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The punch bites Ralph Sampson in the ass 26 year old later?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Carl Herrera, Jun 18, 2013.

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  1. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    On June 5, 1986, Ralph Sampson ignited a brawl between the Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics by punching 6'1'' guard Jerry Sichting. He was vilified by Boston players and fans.

    Video here: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xt...n-fight-1986-finals-game-5_sport#.Ub__k_nBOgs


    Clutch's account here: http://rockets.clutchfans.net/1626/ralph-sampson-punches-jerry-sichting/

    Vilification photo posted by Clutch:

    [​IMG]

    At the time, Will McDonough, 50, was a native Bostonian and a 26-year veteran sports writer of Boston Globe. He had several sons, including then 6-year-old Ryan. I'm pretty sure which side the McDonough family takes on that event.

    [​IMG]

    In 2003, Will McDonough passed away at age 67. Also in 2003, Danny Ainge, Boston's starting SG in that 1986 game, was hired to be the general manager of the Celtics. The Celtics also made a much less publicized front office hire: 23-year-old Ryan McDonough as a special assistant for basketball operations.

    [​IMG]

    10 years later, Danny Ainge is still the GM and 33-year-old Ryan McDonough had risen through the ranks to become the Celtics' assistant GM. In the summer of 2013, Ryan McDonough finally left the Celtics to become the general manager of the Phoenix Suns.

    On the Suns' player development coaching staff at the time of McDonough's hire was one Ralph Sampson, age 52, who joined the team in October 2012.

    [​IMG]

    Ryan McDonough hired former Suns star Jeff Hornacek to become the franchise's new head coach. The Suns also made other coaching moves, including 1) the hiring of Jerry Sichting, age 56, to be Hornacek's lead assistant and 2) the firing of Ralph Sampson.

    Is this just coincidence? Or is it revenge?
     
    #1 Carl Herrera, Jun 18, 2013
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2013
  2. tinman

    tinman Contributing Member
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    Herrera in da house!
     
    #2 tinman, Jun 18, 2013
  3. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan Member

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    This story is like

    [​IMG]
     
    #3 Joe Fan, Jun 18, 2013
  4. HOUSTONJS

    HOUSTONJS Member

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    wwwwoooooaaaaahhhhhh
     
    #4 HOUSTONJS, Jun 18, 2013
  5. OTMax

    OTMax Member

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    Aren't we looking for an assistant coach? Let's get him back to where he belongs.
     
    #5 OTMax, Jun 18, 2013
  6. FLASH21

    FLASH21 Heart O' Champs

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    Ralph had awesome hands, two pieced Sichting then cold-cocked Johnson before someone wrestled Ralph to the ground.

    My hero.
     
    #6 FLASH21, Jun 18, 2013
  7. Nook

    Nook Member

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    Excellent thread Carl.

    No, I don't think it is coincidence. I am sure that a majority of it is that the new GM brought with him people that he is comfortable with. However, I am sure that Sampson did not have the best reputation in his eyes.
     
    #7 Nook, Jun 18, 2013
  8. Red.Glare

    Red.Glare Member

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    Would be nice, but likely McHale feels the same way since he was there. McHale plays it like nothing bothers him, but I bet deep down he never forgets...nor forgives.
     
    #8 Red.Glare, Jun 18, 2013
  9. Johndoe804

    Johndoe804 Member

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    Ralph should file a wrongful termination lawsuit and bring in the video as evidence of why he was terminated just so he can force McDonough and Sichting to watch it over and over again.
     
    #9 Johndoe804, Jun 18, 2013
  10. ROXTXIA

    ROXTXIA Contributing Member

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    Wish he'd punched Ainge. And I mean, punched him.
     
    #10 ROXTXIA, Jun 18, 2013
  11. rocketsfan4

    rocketsfan4 Member

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    Ralph is in the Hall of Fame. Ainge and Sichting can buy tickets if they want to visit.
     
    #11 rocketsfan4, Jun 18, 2013
    1 person likes this.
  12. double d

    double d Contributing Member

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    #12 double d, Jun 18, 2013
  13. Dairy Ashford

    Dairy Ashford Member

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    All I see is a sportswriter's kid getting an awesome job out of college.
     
    #13 Dairy Ashford, Oct 21, 2013
  14. d12babymamas

    d12babymamas Member

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    You know that saying,"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

    Well, McDoughnuts is acting like a little girl taking his revenge on my boy Sampson.

    What a douchebag.
     
    #14 d12babymamas, Oct 21, 2013
  15. clutz

    clutz Member

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    I like the final bullet point in the Clutchfans piece:

    "I count no less than 6 players in this series that could completely solve the pivot problems of the 2011 Rockets — McHale, Robert Parish, Bill Walton, Olajuwon, Sampson and Jim Petersen. Yes, Jim Petersen. Hell, even Granville Waiters would give Jordan Hill a run for his money. I mean, back then, the Rockets had so much size they were converting franchise centers to power forward." [emphasis added]
     
    #15 clutz, Oct 21, 2013
  16. imaginedragons

    imaginedragons Member

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    this!

    plus animosities harbored for so long only serve to add unnecessary burdens to the people carrying them. people always make mistakes, and to not forgive them and hang on to those mistakes really does make the world uglier and pass on antagonisms thru generations.
     
    #16 imaginedragons, Oct 21, 2013
  17. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    Sadly, this was my biggest takeaway as well, haha.
     
    #17 napalm06, Oct 21, 2013
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