Man he averaged 16 points when he was 33 in the NBA and was slow as hell. He would have kicked so much ass if he played in the NBA when he was young. Of course Portland ALWAYS gets shafted when it comes to big men. Bowie, Sabonis and now Greg Oden..
Apart from passing abilities, pivot abilities and rebounds presence, when you just think he's 2.20 tall, he was plagued by injuries and loved bier too much (...), he was still agile...
He was like as dominant as Shaq with those one handed dunks. Only he had the passing ability of Chris Paul. Sabonis was so damn good, all time great for sure.
incredibly underrated. too many people don't realize that arvydas was on the blazers after multiple knee injuries and past his prime. portland drafted him in 1986 but were not able to use him until 1996. when he was 33, he averaged 16 pts, 10 boards, three assists, one steal and one block in the NBA.....he shot 49% from the field and 80% from the line. yes, he deserves to be in the discussion for the top 15 greatest centers to ever play the game.
max : TELL ME OTHER PLAYER WHO BECOME mvP OF THE SEASON IN ANY LEAGUE at age of 39 years? HE BECAME IN whole euroleage...He is just solid? 39 years old he was kicking asses 15 years younger guys it definitely is dominating...When he was on his prime back 1985 and 1986 he was dominating europe too,19 yeras later he did the same shit again.He was unique and everybode who understand baskteball know that and theres now need to explain to guy who have no understanding in basketball.
@gkompos1973 :sorry,but dirk nowitzki is definetly missing in your list;-).he is surly on the same spot as sabonis.if dirk would have played euroleague the last years,he would have dominated the continent,thats for sure.in europe,there is no player even close to him these days..- i am half german,hald greek.galis was my hero when i was young.i saw drazen play,one of a kind.but dirk is simply the best in my eyes!
You know i dont have what to discus with your zobied braind there are burned only letters NBA, read some discussions for the beginning, some comments of best basketball specialists in the world about Sabonis, maybye when we will have what to talk. I will even help you for the begining: illinihq com / forums / index .php ?showtopic = 499 &hl = Sabonis
Haha, you talk about comments from basketballspecialists and you give me a link to Illinois collegebasketball-teams forum? Haha, way to go...
Sabonis dominated pure trash, he never faced any center Europe who's among the 20 or even 30 best center by all-time. If Sabas dominated a such good league, who were the great centers he faced? Haha, you're so lame.
Name me 5 centers Sabonis outplayed in the euroleague or the lithuanian that could have been all stars in the NBA? I have a answer, NONE! It's one thing if we talked about Drazen or something, Drazen was a killer in the NBA too, Sabonis was solid in NBA, nothing more..
Cut this "What if.." crap, he never did it so shut it:)
Haha Ilgauskas is first of all not top 20 among centers by all-time and they didn't even play in the same league, Sabonis played in the Spanish and Ilgauskas played in BC Aisčiai-Atletas and since they didn't play any euroleague games vs Real Madrid. Listen, stop lying, you only talk bullshit. First you said that Sabas "killed" Robinson which he really didn't, he got more dominated then he dominated Robinson and he never faced Ilgauskas in Europe... So again, who did he play...?
Listen idiot you wrote, that noone of lithuanians played in all stars, and i showed your stupidity, so what a fuck are you talking here? Just simply i showed your knowledges.
Haha, learn english you fucking idiot. I wrote that he never faced any top 20 centers in euroleague or in the lithuanian league. If you can't read english then shut up..
He only faced trash in europe and he didn't have a great impact in the nba. OVERRATED.
Listen 51 state owned by americans for century olredy. You said that none lithuanian played in all stars and i showed that your knowledges are pity so now you start to talk all kind of bsh... Phatetic idiot... And about Sabonis learn who he was playing in Europe scum, will help you a little (Divac, Tkacenko). Go to your jungle primitive.
"Sabonis dominated pure trash, he never faced any center Europe who's among the 20 or even 30 best center by all-time. If Sabas dominated a such good league, who were the great centers he faced? Haha, you're so lame. "
That's what I wrote, I didn't talk about lithuanian all-stars, CAN'T YOU READ YOU MOTHERFUCKING BITCH!?
Listen you idiot Sabonis played in soviet national basketball team and he played against counties like Yugoslavia, Spain, Greece. After that he played in Lithuanian national team and played against almost all basketvall countries in the world and he dominated all these centers. Learn idiot.
Not on daily basis, he faced Divac 3 times and.... Spain never had any great centers and neither did Greece. And what he did against Robinson wasn't even close to dominant, outscored, outblocked, outrebounded, outassisted...
You are really funny, he had to play them every day to prove to you that he is better? If it is not enough for you can and Croatia, Russia, Australia (he almost alone destroyed all australian team in OG1996 in game for bronze) but it is no matter for you of course, becourse you are blind.
Tkacenko a top 20 center? FUCK OFF! Divac? I doubt it and he left for the NBA when he was 20 years old. Haha, is that what you call competition? So some nobody in Tkacenko and and a 19 year old Divac is what you call competition? Haha and I'm not even sure Divac played Sabas in Europe, maybe in Korac but that can't have been more than 5 times and that's maximum... WOW! I'm IMPRESSED!
You know i dont have what to discus with your zobied braind there are burned only letters NBA, read some discussions for the beginning, some comments of best basketball specialists in the world about Sabonis, maybye when we will have what to talk.
Haha, so you know all about basketball? You're the same person who said that Sabas killed Robinson in OG88 when there's no fucking evidence of domination from Sabas.. You don't dominate someone by having less blocks, points, steals and the same amounts of rebounds and assists...
hey lol look wen sabonis is young in soviet union internetional team .They played against USA dream team and won look how Sabonis dunks trough USA dream team center
My goodness. One thing that impresses me about Sabonis is his wingspan. However, it is hard to gauge Sabonis late in his career with his hamburger knees. Had he came to the NBA in his prime (1986), he would have been pretty good. However, I think one true center was better at the time, and no he's not a yankee, either. Akeem Olajuwon is quicker and stronger. Would have love to see Sabonis in the NBA, though. :(
how pathetic your evaluations are... yankies think that if a player didn't come to NBA, than he is not a great one... we saw Sabas ruling Eastern Europe's basketball and that is enough for us to regard him as a great basketball player
He didn't do shit in NBA and as we all know, european basketball at that time wasn't strong at all and the level of european basketball at that time wasn't even close to the level of nba. He never dominated guys like Olajuwon, Shaq, Ewing or Robinson, he played against lame eurocenters... That's why nobody really thinks he is that great..
Some americans are really ignorant and quite stupid and you are one of them look 2:14 isn't that Robinson who is bloked? Or don't be lazy and wach some more clips about young Sabonis WC86, OG88... And you will be able to see what Sabonis was doing with Robinson. Age difference betwen Robinson and Sabonis is one year so enjoy.
Wow, he blocked David Robinson, big deal... Alot of guys have blocked David Robinson, Mario Elie (a former cba-player) has blocked David Robinson, does that make him better? Sabonis is overrated because he dominated Eurotrash and he wasn't that great in the nba. He is no where close to guys like Olajuwon, Shaq, Drob or Ewing...
Jesus are you really so stupid? I told you where to look to see what Sabonis was doing with Robinson in year 86, but seems your intelekt is not strong enough to find that clip from wc86 on youtube, where Sabonis is making a clown from Robinson.
Do you have the statssheet from that particular game from 86? And seriously I don't know if it's really that impressive to "own" a David Robinson 3 years before he even entered the NBA, he wasn't the David Robinson the same player in 86 as he was when he dominated in the NBA and the guy had a really late growth and since I don't have a statsheet (do you) from that game I can't say anything but one game vs a Robinson who still had 3 years remaining to be drafted ain't what I call domination...
You are really blind... And how old was Sabonis at that time? He owned Robinson in OG88 to and look what players had that team - in few years they become stars in NBA and sabonis was the main reason why Soviet Union won OG88, without him it was totaly different team
You don't have any statsheets and he never dominated any prime-nba center..
When Robinson faced Arvydas in the NBA he dominated him.
In head 2 head matchups vs each other:
Robinson: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.7 blocks
Sabonis: 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.7 blocks.
You can talk all you want, Robinson was much better then Sabonis. You're talking about a Robinson who was 4 years away from even joining NBA, in his prime he owned Sabas, not even close.
Robinson wasn't in the nba in 88, he entered nba in 89-90. And lame argument, Sabas got 9 minutes less to play and that was because he wasn't that good really.. You have no case. Not even if he would have gotten Robinson minutes he would have the same stats, he is no where close Robinson... Not even a contest.
I don't have what to discus with people like you, who are to stupid to find information about discusion object(for example why Sabonis was not able to play all game when he was in NBA) or too fanatic to understand reality - of course before entering NBA Robinson didnt know how to play and the second day after entering mirical had happened - he "raised" his level (dont play so many computer games kid) and everything had changed... Phatetic...
I found every single information beside vs Robinson. And no, Robinson wasn't close to his prime in those 2 (c'mon, 2 times..) they faced each other, first time it was 4 fucking years before he even joined the nba and the second time 2 years before. He faced a collegeballer-Robinson, not the NBA Robinson. And please, if you're so proud over how he dominated Robinson 4 years before he joined the nba, can u give me a statsheet? Na? thought so.. Everyone know Robinson killed Sabas in the Nba.
When Sabonis is on a floor he is creating team game, when Robinson is on a floor he is just one more center who is dangerous only 2 meter around a basket, what Robinson won without a Duncan? And now wach one similar stat + and - when Sabonis is on a floor and when he isn't.
Okey, fact still remains that Robinson averaged more assists and more points even when sabas came to the league and since they both were in the same age you don't have an argument. Uhm, Robinson was the MVP of the league in 95 and he was also DPOY in the early 90's and he dominated Sabas in the NBA. You don't have an argument. Sabas got owned in the OG88 and in the NBA... Sabas is one of the most overrated player ever, playing against eurotrash doesn't make you better then guys like Drob..
Allways thought that these rumors about americans being stupid are just stereotype, but now i can see how it is... Fanatism blinds your mind. How phatetic sounds your "argument" that he didnt play NBA in year88 sure one day before he entered NBA Sabonis was kicking his ass and next day after entering Robinson become a monster...
Btw, I found the boxscore from when Robinson and Sabas played in the 88-Olympics.
Robinson in that game had 19 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
How did Sabas dominate him in that game? Haha, the stats says it all, you have no case.
Sabas had 13 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1steal and 1 block.
Haha, how the hell can you claim that Robinson got dominated in that game? You have no case.. Not only didn't Sabas dominate him in 88, by the looks of it he got dominated. LOL!
Oh very nice - what i like most in americans - their calculation one on one stats... Better send these games and look what is Sabonis impact on a team and what is Robinson impact on a team - sure Russel was wars when Chamberlain becouse he didn't collect 100points, but how manny NBA rings they had?
First of all, I'm not even american so cut the bullshit...
And you said Robinson got killed by Sabonis when they met in 88, obviously Robinson was the one playing better in that game. You have this picture that of Sabas in your mind that's more of a fantasy then reality. I play collegebasketball in Houston now (I'm not american) and I've played basketball my whole life, I've never seen anyone getting killed when he scored more, more blocks and steals and 1 rebound short. Sabas got owned..
Wow is level og geographical knowledges so weak in your country? Or you cant divide USA from american? I am european for ehample. Yes i am saying again that Sabonis killed Robinson - tell me how many point Robinson collected against Sabonis (one on one). He was doing his points mostly when Sabonis was resting. But you of course don't need to see game, some pure statistic is enough for you... Go to google to see what specialists were talking about Sabonis at that time, for ehample Red Auerbach...
I'm european but since 3 years back I've been playing ball in H-town so I'm not AMERICAN. And haha, you're so lame, Sabas scored his 13 (only..) vs triple-teams, right? And Robinson scored his 22 points when Sabas was sitting. Haha c'mon, I've never seen anyone getting "killed" when he had 9 more points, more blocks and steals and the same amounts of rebounds and assists. You're in denial my friend. And don't forget that Robinson owned Sabas in the nba...
maxpeezaay- You didn't watch the game I did. I am an american so I would naturally not be biased biased for him. What I clearly remember is that Sabonis was the victim of some bad calls early by the officials and he spent a lot of time on the bench during the game. While he was on the floor he dominated the game and that included Robinson. Why do you think USSR won the game? He impressed the hell out of me that day. That came from watching the game not looking at the box score.
Sabonis' wife was always getting DUI's up here in Portland... That shit was hilarious, you couldn't go like 6 months without hearing about his wife getting another DUI... lmao.
Gold and silver medals in world basketball championship. Olympic gold and 2 bronze medals.
He got from Europe championship 1gold 1silver and 1brnze. Spain champion. USSR champion. MVP of ACB league 1994 and 1995. 1 of NBA best rookies. R. V.Jones cup winner. Eurolygue champion. check it in wikipedia or google it.
blin,as isivaizduoju kas butu buve jei jis nebutu turejas tu nelemtu traumu,ir atvykes i nba tarkim kokiais 91metais..:) pasiziurejus si klipa net asaros pradejo kauptis.. sabas 4 ever!!!!:)
gerai pasakyta.negalvojau,kad jis tai gerai žaidė.mačiau dar vieną klipą kur ir dėjimo jų gerų buvo.labai geras žaidėjas puikiai pasižymėjas net nba (y)
If Sabas was playing today and he was in his prime (pre-injuries) he would be the best big man (center) in the NBA and world. He was extremely talented; American/NBA fans only saw the old/slow/injured Sabas, and even then he was still a top tier post player. NBC analyst Doug Collins has often commented that Sabonis would have been a definite NBA all-star had he come to the states earlier.
o yea he easily would have been an all-star. He was the first big man to really have a complete game. He could take ya in the paint and shoot from the perimiter and also pass the ball like none other. Had great awareness of positioning and was quick before the knees went. He would have been an allstar easily and even in his later years helped the blazers out.
it pisses me of to see highlights of this guy from '95-96 and on. and i don't say that in a bad way. the late 80s/early 90s portland teams after the showtime lakers played the most exciting brand of ball i had ever seen. i truly believe a 'prime' sabonis woulda made that team win a title. their achilles heel was 1/2 court slow pace ball. sabs woulda solved that. can you imagine sabonis' passes to an athletic clyde in his prime!!!
Sabas :D He's da best. He played like a center, but also as a point guard and gave a lot of assists :D I also remmember when he played in Zalgiris and shooted so many 3 pointers :D
Arvydas Sabonis es el jugador más importante que ha aportado Europa al baloncesto en su historia. Y el que más ha hecho acercarse el nivel europeo al norteamericano. Principalmente por su causa, la NBA se decidió a enviar a sus jugadores alos JJOO tras el correctivo que la URSS proporcionó a los yanquies en Seúl 88. ! El gran Sabas!
If you don't know the game, please shut up. Physicall skills are important for a player, but he had more. He would have been the best center in the NBA since Wilt Chamberlain, no doubt.
Flash719 (1 month ago), how can you be so stupid??.. So according to your theory, everyone who has the height of Sabonis can be the best in basketball? So why for the hell not everybody of that height is the best? Tell me, please...
Tienes mucha razón, tuvimos mucha suerte en Madrid al poder verlo, ha sido el mejor pivot de la historia, tiro, velocidad, inteligencia, físico, técnica....lo tenía todo, y aún medio cojo le sobraba con la cabeza para comerse a cualquier pivot que le pusieras delante
He seemed to lose an awful lot of atheticism and fitness from 20 to 30 years like most white big men. Blacks like Jabbar and Chamberlain keep their fitness and muscle tone well into their 30s. Also when sabonis dunks it doesn't appear he is 7'3 but rather around 7'1. Guys like Malone, Olajuwon, Jabbar, Wilt would have tore him up.
Anyone have any highlights? Kidding actually great player and smooth touch...Old school....speaking of which, do a search for Pete Maravich, he was a really good player and great guy...
Sabonis has been the most talented player in all the times but we couldn´t enjoy his talent @ 100%. He would have been the best player in the NBA without his injury. He had everything, tall, strong, speed (before the injury), intelligent playing, throw, passing, winner mentality,...everything
He damaged both his knees before coming to the NBA. I always thought he was just some clone of a Vancouver Grizzly center who's missing last spotted at a krispy kreme bar.
And it's hard to imagine him looking young like the first guy we see in the clip. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't watch it three times.
The most talented center ever. Shaq is a natural force, Alcindor has incredible scores and a terrific career, Chamberlain was a revolution in the old days, Hakeem is superb but Sabonis is the only man. He throws like an excellent forward (7 meters), passes like the greatest, Magic Johnson, etc. He is the center more versatile and clever. Perhaps Bill Walton was a similar player and too unlucky in his career.
Why didn't he just go to the NBA? It would of beeen nice to watch him play against Hakeem, Ewing, Robinson, and Shaq in his Orlando days. He could have been the player that would of denied MJ his first 3 titles.
NOODLE agreed......I do think adding him to the Blazers, they would've beaten the Bulls. Can you imagine him and Clyde? What a combo. I think he didn't come over initally because of the political situation in the Soviet Union. One of the great tragedies in basketball was not seeing him in the NBA in his prime.
He's amazing. I just watched other video about him, about his injuries. Amazing man. Much better than Shaq. What Shaq can do? Shaq just can dunk and use his power. Sabonis can do everything, he is smart like Magic, well-aimed like small point guard. And dont forget, he is 220 cm height. Amazing.
Would have been one of the top 5 players of all time, if it hadn't been for injuries. Still a top 5 center(Olajuwon, Abdul-Jabbar, Shaq, Chamberlain, Sabonis). The smartest player ever to play the game. Ironic song; "Jump", which is something Sabas never did in his NBA career. Which by the way, I think helped his already unbelievable passing skills.
This man had NUMEROUS leg surgeries and was still able to give the great NBA centers at that time (Shaq, Hakeem, Robinson) fits when he was on the offensive end. I would have loved to have seen him in his uninjured prime.
Man he averaged 16 points when he was 33 in the NBA and was slow as hell. He would have kicked so much ass if he played in the NBA when he was young. Of course Portland ALWAYS gets shafted when it comes to big men. Bowie, Sabonis and now Greg Oden..
lasoogneypubes 5 months ago
wilt scoop shot @0.44
ab40 6 months ago
fuck youtube.
use audio swap man tai yra supranti
lauris47 1 year ago
Apart from passing abilities, pivot abilities and rebounds presence, when you just think he's 2.20 tall, he was plagued by injuries and loved bier too much (...), he was still agile...
giammira 1 year ago
SABONIS WAS AN ANIMAL MAN
rostin08 1 year ago 2
If only.....
Ge0vone 1 year ago
0.38 epic!
Mindux518 2 years ago
He was like as dominant as Shaq with those one handed dunks. Only he had the passing ability of Chris Paul. Sabonis was so damn good, all time great for sure.
MisterBinx 2 years ago
Fred Flintstone (Arvydas Sabonis) rules...
djloot916 2 years ago
Lithuania power !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
apsauginiz 2 years ago 5
3:13 Is that Walter Hermann?
epowers52 2 years ago
Yes. When he played for Unicaja Malaga and played against Sabonis' Zalgiris Kaunas.
MrLeery 2 years ago
Well I missed his 3pointers, cause he were good 3point shooter too.
laipsnis 2 years ago 2
he may of been the best center ever in his prime. He was so good it was scary.
Oriolez8888 2 years ago 2
if he does´t injured..
supremosemidios 3 years ago 2
great mix
DrAznmuff 3 years ago 3
One of the best EVER
Big Sabas, Great Sabas.
We miss you in Spain ;)
Realsilencer 3 years ago 22
incredibly underrated. too many people don't realize that arvydas was on the blazers after multiple knee injuries and past his prime. portland drafted him in 1986 but were not able to use him until 1996. when he was 33, he averaged 16 pts, 10 boards, three assists, one steal and one block in the NBA.....he shot 49% from the field and 80% from the line. yes, he deserves to be in the discussion for the top 15 greatest centers to ever play the game.
blacknapalm 3 years ago 6
max : TELL ME OTHER PLAYER WHO BECOME mvP OF THE SEASON IN ANY LEAGUE at age of 39 years? HE BECAME IN whole euroleage...He is just solid? 39 years old he was kicking asses 15 years younger guys it definitely is dominating...When he was on his prime back 1985 and 1986 he was dominating europe too,19 yeras later he did the same shit again.He was unique and everybode who understand baskteball know that and theres now need to explain to guy who have no understanding in basketball.
Shawshank23 3 years ago 33
Arvintas Saboni, Nick Gallis and Drazen Petrovic the 3 greatest European players of all times
gkompos1973 1 year ago 2
@gkompos1973 :sorry,but dirk nowitzki is definetly missing in your list;-).he is surly on the same spot as sabonis.if dirk would have played euroleague the last years,he would have dominated the continent,thats for sure.in europe,there is no player even close to him these days..- i am half german,hald greek.galis was my hero when i was young.i saw drazen play,one of a kind.but dirk is simply the best in my eyes!
doule76 1 year ago
@Shawshank23 Barry Bonds won his 7th MVP when he was 40...
z0mgz0rs 3 months ago
You know i dont have what to discus with your zobied braind there are burned only letters NBA, read some discussions for the beginning, some comments of best basketball specialists in the world about Sabonis, maybye when we will have what to talk. I will even help you for the begining: illinihq com / forums / index .php ?showtopic = 499 &hl = Sabonis
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
Haha, you talk about comments from basketballspecialists and you give me a link to Illinois collegebasketball-teams forum? Haha, way to go...
Sabonis dominated pure trash, he never faced any center Europe who's among the 20 or even 30 best center by all-time. If Sabas dominated a such good league, who were the great centers he faced? Haha, you're so lame.
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
Name me 5 centers Sabonis outplayed in the euroleague or the lithuanian that could have been all stars in the NBA? I have a answer, NONE! It's one thing if we talked about Drazen or something, Drazen was a killer in the NBA too, Sabonis was solid in NBA, nothing more..
Cut this "What if.." crap, he never did it so shut it:)
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
XAXA you again showed your "level" of knowledges about basketball - never heared about Zydrunas Ilgauskas?
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
Haha Ilgauskas is first of all not top 20 among centers by all-time and they didn't even play in the same league, Sabonis played in the Spanish and Ilgauskas played in BC Aisčiai-Atletas and since they didn't play any euroleague games vs Real Madrid. Listen, stop lying, you only talk bullshit. First you said that Sabas "killed" Robinson which he really didn't, he got more dominated then he dominated Robinson and he never faced Ilgauskas in Europe... So again, who did he play...?
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
Listen idiot you wrote, that noone of lithuanians played in all stars, and i showed your stupidity, so what a fuck are you talking here? Just simply i showed your knowledges.
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
Haha, learn english you fucking idiot. I wrote that he never faced any top 20 centers in euroleague or in the lithuanian league. If you can't read english then shut up..
He only faced trash in europe and he didn't have a great impact in the nba. OVERRATED.
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
Listen 51 state owned by americans for century olredy. You said that none lithuanian played in all stars and i showed that your knowledges are pity so now you start to talk all kind of bsh... Phatetic idiot... And about Sabonis learn who he was playing in Europe scum, will help you a little (Divac, Tkacenko). Go to your jungle primitive.
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago 2
FOR FUCK SAKE YOU FUCKING IDIOT!
"Sabonis dominated pure trash, he never faced any center Europe who's among the 20 or even 30 best center by all-time. If Sabas dominated a such good league, who were the great centers he faced? Haha, you're so lame. "
That's what I wrote, I didn't talk about lithuanian all-stars, CAN'T YOU READ YOU MOTHERFUCKING BITCH!?
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
Listen you idiot Sabonis played in soviet national basketball team and he played against counties like Yugoslavia, Spain, Greece. After that he played in Lithuanian national team and played against almost all basketvall countries in the world and he dominated all these centers. Learn idiot.
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago 2
Not on daily basis, he faced Divac 3 times and.... Spain never had any great centers and neither did Greece. And what he did against Robinson wasn't even close to dominant, outscored, outblocked, outrebounded, outassisted...
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
You are really funny, he had to play them every day to prove to you that he is better? If it is not enough for you can and Croatia, Russia, Australia (he almost alone destroyed all australian team in OG1996 in game for bronze) but it is no matter for you of course, becourse you are blind.
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago 3
Tkacenko a top 20 center? FUCK OFF! Divac? I doubt it and he left for the NBA when he was 20 years old. Haha, is that what you call competition? So some nobody in Tkacenko and and a 19 year old Divac is what you call competition? Haha and I'm not even sure Divac played Sabas in Europe, maybe in Korac but that can't have been more than 5 times and that's maximum... WOW! I'm IMPRESSED!
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
You are really idiot - against who Sabonis played in OG1992, EC1995, OG1996? Learn a little bit dum asshol.
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
I'm talking about daily basis, not once 3 times in 4 years. 3 times in 4 years, c'mon now, you're getting silly.
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
If anything he's underrated..he's got the best touch for a big man. Give Sabonis his props
2azenm 3 years ago 6
You know i dont have what to discus with your zobied braind there are burned only letters NBA, read some discussions for the beginning, some comments of best basketball specialists in the world about Sabonis, maybye when we will have what to talk.
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
Haha, so you know all about basketball? You're the same person who said that Sabas killed Robinson in OG88 when there's no fucking evidence of domination from Sabas.. You don't dominate someone by having less blocks, points, steals and the same amounts of rebounds and assists...
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
was this guy even good..lol
yuch1102 3 years ago
hey lol look wen sabonis is young in soviet union internetional team .They played against USA dream team and won look how Sabonis dunks trough USA dream team center
astalavista2064 3 years ago
1:47 crazy
juliusreea 3 years ago
My goodness. One thing that impresses me about Sabonis is his wingspan. However, it is hard to gauge Sabonis late in his career with his hamburger knees. Had he came to the NBA in his prime (1986), he would have been pretty good. However, I think one true center was better at the time, and no he's not a yankee, either. Akeem Olajuwon is quicker and stronger. Would have love to see Sabonis in the NBA, though. :(
TheMstrofPropaganda 3 years ago
Test
TheMstrofPropaganda 3 years ago
One of the greatest ever. No more, no less.
Thank you SABAS!!!!
obsoletrock 3 years ago
the greatest "white" players ever.
lazios 3 years ago
how pathetic your evaluations are... yankies think that if a player didn't come to NBA, than he is not a great one... we saw Sabas ruling Eastern Europe's basketball and that is enough for us to regard him as a great basketball player
hidenaz 3 years ago
not all Americans think like that hidenaz.
metalforme 3 years ago
true
charachiri 3 years ago
First of all, he did play in the NBA.
Second of all, you can't be in the conversation for greatest of anything if you're not competing against the greatest.
Third of all, it works both ways. Europeans would never consider a soccer player from America a good player unless he played in Europe.
idioteque59 3 years ago
^Damn. That was good answer.
idioteque59 > hidenaz
OWNED.
Oquendo16 3 years ago
He didn't do shit in NBA and as we all know, european basketball at that time wasn't strong at all and the level of european basketball at that time wasn't even close to the level of nba. He never dominated guys like Olajuwon, Shaq, Ewing or Robinson, he played against lame eurocenters... That's why nobody really thinks he is that great..
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
Some americans are really ignorant and quite stupid and you are one of them look 2:14 isn't that Robinson who is bloked? Or don't be lazy and wach some more clips about young Sabonis WC86, OG88... And you will be able to see what Sabonis was doing with Robinson. Age difference betwen Robinson and Sabonis is one year so enjoy.
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
Wow, he blocked David Robinson, big deal... Alot of guys have blocked David Robinson, Mario Elie (a former cba-player) has blocked David Robinson, does that make him better? Sabonis is overrated because he dominated Eurotrash and he wasn't that great in the nba. He is no where close to guys like Olajuwon, Shaq, Drob or Ewing...
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
Jesus are you really so stupid? I told you where to look to see what Sabonis was doing with Robinson in year 86, but seems your intelekt is not strong enough to find that clip from wc86 on youtube, where Sabonis is making a clown from Robinson.
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
Do you have the statssheet from that particular game from 86? And seriously I don't know if it's really that impressive to "own" a David Robinson 3 years before he even entered the NBA, he wasn't the David Robinson the same player in 86 as he was when he dominated in the NBA and the guy had a really late growth and since I don't have a statsheet (do you) from that game I can't say anything but one game vs a Robinson who still had 3 years remaining to be drafted ain't what I call domination...
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
You are really blind... And how old was Sabonis at that time? He owned Robinson in OG88 to and look what players had that team - in few years they become stars in NBA and sabonis was the main reason why Soviet Union won OG88, without him it was totaly different team
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
You don't have any statsheets and he never dominated any prime-nba center..
When Robinson faced Arvydas in the NBA he dominated him.
In head 2 head matchups vs each other:
Robinson: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.7 blocks
Sabonis: 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.7 blocks.
You can talk all you want, Robinson was much better then Sabonis. You're talking about a Robinson who was 4 years away from even joining NBA, in his prime he owned Sabas, not even close.
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
really and now could you tell me how many minutes Sabonis and Robinson played in these games? + 88OG - when Robisnon started to play in NBA?
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
Robinson wasn't in the nba in 88, he entered nba in 89-90. And lame argument, Sabas got 9 minutes less to play and that was because he wasn't that good really.. You have no case. Not even if he would have gotten Robinson minutes he would have the same stats, he is no where close Robinson... Not even a contest.
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
I don't have what to discus with people like you, who are to stupid to find information about discusion object(for example why Sabonis was not able to play all game when he was in NBA) or too fanatic to understand reality - of course before entering NBA Robinson didnt know how to play and the second day after entering mirical had happened - he "raised" his level (dont play so many computer games kid) and everything had changed... Phatetic...
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
I found every single information beside vs Robinson. And no, Robinson wasn't close to his prime in those 2 (c'mon, 2 times..) they faced each other, first time it was 4 fucking years before he even joined the nba and the second time 2 years before. He faced a collegeballer-Robinson, not the NBA Robinson. And please, if you're so proud over how he dominated Robinson 4 years before he joined the nba, can u give me a statsheet? Na? thought so.. Everyone know Robinson killed Sabas in the Nba.
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
When Sabonis is on a floor he is creating team game, when Robinson is on a floor he is just one more center who is dangerous only 2 meter around a basket, what Robinson won without a Duncan? And now wach one similar stat + and - when Sabonis is on a floor and when he isn't.
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
Okey, fact still remains that Robinson averaged more assists and more points even when sabas came to the league and since they both were in the same age you don't have an argument. Uhm, Robinson was the MVP of the league in 95 and he was also DPOY in the early 90's and he dominated Sabas in the NBA. You don't have an argument. Sabas got owned in the OG88 and in the NBA... Sabas is one of the most overrated player ever, playing against eurotrash doesn't make you better then guys like Drob..
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
Tell me who become olimpic champions and who was the main reason? without who soviets wouldnt win "basketball player"?
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
Allways thought that these rumors about americans being stupid are just stereotype, but now i can see how it is... Fanatism blinds your mind. How phatetic sounds your "argument" that he didnt play NBA in year88 sure one day before he entered NBA Sabonis was kicking his ass and next day after entering Robinson become a monster...
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
Btw, I found the boxscore from when Robinson and Sabas played in the 88-Olympics.
Robinson in that game had 19 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
How did Sabas dominate him in that game? Haha, the stats says it all, you have no case.
Sabas had 13 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1steal and 1 block.
Haha, how the hell can you claim that Robinson got dominated in that game? You have no case.. Not only didn't Sabas dominate him in 88, by the looks of it he got dominated. LOL!
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
Oh very nice - what i like most in americans - their calculation one on one stats... Better send these games and look what is Sabonis impact on a team and what is Robinson impact on a team - sure Russel was wars when Chamberlain becouse he didn't collect 100points, but how manny NBA rings they had?
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
First of all, I'm not even american so cut the bullshit...
And you said Robinson got killed by Sabonis when they met in 88, obviously Robinson was the one playing better in that game. You have this picture that of Sabas in your mind that's more of a fantasy then reality. I play collegebasketball in Houston now (I'm not american) and I've played basketball my whole life, I've never seen anyone getting killed when he scored more, more blocks and steals and 1 rebound short. Sabas got owned..
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
Wow is level og geographical knowledges so weak in your country? Or you cant divide USA from american? I am european for ehample. Yes i am saying again that Sabonis killed Robinson - tell me how many point Robinson collected against Sabonis (one on one). He was doing his points mostly when Sabonis was resting. But you of course don't need to see game, some pure statistic is enough for you... Go to google to see what specialists were talking about Sabonis at that time, for ehample Red Auerbach...
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
I'm european but since 3 years back I've been playing ball in H-town so I'm not AMERICAN. And haha, you're so lame, Sabas scored his 13 (only..) vs triple-teams, right? And Robinson scored his 22 points when Sabas was sitting. Haha c'mon, I've never seen anyone getting "killed" when he had 9 more points, more blocks and steals and the same amounts of rebounds and assists. You're in denial my friend. And don't forget that Robinson owned Sabas in the nba...
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
maxpeezaay- You didn't watch the game I did. I am an american so I would naturally not be biased biased for him. What I clearly remember is that Sabonis was the victim of some bad calls early by the officials and he spent a lot of time on the bench during the game. While he was on the floor he dominated the game and that included Robinson. Why do you think USSR won the game? He impressed the hell out of me that day. That came from watching the game not looking at the box score.
WILTALK 2 years ago 2
Oh, and Sabonis have the biggest head I've ever seen.
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
It's a question, but you have a weakest mind i have ever discussed. When people don't have arguments to answer they start to talk all kind of bsh.
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
Haha, I have an argument. He never dominated good centers.
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
Really? David Robinson is not good enough for you?
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
man so emotional watching him play i would love him to be on the Lithuanian team again we would beat every team for sure
ledas0 3 years ago
Sabonis' wife was always getting DUI's up here in Portland... That shit was hilarious, you couldn't go like 6 months without hearing about his wife getting another DUI... lmao.
jdawg292 3 years ago
probably adaptation to new country wasn't that easy as to sabonis
juliusreea 3 years ago
fucking retard he probably didnt even wana play for ur fuckn american teams lithuania can kick ur asss hard biotch!!!!!
one2eye 3 years ago
yeah.. he didn't want to play for my american team.. that's why he joined my american team, the Portland Trail Blazers, in 1995.
but yes one2eye, you stay in lithuania, and you keep riding that dick.
jdawg292 3 years ago
fuck whatever euro faggots that did not let him come to the blazers until like 10 years after drafting his ass.
jdawg292 3 years ago
it was USSR that did not let him play in the nba...
warheart999 3 years ago
my apologies those eurasian soviet homos.
jdawg292 3 years ago
lol
pimpsoldier0 3 years ago
great blocks against David Robinson. I think that was the 1992 Olympics when he played with lithuania and won bronze.
davidbyrne77 3 years ago 2
Overrated?
His trophies:
Gold and silver medals in world basketball championship. Olympic gold and 2 bronze medals.
He got from Europe championship 1gold 1silver and 1brnze. Spain champion. USSR champion. MVP of ACB league 1994 and 1995. 1 of NBA best rookies. R. V.Jones cup winner. Eurolygue champion. check it in wikipedia or google it.
lenukas 3 years ago
robinson and ewing said that if his knee was alright he could be the best center ever.i prefer hakeem but this guy kicks asses
houhoui13 3 years ago
jai sabonis nebutu turejas traumu ir butu i nba patekes kaskur 25 metu taij butu vienas is geriausiu zaideju nba istorijoi
riseofdarknesss 3 years ago 3
You are overrated idiot.
LaukineShiaure 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Overrated.
maxpeezaay 3 years ago
this nig and tony kukoc are the best
PolakFury 3 years ago
best ball control
airsakarya 3 years ago
is no matter how he dunks,the way he plays!!fc idiot
lifehouseDs 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
he's got the ugliest dunks i've ver seen
AlbinFromFrance 3 years ago
one of the greatest centers ever and Lithuania's hero
kgur1706 3 years ago
blin,as isivaizduoju kas butu buve jei jis nebutu turejas tu nelemtu traumu,ir atvykes i nba tarkim kokiais 91metais..:) pasiziurejus si klipa net asaros pradejo kauptis.. sabas 4 ever!!!!:)
gustas57 3 years ago
gerai pasakyta.negalvojau,kad jis tai gerai žaidė.mačiau dar vieną klipą kur ir dėjimo jų gerų buvo.labai geras žaidėjas puikiai pasižymėjas net nba (y)
svajunass 3 years ago
only if we had him in 2008 peikin olimpics
ledas0 3 years ago
pagarba 110%
craizydude 3 years ago
Sabas VALDO aikste! ;)
namas000 3 years ago
If Sabas was playing today and he was in his prime (pre-injuries) he would be the best big man (center) in the NBA and world. He was extremely talented; American/NBA fans only saw the old/slow/injured Sabas, and even then he was still a top tier post player. NBC analyst Doug Collins has often commented that Sabonis would have been a definite NBA all-star had he come to the states earlier.
jhordanian 3 years ago 4
o yea he easily would have been an all-star. He was the first big man to really have a complete game. He could take ya in the paint and shoot from the perimiter and also pass the ball like none other. Had great awareness of positioning and was quick before the knees went. He would have been an allstar easily and even in his later years helped the blazers out.
Bigturns33 3 years ago
it pisses me of to see highlights of this guy from '95-96 and on. and i don't say that in a bad way. the late 80s/early 90s portland teams after the showtime lakers played the most exciting brand of ball i had ever seen. i truly believe a 'prime' sabonis woulda made that team win a title. their achilles heel was 1/2 court slow pace ball. sabs woulda solved that. can you imagine sabonis' passes to an athletic clyde in his prime!!!
FuShengAlex 3 years ago
He really was amazing. Incredible basketball IQ, and not in the insult kind of way. =) He could actually play. Awesome video.
BestEmersonEver 3 years ago
Edgariux11 - susitvarkyk savo video aprasyma, kadangi labai jau graziai nori pateikti mus, tai buk geras, bent be klaidu anglisku.
migdolas 3 years ago
That's cool...Fred Flintstone on the Blazers...
joefrazierchallenge 3 years ago 3
the best "hes not your vidas hes not my vidas hes arvydas"
ajbad4ever 3 years ago
bl ten gerai supiso lenta 36 sekunde :)
DenverNuggets43 3 years ago
Amazing basketball player.
Blackwwoolff 3 years ago
Sabas :D He's da best. He played like a center, but also as a point guard and gave a lot of assists :D I also remmember when he played in Zalgiris and shooted so many 3 pointers :D
l2EDeSTiS 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I shit on this
Flash719 3 years ago
The Best basketball player from LITHUANIA
Lithuania legend!
aivarioxxx 3 years ago
would would.. He was one of the best and this is the .
saulius200 3 years ago
sabonis *saboner
fidelyo123 3 years ago
on 2:30 he faked MJ23 :D. Lithuania !!!!
pauliusdepas 3 years ago
Сабонис далбы и шаку прикурит-да просто уже возраст не тот....всем литовцам привет !!!!!!!!!!
RATIKIN 3 years ago
Arvydas Sabonis es el jugador más importante que ha aportado Europa al baloncesto en su historia. Y el que más ha hecho acercarse el nivel europeo al norteamericano. Principalmente por su causa, la NBA se decidió a enviar a sus jugadores alos JJOO tras el correctivo que la URSS proporcionó a los yanquies en Seúl 88. ! El gran Sabas!
crvdelis 3 years ago
Mejor pivot europeo de todos los tiempos..y si no hubiera tenido la lesion en la pierna entre los 5 mejores pivots de la nba.
intimidaba,rebote,tiro en gancho,triples,asistencias por detras de la espalda,un seguro desde el tiro libre.....
8HALVAR3 3 years ago
00:34... legend!
vytautas70 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
All height, if he was 6'3" instead he would never even be famous.
Flash719 3 years ago
If you don't know the game, please shut up. Physicall skills are important for a player, but he had more. He would have been the best center in the NBA since Wilt Chamberlain, no doubt.
rocker87ita 3 years ago
dude you are stupid if sabonis never had knee
problems he would have been the best center ever .
liljc44life 3 years ago 3
Flash719 (1 month ago), how can you be so stupid??.. So according to your theory, everyone who has the height of Sabonis can be the best in basketball? So why for the hell not everybody of that height is the best? Tell me, please...
monkeeee8 3 years ago
nice music
LOL thats a random clip at :24 of him strugglign to put on his jacket
krnjordan23 3 years ago
LOL
Wologanch 3 years ago
sabas da best eva
Wologanch 3 years ago 2
nice 80's music
chaserdude420 3 years ago 4
walter hermann 3:11
chrstm 3 years ago
Sabas is the best
Wajdoshius 3 years ago 6
Before the injuries ,at he time at Kaunas, he was awesome.The best center of ever(at least in Europe).
peaceonearth1984 3 years ago
He was offffffff the chain
Philbow55 3 years ago
The most skilled center.
Pukis18 3 years ago 2
7"3 Larry Bird
isaacd35 3 years ago
SABAS 4EWER
CikaTom 3 years ago 3
Arvidas Sabonis is from lithuania and he is best
ffatrix 3 years ago 2
My dad actually used to be friends with Arvydas Sabonis.
jbak93 4 years ago
He`s The number 11.
shuva21 4 years ago 3
cuanto mide el gran sabonis era u excelentisimo jugador y muy versatil
ogoria 4 years ago
mide 2'21,mas o menos,ya sabes ke a veces suben o bajan algun cm,y era un autentico crack,jugadores asi van haciendo falta hoy en dia
Daniloncio 3 years ago 2
Tienes mucha razón, tuvimos mucha suerte en Madrid al poder verlo, ha sido el mejor pivot de la historia, tiro, velocidad, inteligencia, físico, técnica....lo tenía todo, y aún medio cojo le sobraba con la cabeza para comerse a cualquier pivot que le pusieras delante
nashzona5 3 years ago
only if he came to the blazers about 5 years earlier
lcgroves11191 4 years ago 3
we love him and proud to be from the same country...
Sauliuciukas 4 years ago 3
it's normal for you to be proud,he is big legend...in his best he would be like YAO today...hello from serbia
MIRDZA8 4 years ago
Are you stupid? Sabonis in 85-86 was much better player than yao, he has much more talent, its two diffirent classes players
slamdunkersvideo 4 years ago 7
This has been flagged as spam show
He seemed to lose an awful lot of atheticism and fitness from 20 to 30 years like most white big men. Blacks like Jabbar and Chamberlain keep their fitness and muscle tone well into their 30s. Also when sabonis dunks it doesn't appear he is 7'3 but rather around 7'1. Guys like Malone, Olajuwon, Jabbar, Wilt would have tore him up.
FilmFanMan67 4 years ago
Whats the name of this song?!?
unkleluc 4 years ago
are you kidding? it's "Jump" by van halen
longboarddude 4 years ago
the best center ever. more americans should try to learn his game and stop trying to be all ghetto..;)
louisplague 4 years ago 9
Explain to me the "ghetto" way of playing the center position...
JakeN1985 4 years ago
shaquille o'neal..the no skill way.hahahaha silly americans
louisplague 4 years ago
this guy always looked older than he really was.
chompy86 4 years ago
Definitely my favorite Blazer of all time.
thebigoak1 4 years ago 3
The greatest center ever.
basdekis 4 years ago 2
thinks hes well ard
SirTurpz 4 years ago
the best in history (pass)
croslip 4 years ago
Not the greatest center ever, but definitely the most unique. A shame he doesn't play anymore--the game isn't the same without him.
VladimirSkaletsky 4 years ago
Anyone have any highlights? Kidding actually great player and smooth touch...Old school....speaking of which, do a search for Pete Maravich, he was a really good player and great guy...
mattdoran2006 4 years ago
Sabonis has been the most talented player in all the times but we couldn´t enjoy his talent @ 100%. He would have been the best player in the NBA without his injury. He had everything, tall, strong, speed (before the injury), intelligent playing, throw, passing, winner mentality,...everything
miprar 4 years ago 6
He damaged both his knees before coming to the NBA. I always thought he was just some clone of a Vancouver Grizzly center who's missing last spotted at a krispy kreme bar.
And it's hard to imagine him looking young like the first guy we see in the clip. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't watch it three times.
papynchase 4 years ago
Bring Sabas back to portland to train Oden...if only he'd been here during the drexler days!
RUNRUT 4 years ago 2
Portland Loves him we want him back even though he is older
Wilsk1993 4 years ago
The most talented center ever. Shaq is a natural force, Alcindor has incredible scores and a terrific career, Chamberlain was a revolution in the old days, Hakeem is superb but Sabonis is the only man. He throws like an excellent forward (7 meters), passes like the greatest, Magic Johnson, etc. He is the center more versatile and clever. Perhaps Bill Walton was a similar player and too unlucky in his career.
raquelpelta 4 years ago
Why didn't he just go to the NBA? It would of beeen nice to watch him play against Hakeem, Ewing, Robinson, and Shaq in his Orlando days. He could have been the player that would of denied MJ his first 3 titles.
NOODLESTYLE 4 years ago 3
NOODLE agreed......I do think adding him to the Blazers, they would've beaten the Bulls. Can you imagine him and Clyde? What a combo. I think he didn't come over initally because of the political situation in the Soviet Union. One of the great tragedies in basketball was not seeing him in the NBA in his prime.
FuShengAlex 4 years ago
All this political bullcrap prevents players coming to the NBA when they initially could. It's really sad.
Anonymous213 4 years ago 2
best passing bigman ever
mightyPants 4 years ago 4
geriausias visu laiku europos krepsininkas.
knapkis 4 years ago
He's amazing. I just watched other video about him, about his injuries. Amazing man. Much better than Shaq. What Shaq can do? Shaq just can dunk and use his power. Sabonis can do everything, he is smart like Magic, well-aimed like small point guard. And dont forget, he is 220 cm height. Amazing.
VilouLt 4 years ago
Would have been one of the top 5 players of all time, if it hadn't been for injuries. Still a top 5 center(Olajuwon, Abdul-Jabbar, Shaq, Chamberlain, Sabonis). The smartest player ever to play the game. Ironic song; "Jump", which is something Sabas never did in his NBA career. Which by the way, I think helped his already unbelievable passing skills.
FloydElectricOrder 4 years ago 3
This man had NUMEROUS leg surgeries and was still able to give the great NBA centers at that time (Shaq, Hakeem, Robinson) fits when he was on the offensive end. I would have loved to have seen him in his uninjured prime.
demoneye0810 4 years ago
AS passes are amazing. World still has no player with such hands !
MjrTm07 4 years ago
man labiausiai patinka kj gauna kamuoli po kase, pradeda jy kapot, tada susinervina ir visa pykti islieja ikraudamas i kasi
lawris 4 years ago
dieviskas video (: nerealus sabas! nerealus blokai! pritariu "broniuzz"
kudralietuva 4 years ago
sabonis is the best center ever! he could dunk on people and could shoot for three. he was de man!
pinguimzao 4 years ago
I was lucky to meet Arvydas Sabonis and Vladimir Tkachenko in 1987. That was not an equal handshake. Such big hands, big shoes. My god.
christiandavid0703 4 years ago