm not sure I'd say it sucked maybe for him but it was great

[@geesehoward357]

THANK YOU CASEY!!!!!!!!!

[@sirdrdunk]

Facts

[@AJkunVM]

top 5 in wizards history 😂

[@AJkunVM]

he right up there with popeye jones and andray blatche

[@larryg1481]

I'm glad your channel brings light to these so-called plumbers of the 80's and 90's.

[@rockysalvatore435]

MJ doesn't matter. His era wasn't special. Believe it or not the 60s and 70s deserve far more attention. History has nothing to do w MJ

[@larryg1481]

@rockysalvatore435 who said anything about Jordan? I'm talking about all of the players from that era who get tagged as plumbers. I'm not like one of these Brontards who think basketball started when the steroid freak entered the league in 2003, I know people like Elgin Baylor, Julius Erving, Wilt and etc... paved the way for these disrespectful untalented players of today.

[@rayshardsmith2546]

@@rockysalvatore435be quiet … his era saved the NBA … u probably wasn’t even alive to even speak on it … I lived the 1980s …

[@idonthavemonkey]

I was 8 or 9 and attended a Bullets practice. I sat in some bleachers and got to see Haywood, Ballard, Mahorn, all those guys, it was great. After the practice they were still shooting around, and they let us out of the bleachers and onto the floor. The only guy I waned to see was Jeff. But when I got up close to him I was starstruck. All I could thing to say was 'Wow, you're so tall.' He said, 'Just 6'10"'. I said 'Your basketball card says you're 6'11".' He said 'Nah, 6'10". I told him he was my favorite player. I still remember every detail of it.

[@O.J.S.]

Kudos for this one. Jeff Ruland was very underrated prior to getting hurt.

[@jaybee5269]

Thanks for this! Jeff was my favorite player during his prime. I lived in DC and saw him play. One of the best while his career lasted and definitely a Jokic precursor.

[@donwhiteley3293]

Now this is an actual forgotten player profile. Nobody talk about him anymore, but he was a beast.

[@UmbertoLenzi]

my brain just exploded. it has come to this.

[@mikebassett9054]

Long time friend and teammate of mine Mike Phillips Jr. .. his dad was apparently Jeffs teammate in Spain … the video mentions him.. this was very fun to see this morning … keep the great vids coming … you would not believe how much of a good time this channel is for me …. I binge it all the time … these players are 1s that I grew up watching and learning from and some are even from my home state . Give us some more Kentucky legends … a lot of us want to see Antione Walker

[@GHOST91141]

Damn son where'd you find this 😂😂

[@illlogick7151]

💀

[@Arthur5000]

😄😄😄

[@jayjohnson7646]

Ain’t gonna lie, watched a ton of nba ballers from the 80s and 70s. First time seeing and hearing about Jeff Ruland. I’m putting major respect on this mane name and game. Dude was a problem. That jumper looks sweet too. And he absolutely was banging in the post with every move and still very athletic to dunk on ya ass too!!!! I’m finna get this man on 2k. I need that 84 Ruger Ruland and he was giving McHale and Bird problems.

[@Greg-mh5zn]

@jayjohnson7646 to be honest he wasn't very good. You didn't miss much. They put together a nice little highlight reel of him but day in day out he wasn't all that.

[@jeffruland2176]

Please. Would love to hear your resume. By the way top ten mvp voting in 1984. These NUTS. 🎉

[@oceanhudson]

@@jeffruland2176tellem jeff ! 😂

[@eugenedantzler4485]

Dude had some ball handling skills for a big man!!!!! Speaking of coach Jimmy V..... A video on him would be awesome.

[@furfamilysue]

Ruland, Mahorn, Frank Johnson of those Bullet teams played the Celtics tough. I was a Boston fan and Ruland was more than Robert Parish could handle.

[@PatrickGlover-yl4bv]

Ha I literally thought the same thing once I saw this video. Ruland was a beast and Frank would get really hot from the outside.

[@PatrickGlover-yl4bv]

Also Banner 18!!!!

[@lashgoshotwheels1127]

Thank you 😊

[@vincewilson8969]

My new favorite sports channel by far! Love the work you do!

[@ForgottenPlayerProfiles]

Appreciate the support!

[@GHOST91141]

🎯💯

[@j-mac7401]

I bet 75 % of your viewers never heard of J.R. .

[@antant908]

I no I didn’t no this guy

[@abrahamgaduang5094]

I bet higher 90%

[@bunduman18]

I thought I knew almost every player back then especially all stars in the 80s. can't believe I've never heard of him. probably seen some footage of ruland and thought he was another big man off the bench. Definitely underrated.

[@Magicstockton]

Knew of him. He put Mike on his ass.

[@chrisreddick7783]

Haha I have heard of him I have a bunch of his basketball cards

[@davdia]

I skipped watching vids here for few months, but you've really improved. You improved your preparation and presentation a lot during this time. Very impressed.

[@borganfreeman]

Please do a video on Walt Bellamy. One of the NBAs most forgotten superstar players and one the best centers of all time. One of the first superstar players and arguably the best rookie season in NBA history.

[@DJ-ov2it]

How can you count his rookie season over Wilts?

[@TheIcemanthomas]

@@DJ-ov2it*arguably

[@TheIcemanthomas]

Wouldn’t say Bellamy was necessarily a superstar. Definitely one of the top tier bigs in that era tho

[@DJ-ov2it]

@@TheIcemanthomas yes and Im interested in the arguments

[@marcel4002]

The Bullets is the best team name in NBA history..

[@AlexanderTB6]

LETS GOOOO JEFF RULAND FINALLY

[@prestonwoods290]

I think is the 1st player upload you've done that I've never heard of

[@dbradandthem2727]

Pre injuries, Ruland was a monster. Plus he'd kick ass

[@Sloan-n9q]

Ruland and Rick Mahorn were a very underrated front court and Frank Williams was a pitifully underrated role playing point guard.

[@johnprentice1527]

Thanks for this video and a trip down memory lane. Jeff was a beast, with soft hands, a great touch, high basketball IQ, and great mobility. It's truly a shame he wasn't able to have the long career we Bullet fans were hoping for. Tremendous player. And yeah, he does remind me of Jokic, who just happens to be my favorite current player.

[@henryhayer539]

You’re the best man keep it going

[@jayjay11113]

Retired at 28! wow these guys from the 70s and 80s look like they are in the mid 40's early 50's age wise............

[@blake7871]

Lot of partying back then.

[@jayjay11113]

@@blake7871 I heard guys were drinking and smoking in the locker room back then , crazy

[@paulbatz7935]

The Beef Brothers, remember the old newsprint NBA Today with the 'butcher's' cover of Rulland and Mahorn? Ruland was a beast.

[@blackbeansauce1150]

Great video! I only remember him from when he made his comeback to the 76ers. I remember thinking that he was very skilled but unfortunately past his prime. It was great seeing these highlights of him in his younger days. A true forgotten basketball hero.

[@chinny18]

Synovial effusion on the left knee? Those shoulder injuries might've hurt Ruland but that discovery of the injury might've struck him after the series of shoulder injuries and cost his career and yes, you were able to point out that medical advances in knee injury treatment wasn't as good as it was today but still like serious knee injuries, it still affect overall. That minor incident with the luggage just ruined his comeback along with years not playing after first retirement. Could've been due to the heavy minutes? We'll never know for sure. But man, double-double machine, can go triple-double with pts/reb/ast... And can defend well despite the low blk average... Jeff Ruland is going to be a list of what-ifs.

[@samuelmahmud1909]

Great video coverage 💯 Great 🏀 player

[@jayjohnson7646]

Ain’t gonna lie, watched a ton of nba ballers from the 80s and 70s. First time seeing and hearing about Jeff Ruland. I’m putting major respect on this mane name and game. Dude was a problem. That jumper looks sweet too. And he absolutely was banging in the post with every move and still very athletic to dunk on ya ass too!!!! I’m finna get this man on 2k. I need that 84 Ruger Ruland

[@Ivander85]

Never heard of this player so thanks for bringing him to my attention.

[@johnpeden2039]

I was playing NBA 2k24, in the my era mode, and saw his name.. After watching this video.. I'm definitely going to pick him up.. He's a 92 or 93 overall.. With a grade A 3 ball.. And A+ playmaking...

[@randallmadison9910]

I stumbled on this. Well done. Jeff Ruland's game was extraordinary. Too bad that he had serious injuries.

[@lentongunn5851]

Awesome guy as I grew up near Iona college. I remember seeing him at pick up games at Iona college. He was so big. Real nice guy. He wss recruited by Kentucky Indiana St Johns and Syracuse. Valvano was a great recruiter. He never got a chance to play with Gary Springer and Steve Burtt. That would have been great.

[@PaperChaserLa]

Found out bout dude thru eras on 2k 🔥🔥 fam was a great player

[@yanncarduner4516]

Superb video,your channel is awesome always good to hear about players like Jeff Ruland ,he was a very skilled beast with precise hands

[@vincenttran7165]

I was today's year old when I found out about Ruland. Intriguing!

[@d_classified6433]

Amazing video..! Excellent basketball history..! ESPN can only dream of sharing and educating viewers about something like this. Keep up the good work. I will definitely subscribe to this channel.

[@chaike9001]

Keep grinding heavily underrated channel

[@flameduelist81]

Nvr heard of him and I’m from DC and I knew about sabonis b4 he finally came to the blazers.wow I’ve nvr even heard anybody mention this guy

[@marquisferguson5478]

You must be young, he was a dominant player for the Bullets.

[@Billy-ot8mk]

Awesome video.

[@TheFreelanceTeacher]

Great episode. Ruland was ahead of his time. I remember the attempted comebacks as well. Good for him. I hated McFilthy and McNasty when they came to play the Knicks.

[@donttouchmysilver8202]

He would’ve been easily the number one pick out of this recent draft

[@alfonsogreen2722]

Jeff Ruland was a hell of a big man but the injuries really got 2 him

[@zyxwut321]

With modern strength training, diet, weight management, and equipment Jeff Ruland may not have had the injury issues he had. So many great players from that era experienced various injury issues and it makes you wonder what if. Jeff Ruland had Hall of Fame, Top 50 player of all time talent. He really was proto-Joker, a skilled point center with great hands, vision and toughness.

[@Marcus-j4k3k]

He can ball 🏀 🏆

[@BatmanBoss]

Thanks buddy

[@andgar923]

Thanks for this vid. He had a very unfortunate career, he could’ve been one of the all time greats.

[@thomastreadway3039]

I found out he was a player by seeing him coach Iona. He's got to be 7 feet tall and I was like - there's no way that dude didnt play pro ball.

[@gregorywilson7074]

lol. I saw Jeff play. He was a good player. Let's not get carried away.

[@jeffruland2176]

I’m sure you know your hoops😅

[@gturcott1]

this is an awesome breakdown, and what a channel!

[@unappealingundesirable2826]

RIP Dan Roundfield! Drowned, when trying to rescue his wife from drowning.

[@donttouchmysilver8202]

He would’ve been easily the number one pic out of this recent draft

[@TheEsquireOfSportsFSU]

As someone who can remember the early days of HTS Network I certainly remember him. He and Mahorn would nail guys. But yeah that Malone trade... Neither team has fully recovered.

[@JaeSproo]

Ruland averaged 17 ppg 10 rbs and 3 ast in his NBA career. That is *BANANAS* , because I promise you Dwight Howard's numbers are identical (*LOOKED IT UP - 15.7 ppg, 11.8 rbs, and 1.3 ast)

[@unappealingundesirable2826]

You MUST know these things about me, to understand where, when, and HOW I grew up: Born in Seattle in 1973, where I grew up, Sonics and Blazers fan, Japanese-American and male. This shows you why I see things the way I do, and what prism I view the world through. In Zander Hollander's Pro Basketball Handbook, it said about his offense, "He has only one move, but it's hard to stop." He looked like Wes Unseld reincarnated, before the unfortunate injuries.

[@unappealingundesirable2826]

0:30 Whoa! I did NOT know, that Jeff Ruland could bounce bounce bounce coast-to-coast! Not easy for a power forward or center to do, especially back then. Buck Williams and Dale Davis sure couldn't do that.

[@randygraham926]

I'm an old enough fan that I remember Ruland quite well -- especially some of his playoff battles against the Celtics. Shame the Warriors didn't keep him, they've been in a LOT of bad trades over the years, especially involving centers! 😂(I was a Warrior fan growing up in the Bay Area.) The most unfortunate part of his career was that it was cut short by injuries. Great video!

[@tillis31]

Ruhland was a problem! I know youngsters would say he’s a “plumber”…but legit, he was the closest thing to Jokic in his day. Why was he not Jokic?…the game was just different back then, the offense would never flow through him in the 80’s/90’s like they do today

[@dbradandthem2727]

Jokic reminds me more Rulland than Sabonis now look at it. Ruland game would definitely translate to today's game. He'd be Jokic for real but better defensive presence. His fisticuffs wouldn't make it tho 😅

[@lazarperic4525]

To be fair, people call those from 50s and 60s that name ("plumbers"). 100% not callin players from 80s that lol

[@bluedot6926]

He wasn't Jokic because he wasn't as talented as Jokic. No need disrespecting Jokic by saying this guy would be as good as him if he was given a chance.When Jokic got in the league bigman weren't allowed to do what he did because they weren't as talented as him.He broke the mold.

[@bluedot6926]

​@@dbradandthem2727Dude c'mon,that's disrespectful to Jokic.

[@stevecorn8039]

​@bluedot6926 This guy is better than Jokic, who happens to play in a no-defense circus league. No comparison to real, competitive basketball.

[@Eastwood302e]

Sixers should have never traded Moses Malone for this guy.

[@richardyoon4209]

And traded Brad Daugherty for Roy Hinson on the same day

[@svwilliams2933]

Jeff the Taxi 🚕🚖 cab driver Ruland 😎

[@rajiemseabrook347]

Great addition to your growing collection!! Old school Iona!!! Good job again!! Try : Mark Eaton Cliff Robinson Kevin Willis Kiki Vanderwhe(sp) Eric Snow Shane Battier Robert Horry Harvey and Horace Grant Gerald and Dominque Wilkins Austin Croshere Mo Peterson

[@chadkusiar4919]

I never heard of this guy. Sweet BIG, brutal luck.

[@aaronellingboe8893]

I would argue Alvan Adams. He was 5 years before Jeff Ruland and he was a center who led his team in assists as a rookie. He had a weird career where his rookie year was his best but he was a very good playmaking PF/C his entire career.

[@TheDamianG]

I only knew of him as a coach this was a good find

[@jayjohnson7646]

His game reminds me more of Kevin Love than Jokic. The open floor with the ball is similar to Jokic and wilt chamberlain.

[@lazarperic4525]

Ye he resembles Jokic until you get to the post and scoring bag because Jokic got all those Dream moves in the post, great runners/floaters and great/really good mid and 3pt shot + fekin signature fadeaway lol. This guy on the other hand had a better bouce so he could go for those noice contact dunks and I really like those passes and his defense.

[@vittiriowashington5211]

I know it's cliche, but his game was way before it's time. He would have a crazy+/- , and win shares through the roof!

[@patrickdonohue2960]

The rumor was Ruland got more money to Iona then any other college program

[@oceanhudson]

i’m gonna make a jeff ruland center on 2k lol . i love throwback players .

[@isiahbraun8704]

Nice video bro.dude was a horse 🐎

[@DrawQuick2014]

Comparing Ruland to Jokic is as disrespectful as comparing Andre Drummond to Moses Malone

[@jeffruland2176]

You’re a genius!!

[@thekidlivesnow]

I would’ve said bill Walt or even wilt that one year were the first jokic but I only know Jeff Roland from 2k myteam. Cool to know he was more

[@genestevenson-l7v]

He used to absolutely abuse Daryl Dawkins. Marty Blake, the NBA's chief scout didn't think that Ruland could play in the league. Blake said that all Ruland did was back people in and shoot 6 footers. In the NBA, he backed people in and shot layups.

[@VKED23]

Bro I consider my self well versered in nba lore... but who da fuk is this? Lol

[@insuchaway]

Dude. This one truly got me.

[@dbradandthem2727]

His prime was short plus nobody watched the sorry ass Bullets. I'm Sixers fan, they were fodder for us back then. Ruland was nice tho. He'd beat dudes up too. He'd be a tougher, better defensive Jokic in today's game( depending on the team he's on)

[@JosephTurner-ok6br]

Love this

[@jdjcharger7229]

I do remember the comback. There was a little hype on ESPN about it.

[@55cleon]

Jeff Was Nice 🤷🏿‍♂️. I Saw Him After The Injuries Started To Plague Him.

[@HeritageWealthPlanning]

Bring back the Bullets!

[@terrencesteele753]

Another great one! Never heard of dude and I'm 39. He on 2k?

[@Haitianbrutus]

Great artist

[@mbengaful]

IDK about Jokic but the semblance with Sabonis is uncanny.

[@Riles3152]

Jeff Ruland was a not quite as skilled, but basically the Jokic of the 80s, except with a mean streak 😂

[@sebastianchittadini6722]

I can see some Arvydas Sabonis on his game too.

[@CerebralBuckets]

When watching Michael Jordans debut, Ruland stands out on the court haha

[@AMart870]

Always great videos, I have some for you (Joe Johnson) I've asked quite a few times, 20,000+ points Forgotten! (Bill Laimbeer) I've asked for this one for a while too (Ricky Pierce) (Maurice Mo Cheeks) (Andrew Toney) (Reggie Theus) (Downtown Freddie Brown)

[@robgesualdi206]

Yes please to Andrew Toney

[@donttouchmysilver8202]

Let’s be honest he played more like Marc Gasol than Joker

[@jjalltheway552]

A truck driving triple double threat😂

[@timboslice8559]

Can’t believe I’ve never heard of him and I consider myself an NBA junkie lol. He was a 2 time all star also that’s crazy

[@kennethhardeman3292]

I just use him in MyEra on 2k, never seen him play

[@danielpinto9208]

We need a Rick Mahorn video with your vicious screen.

[@TheLaehcim]

Technology wasn't good enough so alot of guys got injured and it was over in all sports. Very few came back from ACL, MCL type injuries

[@unappealingundesirable2826]

1:10 Jeff Ruland for three!

[@geesehoward357]

I DAMMM SURE REMEMBER JEFF RULAND!!!!! Him and Rick Mahorn were called #thebeefbrothers .....can't forget about Jeff Malone neither. GOOD LOOKIN wit this vid on ol Jeff.....👍!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MrBez007]

Mcfilthy ! Great vid

[@Pennybags37]

McFilthy! So sad his peak was cut short so quickly. No doubt if he was drafted to a contending team a championship would not have been out of reach for him.

[@Noname-ni1dy]

Another story of what would have been. He was headed for an all time great career without injuries, a certain hall of famer.

[@buckchile614]

One of the original 'T-Rex's'

[@acnicodemus4734]

Tag team partner of McNasty, the pre-Bad Boy version of Rick Mahorn

[@richardyoon4209]

Imagine a healthly Ruland with a healthy Andrew Toney and Charles Barkley in the late 80s