I spent many a night back in the 80s cheering Ralph Sampson & Hakeem Olajuwon, aka, “The Twin Towers”, & the rest of the Rockets @ the old Houston Summit, now the “House of Joel”. Before injuries curtailed his career, he was a solid 20/10/2 (points/rebounds/blocks) player his first 3 seasons. I will never forget that last second shot he made against the defending champion Lakers in the 1986 Western Conference Finals, dethroning them, & sending the Rockets to the NBA Finals...🏀
proud to say that he is from my home state of Va....play against my high school and i remember him just being ahead of his time...great person and baller....salute big Ralph!
Yes he was, Stacy! Played for Elkton High School and against him in a Christmas Tournament at Godwin Hall (James Madison University's old place). Dude even dribbled like a point guard. Lol.
I remember before Ralph decided to play for the University of Virginia, someone at UVA wrote in big letters on the roof of the basketball arena "RALPH'S HOUSE"...I knew then he would play for UVA.
First time I have ever heard Ralf Sampson give an interview. He is a nice man and interesting talker. I was wondering what happened to him as I watch Houston's old games with the 80s Celtics. I see he had only five years in the NBA. A short career. I wonder why.
He and Sam Bowie were the two most recruited players in that famed high school class of 1979. They might’ve been the Russell and Chamberlain of the next generation, but both had injury decimated careers.
Come on Dan! Bill Laimbeer shot 84% from the line & Bob Lanier 77%. You should know that! I don't mean the exact pct. but I knew Laimbeer & Lanier were very good from the FT Line & you should have as well!
Can we say he is one of the biggest "what ifs" in the sport? I know he played 10 or so seasons but he got injured in his third or fourth and from then on he was a shadow of his former self. Not so different from guys like Walton, Penny, Grant Hill, etc.
I spent many a night back in the 80s cheering Ralph Sampson & Hakeem Olajuwon, aka, “The Twin Towers”, & the rest of the Rockets @ the old Houston Summit, now the “House of Joel”. Before injuries curtailed his career, he was a solid 20/10/2 (points/rebounds/blocks) player his first 3 seasons. I will never forget that last second shot he made against the defending champion Lakers in the 1986 Western Conference Finals, dethroning them, & sending the Rockets to the NBA Finals...🏀
proud to say that he is from my home state of Va....play against my high school and i remember him just being ahead of his time...great person and baller....salute big Ralph!
Yes he was, Stacy! Played for Elkton High School and against him in a Christmas Tournament at Godwin Hall (James Madison University's old place). Dude even dribbled like a point guard. Lol.
@@fastponygt1511 Is he from a town called HARRISBURG I saw that when made the MC DONALD'S ALL AMERICA SQUAD?????
one of my favorites Ralph ! I wish he played today in 2017 he's dominate ...........
Always Loved Ralph Sampson ! My favorite Big Man.
What a great person and great player.
You can tell Ralph is living the good life...He has not aged one bit.
I respect this man tremendously, such a humble person also, he was a freak of nature, big men just didn't run the court the way he did...
I can't imagine waking up one morning from 6'7" to 6'10 to 7'1" to 7'4".
Great guy.
Awesome Player!
When people say guys back then weren't athletic... go back and look at this man... The greek has nothing on this man's skill and athleticism
I remember before Ralph decided to play for the University of Virginia, someone at UVA wrote in big letters on the roof of the basketball arena "RALPH'S HOUSE"...I knew then he would play for UVA.
"How famous were you in college"??? Really Dan??? What planet were you living on from '79-'83?
Never knew Ralph had an engaging personality.
Could of been the best big men of all time
I want to find on TH-cam that Capital Classic where Ralph was just too much for Sam Bowie.
First time I have ever heard Ralf Sampson give an interview. He is a nice man and interesting talker. I was wondering what happened to him as I watch Houston's old games with the 80s Celtics. I see he had only five years in the NBA. A short career. I wonder why.
Ralph had injury problems...he had three different knee surgeries
@@theretrosavage Thanks for the info. Jumping is tough on the knees and as one gets older it gets tougher.
@@samualcrocket1405 he played 10 NBA seasons...checkout his Wikipedia
Yeah wish he had a longer career but his peak, although brief, was pretty great.
@@RemoWilliams1227 Agree even though I was a Celtics fan.
His game was before its time!
He and Sam Bowie were the two most recruited players in that famed high school class of 1979. They might’ve been the Russell and Chamberlain of the next generation, but both had injury decimated careers.
And Bowie was rated highed, but Ralph outplayed him in the Capital Classic.
💕 💕 💕
Sampson!
Come on Dan! Bill Laimbeer shot 84% from the line & Bob Lanier 77%. You should know that! I don't mean the exact pct. but I knew Laimbeer & Lanier were very good from the FT Line & you should have as well!
He was right about Dean Smith holding Jordan from scoring a lot of points
Can this guy age
Should of asked him why did Bill Fitch move him back to pf instead of leaving him at Center for the nba finals vs Boston.
A classy guy, too bad his knees cut his career short.
Yes we 6"4 can hide.
Can we say he is one of the biggest "what ifs" in the sport? I know he played 10 or so seasons but he got injured in his third or fourth and from then on he was a shadow of his former self. Not so different from guys like Walton, Penny, Grant Hill, etc.
He made more 3’s than Ben Simmons
I thought his sons would have NBA careers...
I'm from Boston and can't wait to hate on this guy....except he seems like just a good guy. On the court means nothing in real life.
Peace, bruh