One anecdote in that article: In 1988 he dominated David Robinson and the USSR team beat the US. In 1992 he and his Lithuania team beat the Unified Team, consisting of members of the fallen Soviet Union. The Grateful Dead funded the Lithuania team. Chris Mullen says Sabonis got stoned after the game.
That writer isn't from the Oregonian, so refreshingly, he interviewed Bob Whitsitt. This is Sabonis' first time back to Portland, or anywhere in the U.S., in EIGHT YEARS.
It doesn't say how many people were there. He could have had a parade had he come on a game day. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...me-induction/2011/08/18/gIQAXLINOJ_story.html
Went to the reception they had for him at the Rose Garden last night. It was nice and I think he appreciated it. However, I think the team missed a major opportunity to connect with him. Larry Miller started by saying that the thing he had heard most from Blazer fans was when they were going to bring SABAS back. Well, we finally got him back and it was great to see him. Glickman, Buckwalter, Paxon, and PJ then join SABAS on stage with Brian Wheeler. Instead of reflecting on what he did here and his career overseas, the very first question they ask him was the what if question. He had already been asked it a thousand times and seemed less than thrilled to hear it again. Instead of opening up a bit, he seemed to go back into the shell. If he comes back again, hopefully the "what if" question is never brought up again. In retrospect, I think he made the right decision. He had a career worthy of making the HOF and made more than enough money to spend. He got to see alot of the world, not only the USA. He has helped his country become a basketball superpower and is still heavily involved in programs there. His family seemed great. If he would have defected, he no doubt would have made more money as well as a few NBA championship rings. It is questionable if he would have been happier with his life.
Yes, asking him that question is like criticizing him. People forget that the two countries were enemies. It would be like the best American soccer player joining a team in Iraq while the U.S. was at war with Saddam Hussein. Paul Allen paid for this event, right? I'm surprised he wasn't there.
Paul paid for it, but it was $50 per person to attend. The Make It Better foundation got part of that and some in attendance (me included) got a discount for buying a mini-pack. There were 200 people max in the Rose Room for the event. Guessing they had to fly in Paxson, PJ, Sabas, and any of their family in addition to accomodations. All of the people in attendance got a Sabonis Bobble head, two drinks, and a nice meal. Would have liked to see PA at the event, but understand why he chose to not show up or be in the shadows. He is a private person and any contact with the media could result in a million dollar slip of the tongue. Stern is not joking with his gag order.
200 max time 50 per person is under 10,000 proceeds. Out of that is paid air fare & hotel for the families, meals for 200 people, etc. If anything was left for Make It Better it was probably a donation straight from Allen.
Domantas: 6'10" with a 6'10.5" wingspan. His per/40 numbers are Kevin Love-esque but if his reach isn't at least 8'10" his lack of length is going to really hurt him in the NBA.
He and Clyde are my favorite blazers ever. I think it would be cool if we could land his son in the draft, but we have so many young PFs. Davis, Leonard, Vonleh....
Mason Plumlee's wingspan is only 8'10.5. I think he's big enough to be a PF. An inch here or there doesn't make that much diff, it's more about skill and the mental aspect of the game.
I have so much respect for Sabonis. We got him past his prime, but he gave us everything he had left...he pretty much handed us his knees
We might end up with him. He's the best Euro prospect likely to declare for the draft next year. Very intriguing - Dirk size with Kukoc-type skills. What with him, Saric, Hezonja and the upcoming Luka Doncic, who may be better than any of them, Croatia has a Golden Generation thing going.
I don't think we should be interested in him just because of the name. He has shockingly narrow shoulders (or maybe just a shockingly huge head).
