Not YOURvydas not MYvydas but OURvydas Sabonis out of the NBA

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/story?id=1594410

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Arvydas Sabonis is retiring. Again.

The 7-foot-3 center for the Portland Trail Blazers told his agent, Chicago-based Herb Rudoy, that it was unlikely he'd return to the NBA this season because he wants to spend more time with his family in Lithuania.
___________________

You have to remember that we in the West did not get to see him in his prime and the player we did see was plagued with injuries. Back in the 80's (born in '64 made the Red Army team when we was about 15) every time American Basketball teams went overseas for international competition they all came home and raved about this guy playing for the Soviet team. He may simply have been one of the greatest basketball players ever (easily in the top 5 centers) but he preferred to stay in Europe with his family and gave up millions of $$$ in doing so.

I think it sucks that we only got to see the injured, old Sabonis. People who know say he was awesome back in the mid-late '80s. Dude could still pass better than any big man I've ever seen.

but what we saw was a guy with no wheels at all. In his prime he ran to floor with the guards. I saw an old cheap tape of him one time and it was simply unbelieveable.

Even though, like you said, he was plagued with injuries. He didn't have much hops, but who needs that at 7'3"? He had an excellent outside shot for a big man. Nice touch.

I'd hang up my sneakers too.