I think you meant overrated. But he WAS. In Olaijuwon's first year, Olaijuwon was already clearly outplaying Sampson, who came out of college being touted as the best big man of all time. For a big man, Sampson was extremely athletic and also a good shooter. But he was lazy and he didn't have a head for the game.
I remember in his first year as a Rocket he tried to get the coach fired for working the players too hard in practice. I remember when he disappeared against the Celtics in the playoffs. I remember when he got booed by his own fans for dribbling the ball up the court like he was a point guard and getting it stolen over and over. And all these were BEFORE he got injured. No head no heart.
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