Ralph is one of the OGs in the paint, a back to the rim kind of player that took the NBA world by storm as one of the biggest college prospects at that time, scouted out as the most talented youngster, unsurprisingly picked at number one in the NBA Draft of 1983. Playing his first seasons for the Huston Rockets, Ralph together with Hakeem Olajuwon can be considered as one of the true first twin towers, as the two big men dominated the league below the basket. The Power Forward and Center measured whooping 7ft 4, which is 2.24 meters, moving rather smooth over the hardwood, unlike any other regular big man in the ‘80s. He averaged 15.4 points in his career playing for several teams, always wearing number 50. With Rookie of the Year honors, four All-Star games under his belt and countless awards later, the Hall of Famer is as excited today, as he was back then, hooping for the first time in his Pumas. You could call it a match made in oversized-feet-heaven. The 7+ footer was in desperate need of shoes in size 17, which weren’t really accessible in the early 80s, matching his playing style. Sure, there were the Converse Chucks and Pro Keds, but it’s a natural extension when entering the league that you need the appropriate footwear to match the defying expectations. After many moons, the retro silhouette makes its return in two versions to bless the streets for yet another hit.

Ralph Sampson Interview

SNS: Your appreciation for Puma reaches back to the early ‘80s when you were playing in college, how did your partnership start? Ralph Sampson: The partnership with PUMA started when the brand I wore in college, Pro-Keds, went out of business. PUMA came in and gave me a deal I couldn’t refuse. It was great because PUMA was established in the shoe world. I built a great relationship with the representatives at the time.

SNS: Your kicks, with your signature on the panel, is an iconic vintage basketball sneaker, how does it feel bringing such a classic silhouette back? RS: Being back with the brand with a shoe with my name on it in the market is very surreal and meaningful. The way I played as a center was before my time. Today 7-footers’ game has changed to where it’s not only a low post game but high post and now with PUMA being back in the market, it’s feels like the right time to bring the shoe back.

SNS: There were several different designs of your shoe, low & high, as well as with a strap around the ankle, which shoes were your favorites to play in? RS: The Sky LX were my favorite. They were just the right of amount of comfort and support.

SNS: The design of your signature Puma sneaker has an influence until today on later shoe designs, with padded ankles and several different versions, do you follow the current hype around sneakers? RS: I follow the trend as far as shoe structure, style and comfort goes. Not so much about hype. I asked my sons when they played college basketball what shoes were most comfortable to wear. You have to be able to play in shoes that are comfortable and form-fitting and I think my signature shoe was that way.

SNS: You were drafted by the Houston Rockets as number 1 pick and played against the greatest players of all time, any one of them you remember as the toughest one to defend? Any trash talkers you remember? RS: All of them trash talked! There were so many great memories…trying to beat Larry Bird in the ‘86 championship to playing against (Kareem) Abdul-Jabbar who was one of my idols and then defeating him and Magic Johnson in the Western Conference Finals. All were tough to defend from Maurice Lucas who was bruiser guy that hit you in the chest even before the game started to Dominique Wilkins. All iconic basketball players.

SNS: Your Houston Rockets could be seen as the first team to play a Point Forward, missing a true Point Guard in the ‘86 season, how is it for you, as an ex-NBA Player to see the game evolve? RS: Yes, we started this in Houston after we lost a number of guards (due to injury) so Rodney McCray, Robert Reid and I became point forwards. Being able to dribble up the court and start the offense was exciting. Now it’s exciting to see NBA stars like the Greek Freak (Giannis Antetokounmpo) and (Kevin Durant) playing all positions.

SNS: You also played for the Golden State Warriors, how did the Bay treat you and what do you think about their current roster? With fellow Puma athlete DeMarcus Cousins, they also have a big man with strong force around the rim. RS: They’re a genuine organization and playing for them was great. It’s good to see them winning championships and I’m looking forward to their new arena. It’s great and fitting to have DMC in the PUMA family because he can take a player in the low post and his game has evolved over the years to the perimeter. It’s been amazing to watch him come back strong after his injury and I’m happy he’s part of the PUMA family.

SNS: Ralph, you and Patrick Ewing were always seen as rivals; you could even say, nemesis’ – how is your relationship with him now and with other players like Hakeem or Danny Ainge? RS: We’ve built a good relationship over the years and when we see each other today we still have that comradery. We had the iconic game in college where Virginia played Georgetown in DC. There was a lot of hype and publicity around it. Patrick’s the head coach of Georgetown now and it’s good to see guys that you played against evolve to where they are today.

SNS: Besides being a Hall of Famer, you are coaching college players, mentoring them about how to play the position of a center, and how to move in the low post, with the back towards the rim. Compared to when you were in college, how big is the difference to today? RS: It’s a huge difference because there is no low post center anymore. In the NBA and college game it doesn’t exist anymore so if you’re a big guy coming out you better know how to dribble, shoot and move a little bit. When I’m working with centers today I show them that low post and perimeter game has the same footwork and try to get them to understand that.