Ralph Sampson Breaks Down ICONIC Fight vs Celtics in 1986 Finals
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 มี.ค. 2023
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/ @nbahistoryclns -~-
Welcome to the latest episode of the Cedric Maxwell Podcast! In this episode, Cedric is joined by a special guest, NBA legend Ralph Sampson. Together, they take a trip down memory lane to discuss one of the most memorable moments in NBA history - the 1986 fight in Game 5 of the Celtics vs. Rockets series.
Sampson, a former NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer, played an instrumental role in that game, which has gone down in history as one of the most intense and physical playoff games ever played. Alongside Hakeem Olajuwon, Sampson helped lead the Rockets to a hard-fought victory over the Celtics in what many consider to be one of the greatest games in NBA history.
In this episode, Sampson and Maxwell provide a firsthand account of the events leading up to and during the infamous fight, which saw a number of players from both teams ejected and suspended. They also reflect on the impact that the game had on their respective careers and on the NBA as a whole.
Beyond the game, Sampson also shares his experiences as an opponent of the Boston Celtics during the height of their dominance in the 1980s. He provides an insider's perspective on what it was like to play against legends like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish, and describes the unique challenges and advantages of playing in front of the passionate and boisterous Boston fans.
As always, Cedric brings his signature insight and humor to the conversation, making for an engaging and entertaining discussion that will be sure to delight NBA fans young and old. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the 1980s NBA, or simply someone who loves great basketball stories, this episode is not to be missed! So grab a drink, sit back, and join us for an unforgettable conversation with two of the game's greatest players.
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If I got hit in the nuts twice I'd start swinging too
"It was a bullshit ref and a bullshit call." Ralph Sampson, live on CBS. 😂
The Celtics dealt with it in the best way possible. They shut Sampson down and kicked the Rockets ass. Boston fans are caustic.
Totally forgot Bill Fitch was coaching the rockets that year. With a healthy Bill Walton the Celtics were too much for anyone that year.
@TheEsquireofSports.2.0 Lakers were vulnerable in 86, it was exposed by Houston and their lethal twin towers, just like the following yr, the Celtics vulnerability showed up, and it was exposed in the Finals by the Lakers.
DJ got a shot in too. Ralph Sampson swinging at every body including his teammates
Hilarious
Sampson at 7’4” - 7’5” ?
But never the brightest star in the galaxy.
His elevator stopped at about 6’10”
Wasn’t playing with a full deck ♠️♦️♣️♥️
They should’ve done a tag team event at Wrestlemania 4 or 5
Ainge & Sichting
VS
Sampson & Tree Rollins
Dj was a sneaky cheap shot artist I never liked him
You played hard in Game 6? You have a poor memory. You stunk.
Yeah Ralph Sampson SUCKED. He got hit in the nuts by two guards because he was like 8 feet tall and his nuts were shoulder height. LOL A big STIFF and GOON against smaller guys. One of the most over-rated players - along with Fatass Barkley - of all time.
I have hated Sampson since I watched that game as a 10 year-old boy in Rhode Island, and as part of a family of huge Celtics fans.
This video just changed my mind, and I'm happy to say that I've developed a different perspective.
Thanks for posting this.
Why is Max apologizing? Sampson sucker punched a guy 15" shorter than him.
Exactly Aram! Creating a problem that wasn't there to begin with! First off, Cornbread doesn't speak for the city of Boston now, or from 1986! He's not the mayor! Second, players being used as effigies in sports has been around since time immemorial, and contributes to the hostile atmospheres that many cities have as a strength, which makes it difficult to go and play there. Philadelphia fans have done things that are "through-the-roof," which makes it one of the most intimidating fan-bases to play in front of.
And, why isn't Cornbread asking Ralph to apologize to Jerry Sichting and the Boston fans? He's the one who was "out of line!" Not only that, but he buckled under the pressure in Game #6 like a cheap lawn chair, when the Rockets needed him to step up. Also, show me slow-motion video where Danny and Jerry "hit Ralph in the nuts!" I think he's making it all up to portray himself as "the victim" as well, and to rationalize what he did. "See everyone! I was hit in my package twice, therefore, I was justified in sucker-punching Sichting!" Absolutely ridiculous claim! Next thing he'll do is claim that Danny and Jerry used "the dreaded N-word!" Ralph please! Grow up dude!
Completely manufacturing "Ralph as the victim," when it was nothing but a fan having fun attempting to apply some pressure on Ralph and the Rockets- it worked! Now, both Cornbread and Ralph look like bitter fools after this interview!🙄
EdKiely, Ralph would never go that far and say the n, that's not his style, shouldn't have gone there. Far as that hanging from the Garden, that wouldn't be allowed today, that fan would've been banned from coming to games.
Yes its bill russell fault that celtics fan took dump in his bed
Bullshit! I remember this game like yesterday. Jerry Sichting cheap shot him and the refs let them get away with it for the 2nd time and he'd had enough. It was that simple.
Ralph was hit in the nuts…twice?!?
Three times would have been the charm!
Walton played well vs the twin towers.
Even at his age and with his beaten up body, Bill Walton played well against them. There were 3-4 other Celtic players his size he chose not to swing on. They were just beaten by a better team.
Didn’t some rocket fans in game 5 do something similar? I remember seeing rockets fans have a large plastic chicken/bird with a green 33 jersey on it and had a noose around its neck/were hanging it.
wow never knew that quiet shocking that this happened symbolically all those years after the actual lynching's
That's the Boston Celtics, they hit you but you're not allowed to hit them, ask Kurt Rambis
Bullies always pick on the weak ones.
Stop with victimhiod nonsense that man telling his side on what happened. Nobody can explain, why Ralph would just erupt in the manner he did cuz he was feasting in that game. I believe especially consider the media didn't cover what happen to begin with
I'm sorry, but follow both players down court several times. Sichting DID NOT hit Ralph in the nuts. Sampson started throwing elbows and forearms at Jerry from the free throw line until they were under the basket. Regardless, in an important series like that, unnecessary distractions are not needed and it affected Sampson's performance in game 6, where he was a total non factor.
I remember all that. I never once thought about race or racism when I saw the mannequin hanging there in the stands. I doubt the person who made that thought about race when he made it. Of course I could be wrong about what the person thought, but that was my opinion of it. Matter of fact until this moment had never thought race.
LOL this white guy doesnt understand the racist connotations in LYNCHING a black guy in effigy... come on, man. Its not whether YOU perceive it as threatening or racist. YOUR reaction is irrelevant. We still got a LONG way to go in this country.
I certainly don’t think anyone would’ve thought then that what they did was racist. It was more they had a villain that they wanted to hate and that was Ralph. But when you look back, that does kind of make you think that even though it might’ve not been there intent, it could be perceived as that. Something like that wouldn’t have happened in today’s game.
Same here. I never thought of race. But in hindsight, probably not good taste.
I never knew that Boston was even considered a racist city until I’ve heard about it in recent years. I always thought racism was a Deep South thing and Boston is about as north as it gets. 🤷🏻♂️
As an 80s kid that was the extent of my knowledge on the subject back then.
@@ezsmith3765 Yeah,Boston is a very racist city,I read Bill Russel's auto-bio and he was called everything but a child of God by his own fans in Boston.He was winning all those championships there and still caught &&&& and racism while playing there.
@kwcline91 i think you explained it perfectly when you said that the fans had a villain they wanted to hate in samspon. It happened all the time back then when fans were angry at a player or coach etc. In 1988 Edmonton Oiler fans strung up in a noose and burnt a mannequin of owner Peter Pocklington for trading Wayne Gretzky! I could be wrong...BUT 1988 Edmonton im going to wager there wasnt an African american person within 100 miles lol people seem to be looking for racism even when its not there. Even today seeing the video my first reaction wasnt about race or racism. maybe if you see that video and that is your first thought....perhaps YOU are the racist 🤔
The genius player... Super playes
I was at that game and I really wish that they hadn't burned in effigy on him from the rafters. But I really wanted to see him get the stuffing kicked out of him for what he did to Jerry sichting ( props to DJ for taking Samson town to the floor)
Punching a guy in the nuts is going to get a guy aggravated. Danny was a known agitator. It was dirty. Jerry was 30 when this happened and he was banging with the big guys in practice so he was used to it. Samson was still wrong Danny was wrong Jerry was wrong. Heat of the moment s***.
As for the fan with the mannequin that's a tricky call. They may have been liquored up. If the mannequin was darker I could see how you would call that racist. Boston was known for having a racism problem in the 70s but of course not all of the fans were misbehaving or prejudiced.
I get Sampson vs Sichting
confused with Tree Rollins vs Ainge
Tree and Sampson were both giants. The Hawks and Rockets were both red & yellow.
Ainge and Sichting were both white and waaay shorter.
Sichting was a nice, quiet guy.
Ainge also a nice quiet guy 😐🤥😅😂🤣
Ainge was not nice or quiet,he got into multiple fights in his nba career.
@@powerbadpowerbad
Take a closer look at those emojis at the end of my comment
Bro Ainge was a notorious trash talker just like Bird and McHale. He also liked to whack people in the nuts apparently lol
INDISCUTIBLEMENTE SAMPSON ESTA ENTRE LOS MEJORES 10 CENTERS DE LA HISTORIA INCREIBLE Y GENIAL JUGADOR LASTIMA DE LA LESION Y FUE LA PAREJA DE CENTERS MEJOR DE LA HISTORIA CON AKEEM
GRACIAS POR TU GRAN BALONCESTO RALPH... NO TE OLVIDAMOS... UNO DE LOS MAS GRANDES....
A little disturbing as I can understand the historical racial implications of hanging a doll like that.........now that being said, did the people who made this doll truly think about it in those terms? Hard to say, and I suppose if they did, they didn't really think about it in those terms if you understand what I'm getting at......most likely they understood to a degree the nature of it, but I do believe it was aimed more at their dislike of Sampson rather than that they felt like it represented a modern day lynching.....then again, I can't get into the minds of people who may or may not understand the inappropriateness of doing something like this, but I truly don't think there was racial hatred intent on their part........as more it was just blatant stupidity of not knowing any better......
Hell yeah it was racial! Boston is one of the most racist cities in America, everybody knows that!
Boston has a racist past. They dont get the benefit of the doubt
In Boston? of course they did😂😂😂😂 that’s a racist city
TOP TEN CENTERS HISTORY NBA...
How? He only had 3 good seasons
@@NBAHistoryCLNS
What matters is the quality of the player and he was one of the best centers in the history of the NBA and he played in the best season and against the best.
You must mean Olajuwan
HE SUCKED. He looked like a scarecrow in shorts.
No offense to Ralph, but Moses and Hakeem were the top two Rocket centers ever.
Sampson was out of control and he choked. Decades later he's spinning furiously to salvage some dignity. Worse is Cedric coddling him and revising history.
Exactly... typical 🤮
Absolutly....Sampson sucker punches a kid half his size....
You’re a prime example of believing what you want to believe like calling a chair a couch
Ralphie, and his apologist Cornpop, are laughable here. Sampson looked like a misfit fool cold cocking Lil' Jerry Sichting. He's made it 100x worse with his fantasy of whitey Celtics attacking his family jewels. A total buffoon, Sampson was 40 years too late, he'd fit right in with today's whine fest NBA.
Sampson you stunk
Ralph and Cedric manufacturing "Ralph being the victim!" Effigies have been in sports forever! But, these two are going to retroactively look back and claim that the fan was "out of line!" And, Cedric, who's not the mayor of Boston, is going to "apologize" to Ralph!😂😂😂
Is Ralph going to apologize to Jerry Sichting for sucker-punching him? Oh no! Because Ralph is going to invent the narrative that he was hit in his balls TWICE😂😂😂, by Jerry and Danny. You see, therefore, Ralph's "justified" in sucker-punching Jerry. You see the game being played here? Ralph said, "We came to blows!" No, no, no Ralphy! You sucker-punched Jerry, THEN, he started defending himself, and the rest of the Celtics came in to back their teammate.
Also, Ralph's tone in discussing game #6 is one where you'd think he was unstoppable, and the Celtics had no answer for him, and he was going to put the Rockets on his back and will them to a title!😂😂😂
Ralphy was MIA material in #6! Milk companies were putting his photos on cartons throughout the their production factories in the U.S. The Boston faithful, along with the "uncalled for" effigy, had so affected Ralph's game, that he was 4-12 for 8pts and 0-0 from the free throw line. Way to attack Ralphy! The Boston fans completely took him out of the game! But, with Cedric's assistance, we're going to go back and "put lipstick on the 🐖" that was Ralph's sucker-punching Sichting, and his subsequent weak effort in #6! It may work on some, but I can see right through this attempted smearing of the Boston faithful, and more specifically, the fan(s) behind the effigy! The reality is, Ralphy f**ked up in #5 & #6, and the Celtics won their 16th title! End of story!
Is that really surprising? Those are guys that were *known* for it. The same way CP3 and PatBev are today. Sampson wasn't a loose cannon. He wasn't Ron Artest. He was a professional, and there's no reason to assume he was lying about this. If the refs aren't going to do something to negate it. Well, maybe a broken face will discourage it.
💄 🐷
Ralph was wrong for what he did,no question,but,did McHale ever apologize to Kurt Rambis for clothes-lining him on that fast-break in the finals ??? Now,that was a &&&&& move,no doubt,the Celtics couldn't beat that Laker team,so,they went WWE wrestle mainia on them to win.
@@powerbadpowerbad THEY DESHTROYS TO HE
@@ezsmith3765 I don't understand the comment.
Max Apologizing, For What ? Neither of you even know what was hanging
It was a "White Barbie doll" in a Sampson jersey ..Why Try to make a racial issue out of it ?!?
And it's called being "hung in effigy"
Well considering Boston “fans” broke into the GREAT BILL Russell’s house and shit in his bed… It’s a easy trail to follow…
Yeah Tagon, that was the motive in why Bill didn't invite them to his Jersey retirement ceremony, that was like he was saying to them, right back at you, I hate you too. Far as that hanging, yeah that wasn't considered sensitive at the time, but today that fan would've been banned from coming to games, of course Bird would experience a little racism the following yr at the Garden, after game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Isiah and mainly Dennis Rodman made some comments of race related on Bird.
@Cedric Maxwell. You weren’t there. Why are you opening your mouth?
SAMPSON AND OLAJUWON WERE THE BEST COUPLE OF CENTERS IN THE NBA... THAT'S WHY THEY WENT TO THE 1986 FINAL
I'll take Robinson and Duncan for the win. Two championship wins, to be precise.
@@jbrock8596
A ROBINSON Y DUNCAN SE LOS COMEN CON PATATAS LAS TORRES GEMELAS.... MIRA COMO JUGABAN... JA JA JA.. HAKEM ES CONSIDERADO EL MEJOR. Y SAMPSON MUCHOS DECIAN ERA MEJOR KE HAKEEM... EL PROBLEMA FUE QUE SAMPSON TUVO UNA TERRIBLE LESION...
@@jbrock8596
Camara lenta Duncan que jugador mas lento y posicional por dios.... Ja ja ja...
Hakeem was ,not Sampson,stop it
@@davidandres9728David Robinson wore number 50 because of Ralph, he said one time.
Bth of these jokers are ridiculous
What you talking about, you a 7 footer fighting little guys. Truth is you disappeared in that series probing you ain't no HOF, that Houston loss is on you!
Ralph is in the Hall of Fame, not just for his nba career, but what he did in college at Virginia, when he had good team, and was a 3 time Player of the Year.
@@rumarspencer7302 I know all he did in Virginia and he was a beast when healthy, still don't change the fact he was a disappointment in 1986 Finals and with all the injuries he still no Hall in my eyes. Injuries not his fault, 1986 Finals you damn right is!
@iamlegend3669 Well the Hall Of Fame is called The Basketball Hall of Fame, not the NBA Hall of Fame. It includes everything in college and pro. Before the injuries, had a pretty good pro career, Rookie of the Year in 84, All Star MVP the following yr, 3 time all star, though didn't play in his 3rd appearance, as Tom Chambers was playing in Seattle in 87, took his place at the All Star Game in Seattle and went on to become MVP. So Ralph, is indeed a Hall of Famer, of what he did at UVA mainly.
@@rumarspencer7302 Did he win in Virginia?
@iamlegend3669 Wasn't able to reach the Finals, but made the final Four in 81.
I knew about the Boston Threats but didn't know about the Ralph Sampson Doll hanging from the upper deck. The Media never mentioned that and it's shocking that the Refs and / or Security there at The Boston Garden would even allow something like to take place. That says a lot about the Staff at Boston and the Fans. After Bill Russell had passed on TV they talked about what he went thru when he arrived at Boston. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Only embraced Bill Russell after they saw how good he was and started helping them win NBA Title after Title. Hats off to Cedric Maxwell for apologizing to Ralph Sampson on what took place back in 1986 in Boston. Even Larry Bird felt bad for Ralph Sampson in an interview and admitted that the Fans clearly intimidated Ralph Sampson and took him out of his game. Who would play to their full potential after seeing something like that?
Most of the media was so-called white not surprising
Two points I would like to make about the Sampson doll. 1st, GAME 6, hanging a doll or painting it on a sign is part of the competition & rivalry. Nobody physically tried to HURT Sampson. Sampson STARTING a fight in Game 5 against a much smaller Celtic guard is FAR MORE OFFENSIVE. Point 2, Max's apology to Sampson for the doll means nothing to me, the '86 Celtics, or Celtic fans. Max WASN'T even ON THE '86 CELTIC TEAM. I have no skin in this game. I come from a neutral city. I was just a NBA fan who knows how to be a fan in that era. There is nothing wrong with the doll. Max can tell Sampson HE felt sorry for Sampson, but in no way can he APOLOGIZE on behalf of the Celtics & other NBA fans. Sampson should NOT have sucker punched a much SMALLER GUARD. CHICKENSHIT MOVE. NO EXCUSE, RALPH.
No skin the sure you don’t wink wink a racist never admit they’re racist
Didn’t some rocket fans in game 5 do something similar? I remember seeing rockets fans have a large plastic chicken/bird with a green 33 jersey on it and had a noose around its neck/were hanging it.
@@HayastAnFedayi Thank you for that bit of trivia. I missed that!
Cornbread being soft. Don't apologize. The fans were expressing themselves. It wasn't like today in which everyone makes something of every little thing.
Surr give Boston fans the benefit of the doubt…These are same type of people who shit on BILL RUSSELL’s bed and vandalized his house…
Danny Ainge, Jerry Sishting, ML Carr, and even Kevin Mchale (although not a dirty player has done some dirty work) and Larry Bird (even MJ said that most of the players in the league considered Bill Lambier and Larry Bird the dirtiest players in the league) and Boston Celtics were notorious for dirty plays in the 80's..but the Pistons always get the bad rap. People forget that the Pistons were basically an offensive team until they realized the only way to get past the Celtics was to be more physical than them
Spare us the BS!
Pistons became a defensive team to go along with their physicality, especially when they picked up Mahorn, then it really became physical with drafting Dennis, Salley, James Edwards off trade, then they took the Bad Boys name after receiving Raiders jerseys and decided to play like them, be physical, the Pistons took it to another level.
@@rumarspencer7302 True ...after being beat up by the Celtics, Bucks, and Lakers for years..Pistons adopted the Bad Boy image in 89..The Bad Boy era only lasted 3 years..people who didn't watch bball in that era don;t know that up until 1989 the Pistons were basically a high scoring offensive team..that all changed in 1988 when Magic cheapshoted Isiah in the chest with an elbow in the 1988 Finals
@@rodcav3 Yeah in 88, is when they first became the Bad Boys, after receiving those Raider Jerseys. First when Tripucka, Terry Tyler, Dan Roundfield were there, they were known as a offensive team, but that all changed with Mahorn, Rodman, Salley, Edwards, and Aguirre to go with the three originals in Isiah, Laimbeer, and Vinnie, then was known as a defensive team, that was physical.
How can you do dirty work without being dirty?
Ralph Sampson needs Anger Management. Johnny Most told the TRUTH! Allegedly......what did you do prior to that? Please pay your child support. 😢
What about McHale clothes-lining Rambis on the fast-break in the finals ??? I guess that was a gesture of friendship.
@@powerbadpowerbad Ha! Spare us! Not even close to the same issues. Let's EdUmacate you shall we?! The Lakers were running the Celtics onto the ground. The Celtics in a team meeting started No Laker will Drive the Lane without getting a hard foul to soften the Lakers up! Hence the clothesline. No technicals/ flagrant fouls on the play by the way!
So your response which is highlighted shows not only your ignorance to the game, your ignorance of Ralph Sampson's temper but also the ignorance of the admin who highlighted the inaccurate analogy and weak response.
Ha! Next time.... Do your homework.
@@paulmouradjian6045 Don't have to do homework,I watched the game myself.Didn'tknow about the Celtic's team-meeting,that was still a-BITCH-move by McHale.Then when Worthy pushed Maxwell he acted like a little bitch-TOO.The Celtics could dish it out,but,not take it.All those tough guy fouls and antics came back to bite them in the ass tho.Bird's ailing back,McHale's broken up feet,the Chief's wife beating ways.LOL.I don't have any ignorance to the game,just knowledge and history of the game.Bird was once a great player,but,couldn't guard an out-house. LOL. You should've been glad Maxwell covered all those tough players he couldn't.Maxwell was more a complete player than Bird ever was,because he played both ends of the court very well.
Boston wrecked Houston lol
Who came up with "physicality?"
If Dirk Nowitski had done that to Chris Paul, he wouldn’t have gotten nearly as much hate. Wanna guess why?
UNA LESION TERRIBLE DE RODILLA DE LAS PEORES LE HIZO DEJAR EL DEPORTE PROFESIONAL....
Knee gave out on him, the following season.