The REAL Arvydas Sabonis-Before Injuries 1986

[CB4GOATPF]

Arvydas Sabonis-Before Injuries 1986

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06usV6451ik

[sacredcow]

Blazers could have won so many rings with this guy.

[magnax1]

Was that Robinson he was killing?
In his first couple seasons in the NBA he was still a top 5 or so center, and if injuries really hit him that bad, he could have been near Hakeem Level in his prime.

[CB4GOATPF]

Was that Robinson he was killing? In his first couple seasons in the NBA he was still a top 5 or so center, and if injuries really hit him that bad, he could have been near Hakeem Level in his prime.

Yup :bowdown:

[All Net]

He made D-rob look like a small kid

how tall was Sabonis? 7'3? the way he jumped out of the gym for his size was scary.

[kaiteng]

Sabonis, Petrovic, and Drexler would win at least 3 championships easily.

[sbw19]

lol that's brilliant.

[CB4GOATPF]

Non Injured Sabonis With the Drexler, Buck Williams, Kiki, Porter, Duckworth, Kersey and Petrovic Blazers

1987 Champions
1988 Champions
1989 Champions
1990 Champions
1991 Champions
1992 Champions
1993 Champions

[CB4GOATPF]

He made D-rob look like a small kid

how tall was Sabonis? 7'3? the way he jumped out of the gym for his size was scary.

7`3 1/2 ft and 279 lbs (his 20s)

292 lbs (his 30s)

1992 DREAM TEAM....EXISTED...BECAUSE OF SABONIS

[Qdouble]

Sabonis was a good center, but please stop with this "coulda woulda been top 5 GOAT center" crap. It wasn't like he was 27-28 years putting up monster numbers before and then had a major injury. He was 21-22 when those injuries occurred and he wasn't even playing in a more grueling 82-game schedule league.

What is...is what is. It's like forwarding ten years from now and saying how Greg Oden would have been a top 5 GOAT center had it not been for the knee.

[CB4GOATPF]

Sabonis was a good center, but please stop with this "coulda woulda been top 5 GOAT center" crap. It wasn't like he was 27-28 years putting up monster numbers before and then had a major injury. He was 21-22 when those injuries occurred and he wasn't even playing in a more grueling 82-game schedule league.

What is...is what is. It's like forwarding ten years from now and saying how Greg Oden would have been a top 5 GOAT center had it not been for the knee.


Are u an Idiot? :rolleyes:

What has Oden Prooved Against....Shaq, Duncan CF, Howard, Ming?

Nothing

In Those Clips The Dude Was 22 Years Old and Not Out Playing but Totally Demolishing David Robinson Who Was 8 months younger only...

Robinson is easy a Top 5 Center of All Time. Impact Wise It is Shown He is.

In that same year 1986 He Destroyed his Knee and Never Played Like the Mobile, Leaping and 279 lbs Athletic Sabonis of that 1986 Olympics.

He Was Still A Monster Till 1990 but not even close to the 1986 Sabonis...

Just Look At The Clips and Videos from 1987 how He Has a Knee Brace and is Not Even Close to As Mobile Post 1986.

Drafted by the Blazers in 1986 and his injury ruined his Prime:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxO9VZyfawU&feature=related

2.55 to 3.01

A Non Injured Sabonis Would Have Easy Been A Top 5 Center of All Time.

http://www.nba.com/blazers/special_features/Portland_will_miss_Arvydas_Sab-84264-41.html

As a former stat wizard with the Blazers, I used to calculate his numbers based on if he were to play 40 minutes a game. They were always somewhere around 19 points and 14 rebounds a game along with five or six assists. The problem is he never played more than 30 minutes a game because of his legs. But the truth was there. I’m sure any coach would have taken 19 points, 14 rebounds and five assists a game from their center.

Then of course, when you talk of Sabonis, you always play the what-if game. Remember, the Blazers drafted this guy in 1986. Four or five years later, he was not only in his prime, he was [probably the most dominant big man in the world]," . Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had retired from Los Angeles, and the Blazers team that drafted him was in the finals with the Detroit Pistons. Nothing against Kevin Duckworth, but can you imagine Sabonis teamed with Clyde, Terry, Buck and Jerome? The stories are infamous.

What a lot of people didn’t know was when Sabonis did come to Portland for treatment on his legs or feet, he always found his way on the basketball court with the Rip City crew from the finals. I’ve been told by numerous people it was a thing of beauty. The outlet passes to Drexler and Kersey, the pick and rolls with Porter and Danny Young and even Danny Ainge eventually. They said he could have stepped on the court that day and they would have won three championships. He was that good.

http://www.arvydassabonis.com/archive/articles/2001/shadow.html

He plays in pain every day," Portland coach Mike Dunleavy said.

Dunleavy first spotted Sabonis during a European trip in 1983, when the coach was scouting talent in Spain. Sabonis, he said, was unbelievable in the way he could bulldoze his way through the middle and score on anybody.

"He was one of the top centers of all time," Dunleavy said. "When you see him now, you might consider him a pretty good player. But back then, there wasn't anybody who could guard him. The players he plays against now couldn't have done anything against him back then. Not even Shaq could have guarded him."

[DuMa]

Non Injured Sabonis With the Drexler, Buck Williams, Kiki, Porter, Duckworth, Kersey and Petrovic Blazers

1987 Champions
1988 Champions
1989 Champions
1990 Champions
1991 Champions
1992 Champions
1993 Champions
i doubt it. Sabas was elite but i dont think he beats any of the Bulls or Lakers teams.

[CB4GOATPF]

http://articles.latimes.com/1996-04-21/sports/sp-61136_1_arvydas-sabonis

Curtain Call - As an NBA Rookie at 31, Sabonis Shows Some of That Old Soviet Brilliance, but, Oh, What Might Have Been

By MARK HEISLER, TIMES STAFF WRITER|April 21, 1996

A nation idolized him. A beauty queen married him. An empire drafted him. Two American secretaries of state petitioned a Soviet premier on behalf of this . . . basketball player.

But in the land of the free and home of the brave, not to mention rich basketball players, Arvydas Sabonis was a rumor, shrouded in mystery, wrapped in an enigma like the Soviet Union he once represented.

By the time he arrived in Portland last fall at age 31, most of his career was behind him, not to mention his mobility. He is still so impressive that Coach P.J. Carlesimo keeps getting the same question:

What might he have done if he'd arrived in his 20s before tearing both Achilles' tendons?

:hammerhead: :hammerhead: :hammerhead:

"People ask that a lot," Carlesimo says. "I never think about it. What he's accomplished already, not just here but throughout his career--it's scary.

"He's a great, great big man, but without the injury? Had he played here for a long time and not had injuries, there's absolutely no limit to how good he could have been."

Put it this way: If Sabonis had arrived in the '80s when Clyde Drexler still glided and Blazermania still flowered, they might have won another title or two and the Lakers, Detroit Pistons and/or Chicago Bulls might have won one fewer.

Picture a player with quickness, anticipation, leaping ability, soft hands and one of those genius basketball IQs one sees only a few times a decade: Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Chris Mullin, John Stockton.

Picture all that on a player as massive as Mark Eaton, 7 feet 3 and 292 pounds. That was Sabonis in his prime.

"A quicker Bill Walton," says Phoenix Sun assistant Donnie Nelson, who coaches Sabonis on the Lithuanian national team.

"You didn't have to be a rocket scientist to know he'd play well. The guy's 7-3, he has that bulk and his passing ability. He was the second-best three-point shooter on our Lithuanian team to Rinas Kurtinaitis, who's world class.

"The guys on the Dream Team told me they couldn't believe how big the guy is. You see tall guys, but you don't see guys who are that tall and that bulky or proportioned.

"When you've got guys who understand the game like Chris Mullin and Stockton and they see a guy who's got that kind of vision, who understands the game--guys like that like to play against each other.

"Coaching him was a cakewalk. The game is so easy for him. He's so smart."

http://www.zalgiris.lt/images/iliustracijos/history_sabonis.jpg

http://www.encancha.com/fotos/phpThumb.php?src=/imagenes/noticias/portada/20060713_robinson.jpg&w=250&q=100

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_W2oxhVu5JWI/ST2j16avXVI/AAAAAAAAApI/GSlT_vLCla4/s400/arvydas_sabonis.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/y%20NBA%20etc/1%20Portland%20Trail%20Blazers/Arvydas%20Sabonis/-davidrobinsonisblockedbysabonis.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/y%20NBA%20etc/1%20Portland%20Trail%20Blazers/Arvydas%20Sabonis/-muggsyboguesisblockedbysabonis.jpg

http://foto.terpe.lt/inkelti/20090521/Picture%20027.jpg

[jamal99]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X12w-0Z7A8A

[CB4GOATPF]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X12w-0Z7A8A

What might he have done if he'd arrived in his 20s before tearing both Achilles' tendons? (1986)

:hammerhead: :hammerhead: :hammerhead:

This

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06usV6451ik

[Bigsmoke]

Sabonis was a good center, but please stop with this "coulda woulda been top 5 GOAT center" crap. It wasn't like he was 27-28 years putting up monster numbers before and then had a major injury. He was 21-22 when those injuries occurred and he wasn't even playing in a more grueling 82-game schedule league.

What is...is what is. It's like forwarding ten years from now and saying how Greg Oden would have been a top 5 GOAT center had it not been for the knee.


co-sign.

Sabonis outplayed a 21 year old David Robinson and people think he's the greatest center ever if it wasnt for his injuries. Being injured is part of basketball. enough of this "if not" bullsh*t.

[magnax1]

I think people just don't realize how skilled he was, when he entered the NBA, as a rookie with basically no stamina, durabilty, or athleticism (except overall strength) left he still dominated especially in his per 36 minutes stats which were
22 ppg
12.2 rpg
2.7 apg (great passer, one of the best of all time)
1.6 bpg
1.3 spg
38% 3p% on 2 attempts
54% fg% on 15 attempts
This when he had very little athleticism, and was facing some amazing competition.
I think in his prime, he'd definitely be a top 5 or 10.

[CB4GOATPF]

co-sign.

Sabonis outplayed a 21 year old David Robinson and people think he's the greatest center ever if it wasnt for his injuries. Being injured is part of basketball. enough of this "if not" bullsh*t.

Sabonis was only 8 months older than Robinson and ACTUALLY WAS HEALTHY...(Broken Both Achillies Tendons On Bot Legs)

Compare his Leaping Ability, Agility, Speed, Quickness, Potence and being able to Bend His Knees Prior to 1987 to after that.

Simple as that....

[CB4GOATPF]

Sabonis 18 Years Old

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyzUZWVLJy8&NR=1

[Lakas Fan Yo]

[QUOTE=CB4GOATPF]Are u an Idiot? :rolleyes:

What has Oden Prooved Against....Shaq, Duncan CF, Howard, Ming?

Nothing

In Those Clips The Dude Was 22 Years Old and Not Out Playing but Totally Demolishing David Robinson Who Was 8 months younger only...

Robinson is easy a Top 5 Center of All Time. Impact Wise It is Shown He is.

In that same year 1986 He Destroyed his Knee and Never Played Like the Mobile, Leaping and 279 lbs Athletic Sabonis of that 1986 Olympics.

He Was Still A Monster Till 1990 but not even close to the 1986 Sabonis...

Just Look At The Clips and Videos from 1987 how He Has a Knee Brace and is Not Even Close to As Mobile Post 1986.

Drafted by the Blazers in 1986 and his injury ruined his Prime:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxO9VZyfawU&feature=related

2.55 to 3.01

A Non Injured Sabonis Would Have Easy Been A Top 5 Center of All Time.

http://www.nba.com/blazers/special_features/Portland_will_miss_Arvydas_Sab-84264-41.html

[B]As a former stat wizard with the Blazers, I used to calculate his numbers based on if he were to play 40 minutes a game. They were always somewhere around 19 points and 14 rebounds a game along with five or six assists. The problem is he never played more than 30 minutes a game because of his legs. [U][I]But the truth was there. I

[KubiliusF]

Just STOP it. This is getting freaking ridiculous on these forums. I'm from Europe and actually followed the game in the 80s. Sabonis was the 4th best player in Europe in the 80s. The FOURTH BEST in Europe in the 80s.

Just stop this nonsense already.

i will say **** you greece fuc^$%% cockriding everything who played for greece in greece or said smth about motha****ing greece! **** you for saying olympiacos is better than some NBA teams , **** you for saying silly motha****ing annoying as hell **** in the past and how you`re going to continue you brainwashed mothafaka i swear to my word you`re dumbest **** cockriding everything random invovled about greece downright hating , underrating FACTS , and you mothafa&%^ peace of sirtakis GTFO the thread were greatest Euro Player Ever is talked about. **** your Galis, **** your neighbours Petrovic and for that matter **** your whole pathetic Greece history in Basketball. MOTHAF867*& got me angry you **** , i would shut up you Pulp fiction style . GO **** YOUR OLYMPIACOS BETTER YET SUCK it

[Bigsmoke]

Sabonis was only 8 months older than Robinson and ACTUALLY WAS HEALTHY...(Broken Both Achillies Tendons On Bot Legs)

Compare his Leaping Ability, Agility, Speed, Quickness, Potence and being able to Bend His Knees Prior to 1987 to after that.

Simple as that....

ok... Sabonis was a better player at an early age than Robinson... so what. Robinson would easily destroy this Sabonis guy in 1992

[KubiliusF]

ok... Sabonis was a better player at an early age than Robinson... so what. Robinson would easily destroy this Sabonis guy in 1992

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHhnDBlBMEE

Watch throughly he blocked i think Robinson at 1992 olympics two times in a row on one possesion

2:26 - 2:32

Now i cant confirm thats Robinson but i think that was Robinson dont you think that Robinsons was That Robinson?

[Big#50]

Sabonis was 7'3 275 on roids. DROB was 7'1 230. Sabonis was a beast. He actually would have been a top 10 player in the NBA. He had it all.

[catch24]

One word: WOW

You see Parish look at Sabonis like, "Damn..you really just did David that dirty?!" :oldlol:

Man, what could of been if not for the injuries.

[Wicked_1]

It was a pleasure watching him in his early 90's in portland. his no look passes and under the leg passes, his 3 point shooting and defense was amazing! he had great chemistry with the old school blazers. it was fun also watching him play with Damon stoudamire and Kenny Anderson. I think he would have probably played another year or two but his wife was having so much problems here in portland. she had 2 DUI's and also got into a small shoving match with a sales assistant at Mario's (high end clothing store) here in portland and it all made the headlines. i remember seeing and interview ith sabonis and he was embarrased and was always afraid to leave her alone when he was on the road.

I hated how the other centers use to disrespect him talk trash/shove him especially shaq he always treated him like he was nothing

[CB4GOATPF]

ok... Sabonis was a better player at an early age than Robinson... so what. Robinson would easily destroy this Sabonis guy in 1992

:roll: :no:

He couldn`t even destroy him in 92 after Sabonis had broken both Achilles' tendons in 86.

That is Sabonis would have destroyed Robinson even more in 92 at 292 lbs with all his athletic capacity still there intact.

[Lakas Fan Yo]

This forum is full of little kids that make up lies about the game and players of the past. It's really sad.

[Harison]

Just STOP it. This is getting freaking ridiculous on these forums. I'm from Europe and actually followed the game in the 80s. Sabonis was the 4th best player in Europe in the 80s. The FOURTH BEST in Europe in the 80s.

Just stop this nonsense already.
I'm from Europe too and followed Sabonis in his prime. He was considered the best in EU by many fans and specialists, even one of the best in the World, including NBA. :rolleyes:

[BlackMamba24]

sabonis = trash...overrated by retards like cb4goatpf

[Lakas Fan Yo]

I'm from Europe too and followed Sabonis in his prime. He was considered the best in EU by many fans and specialists, even one of the best in the World, including NBA. :rolleyes:

And you are just another kid spreading this Sabonis myth around. It's really getting old.

[elementally morale]

And you are just another kid spreading this Sabonis myth around. It's really getting old.

Come on. Sabonis WAS considered the best European player pre 1986-87. After the first injuries came that Yugoslavian team with Kukoc/Radja/Petrovic/Divac/Paspalj took over but that was 87ish. And there were the Greeks with Gallis/Yannakis/Fassoulas.

After 1988 Sabonis was not considered the best European player, sure. But 1985-86 Sabonis? He was by far the best player. (I happen to be European as well and old enough to have been able to watch those games live.)

[Round Mound]

Very underrated post. Check it out for those who never saw him play before injuries :bowdown:

[FCN]

Sabonis > Kobe

Seriously though, I have always been a big fan of Sabonis. I know Big Z looked up to him, and considered him a mentor/idol. I remember comments Z made years back about how much he idolized Sabonis.

Sabonis was a pleasure to watch even in the latter years of his career when he could barely walk. The guy was so skilled that even as a cripple he could still not only contribute, but oftentimes dominate.

[godofgods]

If he wasn't injured, it's not like he could've been a top 5 Center of all time. He will definitely be in top 3 along with Russell and Alcindor.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Anyone who wants to see Sabonis, check out this site. http://descargasbasket.blogspot.com/search/label/Sabonis

Complete games available for full download. Highlight mixes don't tell you much about how good a player was, but these complete games do.

Even after all of the injuries, Sabonis averaged 16/10/3 in '98 on a good team. Anyone who doubts that he had hall of fame potential doesn't know anything about Sabonis.

[rfoster24]

Are u an Idiot? :rolleyes:

What has Oden Prooved Against....Shaq, Duncan CF, Howard, Ming?

Nothing

In Those Clips The Dude Was 22 Years Old and Not Out Playing but Totally Demolishing David Robinson Who Was 8 months younger only...




Wow you can tell that he demolished Robinson all the time just from a couple of clips from a 1:56 youtube video? Dam son your smart.

Oh and not one time did i see him beat Robinson one-on-one in that video. I did see him dunk on Robinson when he was out of position though. Does that make him the most dominant center ever?

[rfoster24]

He made D-rob look like a small kid

how tall was Sabonis? 7'3? the way he jumped out of the gym for his size was scary.

You're joking right?

[Samvt]

Man, love that hook shot. No body has that these days.. Dwight tries it but is way too robotic.

[FCN]

Anyone who wants to see Sabonis, check out this site. http://descargasbasket.blogspot.com/search/label/Sabonis

Complete games available for full download. Highlight mixes don't tell you much about how good a player was, but these complete games do.

Even after all of the injuries, Sabonis averaged 16/10/3 in '98 on a good team. Anyone who doubts that he had hall of fame potential doesn't know anything about Sabonis.

He really should be in the HOF

[Disaprine]

damn, he was owning robinson :roll: it would have been great seeing him in his prime in the NBA.

[eliteballer]

You forgot to mention ROIDED UP. No coincidence why he had physical problems later

http://images.dawgsports.com/images/admin/Ivan_Drago_v_Rocky.jpg

"I must break you"

[ShaqAttack3234]

You forgot to mention ROIDED UP. No coincidence why he had physical problems later

http://images.dawgsports.com/images/admin/Ivan_Drago_v_Rocky.jpg

"I must break you"

gotta rep you for the Rocky 4 pic. Man, if seeing a guy take down a guy 6 inches taller and some 70-80 pounds heavier in Russia in the mid 80's while Russia cheers for an America doesn't make you patriotic then what will? :oldlol:

[RoseCity07]

I'm on board with Sabonis being an all time great healthy wise. But sometimes I wonder if their game will translate to the NBA. Like Sabonis dominating in the NBA on a team like Portland would not be allowed. They'd start calling fouls on everything he was doing to D-Rob in the olympics.

The things great Euro players get away with overseas doesn't happen in the NBA unless they go to LA or Chicago, or a big market. Look at Gasol.

Went from a Memphis all star, to a Laker god.

[ShaqAttack3234]

I'm on board with Sabonis being an all time great healthy wise. But sometimes I wonder if their game will translate to the NBA. Like Sabonis dominating in the NBA on a team like Portland would not be allowed. They'd start calling fouls on everything he was doing to D-Rob in the olympics.

The things great Euro players get away with overseas doesn't happen in the NBA unless they go to LA or Chicago, or a big market. Look at Gasol.

Went from a Memphis all star, to a Laker god.

Gasol improved in LA because he could be the 2nd option which suited him more, he was playing with a top 3 player and arguably the best coach in NBA history plus he toughened up after the beat down in 2008 finals.

[magnax1]

Anyone who wants to see Sabonis, check out this site. http://descargasbasket.blogspot.com/search/label/Sabonis

Complete games available for full download. Highlight mixes don't tell you much about how good a player was, but these complete games do.

Even after all of the injuries, Sabonis averaged 16/10/3 in '98 on a good team. Anyone who doubts that he had hall of fame potential doesn't know anything about Sabonis.
Wow, thats great. Thanks for posting that. I never saw Sabonis much in his first two season in the NBA, but statistically on a per 36 minutes basis, he was still up there with the best centers in a pretty stacked league, so I have to assume that in his prime he was a really amazing player.
Great find though.

[RoseCity07]

Yeah. Sabonis in his prime playing with Kobe would be very interesting to see because of his passing. I think Pippen said he is the greatest euro to ever play.

And some say the greatest passing big ever.

[momo]

Good stuff. I could not care less what he would have panned out like if he had less injury's. I do not need to know. He was pretty freeking good anyway in spite of them. Love his passing. Love that he was a stretch 5 & at 7' no less. That was a major PITA as a laker fan... Sabas on the high post was nice hoop.

[momo]

Yeah. Sabonis in his prime playing with Kobe would be very interesting to see because of his passing. I think Pippen said he is the greatest euro to ever play.

And some say the greatest passing big ever.

Ohhh god, they would be nasty. High pick n role? With Sabas able to hit 3's, pass, or role and create / finish? Jeeez.

[Solid Snake]

That was one of the weakest "highlight" clips I've seen on a basketball player. That didn't do that man justice. Someone make that shit again, do it better.

[jlauber]

Sabonis was certainly a quality NBA player, despite his injuries. He sure looked like an exceptionally skilled player in that footage. Too bad that the majority of 7-3+ centers just seem to be so injury-prone.

[Skep]

This guy couldve been something special. Damn shame:rant

[nbacardDOTnet]

Sabonis VS The Admiral

1988
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/y%20NBA%20etc/1%20Portland%20Trail%20Blazers/Arvydas%20Sabonis/05ddb027.gif

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/y%20NBA%20etc/1%20Portland%20Trail%20Blazers/Arvydas%20Sabonis/76b438b0.gif


1992
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/y%20NBA%20etc/1%20Portland%20Trail%20Blazers/Arvydas%20Sabonis/54263730.gif

[Xiao Yao You]

One of my favorite players when he was in the league. A real pleasure to watch the guy. Stats don't even begin to tell the story of how good he was even at that time. It was sad to see him go back to Europe. Someone mentioned his wife but I'd imagine he wasn't real thrilled when Rasheed threw a towel in his face either.

[Psileas]

I've told this again, I love Sabonis, he's easily among my top European players ever, but you don't jump out of the gym as a 300 lb guy and do all the flashy stuff that he did in his athletic prime and still expect to have longevity and a "top-5 center" career. I never bought the "top-5 center" thing, anyway, at least not considering his trajectory after his first injuries in the late 80's. Sabonis, still far from being old, was considered for many years to be arguably the best European player. Note the word "arguably". There were always people who put Drazen Petrovic above him, some argued for Kukoc in the early 90's, Galis was huge in the late 80's, early-mid 90's Sarunas Marciulionis was considered, not equal, but close to Sabonis' value, etc. Sorry, but "top-5 center" is Hakeem territory, and there would be no debate at all if Hakeem were to be put against Petrovic, Kukoc, etc, unless you also think that Petrovic was a top 2-3 SG ever, Kukoc a top 2-3 SF ever and they would pose any serious threat to Hakeem, especially if Hakeem was a Soviet or a Yugoslavian, not a guy from a lesser basketball power, like Germany, which rarely gets the chance to achieve huge international recognition.

[heyhey]

If he played in the NBA in his prime and didn't get injured so early. Easily GOAT center.

[Lebron23]

If he played in the NBA in his prime and didn't get injured so early. Easily GOAT center.

Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Russell, and Moses Malone are better than Pre Injury Sabonis. By the way Aryvydas Sabonis won the Euroleague MVP in 2004 when he was already in his late 30's.

[alexandreben]

I've said it many times before, Sabonis is a white-Shaq with less explosive but much more all-around skills; he was almost a Shaq level center, had not the injury...

[ShaqAttack3234]

Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Bill Russell, and Moses Malone are better than Pre Injury Sabonis. By the way Aryvydas Sabonis won the Euroleague MVP in 2004 when he was already in his late 30's.

I don't know if Sabonis would be below Moses. Moses was not a particularly good passer which is key for a great center, IMO. And while I'm not sure if Sabonis was an all time great shot blocker, Moses sure as hell wasn't and he wasn't the defensive force the other great centers were.

[Psileas]

Sabonis VS The Admiral

1988
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/y%20NBA%20etc/1%20Portland%20Trail%20Blazers/Arvydas%20Sabonis/05ddb027.gif

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/y%20NBA%20etc/1%20Portland%20Trail%20Blazers/Arvydas%20Sabonis/76b438b0.gif


1992
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/y%20NBA%20etc/1%20Portland%20Trail%20Blazers/Arvydas%20Sabonis/54263730.gif

Εverybody posts these and people are given the impression that Sabonis dominated Robinson ala Olajuwon in '95. Well, not so:

In the famous 1988 game, Sabonis ended up with 13/13/2/1/1, shooting 6-12 from the field and 1-2 from the line, in 35'. He also got 4 fouls.
Robinson had 19/12/0/1/2, shooting 6-12 from the field and 7-10 from the line and committed 2 fouls in 25.5'. Where are Robinson's highlights? :confusedshrug:

In the '92 game, Robinson won even more clearly - I think, among else, Sabonis took double the shots that Robinson did to score exactly the same points.

[PaPaK]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X12w-0Z7A8A
:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[the_wise_one]

If he had joined the NBA before he got injured, he would've retired as top 3 centers of all time. He's up there with Jabbar and Russell.

[Go Getter]

Better question is what Jordan/Russell/KAJ/Wilt/Shaq would have done in the leagues he was dominating