The sheer fact that old and banged-up Sabonis fared so well against Prime Shaq is a proof that he will forever be considered one of the biggest "what if" in basketball history. In his prime, the guy was basically a Magic Johnson in a center body, with a 3pt shot.
Tn Yamaneko. Bill Walton....who knows a thing or two about basketball....said that Sabonis was "a 7'3", 300 pound Larry Bird!" And I personally believe Sabonis would have been the most fun to PLAY WITH!....With his passing, he could have gotten ME a couple of lay ups!...I would have missed them of course....on purpose...just so he coud get the put back!... It may sound cliche...but he really was "one of those guys" who makes everyone else better... The most "complete" game of any seven footer....ever...and I've seen them all...
Michael Powell -- "Tn Yamaneko. Bill Walton....who knows a thing or two about basketball....said that Sabonis was "a 7'3", 300 pound Larry Bird!" " I don't know of that is an apt comparison, given the wizardry of Larry Bird, but Sabonis obviously was gifted. He had more than just size. "The most "complete" game of any seven footer....ever...and I've seen them all.." Have you seen Wilt Chamberlain? Scoring, rebounding, blocks, assists (the only center to ever lead the NBA in assists in one season) and incredible strength and athleticism.
@@ORagnar Wilt was not as complete as Sabonis. Of course his scoring, rebounding, and blocks were better, but he was not as complete (his free throw shooting for example was terrible). For complete 7 footers you have to put Olajuwon up there with Sabonis. Sabonis has him on strength, passing, and outside shooting by a little, but Olajuwon still had that and much better defense, quickness, ball handling
Sabonis is extremely skilled plus a really good 3, amazing court vision, power, finesse, and his footwork. Had he come to the states when he was a lot younger, NBA would've been different. Nobody comes close to matching up with him.
@@2Times22 kareem is 17 years older and like sabonis changed the center role shooting from 3 kareem invented the Skyhook so both were revolutionaries for basketball. Kareem is still the first scorer in NBA...so please more balance!!!
Sabonis is 33 and Shaq is 25 here, Sabonis used all his skill to contain Shaq. Imagine this duel the other way around in terms of age. Sabonis would demolish the aging Shaq. Skill wise the gap is huge, a testament to the raw and physical talent of Shaq. He could dominate without the skills. I still think that a prime Sabonis without injuries could beat Shaq, certainly in today's league.
@@ziginaigra he had a limited amount of skills. He didnt need to develop any because of his physical dominance, which led to him being destroyed by Hakeem and his awful free throw percentage
Sabonis is a beast. I seen him many times playing in Spain but when he retired in Real Madrid and he decided go to Portland because he wanted to fulfill his old dream of playing in the NBA, i knew he would do fine even if he was broken as hell and a bit old because he is extremely talented and even playing at 50% of his real potential is enough to make a difference as you can see. Man, if Sabas could had had a normal career without injuries and was able to play for Portland in the 80s and im 100% for sure that he would have been dominated the league with only Olawujon at his level.
Lithuania also deserved the Eurobasket title in 1995 but fiba and the refs favoured Yugoslavia. After the match Lithuanian players, Sabonis included, were furious
If Sabonis had found a way to smuggle his way out of the USSR in the ‘80s (perhaps in a VERY large overnight bag) he would have gone down as one of the top three center centers of all time. He was playing like a 2020s big back in the ‘80s. Soviet surgeons had turned him into a shell of himself by the time he finally got to the League.
Intelligent playmaker, skilled handling, FT shooter, 3P shooter, this guy was unreal for a 7'3, 280lbs center. There was never any other like him. Sabonis arrived to the NBA too late and too beaten by poorly managed injuries. People say the USSR wouldn't release him in 1986, when he was drafted by the Blazers but the union crumbled in 1989 and in that year he heads to Spain and stays there for 6 years! Why?
+VerdesVideos Why? because everybody at the time thought that he was finished by injuries... he was depressed, he gain weight and he had no confidence because his body was so punished. And then Forum Filatelico, a basketball team of Spain, hired him. Sabonis then recovered himself, specially in terms of confidence, Real Madrid hired him, won everything in europe and went to NBA
Actually it was mostly because news didn't travel so fast to the ussr and when he found out that he could have had a contract and play with blazers he had already had a contractual agreement with spain to play and he couldnt back out of it. It was mostly bad timing and the fucking ussr.
@@Bambo_waffle there is an old interview with sabas. he said blazers who had his rights, were calling, but never offered anything, so he got an offer from spain and took it. the rest is history. depression stuff is bs.
Sabonis was the best big man passer and one of the best centers in the history of the game. He was a 7.3 Larry Bird . He was a 7.3 small forward! He could have been a legend if he played in the NBA during his prime. Unfortunatelly he was 30 when he went to the Blazers, by which time he had many injuries. His story reminds me of Ralph Samson. Sabonis was the best passing center in NBA and could have been one of the top 10 centers ever if he played his whole career there. If Sabonis was able to play to Portland next to Drexler, Terry Porter, and Cliff Robinson, the Blazers would have won many titles. He was great. He could pass, shoot three pointers and he also had a great post game. Shaq on the other hand was a very good passer passer but couldn't pass the ball like a guard as Sabonis did, couldn't shoot three pointers and...free throws! But he had a great post game, and dominated the paint! If only Sabonis was 28 and not 34 years old in that game! Shaq was 25.
Did you see him play? He was no Larry Bird at all..a Center with some Larry Bird like skills yes..Sabonis is still the best center from Fiba bb and equal to the best from NBA i guess but no real game resemblance to Larry Bird..shooting the three and be a good passer with excellent bb IQ doesnt make you Bird..Bird was in the right place in the right time most of the game whitch was his biggest skill and constantly in motion..
Это все не то. Вы бы видели, как Арвидас играл за Жальгирис (Каунас) в 1983 - 86, до серьезной травмы. Даже я, москвич, стал болельщиком той феноменальной литовской команды, игравшую не только на счет, но на красоту баскетбола. Но закат наступил быстро, мы не успели толком посмотреть.. У кого травмы, кто ветеран, как С. Йовайша, кто уехал на заработки за рубеж - а достойной замены не оказалось. Конечно, любая средняя команда НБА обыграла бы литовцев. Но это не описать словами. Не только набирание очков, выполнение установки тренера, а Сабонис именно играл, не только победно - а изящно, артист! Здесь это не так заметно.
Arvydas would fare so well even in today's NBA. High IQ, exceptional passing vision, and advanced offensive skillset because he can attack the rim or execute jumpshots
Jokic is a poor man's Sabonis. If the Blazers got him in his prime (before his knees collapsed and 3x surgeries on his Achilles and back problems) alongside Drexler, Porter, Kersey and Robinson the Blazers would've no doubt won several rings. And not only without the help of the refs like many franchises.. but the league wouldn't have been able to stop their sheer dominance. In fact, if Petro was allowed to play and develop alongside Drexler and Sabonis it would've easily been a dynasty for the ages. Like if the Celtics didn't lose Bias. Unstoppable. Unfortunately, Sabonis was so injured by the time he got to the NBA he was at maybe 50% capacity stats-wise, but as for athleticism far beneath that even, qualifying for a disabled parking permit based on his x-rays alone, according to his doctor. Still, he was simply *that* good. Doesn't get nearly enough credit. I always remember him being described as the Euro-league equivalent of MJ back in the 90's talent wise.
sabonis always reminded me of them older guys that play at the YMCA.. lots of skills.. really good passers and just deceptively good... respect to the Sabonis's of the world that still get out there and play basketball.. for one day when I get older, I'll be that guy too
Shaq scored more points than Sabonis, despite being double teamed by Sabonis and Wallace...and the Lakers won....wtf you're saying Sabonis won? He is your countryman Ali? Just your biased opinion, nothing more. Cheer for your countryman, but never claim he is better than one of the best Centers in NBA history. Sabonis will not even crack top 10.
@@modestasgendvilas4779 nah. Shaq would eat Sabonis in his prime. Shaq was 25 here, not yet his prime. His prime was 2000 Shaq. Prime Sabonis will never touch that.
Patrick O'LAUGHLIN - You are most likely American.Sabonis here is 33yr. and Shaq is 25yr.You should see Sabonis at the age of 19. He could run circles over Shaq,Pat Ewing and David Robinson.Then in the Soviet Union you couldn't go abroad to play.If he could at the age of 20 to play in the NBA league, would be one of the best centers of all time.What are you looking at here is an old Sabonis with a bunch of injuries and 40% of its possibilities, but is still a great player.That dunk at 4:49.would not be possible over young Sabonis.
Tonko Prčić You're crazy if you think this version of Shaq couldn't have dunked over a younger version of Sabonis who you fail to mention was also much lighter in the ass. I remember prior to Shaq coming to LA they mentioned how in peak physical shape he was in. He had only like 10% body fat at this time and was 300 pounds of muscle. NO other center besides maybe a prime Wilt physically could match up to Shaq. Now a younger Sabonis definitely was probably a better overall center than Shaq and was unguardable in his own right.
+John Quincy Astor - I thought especially in this situation at 5:00,not generally.Here is Sabonis older ,with many injuries behind him ,slow with 50% jumping ability he had .Of course,Shaq was monster that was difficult to keep anyone,but Sabonis was also a monster at his younger age.For example ,such a profile of player would be the undisputed number 1 on this year nba draft pick .I was Drazen Petrovic fun,but I have to admit that Europe has never had a center of such ability.
Tonko Prčić I was able to watch older videos of Sabonis in his prime and had he came to the NBA earlier he would've revolutionized the game. He had an inside game and an outside game and being like 7'3 and quick and nimble there was no real way to guard him. Plus he had eyes in the back of his head and could pass out of the post like Larry Bird. But physically, athletically and size wise I'm just saying Shaq was a totally different animal. From 95 to 2000 he probably was the most impressive physical specimen walking the earth. He was a king among men.
Geez, what a great match had Sabonis been a little younger. He was such a pure, pro. And even at this point, it wasn't that Shaq was really better but more that Sabonis couldn't play 40+ minutes like Diesel could then.
You can only wonder what would’ve happened if Sabonis would’ve joined when he was originally drafted in the 80’s and teamed him up with Drexler era Blazers
Sabonis was different. He could stand strong (not stronger) with Shaq and pull him out deep. He wasn't better than Shaq, but he was the best defense to guard him in Shaq prime.
Unfortunately, in the NBA and before in the Spanish Basket Leaque we could only saw Arvidas Sabonis with his ankle very injured, a crippled Sabonis... Arvidas, at eighteen, was, probably, the best player I´ve ever seen...
I actually got to see a little bit of prime Arvydas when he was playing for the Soviet national team in the ‘80s. He absolutely oA wned The Admiral. This was back before he got hurt and Soviet team surgeons turned his minor injuries into catastrophic injuries. If you want to get an idea howq could Arvydas was look at how good his son Domantas is now & extrapolate. Domantas averaged 19/14/8 with 59/39/70 splits & lead the league in double-doubles & triple doubles. Arvydas could do everything his son does except he was 7-3/265, much more athletic & a far better defender. 😁😁😁
That was a battle! Underrated ALL TIME matchup!! Back when Bigs and Paint Play ruled… This was also the start of that Laker Dynasty! Kobe was an observer !!! 😳 Sickest Era of Basketball.. oh yeah… Jordan played Utah during this playoff… 😂😂 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐
In this duel. Sabonis have 33 years, alot of injury. Shaq is have 27 years Sabonis was not really atletic person, but he was smartest big man in Nba. Shaq was strongest big man in nba.
If Shaq would of Stayed in Shape like he was when he was with Orlando around 315 pounds Career would of been better than what it already is and it's already good. His defense was much better in Orlando...however in the playoffs while playing for the Lakers his defense was better than the regular seasons. He attempted more blocks in playoffs.
1:20, Shaq pushes and fouls OLD INJURED Sabonis and he still gets nothing but net on the hook shot. Most other centers would have not even been able to hit the backboard let alone get nothing but net if Shaq hit them.
People saying this was "prime" Shaq, lol. This is Shaq coming off a near career ending knee injury, look at the brace he's wearing people. Compared to his 3-peat years...in these playoffs he could hardly move or jump; and still dominated the series
It's not like Sabonis was the picture of health in the NBA, When Portland's medical staff looked Sabonis' Xrays before signing him their Dr was quoted as saying "From looking at the XRays's this guy could get a handicapped parking permit with no problems"
Sabonis could ball. Cool to see. And dunk by Shaq on him tho. Geezus. There's times where Shaq just over powers you and there's nothing you can do. Sabonis played good D on Shaq tho. You don't see no more big man battles anymore. Smh
Actually I think this version of sabonis is better against shaq cuz he's heavier. When Sabonis was younger he was skinnier and Shaq would have pushed him all over the floor.
he was tired of getting pushed around in the paint and started gaining weight that's what he said he sacrificed a long carrier for a short but dominating carrier
Shaq was bulldozing Yao Ming and he was 7 ft 5 inches at 310 pounds I cant believe some of you think Sabonis was better than Shaq.. Shaq destroyed all the Centers he faced at some point.. Just because Sabonis had a couple of good games against Shaq you guys think he's better.. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@Hendrik Verwoerd II Stop it ! Rodman was a great defender but overall he had no chance of stopping Shaq.. You will never ever see another Shaquille O'Neal
The sheer fact that old and banged-up Sabonis fared so well against Prime Shaq is a proof that he will forever be considered one of the biggest "what if" in basketball history. In his prime, the guy was basically a Magic Johnson in a center body, with a 3pt shot.
Oh, and I forgot, basketball IQ was off the charts.
more like a larry bird
Tn Yamaneko. Bill Walton....who knows a thing or two about basketball....said that Sabonis was "a 7'3", 300 pound Larry Bird!"
And I personally believe Sabonis would have been the most fun to PLAY WITH!....With his passing, he could have gotten ME a couple of lay ups!...I would have missed them of course....on purpose...just so he coud get the put back!...
It may sound cliche...but he really was "one of those guys" who makes everyone else better...
The most "complete" game of any seven footer....ever...and I've seen them all...
Michael Powell -- "Tn Yamaneko. Bill Walton....who knows a thing or two about basketball....said that Sabonis was "a 7'3", 300 pound Larry Bird!" "
I don't know of that is an apt comparison, given the wizardry of Larry Bird, but Sabonis obviously was gifted. He had more than just size.
"The most "complete" game of any seven footer....ever...and I've seen them all.."
Have you seen Wilt Chamberlain? Scoring, rebounding, blocks, assists (the only center to ever lead the NBA in assists in one season) and incredible strength and athleticism.
@@ORagnar Wilt was not as complete as Sabonis. Of course his scoring, rebounding, and blocks were better, but he was not as complete (his free throw shooting for example was terrible). For complete 7 footers you have to put Olajuwon up there with Sabonis. Sabonis has him on strength, passing, and outside shooting by a little, but Olajuwon still had that and much better defense, quickness, ball handling
Its funny to watch Shaq meet someone he can't push around.
Sabonis is extremely skilled plus a really good 3, amazing court vision, power, finesse, and his footwork. Had he come to the states when he was a lot younger, NBA would've been different. Nobody comes close to matching up with him.
Arvidas Sabonis was the most talented center of all times.
Wilt, hakeem, kareem, jokic
@@st4r444 I agree with that as well.
@@st4r444 Better than kareem and jokic btw
@@2Times22 kareem is 17 years older and like sabonis changed the center role shooting from 3 kareem invented the Skyhook so both were revolutionaries for basketball. Kareem is still the first scorer in NBA...so please more balance!!!
@@giotex4475 Lebron now has the most points in NBA history.
Sabonis is 33 and Shaq is 25 here, Sabonis used all his skill to contain Shaq. Imagine this duel the other way around in terms of age. Sabonis would demolish the aging Shaq. Skill wise the gap is huge, a testament to the raw and physical talent of Shaq. He could dominate without the skills. I still think that a prime Sabonis without injuries could beat Shaq, certainly in today's league.
shaq didnt have skills?😂
@@ziginaigra he had a limited amount of skills. He didnt need to develop any because of his physical dominance, which led to him being destroyed by Hakeem and his awful free throw percentage
@@lorenzdieltjens5395Go watch Shaq 1on1 vs Jordan, please. You have to be skilled in the NBA
Sabonis is a beast. I seen him many times playing in Spain but when he retired in Real Madrid and he decided go to Portland because he wanted to fulfill his old dream of playing in the NBA, i knew he would do fine even if he was broken as hell and a bit old because he is extremely talented and even playing at 50% of his real potential is enough to make a difference as you can see. Man, if Sabas could had had a normal career without injuries and was able to play for Portland in the 80s and im 100% for sure that he would have been dominated the league with only Olawujon at his level.
Lithuania also deserved the Eurobasket title in 1995 but fiba and the refs favoured Yugoslavia. After the match Lithuanian players, Sabonis included, were furious
@@petr79Yugoslavia didn’t exist in 1995, dude. Not even on paper. You’re thinking of Serbia.
If Sabonis had found a way to smuggle his way out of the USSR in the ‘80s (perhaps in a VERY large overnight bag) he would have gone down as one of the top three center centers of all time. He was playing like a 2020s big back in the ‘80s. Soviet surgeons had turned him into a shell of himself by the time he finally got to the League.
hes basically a dirk in shaq's body with nash's passing
Dr. Panda and Larry Birds brain
Everything about this comment is just deserving of an a plus on a maths test
Nah. More like a taller/heavier Pau Gasol.
I personally think he's like a 7'3" version of Larry Bird.
Intelligent playmaker, skilled handling, FT shooter, 3P shooter, this guy was unreal for a 7'3, 280lbs center. There was never any other like him. Sabonis arrived to the NBA too late and too beaten by poorly managed injuries.
People say the USSR wouldn't release him in 1986, when he was drafted by the Blazers but the union crumbled in 1989 and in that year he heads to Spain and stays there for 6 years! Why?
+VerdesVideos Why? because everybody at the time thought that he was finished by injuries... he was depressed, he gain weight and he had no confidence because his body was so punished. And then Forum Filatelico, a basketball team of Spain, hired him. Sabonis then recovered himself, specially in terms of confidence, Real Madrid hired him, won everything in europe and went to NBA
Carlos Thank you for your reply, good info, man.
Actually it was mostly because news didn't travel so fast to the ussr and when he found out that he could have had a contract and play with blazers he had already had a contractual agreement with spain to play and he couldnt back out of it. It was mostly bad timing and the fucking ussr.
@@Bambo_waffle there is an old interview with sabas. he said blazers who had his rights, were calling, but never offered anything, so he got an offer from spain and took it. the rest is history. depression stuff is bs.
The USSR ceased to exist at the end of 1991
Blazers' frontcourt: Rasheed + Sabonis, basketball IQ is off the charts! o.O
damn, this basketball is so much better than the stuff now,, i mean WAY better
pip jersey yeah now everybody shooting 3...3..3..3...
@@Xinxin_WangThey just need to move that line OUT
Sabonis and Shaq were great but mid ‘90s NBA basketball was not very good…
Sabonis was the best big man passer and one of the best centers in the history of the game. He was a 7.3 Larry Bird . He was a 7.3 small forward! He could have been a legend if he played in the NBA during his prime. Unfortunatelly he was 30 when he went to the Blazers, by which time he had many injuries. His story reminds me of Ralph Samson. Sabonis was the best passing center in NBA and could have been one of the top 10 centers ever if he played his whole career there. If Sabonis was able to play to Portland next to Drexler, Terry Porter, and Cliff Robinson, the Blazers would have won many titles. He was great. He could pass, shoot three pointers and he also had a great post game.
Shaq on the other hand was a very good passer passer but couldn't pass the ball like a guard as Sabonis did, couldn't shoot three pointers and...free throws! But he had a great post game, and dominated the paint! If only Sabonis was 28 and not 34 years old in that game! Shaq was 25.
Did you see him play? He was no Larry Bird at all..a Center with some Larry Bird like skills yes..Sabonis is still the best center from Fiba bb and equal to the best from NBA i guess but no real game resemblance to Larry Bird..shooting the three and be a good passer with excellent bb IQ doesnt make you Bird..Bird was in the right place in the right time most of the game whitch was his biggest skill and constantly in motion..
@@andreaspapadakis2602 I saw him play in person and he was that good.
Sabonis, the most dominant player under the hoops ever
Sabonis was obviously more skilled than O'Neil ever was. He was a better passer, better shooter and probably much better basketball IQ.
Shaq was just a freak of nature. Brute strength.
Sabonas was very strong very strong i mean as strong as shaq
Shaq the best center in the world
Sabonas was better than shaq in his prime
@@mildamalinauskaite4722 Sabonas in his prime was quite a few years before his NBA life.
Interesting how many assists from Sabonis in this game. over back assist was amazing
Это все не то. Вы бы видели, как Арвидас играл за Жальгирис (Каунас) в 1983 - 86, до серьезной травмы. Даже я, москвич, стал болельщиком той феноменальной литовской команды, игравшую не только на счет, но на красоту баскетбола. Но закат наступил быстро, мы не успели толком посмотреть.. У кого травмы, кто ветеран, как С. Йовайша, кто уехал на заработки за рубеж - а достойной замены не оказалось. Конечно, любая средняя команда НБА обыграла бы литовцев. Но это не описать словами. Не только набирание очков, выполнение установки тренера, а Сабонис именно играл, не только победно - а изящно, артист! Здесь это не так заметно.
Arvydas would fare so well even in today's NBA. High IQ, exceptional passing vision, and advanced offensive skillset because he can attack the rim or execute jumpshots
Basically a poor man’s jokic
@@brycep7958 if we talk about his late 30s career, then yes, but he was a monster in his prime years.
Jokic is a poor man's Sabonis.
If the Blazers got him in his prime (before his knees collapsed and 3x surgeries on his Achilles and back problems) alongside Drexler, Porter, Kersey and Robinson the Blazers would've no doubt won several rings. And not only without the help of the refs like many franchises.. but the league wouldn't have been able to stop their sheer dominance.
In fact, if Petro was allowed to play and develop alongside Drexler and Sabonis it would've easily been a dynasty for the ages. Like if the Celtics didn't lose Bias. Unstoppable.
Unfortunately, Sabonis was so injured by the time he got to the NBA he was at maybe 50% capacity stats-wise, but as for athleticism far beneath that even, qualifying for a disabled parking permit based on his x-rays alone, according to his doctor. Still, he was simply *that* good.
Doesn't get nearly enough credit.
I always remember him being described as the Euro-league equivalent of MJ back in the 90's talent wise.
He was playing like a. 2020s big in the 1980s.
sabonis always reminded me of them older guys that play at the YMCA.. lots of skills.. really good passers and just deceptively good... respect to the Sabonis's of the world that still get out there and play basketball.. for one day when I get older, I'll be that guy too
He's a dad
Prime Shaq is equal to Sabonis in wheelchair.
+szeszesember ahahaah that made my day :)
no
That's just bullshit. Prime shaq is the most dominant basketball player of all time, and i'm not even a particular fan of his.
Lol true as fck, Sabonis outplay Shaq only withs spaming the hook shot :D:D:D:D
martjek oh really? Tell that to Ben Wallace or Olajuwon!
shaq 25 years old sabonis 33 rare footage and sabo win .
Sabas was already after many injuries, and still very good center. Shaq had no chance against Sabas on his prime.
Shaq scored more points than Sabonis, despite being double teamed by Sabonis and Wallace...and the Lakers won....wtf you're saying Sabonis won? He is your countryman Ali? Just your biased opinion, nothing more. Cheer for your countryman, but never claim he is better than one of the best Centers in NBA history. Sabonis will not even crack top 10.
@@modestasgendvilas4779 nah. Shaq would eat Sabonis in his prime. Shaq was 25 here, not yet his prime. His prime was 2000 Shaq. Prime Sabonis will never touch that.
@@rj-yr4ql how u come to that conclusion when sabonis is playin on no knees and destroyed achilles lol.
If Sabonis have full nba career that would be fair
i cant recall the last time i saw a center asking for the ball in the low post, the game has reaally changed since the shaq era >C
Сабонис красавца помним все болельщики портленда
I'm a Sabonis guy , but that dunk by Shaq @ 5:00..Oh my !! Thanks for posting these Sabonis vs. Shaq videos , I appreciate it man !
Patrick O'LAUGHLIN Actually more like @ 4:49 , oops
Patrick O'LAUGHLIN - You are most likely American.Sabonis here is 33yr. and Shaq is 25yr.You should see Sabonis at the age of 19. He could run circles over Shaq,Pat Ewing and David Robinson.Then in the Soviet Union you couldn't go abroad to play.If he could at the age of 20 to play in the NBA league, would be one of the best centers of all time.What are you looking at here is an old Sabonis with a bunch of injuries and 40% of its possibilities, but is still a great player.That dunk at 4:49.would not be possible over young Sabonis.
Tonko Prčić You're crazy if you think this version of Shaq couldn't have dunked over a younger version of Sabonis who you fail to mention was also much lighter in the ass. I remember prior to Shaq coming to LA they mentioned how in peak physical shape he was in. He had only like 10% body fat at this time and was 300 pounds of muscle. NO other center besides maybe a prime Wilt physically could match up to Shaq. Now a younger Sabonis definitely was probably a better overall center than Shaq and was unguardable in his own right.
+John Quincy Astor - I thought especially in this situation at 5:00,not generally.Here is Sabonis older ,with many injuries behind him ,slow with 50% jumping ability he had .Of course,Shaq was monster that was difficult to keep anyone,but Sabonis was also a monster at his younger age.For example ,such a profile of player would be the undisputed number 1 on this year nba draft pick .I was Drazen Petrovic fun,but I have to admit that Europe has never had a center of such ability.
Tonko Prčić I was able to watch older videos of Sabonis in his prime and had he came to the NBA earlier he would've revolutionized the game. He had an inside game and an outside game and being like 7'3 and quick and nimble there was no real way to guard him. Plus he had eyes in the back of his head and could pass out of the post like Larry Bird. But physically, athletically and size wise I'm just saying Shaq was a totally different animal. From 95 to 2000 he probably was the most impressive physical specimen walking the earth. He was a king among men.
Arvidas, the man to whom should be titled the book of role #5 in every time basket
O único que botava o Shaq no bolso. Um velhote com um joelho a menos . Respect Sabonis. The greatest Center of ALL Time
Sabonis had leg issues :) His legs were almost like broken
imagine young and health Sabonis drafted in 86 by Hawks
Dominic and Arvydas what a tandem Would be ah?
2 of the best centers ever played the game... Sabas and Shaq!
Before Sabonis got injured he was more skilled & athletic than Shaq was
not sure about athletic part😃
I think a young sabonis would give shaq all kinds of problems; it's a shame his life was mostly set in the USSR.
not privileged I guess
Biggest 'what if' in basketball history.
You still can imagine a top 3 all time center though. Easily.
Center What if in NBA History:
1.- Sabonis
2.- Bowie
3.- Oden
Portland what?
If Sabonis is in his prime, he can eclipse O'neal..
Is so funny when people say " Sabonis was a 7'2 Larry Bird! People don't get what it means, means the Goat! Way ahead of Jordan!
Geez, what a great match had Sabonis been a little younger. He was such a pure, pro. And even at this point, it wasn't that Shaq was really better but more that Sabonis couldn't play 40+ minutes like Diesel could then.
Sabonis so great !!
SABONIS VERY WEL GREAT MAN
Classic NBA right here old school
You can only wonder what would’ve happened if Sabonis would’ve joined when he was originally drafted in the 80’s and teamed him up with Drexler era Blazers
Sabonis was different. He could stand strong (not stronger) with Shaq and pull him out deep. He wasn't better than Shaq, but he was the best defense to guard him in Shaq prime.
Sabonis's son plays for OKC Thunders
Jokic görünce Sabonis ve Divac a uzelmeden edemiyorum.Bu çağda NBA de olmaliydilar
Anybody on both starting squads would be an All-Star in today NBA.
Arvidas the Legend love you 🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷🇭🇷
Unfortunately, in the NBA and before in the Spanish Basket Leaque we could only saw Arvidas Sabonis with his ankle very injured, a crippled Sabonis... Arvidas, at eighteen, was, probably, the best player I´ve ever seen...
I actually got to see a little bit of prime Arvydas when he was playing for the Soviet national team in the ‘80s. He absolutely oA wned The Admiral.
This was back before he got hurt and Soviet team surgeons turned his minor injuries into catastrophic injuries. If you want to get an idea howq could Arvydas was look at how good his son Domantas is now & extrapolate. Domantas averaged 19/14/8 with 59/39/70 splits & lead the league in double-doubles & triple doubles.
Arvydas could do everything his son does except he was 7-3/265, much more athletic & a far better defender. 😁😁😁
only if sabonis had his prime in the NBA
Как же жаль, что Сабас приехал в НБА только в 31 год.
The Shaq era Lakers owned the Blazers, beating them 5 times in 6 years in the playoffs
People don't know Sabonis was a fabulous player when he was young n healthy. By the time he got to the NBA he was a shell of what he once was.
SABONIS SUPER STAR. 🇱🇹👍✌👍🥇🇱🇹👍
That was a battle! Underrated ALL TIME matchup!! Back when Bigs and Paint Play ruled… This was also the start of that Laker Dynasty! Kobe was an observer !!! 😳
Sickest Era of Basketball.. oh yeah… Jordan played Utah during this playoff… 😂😂
🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐
The amount of offensive fouls shaq got away with is pretty crazy.
i didnt see 1
So nice seeing Jokic of the 80's playing with such dominance against Shaq.
Does anybody know why his #11 has not been retired?
ARVYDAS ❤️❤️❤️
In this duel.
Sabonis have 33 years, alot of injury.
Shaq is have 27 years
Sabonis was not really atletic person, but he was smartest big man in Nba.
Shaq was strongest big man in nba.
Sabonis at the age of 22-28 would have been destroyed Shaq.
4:35 THIS pass... pure genius, beautiful!
Sabas the best. Too bad he was forced to play for the reds early. Vardan tos Lietuvos!
Nobody forced him to play for Madrid 6 years
If Shaq would of Stayed in Shape like he was when he was with Orlando around 315 pounds Career would of been better than what it already is and it's already good. His defense was much better in Orlando...however in the playoffs while playing for the Lakers his defense was better than the regular seasons. He attempted more blocks in playoffs.
O'Neal should thank God everyday for 1987 Sabonis injuries. Everyday
When it was still a man's league unlike today's boys league
Who beats this team of 5 all are in their prime : Wilt Sabonas Bird AI Abdul Rauf ?
4:33
1:20, Shaq pushes and fouls OLD INJURED Sabonis and he still gets nothing but net on the hook shot.
Most other centers would have not even been able to hit the backboard let alone get nothing but net if Shaq hit them.
People saying this was "prime" Shaq, lol. This is Shaq coming off a near career ending knee injury, look at the brace he's wearing people. Compared to his 3-peat years...in these playoffs he could hardly move or jump; and still dominated the series
It's not like Sabonis was the picture of health in the NBA, When Portland's medical staff looked Sabonis' Xrays before signing him their Dr was quoted as saying "From looking at the XRays's this guy could get a handicapped parking permit with no problems"
Sabonis is old version of Jokic!
It's kinda weird seeing Shaq getting backed down.
Shaq with a little work ethic would be unstoppable
he was still unstoppable
He put shaq on the floor lol
3:12 that's a real mathufucca tryna block Diesel. Stupid but real.
at last he try
and at 3:12 ,, wow get down!
Sabas plays relaxed because hes smart and shaq lowest iq just power
😂
But is he Stephen Curry with a 40-inch vertical?
4:50 Shaq over 3 blazers guys
Dennis rodman!!!!!!!!! Period!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Warrior!!!!!! No fear!!!!!!!!
The Worm is the NBA’s all-time #1 psycho.
Sabonis could ball. Cool to see. And dunk by Shaq on him tho. Geezus. There's times where Shaq just over powers you and there's nothing you can do. Sabonis played good D on Shaq tho. You don't see no more big man battles anymore. Smh
Shaq score should to be 25 for sure, cuz the last foul was a joke for sure :D
Сабонис дал бой.
Sabonis played and lead his team,while for Shaq it was the opposite
15 ultimos segundos estropeados, gracias a lumbreras y recomendaciones.
He's nikola Jokic's biological dad lol
Old thread comment : Sabonis in a wheelchair >> Prime Shaq
Fuerza bruta vs habilidad
O'Neal is about as graceful as a hippo on ice skates. Wonderful guy but he had no clue how to play basketball.
He had amazing post footwork for a man his size what are you talking about XD
@@jonathangibson7014 foot work? All he did was back down weaker opponents and dunk on them, how is this skill?
🤡
@@mino2540 🤡
@@mino2540 u miss his drop step and spin moves...
Actually I think this version of sabonis is better against shaq cuz he's heavier. When Sabonis was younger he was skinnier and Shaq would have pushed him all over the floor.
+Tony Gambino Youg Sabonis was very quick and had really good hops though, he would have given Shaq much more trouble at the offensive end
madpup69
Yeah maybe.
Young Shaq wasn't fat too
Sabo c un basketteur. Shaq est un athlète. La durée de vie n'est pas la même. Comparez la fin de carrière des deux...
Eddie Jones starting over kobe in line up 🤣
he was better
Shaq looked way smaller when he was younger..I dare say he upped his steroid regimen in later years.
he was tired of getting pushed around in the paint and started gaining weight that's what he said he sacrificed a long carrier for a short but dominating carrier
Not steroids. He didn't look roided at all...
are they kinda lucky that sabonis entered nba when he's washed up from his prime and old?
The envious heron notablely hand because reduction booly melt astride a gainful typhoon. fixed, jealous patch
Go Sabonis !!! Sabas much more skilled player comparing to dumb wood Shaq.
Shaq was bulldozing Yao Ming and he was 7 ft 5 inches at 310 pounds I cant believe some of you think Sabonis was better than Shaq.. Shaq destroyed all the Centers he faced at some point.. Just because Sabonis had a couple of good games against Shaq you guys think he's better.. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@Hendrik Verwoerd II Stop it ! Rodman was a great defender but overall he had no chance of stopping Shaq.. You will never ever see another Shaquille O'Neal
@Hendrik Verwoerd II Lol
Skillwise Sabonis is way better let alone Prime Sabonis. He would destroy Shaq if played during his pre injury era.
Yao > Arvydas Sabonis > SHAQ