If there is one “what if” story in basketball, it is Arvydas Sabonis. At 7’3” with guard-like skills, Sabonis was already a legend with Žalgiris Kaunas and Real Madrid, where he won the 1995 EuroLeague title and MVP honors.
Unfortunately, due to politics and injuries, Sabonis didn’t join the NBA until 1995, at age 30. Even then, he was a force for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds as a rookie, and making the All-Rookie First Team at 31 years old.
Despite arriving past his prime, Sabonis showed flashes of brilliance that left fans wondering how dominant he could have been in the NBA if he had arrived 10 years earlier.
Unfortunately, due to politics and injuries, Sabonis didn’t join the NBA until 1995, at age 30. Even then, he was a force for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 14 points and 8 rebounds as a rookie, and making the All-Rookie First Team at 31 years old.
Despite arriving past his prime, Sabonis showed flashes of brilliance that left fans wondering how dominant he could have been in the NBA if he had arrived 10 years earlier.
