Arvydas Sabonis: 1995-96

1995-96

1996-2001

1995-96:

Sabonis had an outstanding season as the NBA's oldest rookie, averaging 14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.07 blocked shots in only 23.8 minutes per game and ranking seventh in the NBA in field goal accuracy at .545. The Blazers, worried about the pounding his often-injured legs would take over the long NBA season, were careful to limit his playing time, especially in the first half of the season. But by midseason Sabonis had proven to all that he could more than hold his own against NBA competition and that he could withstand the rigors of the long season, so he was given more playing time and a greater role down the stretch. He was the key to Portland's surge to the playoffs, moving into the starting lineup and helping the team finish the season with an 18-3 run. As a starter he averaged 17.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 blocks per game, and he was the NBA's Player of the Week after helping the team to a 4-0 mark in the period ending March 31. Sabonis scored a season-high 26 points at Atlanta on Feb. 28 and matched that figure one month later against Golden State, two of his 17 20-point games. He reached double figures in scoring in 58 of the 73 games he played, including 25 of his last 28, and led the team in scoring 11 times. He also was Portland's leading rebounder 23 times, with a high of 17 against Sacramento on March 8, and posted 19 double-doubles. He was named the NBA Player of the Week on March 31 after averaging 20.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.3 bpg and 2.0 apg as the Blazers went 4-0. And he was named Schick NBA Rookie of the Month for April, averaging 16.1 ppg and 11.0 rpg as the Blazers went 8-3. He maintained his late-season surge into the playoffs, where he averaged team highs of 23.6 points and 10.2 rebounds in 35.4 minutes per game, starting all five of the Blazers' games against Utah. He set a team record by converting 16 of 20 free throws in Game 1 and posted highs of 27 points in Game 3 and 13 rebounds in Game 4. Sabonis ranked fifth among NBA rookies in scoring, second in rebounding and first in field goal percentage. He was chosen for the Schick Rookie Game during All-Star Weekend and had eight points and four rebounds in just four minutes of playing time, opting to rest his legs. Sabonis had an outstanding season as the NBA's oldest rookie, averaging 14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.07 blocked shots in only 23.8 minutes per game and ranking seventh in the NBA in field goal accuracy at .545. The Blazers, worried about the pounding his often-injured legs would take over the long NBA season, were careful to limit his playing time, especially in the first half of the season. But by midseason Sabonis had proven to all that he could more than hold his own against NBA competition and that he could withstand the rigors of the long season, so he was given more playing time and a greater role down the stretch. He was the key to Portland's surge to the playoffs, moving into the starting lineup and helping the team finish the season with an 18-3 run. As a starter he averaged 17.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 blocks per game, and he was the NBA's Player of the Week after helping the team to a 4-0 mark in the period ending March 31. Sabonis scored a season-high 26 points at Atlanta on Feb. 28 and matched that figure one month later against Golden State, two of his 17 20-point games. He reached double figures in scoring in 58 of the 73 games he played, including 25 of his last 28, and led the team in scoring 11 times. He also was Portland's leading rebounder 23 times, with a high of 17 against Sacramento on March 8, and posted 19 double-doubles. He was named the NBA Player of the Week on March 31 after averaging 20.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.3 bpg and 2.0 apg as the Blazers went 4-0. And he was named Schick NBA Rookie of the Month for April, averaging 16.1 ppg and 11.0 rpg as the Blazers went 8-3. He maintained his late-season surge into the playoffs, where he averaged team highs of 23.6 points and 10.2 rebounds in 35.4 minutes per game, starting all five of the Blazers' games against Utah. He set a team record by converting 16 of 20 free throws in Game 1 and posted highs of 27 points in Game 3 and 13 rebounds in Game 4. Sabonis ranked fifth among NBA rookies in scoring, second in rebounding and first in field goal percentage. He was chosen for the Schick Rookie Game during All-Star Weekend and had eight points and four rebounds in just four minutes of playing time, opting to rest his legs.

Source: NBA.com