Yao Ming vs Ralph Sampson I know, I know this has probably been mentioned before but I seriously think that this is a better comparison of talent than Rik Smits. They are both about the same height, skinny, finesse jump-shooting type players with who can run and pass well for their size. They also have a decent jump hook. Sampson was more mobile than Smits ever was. Sampson was a bit overhyped and it did not do well to be playing next to Hakeem (the greatest center) and be compared to his numbers, but Ralph was a decent player his first 3 years in the league and could have been pretty good if not for injuries. Sampson' shot vs the Lakers in the '86 western finals is still the best. The difference is that Yao Ming seems to have a better long range jump shot and stronger, bigger calves as base for posting up. Yao also seems to be more determed to succeed and work hard than Sampson. Now, who do you think is better if they played a game of one-on-one or two-on-two since they will need guards to pass them the ball. (Imagine Sampson in his first 3 years vs. Yao Ming’s current skills, not his upside ) Also, which team do your think would win? Today’s Rockets (francis, mobley, griffin, nachbar & ming) and the ’86 Rockets (reid, Sampson, mccray, Olajuwon, Lloyd)
Ralph was a good center. He just played out of position with Dream around. Ming could easily be another ralph sampson.
If Yao turns out to have Ralph's talent but without the injuries and without the penchant to want to be a point-guard, then the Rockets got a really good pick with their draft.
Before Ralph's knee's went out he was one of the best center's in the league, if you're saying that Ming will be just as good as Ralph his first 3 year in the league you might want to put that bottle down now.
If your talking about the Rocks this season, and not the same team in a couple of years, I think it's pretty easy. The '86 Rockets would kill them.
Yao is a player from China! Such agressiveness as punching a fellow player would be quite remote to his culture. Unilike us Americans!
Sampson was a heck of a player, but Ming has more range, and a altogether a better shooter. I think Ming will be a better player if he stays healthy, but he will not have to play out of position because there will be no Dream.
i like this comparison. we can only hope that yao turns out to be just as good with no major injuries and more consistency during the season.
Nice first post and a really good comparison to think about. I cant really compare the 2. I didnt really follow the Rockets till around 89 and Ralph was already gone. But with all the highlight, Sampson TV specials I have seen, he was an awesome display of talent. If it wasnt for the injuries, he could have easily led any team to contention. As for Ming emulating him without the injuries, we will be good for the next 7-10 years. I agree that he has the better outside shot then Ralph, and thats what we need with the penetrating guards. Ming and Moochie will probably the best scenario if the Rocks wanted to us the pick and roll. I wouldnt be surprise if Ming started hitting shots from behind the 3 point line like Mooch and Bullard worked it a few years back. All I can say, we cant really compare the guy until he has played a NBA game, or until we see him for the World Championship Bball tourney.
Ralph was one of the best college players to come out in the 80's. He had a well-developed inside-outside-defensive game. Unfortunately, he never really made the transition to PF with the Rockets and his knees gave out. Ming's got the height, but I don't think he's got the skills of a young Ralph...yet. He does a a similar finesse game, but he'll need to develop a lot to acquire the instincts that Ralph had coming into the league. This being said, Ming will still have the better Rockets and pro career will have the ring to prove it.
I hope he has a longer career than Ralph. Hopefully, 15 years and 7 championships. 7 championships may be a little unrealistic. I will settle for 6.
If you are comparing a healthy Samson to Ming... there is no comparison. Samson was heralded to be one of the best centers ever and was going to change how the center position is suppose to be played - dramatically. Compare that to the comments of experts about Mings potential, you'll get an idea on how good Ralph was. Not only did he win the ROY award, he was the MVP of the all star game on his second year. He is the only one who fits the term "point center". He would rebound the ball and run the fastbreak like a guard. Although he was discouraged to this, he was able to do this with a lot of consistency. If you talk about passing from the post, he was comparable or even better than Bill Walton or Kareem Abdul Jabbar even before he entered the draft. Injuries robbed him and the world of a great basketball player IMHO.
Well, thanks for responding so enthusiastically -- just got back from work -- so this is my first time to respond. I really believe that the Sampson vs Ming comparison is legit even though I haven' t seen Ming play in the league. Ming might not be up to Sampson's league right now but I am confident he will surpass it. I just hope you guys be patient with him instead of making him the scapegoat that Sampson became. You guys haven' t really answered my question on the one on one situation between the two of them. Who do you think would win?
Depends on who controlled the pace of the game. As I intimated above, Yao would have a serious size advantage, and wouldprobably be able to post Ralph up all day - if Yao could slow the game down, make it an inside contest - he would have the advantage. But Ralph had suprising speed for a big man, especially since he was so skinny - he could take Yao to the perimeter and drive by him.
I agree that it all depends on who controlled the pace of the game, but let's just say that they have the similar point guards that would cancel each other out. What then? I don't think that Ming has that much of a post game yet and isn't used to someone as skilled as Sampson at that size (they are only about 2 inches apart after all) however, the same can be said for Sampson in that he has probably never encountered anyone taller than him. I don't about Sampson's quickness -- I don't think he would be able to just drive around Ming. I don't recall him ever doing that to anyone. So according to you it is Ralph= 1, Yao= 0 -- anyone else care to make an opinion?
