his passing to the point guard after getting the rebound is like watching a passing highlight reel, this is hilarious. no look here, behind the back there :D
Ramon Suarez Agree 100%! And honestly, I believe Sarunas Marciulionis belongs in the conversation as well. Two of my all time favorites! And if you love Sabonis game, check out Nikola Jokic! This kid is the real deal! He's already secured his spot among the all time "elite" passers! And just like Sabonis, Bird and Magic, he would be one hell of a lot of fun to play with!
I'm a Bulls fan but this is just further proof that had prime Sabonis played in those Drexler-led Blazer teams, the Bulls would have been completely dismantled by them.
Even in '88 when he was already pretty banged up he totally dominated Robinson during the the Olympics. With a prime Sabonis Portland would definitely have claimed a couple of MJ's rings. :-)
Center was almost always a weakness for the Bulls. They weren't terrible but they weren't good. A healthy Sabonis would have likely knocked off a couple of those titles.
@@GrahamCStrouse in seoul olimpics sabas was after 2 achiles surgeries and didn't play full season before olimpics, so very rusty and still kicked robinsons arse.
Very possible but counterpoint is a very rust MJ in 95 still had a competitive series with the Magic who had shaq. If hes fully in shape then maybe they win it despite having poor bigs
At 7 foot 3 he was and will always be the greatest passing big men in history. There will never be another big men who could pass, dribble, shoot, and have the basketball IQ that he had. If it wasn't for the Soviets banning him from the NBA early in his career and forcing him to come back to play in the Olympics only a few months after tearing his achilles he could have been the best center ever.
Divac was a very good player, and had a solid career. However, when it comes to the ability to pass, step out to shoot the three, and handle the ball I believe Sabonis was better. Divac was able to play in the NBA a lot longer, and had a better career, but his overall game was better than Divac even when past his prime.
MikanMini99 There are also things where Vlade was better but, sticking to what Sabas topped Vlade about, I'd add that he was taller and bigger than the latter - which helps as center - more confident with the ball, more powerful going up to the ring (one of Vlade's weakest points) and taking position or boxing out the opponent, even when old and injured. When I put all this together, despite Divac's qualities, it tells me Sabonis was one step ahead. Only he got injured and joined the NBA well past his prime, unlike Divac...
Sabonis first season in the NBA at age 31 was better than any season Divac had in his career. Infact 6 out of 7 seasons Sabonis played in NBA were better, after he was 30 and after injuries.
I always enjoy watching him , his feel for the game is incredible, the way he grabs that ball and passes it afterwards. To me the best center there ever was , not many seven footers can shoot threes also.
Always wondered how he would have fared if he played his 20s in the NBA, he had the best touch and passing of any big man i've ever seen and could also bang w/ Shaq, he had the whole package.
But even a 32 year old, out of shape, injured Sabonis was a top 5 center in the NBA. Many experts think he'd have been one of the greatest players ever if he was allowed to join the league in 1986 when he was drafted
I saw Sabas play in the 80s in Europe and he was unstoppable. He was very agile and strong. If he had been born at this time with 17 or 18 he would have been in the NBA and with the trains method of now he would mark an era.
damn! this big one is fast! look at his reactions! He knew where his teammates were so that he could pass the ball to the right person in the first time!
Sabonis' passing, especially the bounce pass and no-look pass to cutters were classic. His rebounding and the art/science of getting good position were the nitty-gritty. Last but not least, his footwork was crafty. If he had played in the NBA during his prime, it would have been fantastic.
He would have been one of the best ever. He had some of the best skills of Kareem and Wilt. And he was a little taller. I so wish I could have seen him in the NBA when he was younger.
Need to remember he was 32 and pretty out of shape when he played in the NBA. He'd had numerous knee injuries because of the USSRs crazy training regimes and playing schedules. I bet he's 325 pounds in this game. At his peak he was super athletic and closer to 270 pounds
to bad this guy pass his prime when he join nba...i watch him live and he was much better than gasol's and even dirk...his skills and his size were great!
@@indianviking6940 i think he whimped a little bit. with his injuries he didnt think he would be able to compete, so he choose spain instead. I think he regrets it to this day.
Sabonis was unique. He wasn't as athletic as Wilt but he was so quick. And he was taller, and an excellent shooter. I don't think there's ever been a guy his height who was so skilled. He's like Magic passing the ball.
Portland drafted him many years before he was even allowed to leave his country (as they were at war. They saw more than just talent in that man they saw the potential for, not just a fantastic athlete, but a fantastic athlete, who could, and would also deliver wisdom and tenacity, to the game. Making for a force to be reckoned with. And much respect to the team and to Sabonis, for coming to an agreement and both sides giving all that was promised on both sides, and then some. You are amazing Mr Sabonis.
Unbelievable! One of the best players in the league, even without being able to run and to jump at all!!! Never seen something like that!! And being twice the weight he was in mid 80s
sabonis got the basketball IQ, best court vision center ever, his long range shooting, great finishing, and if he's in the prime with strong physique and at 7 foot 3? he can be top 10 center of all time
Zamisli da su Dražen Petrović i Arvidas Sabonis zajedno igrali u Portland i to u njihove najbolje godine, rasturili bi NBA ligu. Po mene su oni dva najbolja evropska košarkaša ikad
Petro znam da si iz Zadra ali mislim da je Sabonis najbolji centar Europe, pa čak bi rekao dominantniji je bio i od Krešimira Ćosića, ne znam ni jednog centra koji je imao šut kao Sabonis a uz to bio visok 220 strašno. Za mene su Dražen Petrović i Arvydas Sabonis dva najbolja europska igrača ikad!!!
In all their games since their 1977 championship, this would have gone down as the biggest win in Blazers franchise history if it weren’t for what the Pacers did to them at Market Square two nights after this.
The skill of the man. I'm sure if he had a healthy career and enter the NBA in his prime Sabonis would be in the GOAT conversation and a really strong candidate for it.
I would love to see Oscar, Drazen, Galis and Sabas playing in the NBA from 21 until their late 30's and see how they woud have affected the league. As for Sabas in Greece we called him the wonder of nature. He was one of my chidhood idols. The most intense memory that I have of Sabas is in this game between Olympiakos and Real. th-cam.com/video/82LXGpvsrCA/w-d-xo.html At 3:00 a lot of fans entered the court to celebrate the victory (btw the winning shot was out of time) and I was among them and I still remember standing as kid next to Sabas and oh boy he was a GIANT!!! A God of basketball. Nothing less.
That guy was probably in his prime 10 years before and had bad knees and was slow when he finally entered the NBA. So imagine how good he would have been in his prime.
In almost every case, when Sabonis gets a defensive board, he grabs the ball and gets it to the point guard all in one motion. And, as staxstix points out below, in whatever way works. This should be required viewing for any aspiring center.
I did watch Sabonis play when he was in Portland. Back then, I already thought he was really good. And then, the people say he is crippled when he got to NBA. I do not think Sabonis being the best center at that time (or even in history) is far off. That guy is amazing.
I was never a fan of Michael Jordan tbh lol so many people ride Jordan but ive always loved players like sabonis. Even average players like Jason Terry, Mike Miller, Kevin Love (rebounding skills) not his scoring. Guys like Kevin mchale, Larry bird, bill Walton, Nikola Jokic. ill throw in Bam adebayo. These are the players I love its just a natural skill they have it separates from the likes of players like Michael or Kobe.
that's how u beat Mike just wasn't team like this blazers team except the rockets with Hakeem but Jordan left to play baseball would have been the teams too beat the bulls with Jordan but it is what it is
It was actually Sarunas Marciulionis who introduced eurostep to NBA thats why its called eurostep after all. It wasnt anything new in Europe back then.
![Arvydas Sabonis [23pts/10reb] VS Shaquille O'Neal [27pts/8reb] - 1997](/img/n.gif)
his passing to the point guard after getting the rebound is like watching a passing highlight reel, this is hilarious. no look here, behind the back there :D
Also take into account he's 32 and completely out of shape!
In this video he is 35
And the block on Wennington
@@kbandrb8 Damm
Reminds me of Rajon Rondo tossing the ball in a funky way during the first possession.
Watching Arvydas Sabonis is addictive. He has such a great court vision.
he seems to feel like he is playing with the kids...^^
Excellent defense, outlet passing, feeds to cutters, outside shooting, rebounding and layups from Arvydas. An all-around great center.
Tremendous basketball IQ.
The pass at 1:53 was epic! My favorite player without question :)
Sabonis best center in NBA. He can do everything that no center has ever done.
Sabonis' hands were quick as hell. No doubt this dude would have been an all-time NBA legend had there been no Iron Curtain.
Ramon Suarez
Agree 100%! And honestly, I believe Sarunas Marciulionis belongs in the conversation as well. Two of my all time favorites!
And if you love Sabonis game, check out Nikola Jokic! This kid is the real deal! He's already secured his spot among the all time "elite" passers!
And just like Sabonis, Bird and Magic, he would be one hell of a lot of fun to play with!
@@michealpowell1299
You were right about Jokic.
I'm a Bulls fan but this is just further proof that had prime Sabonis played in those Drexler-led Blazer teams, the Bulls would have been completely dismantled by them.
Even in '88 when he was already pretty banged up he totally dominated Robinson during the the Olympics. With a prime Sabonis Portland would definitely have claimed a couple of MJ's rings. :-)
Center was almost always a weakness for the Bulls. They weren't terrible but they weren't good. A healthy Sabonis would have likely knocked off a couple of those titles.
@@GrahamCStrouse in seoul olimpics sabas was after 2 achiles surgeries and didn't play full season before olimpics, so very rusty and still kicked robinsons arse.
Very possible but counterpoint is a very rust MJ in 95 still had a competitive series with the Magic who had shaq. If hes fully in shape then maybe they win it despite having poor bigs
Imagine a healthy Sabonis for an entire career in the NBA, his stats would be quite close to the Olajuwons and the Robinsons, if not better.
Sabonis=magic jhonson
No injury Sabonis = top 3 big of all-time? Or top 5?
Aiste xo
Sabonis = Larry Bird + Bill Walton
Or as Walton said... "Arvydas Sabonis is a 7'3", 300lb Larry Bird"!
Better
@@michealpowell1299 Larry Bird was still a much better shooter, but other than that yeah.
At 7 foot 3 he was and will always be the greatest passing big men in history. There will never be another big men who could pass, dribble, shoot, and have the basketball IQ that he had. If it wasn't for the Soviets banning him from the NBA early in his career and forcing him to come back to play in the Olympics only a few months after tearing his achilles he could have been the best center ever.
There was one center Vlade Divac
Divac was a very good player, and had a solid career. However, when it comes to the ability to pass, step out to shoot the three, and handle the ball I believe Sabonis was better. Divac was able to play in the NBA a lot longer, and had a better career, but his overall game was better than Divac even when past his prime.
MikanMini99 There are also things where Vlade was better but, sticking to what Sabas topped Vlade about, I'd add that he was taller and bigger than the latter - which helps as center - more confident with the ball, more powerful going up to the ring (one of Vlade's weakest points) and taking position or boxing out the opponent, even when old and injured. When I put all this together, despite Divac's qualities, it tells me Sabonis was one step ahead. Only he got injured and joined the NBA well past his prime, unlike Divac...
Sabonis first season in the NBA at age 31 was better than any season Divac had in his career. Infact 6 out of 7 seasons Sabonis played in NBA were better, after he was 30 and after injuries.
lol comparing divac with sabas lmao.... divac said he admired and tryed to copy sabas in 90s :DD
Only cuz he wasn't here in his prime....ARVYDAS SABONIS will never get the recognition he deserves, as THE BEST INTERNATIONAL PLAYER OF ALL TIME
The art of fancy no look outlet pass. !
Nice finger roll/scoop shot by sabonis on 0:32 wow. Enjoyed watching him play and doing this passed his prime too
I always enjoy watching him , his feel for the game is incredible, the way he grabs that ball and passes it afterwards. To me the best center there ever was , not many seven footers can shoot threes also.
Stretch fours are all the rage today. Sabonis was a stretch FIVE.
Always wondered how he would have fared if he played his 20s in the NBA, he had the best touch and passing of any big man i've ever seen and could also bang w/ Shaq, he had the whole package.
He was just fucking amazing. Was always a fan and I think he was one of the best big men who ever lived.
But even a 32 year old, out of shape, injured Sabonis was a top 5 center in the NBA.
Many experts think he'd have been one of the greatest players ever if he was allowed to join the league in 1986 when he was drafted
C Mooney exactly
I saw Sabas play in the 80s in Europe and he was unstoppable. He was very agile and strong. If he had been born at this time with 17 or 18 he would have been in the NBA and with the trains method of now he would mark an era.
Arvydas Sabonis best basketball player in the world.., 😍
Truly a great player. Heavy feet/body, quick hands, very quick brain...
pre injury he did not have heavy feet
I could watch Sabonis make outlet passes all day...
damn! this big one is fast! look at his reactions! He knew where his teammates were so that he could pass the ball to the right person in the first time!
if MJ and Arvydas was played together Bull was won 10 rings
The world would have exploded. lol
Sabonis' passing, especially the bounce pass and no-look pass to cutters were classic. His rebounding and the art/science of getting good position were the nitty-gritty. Last but not least, his footwork was crafty. If he had played in the NBA during his prime, it would have been fantastic.
He would have been one of the best ever. He had some of the best skills of Kareem and Wilt. And he was a little taller. I so wish I could have seen him in the NBA when he was younger.
Need to remember he was 32 and pretty out of shape when he played in the NBA.
He'd had numerous knee injuries because of the USSRs crazy training regimes and playing schedules.
I bet he's 325 pounds in this game. At his peak he was super athletic and closer to 270 pounds
CJ Mooney he was actually 290 here at his peak he was 240
to bad this guy pass his prime when he join nba...i watch him live and he was much better than gasol's and even dirk...his skills and his size were great!
crazy thing is that he kept playing after the nba
sucks that he didnt come earlier in the 80s
***** still was USSR and was n't easy to go to NBA.
m
Andreas GR how come sarunas marciulionis was able to join nba then another lithuanian back in the 80s it was still ussr
@@indianviking6940 i think he whimped a little bit. with his injuries he didnt think he would be able to compete, so he choose spain instead. I think he regrets it to this day.
najbolji igrač eurolige za sva vremena a bio bi i najbolji cenat nba za sva vremena samo da je ranije došao u nba
Sabonis was unique. He wasn't as athletic as Wilt but he was so quick. And he was taller, and an excellent shooter. I don't think there's ever been a guy his height who was so skilled. He's like Magic passing the ball.
I would love to have seen Sabonis in his prime on the San Antonio Spurs "Foreign Legion" team. He would fit in perfectly with Popovich's system.
The Pass @ 1:50...
his passing was awesome.
Man, I love watching that Blazers squad.
Increíble, Sabonis tenía cuerpo de Center, pero alma y mente de Point Guard
Поэтому он все умел делать на площадке..
clash of the Titans. Sabonis with 11 Rebounds in one quarter >>>> just fantastic
Portland drafted him many years before he was even allowed to leave his country (as they were at war. They saw more than just talent in that man they saw the potential for, not just a fantastic athlete, but a fantastic athlete, who could, and would also deliver wisdom and tenacity, to the game. Making for a force to be reckoned with. And much respect to the team and to Sabonis, for coming to an agreement and both sides giving all that was promised on both sides, and then some. You are amazing Mr Sabonis.
sabonis draft in 86, portland whit sabonis drexler and porter in 1990-91, WOW
And Drazen Petrovic if wasn't x Dunleavy
Some crazy moves by both.
Unbelievable! One of the best players in the league, even without being able to run and to jump at all!!!
Never seen something like that!! And being twice the weight he was in mid 80s
Wow, the basketball play style have changed a lot!!
Sabonis play after such hard injuries still was like state of art! Just watch his ability to pass! Not many of guard stars can do this even today!
sabonis got the basketball IQ, best court vision center ever, his long range shooting, great finishing, and if he's in the prime with strong physique and at 7 foot 3? he can be top 10 center of all time
5:01 MASTER
That pass from the post at 5.10 is just sick. Falling backwards, yet right on the money!
Amazing. Please upload more of Sabonis highlights!
sabonis and marciulionis two the best playrs of all times
Prime Sabonis was the GOT, not even close, a mix of Larry, Wilt and Nocioni!
Sabonis - LEGEND!
Glad I watched the great NBA teams of the 90’s .. Rockets back to back, Jordan ruling the league.
Zamisli da su Dražen Petrović i Arvidas Sabonis zajedno igrali u Portland i to u njihove najbolje godine, rasturili bi NBA ligu. Po mene su oni dva najbolja evropska košarkaša ikad
Wow,he is so calm
I love this Blazers!
2:36 A guy in the crowd after Sabonis's 3-pointer "Man, somebody gotta stop that freak!" :D
Bet he heard that in a lot of different languages in his career lol
Sabonis is the greatest NBA center that never was. He single handedly created the Dream Team.
Imagine a prime Sabonas on the 2002 Sacramento Kings!
He'd be Vlade Divac on steroids.
Are u kidding me? A point guard center lol What a legend if not for the damn soviets blocking his move to the nba he would have been a force
awesome video thanks!
If Sabonis was in todays nba young and healthy he would be even better than Jokic . Scary
really smart passing
Greatest underrated player ever ❤
Yep it's amazing how he could performed even with his physical abilities totally decreased due to injuries.
Petro znam da si iz Zadra ali mislim da je Sabonis najbolji centar Europe, pa čak bi rekao dominantniji je bio i od Krešimira Ćosića, ne znam ni jednog centra koji je imao šut kao Sabonis a uz to bio visok 220 strašno. Za mene su Dražen Petrović i Arvydas Sabonis dva najbolja europska igrača ikad!!!
In all their games since their 1977 championship, this would have gone down as the biggest win in Blazers franchise history if it weren’t for what the Pacers did to them at Market Square two nights after this.
The skill of the man. I'm sure if he had a healthy career and enter the NBA in his prime Sabonis would be in the GOAT conversation and a really strong candidate for it.
A colossus
Sabonis is like Bruce Lee just in basketball 🏀
I would love to see Oscar, Drazen, Galis and Sabas playing in the NBA from 21 until their late 30's and see how they woud have affected the league.
As for Sabas in Greece we called him the wonder of nature. He was one of my chidhood idols. The most intense memory that I have of Sabas is in this game between Olympiakos and Real.
th-cam.com/video/82LXGpvsrCA/w-d-xo.html
At 3:00 a lot of fans entered the court to celebrate the victory (btw the winning shot was out of time) and I was among them and I still remember standing as kid next to Sabas and oh boy he was a GIANT!!! A God of basketball. Nothing less.
That guy was probably in his prime 10 years before and had bad knees and was slow when he finally entered the NBA. So imagine how good he would have been in his prime.
Арвидас конечно гений- как конфетки детишкам пасы раздаёт
In almost every case, when Sabonis gets a defensive board, he grabs the ball and gets it to the point guard all in one motion. And, as staxstix points out below, in whatever way works. This should be required viewing for any aspiring center.
7.3 larry bird
Would have been a NBA hall of famer if he played his whole career in the states. He was already old and injured here!
he already is hall of famer
He is an nba hall of famer
madre mia sabonis
impressive
Time between rebounds and passing, 0.0005 secs. Unreal
1:53 при замедленном повторе то даже не заметен пас Сабониса..!!!3:09 Джордана никто не трогал..!
Sabonis OP
Rebounds, mid range shooting, three point shooting, blocks, steals, cmon,
Google literally showed me an artificial knee joints advertisement, while I was watching this video. Damn shame, Arvydas, damn shame.
Here should be people talking about MJ and Sabonis, but in the comments only the great Sabas , 👍
Epic
Сабонис красава!!!
I did watch Sabonis play when he was in Portland. Back then, I already thought he was really good. And then, the people say he is crippled when he got to NBA.
I do not think Sabonis being the best center at that time (or even in history) is far off. That guy is amazing.
fucking beast!
In Mike’s house nonetheless. Possibly the hardest stadium to visit in the 1990s.
It's a shame soviet didn't let him come NBA. But atleast the training system created the monster he was.
when blazers was so good without SABAS?
Prime Sabonis 25 and 15 every year until maybe early 30s had he not got those injuries.
you just need to hit the point, nowhere to run.
Doktor kosarke!
Old past his prime Sabonis was a problem...I know as a Laker fan.
he is the best no doubt...fk the argue thing :D
What happened to the full game?!!
Esto si era basket no ahora que sólo x mirar es falta xd
_All that without knees._
I was never a fan of Michael Jordan tbh lol so many people ride Jordan but ive always loved players like sabonis. Even average players like Jason Terry, Mike Miller, Kevin Love (rebounding skills) not his scoring. Guys like Kevin mchale, Larry bird, bill Walton, Nikola Jokic. ill throw in Bam adebayo. These are the players I love its just a natural skill they have it separates from the likes of players like Michael or Kobe.
They should create team from 2 players, Sabonis and Jordan vs 5 = easy win, sory for my english.
Sabonis the best Lithuania center
Arvydas
Sabonis ate up Luc Longly.
3:13 you could see that hes in pain
that's how u beat Mike just wasn't team like this blazers team except the rockets with Hakeem but Jordan left to play baseball would have been the teams too beat the bulls with Jordan but it is what it is
1:21 and they say ginobili introduced the eurostep
It was actually Sarunas Marciulionis who introduced eurostep to NBA thats why its called eurostep after all. It wasnt anything new in Europe back then.