Roy was dominant in the Greek League during his time there. He was easily the best frontcourt player we had seen so far, but he was abusing alcohol and it was affecting his durability and performance. In the final, when his team won the minor European Cup, the final score was 50-48. Roy scored 19 points. He was a great player and a great guy, but he was haunted by his demons. Rest in peace, Roy.
I'm a fan of Olympiakos and back then when Roy came in Greece to play for the team it was a next level guy and we had the honors to see this.He had his aup.and downs cause of his addiction,but apart from that he was something else!R.I.P big Roy,we miss you...
He's still a legend in Greece. He could dribble like a point guard, shoot almost like Nowitzki and no one was a match for him in the paint. But the guy loved 2 things: beer and spliffs. When the team was on the road he'd have 10 cans for breakfast (usually dumping them under the bed), then he'd go play the game and be the best player on the court. When he came back after his second ban he was totally out of shape, he just wasn't the same player anymore. It's a shame because I remember he had a little daughter that he took to the games. I hope she's doing OK. R.I.P Roy... P.S: James Donaldson also played in Greece at the same time as Tarpley!
He came in the 90s to Greece to play for my beloved team Aris. Best foreign player in the team ever and gave Aris the victory over the fucking orks of Efes Pilsen back then. RIP my friend.
Roy was really, really good. Big man that could run the floor like a gazelle, rebound like crazy, block shoots...active, athletic, played with energy. Really wished he could have fulfilled his full potential! (him and Michael Ray Richardson)
I was in Dallas playing pick ball at a gym when Tarpley walked in. Everyone noticed and his team played mine. I knew he was going to dunk everything for ONE POINT. The game was to 11. So I shot and made 4 3's. GAME! Of course, I yelled, "get off the flo!"
When I look back and see what this guy was doing early into his career, he was a marvelous athlete and extremely valuable to the Mavs while he was here. The potential always there, but he couldn’t recover from his drug addiction when he needed to.
Greatest unrealized talent in Mavericks history. Supremely coordinated big man who could rebound in his sleep. I remember coach Motta saying the ball just seems to find his hands. He was also a capable defender with evolving offensive skill and good touch from ourside. Imho he probably wnds up with a 17 pt 12 rebs career average had he been able to be fully committed to the game. Unique talent
great video ,if Roy Tarpley had a longer career he would have been an HOF for sure ,insane rebounding skills and could score ,very sad story alas but when you have guys like Mark Aguirre or Kevin McHale who held him in high esteeem it's difficult to pass on him as a great player
It also shows how powerless the NBA PA were in the early 1990s because I don’t think MLB or NFL in 1990 would dare ban a player for life for having 2 non-accident causing DUIs
Uncle Hays knows this about me, as it shows where, when and how I grew up: Born in Seattle in 1973, where I grew up, Sonics and Blazers fan, Japanese-American and male. (Japanese-American and male shows HOW I grew up, and what prism I view the world through) In the 1994 draft, the Sonics (coming off the 64-18 season, but first round loss to Denver) had the #11 pick in the draft. One rumor was trading it to Dallas for Roy Tarpley. For anybody familiar with the NBA in the 1990-95 era, how do you think that would have helped the Sonics? We DID need a good big man.
Roy had most talent than most players. His moves, his awareness, his fluidity with the ball were from another world. But alcohol destroyed him. Young people, learn from his life and do not addict to anything. Your fall will be sure.
Good video, just one small complaint. The Mavs were good in the late '80s, but not great. They never really came close to winning an NBA title, and only won their division once during that time. So to say they were one of the best teams to never win a title is a bit of a stretch. The '80s Bucks on the other hand...
Can't get why USA don't produce african americans specimens players anymore, 6-11, 7-0. Like the ones coming from France. It seems the genetics faded away.
there is no doubt, if he worked his talent would send him to permanent all star player, strong yet plastic agile fast, game perception like cerebral pg amazing rebounder good mid range shooter and fast execution ,,,WHAT A PAY !!!!!!!
