Definitely Ralph Sampson. Having him healthy next to Dream for ten years would have been amazing. They would dominate the league.
Dominique, Dr Dunkenstein, Dr J, Michael Cooper, Drexler ?, Larry Nance, Ralph, Woolridge Who is the Spur?
apparently it's this guy: http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonesed01.html That's a 1984 dunk contest pic
Sampson The most deserving though is probably Rudy. It was literally a crime that he got his face smashed in by the punch, and he was never the same player again. And sorry, Yao. Unlike Ralph, you kinda did it to yourself for not telling anyone about how serious your toe was. Then you overcompensated and other things happened. The knee injury was not fair though.
From a team context, Sampson because he played with Hakeem. While Yao played with injured T-Mac. Individually, Yao and not even close. Yao actually performed at all-time great level. Samspon only showed perennial all-star level. If Yao had not sustained his first injury, he'd have been the best center of this generation over Dwight.
Respectfully, I couldn't disagree more. I love, love Yao; everything about the man. He should be held in very high esteem around here. But there will likely never be a more lethal weapon than Sampson. Should be required viewing for all members of the BBS. <iframe width="480" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CgrqJnX7VwY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Downright frightening what Sampson and Dream did to Utah that night in 1985.
This is a good question, and you picked some good players. But I think you have to go with Sampson on this one. Imagine how good the Rockets would have been late 80's and early 90's with Hakeem and Sampson together all the way. Yao and Tracy are also tempting, but in a way they are a package. Both got bit by the injury bug, but the fact is that this team wasn't going anywhere without both of them being healthy. Rudy is tempting, too. Imagine how good his career could have been if the Punch never happened. I mean, it was pretty amazing as is.
Yeah, I'm going to go ahead and say one youtube video is not going to change my mind. And also by the youtube video logic, Marshon Brooks should probably be viewed as having greater potential than Yao too.
I'd give it to Yao. Imagine if we had him two years ago with that Dragic, Martin, Parsons, Scola lineup..
Has to be Sampson. Between him and Olajuwon we could have been swimming in championships. I doubt Ming leads any of his teams to a championship? So it would have been a wasted gift.
Yeah, not youtube video logic... my logic is based on a greater, more HOF-worthy career than Yao (based soley on game production). Sorry you weren't around to see him. Also, comparing Marshon Brooks to Sampson (in any vein) made me chuckle.
