Long before Kristaps Porzingis, there was Ralph Sampson. A big guy of 2m24 who thought he was a winger, even to the point of participating in the All-Star Game dunk contest or going on a counter-attack after a rebound.
Considered one of the best university players in history, the Virginia giant arrived in the NBA in 1982, selected in first position by the Rockets. From his first year, he breaks everything, turning to 21 points and 11 rebounds on average, and it is very logical that he wins the trophy of Rookie Of The Year.
The following year, the Rockets still have the 1st choice, and they opt for Akeem Olajuwon. For what ? Because Ralph Sampson, despite his 2m24, likes to stray and here is Houston with the first “Twin Towers” in history.
Almost a volleyball pass…
The “Twin Towers” which will achieve their greatest feat on May 21, 1986 by eliminating the Lakers of the great era (Magic, Jabbar, Worthy, Cooper, Scott…). Not anyhow since it will be at the buzzer, on an unlikely basket from Sampson (29 points, 5 rebounds) on the nose of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
There is one second left to play, and Ralph Sampson recovers a throw-in, and shoots in the same momentum, back to the basket. Almost like a volleyball pass. Like Kawhi Leonard in 2019, the ball bounces around the circle several times before going home! The score: 114-112, and the Lakers, defending champions, lost 4-1!
The strongest thing is that Houston had just lost Akeem Olajuwon (30 points) five minutes from the end of this Game 5 after a fight with the provocateur Mitch Kupchak. But the Rockets finally had enough resources to win at the Inglewood Forum to challenge the Celtics in the final.
Photo credit: BallIsLife
