There's no way in hell that Ralph Sampson was 7-4

[Scoooter]

...that Ralph Sampson was 7'4".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU6wO...eature=related

Also, I'm bored.

[MasterDurant24]

...that Ralph Sampson was 7'4".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU6wO...eature=related

Also, I'm bored.

Yeah, he was. He was just a great ball handler.

[QuebecBaller]

Who like short shorts?

[Psileas]

I agree with the OP. Chick Hearn had interviewed Mark Eaton in the mid 80's and Eaton made this exact claim, that Sampson was 2 inches shorter than him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_k-U6SwRlo#t=1m7s

[PistolPete]

This picture makes them look 12 feet tall each

[ShaqAttack3234]

I agree with the OP. Chick Hearn had interviewed Mark Eaton in the mid 80's and Eaton made this exact claim, that Sampson was 2 inches shorter than him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_k-U6SwRlo#t=1m7s

Yeah, Olajuwon is 6'11" by his own admission and many claim 6'10" and there was nowhere near 6 inches between them or even 5.

[madmax]

he was 7'2" at best, but NBA likes to exxagerate everything about players anyway...

[ImmortalD24]

This picture makes them look 12 feet tall each

That pic reminded me of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXgH_NBMACA


Commie red short shorts.. and pose..

[Round Mound]

Mark Eaton was more like 7`4 1/2 if you see him next to Bol. Ralph was around 7`3

[ShaqAttack3234]

Mark Eaton was more like 7`4 1/2 if you see him next to Bol. Ralph was around 7`3

Eaton said himself that he measured 7'3 3/4" in the video with Chick Hearn when he said Ralph was closer to 7'1".

[Harison]

I always thought Sampson was 7-1 or 2, maybe he was 7-4 in high heels

[ShaqAttack3234]

I always thought Sampson was 7-1 or 2, maybe he was 7-4 in high heels

Yep, oddly enough the difference between Shaq and Hakeem looked similar to the difference between Hakeem and Sampson and Shaq was measured at 7'1" when he was drafted.

[jlauber]

We have had these discussions before...but, in the vast majoity of cases, players were almost always measured in shoes...unlike the 60's. The consensus, as well, was that many were given "generous" measurements.

Having said that, though, Wilt and Kareem were probably the two exceptions. Wilt towered over guys like 6-11 1/2 Thurmond. Even more remarkably, I remember watching the entire NBA-ABA All-Star game in 71-72 (there are video clips of it on YouTube), and even the announcers before the game made the comment that Chamberlain was taller than 7-2 Gilmore (who was also sporting an afro that probably made him 7-5.) In fact, Wilt generally dwarfed Gilmore physically (and, of course, he easily outjumped him...despite being much older.)

The only player, in his era, that I would say that was taller than Wilt, was Kareem, and only slightly (not counting 7-3 Swede Holbrook, whom I never saw play.)

There were those that claimed Wilt was 7-3. Wilt, himself, said he was 7-1 1/16 and took it to his grave, but if that was his official height, than there were many in the NBA who were much shorter than their listed height.

I saw Kareem and Sampson play H2H. Very close. I suspect that both were about 7-3, and Wilt was probably an easy 7-2 maybe 7-2 1/2. Gilmore, IMHO, was probably either 7-1 1/2 or 7-2, but he wa shorter than Wilt (despite his claims to the contrary.)

[Lakas Fan Yo]

Sampson is about 7-1 to 7-2.

[Kblaze8855]

Shaq has called himself 7'3'' in shoes. And hes probably atleast 7'2'' in shoes since he was over 7'1'' flat footed in the predraft. Ralph though I buy as 7'3'' in shoes at least. He always looked about the same as Kareem but with his legs a lottle longer. Perhaps he had long legs and a short torso? It happens. If he wasnt 7'2'' barefoot id be suprised.