Response from Tony Jones of the Athletic: https://twitter.com/Tjonesonthenba/status/1715580394072887499
Exact same skillset. That’s why people need to stop saying we’ve never seen this before. Because it’s not accurate
The only difference between Victor and Ralph is that what Ralph was doing was shunned at the time and what Victor is doing is encouraged.
They’re both basketball players that made it to the NBA.
I can’t say I’ve gone back and watched a ton of Ralph Sampson games, but I have read up on him quite a bit. I think the most interesting thing was an old article where Ralph said that he would ideally play on the perimeter, but some of the other players immediately shut him down and said they needed him in the paint lol.
Wasn’t born when Sampson was in the league but I always heard the term unicorn when referring to him and that Hakeem would’ve won a ship earlier if he didn’t get injured.
Also I think Ralph is more explosive while Wemby is more skilled with ballhandling. I wouldn’t penalize Ralph for his ballhandling though because commentators of the time would say he had guard skills.
There is some skill overlap, but it was a different era, a different style of basketball, especially for big men. (I’m old, I watched a lot of Sampson as a skinny freshman) I think Mobley is more like what Sampson would look like if Sampson came up in this era - Sampson was a dominant offensive post player, but he’d probably be a bit more perimeter oriented if he was 20 now. Mobley is more raw offensively than Sampson was at that age, for sure, especially as a post player. If Sampson grew up now, maybe he’d be some version of Wembanyama…but what ifs are what ifs.
No comment, next question
He doesn’t have Sampson’s handles, and vise versa but shooting.
Otherwise same dude. You might say Wemby has great handles at his size but Sampson had great handles.
What are you talking about? Wemby has legit great handles.
I think you are remembering Sampson with extremely rose-colored glasses because I’ve watched a fair amount of footage of him and his handles are not at that level.
Nearly the same player.
If you watch the two it’s really obvious. Sampson is significantly shorter.