Kevin McHale & Brian Shaw: How good was Arvydas Sabonis? | NBA GameTime

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[@jabariburton6109]

We got an old broken Sabonis and he still was great

[@bobbysmurda2268]

Soviets didn't give a damn about his body such a shame

[@paulfrantizek102]

Arvydas Sabonis = The Igor Larionov of basketball.

[@hruodvan7081]

Sabonis didn't give a damm about his body!! Most of his leg injuries were from being drunk, and falling down a flight of stairs.

[@washcloud]

@@bobbysmurda2268 ...what do you mean by "Soviets"? The Soviet Union was dismantled when Sabonis was 25 and in full health.

[@YaBoyFr33ze]

@@washcloud 27 but he didn't enter the NBA until he was 31. At that time he was broken down

[@pierovittori1076]

Nobody has seen Sabas' prime because he had none. His first major injury was a broken achilles occurred in 1986 at age 21. After that injury he started gaining too much weight and went into a tunnel of other bad injuries, one after one other. Achilles in the other foot, then acl (twice) and several back injuries. When he was 30 he finally went to Portland where team's physician Dr. Robert Cook said “Arvydas could qualify for a handicapped parking spot based on the X-ray alone”. At 25 he already was another player, completely. He was a lot more static and with almost zero athleticism though he managed to dominate the european game and give a solid contribution even in the NBA, only relying on his IQ, fundamentals, size, timing, soft touch and shooting range, vision and passing skills. In 1988 despite he already had the first Achilles injury, he still managed to dominate not only technically but also physically and in athleticism one of the most athletic centers ever, mr. David Robinson. He could run the floor and jump, block and dunk as good as the Admiral while adding a lot more to the package. We never saw his real potential, and still today this is my greatest sports regret, matched only by the premature deaths of Drazen, Len Bias and Ayrton Senna

[@ziginaigra]

i miss bruce lee and colin mcrae too

[@raymiller6351]

i think you saw the heights of senna. It is the name that people are awe'd of

[@ticesevradero]

Very well said.

[@omnivorous65]

Someone finally stating the obvious. He moved like the mummy for most of his career. That he was still effective speaks volumes about his skill level but his stats overall were not that impressive. He is the one player where everyone confuses what could have been with what actually played out. It's a shame but there are many great sport careers crippled by injuries.

[@Gramasz]

Len bias talent was higher than LeBron and mj imho. That guy was coming out from a fucking 2k cheating character

[@ajarneddieclips9114]

As a Portland-native, we all loved Sabonis!

[@hruodvan7081]

I had season tickets at the Rose Garden during the Sabonis years.

[@MusicSaves89]

"He's just athletic like David Robinson" He ate Robinson, literally.

[@tomassamulia877]

Exactly. He put a one hand put-back dunk on poor Admiral's head, it does not get more embarassing than that..

[@MiguelMartinezmtzzz]

Sabonis at his prime was like a combinarion of a white shaq and jokic. Not as strong and fast like shaq but very very physical and really talented as jokic. He was amazing before the injuries. He had everything: physical talent, shooting and passing skills...

[@Bluecoala77]

I remember back in the 80°s Sabonis was respected by all in Europe. He was a legend. 3 best players in the 80's.....Drazen, Gailis & Sabonis

[@hongceequan2364]

Drazen Petrovic may he rest in peace deserves to be mentioned or featured he was a skilled player.

[@sardonicus76]

Petrovic was special. He could fill it up and dude was a trash talker of the highest order. Gone way too soon.

[@cyril6933]

Portland had a goldmine in Sabonis and Petrovic. Imagine adding 2 all star level players to a double runner up....I remember watching Sabonis in the 95 euroleague semi final against a french team and frankly it wasn't fare (I'm french) it was like a 15 years teenager competition with one team having a grown man...unstoppable.

[@yoe91]

@Javier Gonzalez better than Olajuwon ?? I admit I don't know Sabonis as well as I do Olajuwon, but what would make you say better than Olajuwon ? Remember Olajuwon's outrageous defensive stats on top of his incredible offensive moves.

[@yoe91]

@Javier Gonzalez Passing and size I agree, advantage Sabonis. But I would look at Olajuwon's defense as being a massive plus, although he'd have trouble against Sabonis' size head to head. But Olajuwon was also a fantastic rebounder. We'll never know, but I guess a case could be made for Sabonis.

[@yoe91]

@Javier Gonzalez My opinion on whatifs though is for Grant Hill or Penny Hardaway for eg, we actually saw them dominate in the NBA, and then get injured. They weren't playing some other league and then got to the NBA injured. There's no doubt Grant Hill would've been one of the greats. The question is how great exactly. With Sabonis, it's very vague.

[@ricardas16]

@Javier Gonzalez sabas was rehabing in portland before olimpics. he was rusty as hell cos he missed more than a year of playing. was not supposed to go to olimpics. john thompson was pissed, that portland helped soviet union :)

[@cialaisvis6862]

He was a legendary childhood hero for a typical Lithuanian. It's hard to imagine the amount of respect our nation have for this guy. He and other Lithuanian basketball crew when we had to be called SSRS due occupation of Russia and it basketball at the time was our pride that bring strength to fight for our country's freedom which we managed to do at the 1991-02-16

[@Thrakun]

To me, as much as I love Porzingis, he is no unicorn... I saw Sabonis before his injuries.

[@laz0rama]

i've always thought porzingis was overrated.

[@anthonytobias5459]

He’s more like Jokic

[@Thrakun]

@@anthonytobias5459 After his injuries, when he almost all his mobility, sure.

[@46corazon]

@@anthonytobias5459 Sabonis with banged up knees was like Jokic. Imagine when he was athletic while being great at every aspect of bball... Would've been the Goat

[@GatCat]

My Step Dad originally told me about this man. His talent was unmatched.

[@Riri-oj1zs]

Sabonis had the strength and the touch, which is very rare for a big man.

[@Riri-oj1zs]

@Exar kun The dark side cosmic entity Yeah, Wilt have the same strength and touch. Rare indeed.

[@aha3885]

Young Sabonis was a faster, bigger and stronger version of Larry Bird. I saw him breaking the board in Real Madrid pabillion, with one hand.

[@ziovanni77]

there is a video of that

[@aha3885]

@@ziovanni77 yes, I saw the video too, many times. Christmas tournament, maybe 1983/1984. Real Madrid vs URSS. And this guy was amazing. The referee gave him a tecnichal foul, because nobody in Europe saw nothing like this before Sabas.

[@kastytis3791]

@@ziovanni77 Sabonis gets angry, Sabonis over Robinson @ 3:15 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHaplJmghM2Njck Sabonis breaks the backboard (1984) @ 3:28 kzbin.info/www/bejne/naLbg39tiNunbbs TOP kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXa8n3-up9hnjZo

[@charold3]

Sabonis couldn't shoot like Bird, not quite. But few can/could. Steph Curry, yes.

[@Shinobi33]

Is there video of that?

[@CC-bw7im]

His sons gonna carry on that legacy in the nba

[@my_other_side473]

Arvydas Sabonis the only player get Drafted Twice.

[@kastytis3791]

Sabonis gets angry, Sabonis over Robinson @ 3:15 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHaplJmghM2Njck

[@Mechamjr88]

Mid late 80's Portland Trail Blazers starters PG: Terry Porter SG: Clyde Drexler SF: Jerome Kersey PF: Kiki Vandeweghe C: Sabas That would have been unstable. Celtics Bulls Pistons Lakers. All would of have had a tough time. But hey joys of bein a low market fan.

[@slickboxingidentityveritas1932]

Funnily enough 1988 when they claim he was as athletic as David Robinson was after a horrible foot and ankle injury which impaired him. When he was drafted in 86 he was already hurt and impaired. Once a 7'3" guy gets one serious injury it's all downhill from there with further injuries. Look at Yao and his knees, look at Shawn Bradley, look at Porzingis. Injuries caught them early then they deteriorated. Yao managed to get a few seasons under his belt before injuries caught him at least.

[@crackerjack9320]

Sabonis is easily the best euro ever. RIP and respect to Petrovic.

[@charold3]

As great as Sabonis was, I think he's about to be surpassed as a European by both Luka and Jokic. Give them another year or two. But Dirk is in the discussion. He was the best player on a championship team and one of the best shooters ever, period. Porzingis? Maybe, if he can stay healthy, but I have doubts.

[@laz0rama]

@@charold3 could be. interesting that none of them play great defense, kp being somewhat of an exception.

[@davidbyron7155]

@@charold3 I just can imagine what would Sabonis and Petrovic do in this soft game rules today with no hand check and other dirty non call tricks. It would be inhuman

[@charold3]

@@davidbyron7155 True. They were both great players and both in the Hall of Fame. You could say the same about a lot of 20th century players, though. Imagine Wilt with no hand checking! Good gosh. He’d have scored 200 in a game. Then again, he wasn’t a great FT shooter.

[@joaomarveloso1049]

He is up there with Petrovic and Galis. Those three players are the best from Europe so far IMHO. Oscar Shmidt up there as well if we exclude Europe.

[@WClark-lp9vc]

Sabas was “dope” man. He would make at least one spectacular pass to a teammate and it was worth the drive and price of admission to watch him play.

[@nitr0meth]

imagine a player with more height and athleticism than Porzingis and skillset of a Jokic. Thats a prime Sabonis.

[@slickboxingidentityveritas1932]

1985 Atlanta Hawks would've been perfect. Just before he picked up his first major injury that was handled badly

[@antinapay]

0:26 that is a 7'3 doing a two legged fadeaway. If you think dirk's fadeway was unstoppable...

[@robinsinpost]

If I am not wrong 12 players from Lithuania have played in the NBA. A country with 2.7 million people.

[@kastytis3791]

right

[@DWQJVB]

1 player for Kazakhstan out of 2 billion people, Borat.

[@arunask.9646]

@@DWQJVB Only true, that 12 player from 2.7 mln basketball fanatics! ;)

[@DWQJVB]

@@arunask.9646 Borat is in the Hall of Fame

[@grege5074]

my Lithuanian dad jokingly told me that in Lieuteva you would play basketball until you were 8, if you were no good at ball they put you in school.

[@negativezero3107]

there was also a Brazilian legend most people haven't seen, look him up, one of the best players ever, is a fun find to watch him

[@bluerie]

I wish Sabonis was allowed to go to the NBA in his prime. What if...

[@modestasgendvilas4779]

I wish too...

[@forumcelebritypodcast]

Before he hurt his achilles at 21 he was a high flyer and could really dunk and was very athletic. He won several titles in different countries. and is one of the most decorated world wide basketball players in history.

[@nicolachita261]

petrovic,sabonis,dirk and gasol best european players to play in the nba....galis and bodiroga best european players who never played in nba

[@user-wr4ik5bn5i]

Ad Jokic and Luka

[@nicolachita261]

@@user-wr4ik5bn5i also giannis...i will add them surely, but now they have still many years in their career.

[@Petar269724]

I think Dirk is the best, with all due respect to Petrovic and others.. other honorable mentions: Parker, Stojakovic, Divac, Šarūnas Marčiulionis, Kirilenko and a few great players that didn't play long enough to leave a deeper mark: Dino Radja (was good in a very bad Boston), Predrag Danilovic (had a couple of good years in Miami, left Dallas before Nowitzki arrived)... and so on, I must have left someone out... these guys paved the path for many other players from Europe

[@ziginaigra]

@@Petar269724 dirk best from eu? maybe best career but not best player for sure

[@ziginaigra]

u forgot kukoc:)

[@MambaAllDay]

Sabonis would have dominated any era but in this era at his prime.............. it would have been illegal. He would have been an athletic jokic on steroids with twice as much skill.

[@bluerie]

And way taller. Sabonis was a big who could should 3s before it was a thing.

[@eriklakeland3857]

Would have loved to see a prime Sabonis go toe to toe with Olajuwon. Sabonis with the edge for me due to his passing.

[@ernieball20]

I saw him on Goodwill Game 86 vs USA... He handled David Robinson so easily.. That dunk over DR was a legend!! 💪💪💪

[@emilkoch4098]

Drazen Petrovic, Sabonis, Vlade Divac, and others opened the doors for a lot of future good /great European players. If y'all check out Sabonis's international stats from 1988-1994 the man was a very good player. Even after the injuries, and his arrival at the NBA Sabonis was still putting up numbers. He was still a good player, despite his waning athleticism via injuries. I still think Drazen would have been a great player in the NBA, and won 2 rings if he never would have died in that tragic accident. R.I.P. Drazen spent 5 full years in the NBA before he finally had his break out year in 1992 with the Nets.

[@sphong0610]

Sabonis was Jokic on steroids (passing/BQ) + Shaq(strength/atheticism/defense) + Best 3point shooting big in history. Seriously would have been one of the best players in history and probably the undisputed GOAT center with Olajuwon, Russell, Kareem, and Shaq trailing him like Clyde trails MJ or Melo trails Lebron (aka not close).

[@asterisk911]

If you had to name just one international player who is the reason that the USA Olympic team started including NBA players, he's as good a person to name as any.

[@RR-ik9cg]

Sabonis lost 1'' of height from surgeries and 6-7'' verticle from surgeries (He still had +36" after surgery), he had a very very long wingspan. Young Sabonis could easily touch the top of the backboard, could rival a young Wilt in the physical department.

[@omnivorous65]

Any proof of such claims? No one can "easily touch the top of the blackboard". In fact, there is not a single video evidence that shows that it is in fact possible. Urban myths.

[@ΠατροκλοςΓεωργιοςΟικονομοπουλο]

@@omnivorous65 James White kind of did it, touched 13 feet of tape simulating the blackboard's height, and that's on video. Sabonis was taller, with longer wing span and at least 39'' verticle before his injury. So it would be attainable

[@cyber2cyke]

If Sabonis was with the Blazers in 92, Jordan might not even have his 1st 3peat.

[@emilkoch4098]

Sabonis would have destroyed MJ in the paint, underneath the rim.

[@Jabawongky88]

now I can see Domantas' resemblance

[@anhiirr]

Imagine this dude with hakeem on the same roster in their primes.....

[@chrisisslick]

Sabonis and Wilkins would've been a duo like none other! Inside outside game with a center throwing lobs to a top dunker of all time! Ooooweee!

[@urbanchangewithin624]

Candace looking stunning

[@tropicalstorm339]

He intimidated David Robinson in the 1988 Olympics.

[@yoe91]

in fairness Robinson wasn't the beast he would become in the early/mid 90s yet.

[@tropicalstorm339]

@@yoe91True... but Sabonis is only 7-1/2 months older than the *Admiral.* Both were very young then.

[@maki-ei3il]

respect to b shaw mentoning yugoslavia team wich was the best in europe at that time

[@markomarkovic5729]

That team is the best European team of ALL TIME

[@markevans8992]

we all wished he played in the NBA during his prime..would have dominated the league !

[@MrGiovanniOSFP]

The basketball God. So much talent, so much skill...

[@davem4038]

Holy Lithuania :)

[@ikabodbubwit2377]

The best european player who came late in the NBA.

[@CamF72790]

Arvydas and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, two legends out of Lithuania.

[@hruodvan7081]

I saw them play each other in Portland!! About 1/4 of the audience was Lithuanian.

[@mildamalinauskaite4722]

Sabonas is the best europe player ever in his prime none and when i eay none i ment none could guard him

[@mi-khaelquires6243]

We may have witnessed the fading OG. But now we are in an era where his son is starting to dominate. This could be the HD version.

[@YanusDV]

The biggest european "what if" in the history of NBA basketball??

[@johnthursday2]

150 kilos and that basketball IQ, easy top five ever

[@chrisspertos4849]

His injury took a lot out of him.

[@milosobrenovic1241]

The most dominating basketball player ever.

[@milosobrenovic1241]

@Exar kun The dark side cosmic entity Are you a profit?

[@RicoBanani]

big up BShaw on shouting out Rađa and Vranković.

[@aiversonas1]

Best of the Best 🇱🇹🏀🇱🇹

[@eczotiic8026]

1:22 “I don’t know if there’s another player in the history of the game that can do what he did” Gasol, Jokic, and (ironically) Domantas Sabonis

[@ricardocima]

Nice that Oscar was mentioned.

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Cool, Sabonis is cool.

[@kastytis3791]

coppy Lucas Liso Lucas LisoI watched Sabonis live, in 1986, in Argentina when Zalgiris played the FIBA Intercontinental Cup (AKA the Clubs World Cup), in the final against F.C.O. (Zalgiris had reached the final after beating Petrovic's team, Cibona, in the semifinals) he dominated that game scoring 26 points. An amazing player, his jump, his passing, his shooting was all flawless. I consider myself lucky to have seen him play like that, the people of Portland saw only a shadow of his former self.

[@radar0412]

He's Not your-vydas, my-vydas he's Arvydas!

[@armandorodriguez6447]

What a hot woman,flawless beauty. History is correct amigo,Celtics on route tote top. Man it’s good to hear McHale n Shaw again. Them Ma boys ya know!

[@peterstark4562]

Him and big country are underrated.

[@yoe91]

Shaq would agree with you on at least one of those.

[@kerox79]

Still remember when Scottie Pippen said that NBA wasn't the Euroligue...

[@delaxanexel44]

It's crazy how his son and him play alike.... literally. He would have the same stats too!

[@ag2smal]

You cut the video at the time they started talk about other pioneers. Can you link us to full show? Please!!!

[@markomarkovic5729]

Yeah, I'm also interested to see the full show

[@antwan1357]

Sabonis was like if we only saw Jordan come back era , you wouldnt ever see a high jumping jordan , but people would talk about if Jordan wouldn't have played before the 45 jersey era. Instead playing overseas during the main of his prime.

[@mariomm9080]

Sabonis was like Blake Griffin who could shoot 3s and make assists in his prime , but that athletic prime doesnt last that long anyway , sure he may be top player in the world for 3 years max before he got injuries unless he played it smart

[@SniffyPoo]

Grant Hill still looks young

[@rano2613]

it's that dame haircut.

[@Aj4youtube]

Candice looks nice

[@tankshot3256]

Shes hot when she dolled up. So fine.

[@johannesswillery7855]

Holy moley, Sabonis, Dominique, Doc Rivers.............

[@juventinos81]

sabonis was not only old when he came to the nba.he had major injuries that cost his mobility.a healthy sabonis would have made a case for greatest center ever and portland would have at least one championship.

[@laz0rama]

portland does have one championship. with bill walton in 77 i think.

[@NostalgicMem0ries]

before jokic, it was sabonis with his height and iq he was unique

[@markomarkovic5729]

Divac was also a great passing center

[@roadie9964]

I respect Sabonis very much, and Grant Hill is my favorite player. 2 for 1, baby!

[@Lcacique]

Sabonis paired with Clyde and the rest of the Blazers, forget about it. Portland would have been a dynasty. Period.

[@shaunoleary9774]

Porter, Drexler, Petrovic, Kersey/Buck, Sabis. What could have been the best starting lineup of the late 80s early 90s.

[@dariusantanavicius2652]

the wave of centers (and power-forwards) who where throwing 3 points started massively actually after HIM. Our Arvydas changed NBA ! Sorry about my poor English :) And Sabas played in native damn hell of supercenters and sky-powerforwards - WEST conference. In ERA of really super-Big Mans ... Shaq knows this good :)

[@jedsteelwell2354]

Sabonis could of been the best big ever.

[@jackson5781]

Maybe 2nd to wilt

[@carlmax5577]

His son is balling!

[@joshycasuga2555]

Brian shaw 4xWSM as well as Lithuanias consider GOAT of WSM Big Z!!

[@bigal2423]

Him and Brian grant

[@Fernando-fr5cu]

Give me Drazen Petrovic, Ginobili, Oscar Schmit, and Nowitzki and they could have given the 92' Dream Team the scare of their lives, maybe even beat them.

[@lilyk8304]

Just think if Sabonis was able to play for Portland during the 80s and early 90s, that team already had Clyder Drexler, Terry Porter, Cliff Roberson, ext. Add Sabonis and they probably would have at lest a few rings if not a dynasty.

[@luisgabrielbugallo2186]

Sabonis llegó a la nba al 60por ciento físicamente, si no hubiese sido el mejor de siempre

[@angelmendez6638]

Para mí de los 5 mejores pivots de la historia. Los otros 4 Chamberlain, Russell, ONeal y Olajuwon.

[@hongceequan2364]

Yeah Sabonis was a great player.

[@jyee2217]

Yah...too bad he waited to come to the USA but not everyone wanted to live in the USA. As long as he enjoyed his life wherever, more power too him.

[@Jlukemain]

Jokic reminds me of him a lot of times

[@user-wr4ik5bn5i]

COMMON MAN JOKIC WAY BETTER ,Jokic is not like PG is PG🤷🏻‍♀️😎

[@rofermarca]

@@user-wr4ik5bn5i even living all his life and born again Jokic will never ever be like a half of Arvydas Sabonis

[@zybergis]

@@user-wr4ik5bn5i Sabas used to be a monster at his size. Strong as hell, before the achiles injuries he could jump, dunk, run, block. He had the stamina, unlike Jokic. All that while mixing it with partying and heavy drinking between matches. Duet to the soviet culture and lack of professionalism in sport. Anyhow, Sabas still ended up being the MVP of the EuroLeague at the age of 39. He could not jump anymore by the time. All due respect and love to Jokic, but he has a lot of grass to shit on before reaching for where Sabas was.

[@ermes1336]

@@user-wr4ik5bn5i Φίλε σίγουρα θα έχεις ακούσει και για άλλους αθλητές ότι ήταν θαύμα της φύσης κλπ αλλα αν ταιριάζει σε κάποιον αυτός είναι ο Σαμπονις. Τρομερός ο Γιοκιτς αλλα ο αλλος είχε ταλέντο και χαρακτηριστικά που ίσως δεν ξαναδούμε σε παίχτη. Απλά κρίμα που δεν έπαιξε όταν έπρεπε στο NBA και που ειχε τόσους τραυματισμους,θα ήταν τουλάχιστον top 5 παιχτης όλων των εποχών.

[@darrellboone9274]

In some ways Sabonis was like Satchel Paige(Negro League great who was finally "allowed" to play in Major League Baseball);even a 41 year old Paige was so good,people wondered how good a prime Paige would've been

[@modestasgendvilas4779]

Sabonis is a No.1 ever !!!!!!!

[@MrBodyman5001]

I loved Duckworth as a kid but Arvydas starting for that Blazers team? .... the history of the NBA is completely different.

[@Mikeofindy]

Being here in Indy, I’m pretty happy we have his son !!

[@Red4350]

Yeah hes a beast! Very motivated getting better every year and finally made the all star last year...thank god OKC let him go...it wasnt a good fit for both of them in OKC imo

[@ibangarcia4257]

My best Jersey Zalgiris 11

[@negativezero3107]

he could have ben the best player in NBA history

[@BobSmith-un5mw]

I like her Cuddlefish hair

[@pablotupone4190]

The lady with Grant Hill was also a basketball player right???

[@Richardtv1968]

You did not see him in his prime because you all did not believe Europa had talents like that …….

[@negativezero3107]

Sabonis is Luka at 7 foot 4, i'm old enough to have sen him play a lot, he is one of the best players of all time

[@aarontyler4250]

Jokic is Sabonis reincarnation. Just wish Sabonis came to NBA younger, him and Ginobili

[@negativezero3107]

another is Roy Tarpley, if he didnt go off the rails, Roy was unstoppable

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

I AGREE IF SABONIS PLAY NBA HISTORY AND CHAMPIONCHIPS WOULD HAVE BEEN WAY DIFFERENT!!!! All those great centers who felt so comfetible in the paint would have to come out were they never practived and were never comfertable to play defence. The ATL HAWKS would have exposed alot of flaws in centers before the position was ready to transition to create bigs with the skills to play out there. He owuld have cracked defenses open like a can and the athletes the Hawks had at that time owuld have been like sharks eatin out of a tuna can!!!

[@MrDoit13]

The blazers would have had at least 2 more rings if he was there in 1985 beyond.

[@joseantonio3122]

Llego a la NBA destrozado y asombró a todoss😂

[@TheAnanaki]

They are making comparisons to guys like Jokic and never once mentioned Domantas who's turning into a superstar himself.

[@robertjrobicheau8456]

If you put young Arvidas on Portland and take out Kevin Duckworth,Portland is a power squad and history is differnt.

[@charold3]

I think all these guys are underrating Sabonis of the 80s and early 90s. No disrespect for David Robinson, but Sabonis was better in his prime. Now it may be that Jokic will prove to be the best European big man ever. We'll see.