Ralph Sampson explains who was the best player he ever played against

[@threwhellandback9362]

Congrats on 10k

[@timhoward5]

Thank you!

[@threwhellandback9362]

@@timhoward5 ?

[@jomamackdaddy]

Live in Harrisburg, ran a restaurant for years, Ralph was always respectful and classy to my employees and any guests that approached him. There is a huge city park named after him. From my experience he seems like a good guy.

[@GstWtsTws]

You were an employee yourself. “My eMpLoYeEs”

[@troyott2334]

Ralph is an was a TOTAL CLASS ACT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I salute you big guy.

[@DrSeuss-nv9hw]

This guy wasn't built like the typical big man of the day. He was built like a Greyhound. He was fast, smooth and graceful with a perfectly proportioned build. He could play a power game in the post, but also handle the ball and shoot. Very unique individual.

[@missayawk]

Was ahead of his time and his skill set would be perfect for today's game.

[@pputnam100]

yup..!! but you forgot one thing: Sampson was well named, an incredibly strong athlete. I read that he could curl more than anybody on Virginia's football team

[@threezysworld8089]

He had roughly the same build as KD.

[@fred5nyc]

@@threezysworld8089 More like KG

[@zenhighways]

At one time, had a 32" vertical...

[@michaelrussell4894]

Kareem was not only a HOF great, he was a clutch player as well. You always knew where the ball was going for the last shot. More often than not, he did not disappoint.

[@anonymike8280]

Statistics. Not sportswriter fustian, Statistics. Not to mention, Kareem's great value in his best days as a scorer was his ability to break a game a open. You could have a close game, and he would go into the low post at hit five or six shots in row maybe and that would be it. I saw it personally at the Chicago Stadium in the early 70s. I used to tell people, you don't know what great means if you didn't seen Kareem when he was in Milwaukee. Kareem in the 80s was a shell of what he was when he was young. In the 80s his play level was marginal Hall of Famer.

[@chrisoakley5830]

I loved Ralph, he's my favorite college basketball player ever.

[@curly8029]

Notice ? A lot of these older big guys - Wilt, Russell, Kareem, Sampson, Walton - are all so articulate and well-spoken.

[@powerbadpowerbad]

They grew-up in different generations and time periods,unlike todays society.

[@deelo2281]

Probably because they grew up with fathers in their lives.

[@roshangeorge2127]

David Robinson also

[@curly8029]

@@roshangeorge2127 definitely.

[@chrisoakley5830]

Yes, all great players and more importantly, great people.

[@keavo5368]

One of my favorites. He was so good. Way ahead of his time.

[@VictorHernandez-iq1zg]

To the point he was . Sampson was a force in his day .

[@edgarsnake2857]

I'm with Ralph on this. Good to see him.

[@lwmson]

Ralph's right about the higher standard placed on big men. When you're following in the footsteps of Kareem and Wilt, those are tough acts to follow.

[@anonymike8280]

Actually, the league itself had to move past the ides that you needed a dominating center to win, someone who would score in the 20s and rebound in double figures every game. Eventually, teams learned to win with lesser talents in the five spot.

[@lwmson]

@@anonymike8280 I think the institution of the 3-pt shot mitigated the value of the 5 position.

[@anonymike8280]

@@lwmson It did, but the belief that a team had to have a dominant center declined before the three became the factor it is today. Historically, in fact, forward-oriented offenses were what won championships. The three also devalued the forward position. Consider the Bulls in the 90s. 91-93, Bill Cartwright ,Will Perdue and Stacey King split time. 96-98, it was Luc Longley and Bill Wennington. No heroes in this bunch.

[@mlc7million]

Love the videos Man! Keep up the great work!

[@theuniversegalaxynba]

Thank you and you might like my second page too the link is in the description section .

[@mlc7million]

@@theuniversegalaxynba Ok I’ll check it out.

[@InvestBetter.]

Wilt Chamberlain, his GM in Philly, with the Warriors, wouldn't even bother putting a team around him The GM expected to win with Wilt, alone, so he stopped doing his job

[@kevingumfory]

Wilts the goat. I used to argue it with younger people. Then todays men started crying they can't get no puss. That was when I quit arguing. Dudes today.

[@t.davidgordon2425]

You provide us with nicely-recorded and edited material that gives us insight into how players view the game. I've appreciated your other videos, but subscribed today, out of appreciation for the quality of what you do. Thank you.

[@markminister2599]

Fantastic.

[@jamezason]

Would love to see more Ralph interviews. Especially with Victor in the league.

[@kenarthur6253]

Great video. Ralph is well spoken and wise. Great player, except Game 6 in the Boston Garden against that great 1986 Celtics team. The fans crushed him in that game.

[@leodrosia4369]

Bird said that the celtic fans were out for blood that game and he could tell that Ralph had no chance...I think bird respected us because we wanted to win as much as he did and tried to rattle the opponents

[@edscottable]

I wonder what they were saying to him

[@christopherlambert1711]

Oh shut up with the "well spoken" crap. Mr. Sampson is a college graduate. Go to any trailer park in middle America, find a random guy and interview him. Let's see how "well spoken " he is. Loser.

[@jlobiafra]

The Boston crowd had a homemade dummy with "Sampson" written on its chest with a noose around its neck hanging from the balcony. Yeah only in Boston. Imagine that happening today.

[@tobingallawa3322]

I always loved Ralph Sampson,, the injuries shortened his career so much, but when he could play, oh my. I wish the Rockets never tried to make him a power forward

[@keithlabarrie3098]

They didn't have a choice they had Hakeem Olajuwon

[@tobingallawa3322]

@@keithlabarrie3098 Olajuwon could have played power forward

[@jlobiafra]

​@@tobingallawa3322but ralph could play facing the basket and hit jumpers outside the paint. Dream at that stage of his career could not.

[@troyarthur9342]

I was in high school when Ralph was in college, I was not a virginia fan but must say he is probably the best college player of all time. People dog on him for his nba career but he was unstoppable in college.

[@missayawk]

Kareem was.But Ralph was pretty good

[@troyarthur9342]

@@missayawk I only saw old film of Lew Alcindor in college so I can't disagree with you. I probably should have said Ralph was the best I had ever seen.

[@missayawk]

@@troyarthur9342 Me too, but I study the history of basketball.I mean when they take the dunk out of the college game because of ONE guy.That says it all.Also Pistol Pete was a one man gang averaging over 40 with no 3 pt shot.Like Ralph, Pistol was way ahead of his time.

[@Blacklist324]

Me too, I remember his first match vs Patrick Ewing in college. Remember the hype around that game? I watched it at my friend's house because they had a color TV. 😂

[@troyarthur9342]

@@Blacklist324 I grew up in a very small town and satellite tv had just came out and my dads company sold them so we had one. Basically our entire highschool team used to come over for every big game. It was a great time in basketball history.

[@matteice2994]

Big Fella Great Man THANK YOU

[@blackreacher]

I grew up in NC, was a middle schooler in the 80's, an NC State fan and so I wasn't too impressed with MJ. Ralph Sampson was the Man, and I watched a game when he blocked a guys shot near the baseline, just snatched it out of the air like a rebound. Aye, I had never seen anything like that

[@Peakfreud]

Cavaliers versus Tar Heals when Ralph played was a huge rivalry, I was just a Kid in Virginia we were raised to hate the tar heals it was almost cultural. I remember as a kid thinking the Tar Heals were evil lol

[@blachloch1]

A shame that his career was ruined by injuries. Class act and would have been an all time great.

[@Coolmike19]

He's right you can't teach the Dream shake to nobody. ( You got to witness it for yourself it was awesome.))

[@Coolmike19]

So true 👍

[@jcurtis5584]

I fully expected his answer to be Patrick Ewing, but was pleasantly surprised when he said "Kareem!"

[@Ipadstands]

Good story to hear , thanks for bringing it forth

[@huandru]

Oh! Dwight Howard getting viciously kicked in the ribs! Hahahaha! I did not see that coming!

[@rickbackous1041]

I always heard that the NBA HOF was the easiest Hall to get into. Ralph getting there proves it.

[@FuShengAlex]

It's the Naismith HOF not the NBA hall of fame. Ralph had a fantastic individual ncaa career which helped give him the nod. It'd have been more dubious if Ralph made the NBA 75 team.

[@jlobiafra]

Well Oscar Schmidt never played in the NBA and he's in

[@JayKhabir]

Your comment is proof that you are illiterate.

[@bauerj3398]

rickbackous1041: most people so free with their opinion, have an idea what they are talking about. Sampson was not inducted into the NBA HOF.

[@tenfourproductionsllc]

But a 1979 NBC video piece said he was 7 3 3/4 in his senior year during his senior HS year.

[@leodrosia4369]

I hear this a lot from players in 70s, 80s...they really, really looked up to Kareem, wilt, Russell more than they did Jordan.

[@ericm1462]

Doesn’t that make sense considering they where before Jordan and a different position 🙄

[@Juntao1989]

@@ericm1462 😂😂😂😂😂🤦🏾‍♂️ EXACTLY

[@chrisoakley5830]

Jordan made his big mark in the NBA, in college, he was very good, but not considered great.

[@njldst2007]

Hakeem trying to teach Dwight Howard the Dream Shake is funny just trying to imagine it

[@nonamewillbegiven6136]

Shutup

[@njldst2007]

@@nonamewillbegiven6136 No

[@nonamewillbegiven6136]

@@njldst2007 shutup

[@njldst2007]

@@nonamewillbegiven6136 No 😌

[@89G]

I'm gonna admit, I thought that was John Witherspoon on the thumbnail when I was scrolling past. Great interview though!!

[@Solanegore]

GREAT VIDEO SIR!

[@aaronflowers8881]

Blankman could ball lol. I like Ralph Sampson.

[@master-kq3nw]

Legend rockets

[@same_ole_rome]

Kareem said he had to develop the "Sky Hook" because when he was a kid tryna shoot a jump shot, his opponents were tryna smash his face with the ball! So, Kareem developed the "Sky Hook" to prevent his face from getting smashed. New York.................

[@MarkLabadie-h5v]

I developed my version due to the same situation. I played center at 6'3", and my hook shot was unstoppable. Some players at UVA remember me for that skill.

[@606Knott]

Jerry sichtings?

[@cheerjim]

UVA proud!

[@RG-ct6qz]

Who is the GOAT after Wilt for one on one? Who is the GOAT after Russell for team basketball?

[@grawakendream8980]

funny how kareem isn't mentioned as the greatest ever, while during his career he was considered far and away. there's a resurgence in wilt appreciation. maybe partly from his passing. but kareem may be the greatest of them all. a 20 year run in his era was completely unheard of too

[@robertroth319]

Phenomenal & true analysis. This has baffled me. Never thought Kareem would be underrated years later.

[@brianhankins9992]

Maybe not so many left that remember anymore. I'm nearly 50 and all I remember was Magic being the best player on the Lakers.

[@icyplatinum]

He must've been 7'4" with sneakers and Yao us 7'5" without shoes. Cause Yao looks to be 7'6" next to Ralph

[@grawakendream8980]

i remember when my fav team at the time, signed him in about 1992 to a 10-day contract it was sort of an exciting blast from the past, hoping he could pan out and contribute. it was not to be. i'd actually like to see footage of him with the bullets, for my own personal nostalgia

[@gilbertreyes6750]

He's about to say it But Dan interrupted 😝

[@myjourney5753]

I can only imagine how many chips him and Hakeem would have won, if his knees held up.

[@edscottable]

If they had some consistent guard play. Man if Louis Lloyd could’ve stayed on the court.

[@BrockLanders]

It’s a toss up between Ralph and Pistol Pete for the greatest college basketball player of all time.

[@missayawk]

Toss up between Pistol Pete and Kareem.But Kareem gets the nod.His teams ALWAYS won.

[@jerryhalstead5174]

Walton, Kareem, pistol are the 3 ncaa players in the conversation. Of course Kareem is the only player to be in the conversation every stage combined. Blacktop, h.s., ncaa, nba. 2nd Russell, wilt.

[@missayawk]

@@jerryhalstead5174 Totally agree.One more note.If it wasn't for Walton's college career he wouldn't be on that NBA Top75.Thats how much weight his UCLA career carried.The 1977-78 Portland championship over the heavily favored Sixers was the icing on the cake, but statistically he really doesn't belong on the Top 75.

[@robertroth319]

@@jerryhalstead5174 Actually it's Russell, Kareem, Oscar ,David Thompson & Walton for college. Kareem # 1.

[@jerryhalstead5174]

@@robertroth319 funny how the same man was #1 every stage of his career and ISNT ranked as the goat by most everyone. My opinion goat is lifetime collection of works.

[@michaeln.2383]

Bird must have been the best, so Sampson took his out frustration on Jerry Sichting.

[@nystagmus]

Doesn’t look like he aged much

[@99alfailiwaqain51]

Peace! Add to the fact that Kareem WAS WAY PAST his PRIME when Ralph entered the league..

[@herbertnelsonjr.9899]

Kareem STILL was MVP of the NBA when Sampson came into the league. He also got one more FINAL'S MVP!

[@edscottable]

Kareem was good until about 85 or 86.

[@BenzeneHex57]

I used the sky hook.

[@pputnam100]

that's very nice...

[@Mr05Chuck]

There is such a thing as to tall. Gravity is the final judge.

[@1972ardy]

The twin towers..ralph and hakeem...

[@lloydkline1518]

Original twin tower of NBA history

[@epicsseven7686]

Ralph Simpson isn't and was never 7 feet 4. Like the late Mark Eaton said. Paraphrasing. Ralph is more closer to 7 feet 1. I've seen Ralph standing next to Kareem. And Kareem is an inch taller than him.

[@davidwilliamson2341]

Ralph was definitely 74 I worked with the Rockets back then Hakeem was only 6 10 Ralph was legit7 4 and absolute Giant and he was definitely two inches taller than kareem I knew them personally!!

[@rayj.9568]

Are you the same person that says Charles Barkley is 6'4"?

[@davidwilliamson2341]

Know honestly he was 74 during the Celtics series the Rockets had to practice at HBU due to electrical outage at regular facility I started working for him for about 2 years after that the Hakeem came out I thought he's big but not that big Ralph came out and he was massive like a giant but I honestly worked with them for 2 years after that and Ralph was legitimate 74 Barkley I don't know about I doubt he's 6'4 but he was probably all those guys that were mid height for their position they always jacked them up and inch or two but Ralph was legitimate Hakeem they added 2 in when they listed him

[@DrSeuss-nv9hw]

Dude, you don't even know his last name. It's SAMPSON not "Simpson." And, yes, he was a 7 foot 4 inch Greyhound.

[@epicsseven7686]

@@DrSeuss-nv9hw it was a typo. No more different than your name not being Dr Seuss. I know who he is. I remember his years st Virginia and pretty much all of those college players from the early 80s, when I was in high school. So you're going to tell the late Mark Eaton who said in a video that Ralph was not 7 feet 4. But more closer to 7 feet 1. He would know because he played against him. And Mark towered over him when they'd stood next to each other. As does Yao does in a picture of them in Houston. There's a few pictures of him and Kareem standing side by side. Kareem is an inch taller.

[@williamgullett8071]

A slightly better version of Shaun Bradley

[@williamgullett8071]

@Greg Bailey ok, so I embellished a little. Those tall thin guys always get injured because they can't take the physicality of the game. A guy that size and frame gets leg injuries. I know he got injured but it's hard to credit the guy with getting injured when it was his size and frame that created the injuries. In college he could get away with it, in the pros they just lean on and bang guys like that and it's just a matter of time before they are finished. Sampson was better than I initially implied but I wouldn't have given him a draft grade coming out of college that some did, not because Sampson wasnt good but the inevitability he would get injured.. I looked at Sampson as an effective player coming out of college for 5 or 6 seasons until he got hurt and wouldn't be much after that. A good player yes, and you had to pick him first in that horrible 83 draft but I just figured it was just a matter of time before injuries caught up to him. Yes, he was considerably better than Shawn Bradley, I was being facetious

[@ericm1462]

Lol. Ok

[@williamgullett8071]

@@ericm1462 I was joking

[@mongoslade277]

Delete your comment please!!!!!

[@lloydkline1518]

Shaun bradley waste of height;; like comparing Eagle to a sparrow bird

[@richarddnewphonedonahoe3496]

I can’t say Ralph Sampson was the greatest player in college basketball. That distinction belongs to Pistol Pete Maravich by light years with an all time scoring avg. of 44 points per game. No contest. Ralph was not a great player. You don’t shoot 3 pointer’s when you’re 7’4”. His focus was lackadaisical in clutch moments losing his cool on the court. Took too many low percentage shots outside.