Remember the 1995 U.S. Open? Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi met in the 1995 U.S. Open Finals matchup that was heavily hyped by Nike and a defining moment for both stars. Ranked numbers one and two respectively, Sampras would defeat Agassi 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

In all matches played, Sampras leads 20–14. Looking back on their competition, Sampras marvels at their competition.

“What Andre and I had was pretty unique,” Sampras told me by phone. “Both being American, both being different. We dressed differently, we played differently, our personalities were different, it was a great clash.”

Sampras Dropped By Today’s Scoop B Radio With CBS’s Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson To Discuss It

It’s customary in today’s sports climate to compare what happened in a hey-day to what’s going on currently. We see it in football, where folks wonder whether the New England Patriots or the Seattle Seahwaks are today to what the Dallas Cowboys were in the 90s. You also see it where many tried to compare 72-10 Chicago Bulls superpower to last season’s Golden State Warriors who beat that record but lost in the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers in June.

But what Sampras and Agassi did during their reign was special; many wonder if that can be replicated.

Any similarities Mr. Sampras?

“Today it’s not quite as sexy,” he said. “But I think you look at Djokovic and Murray as the two best players. It’s a great rivalry and they’ve played each other a bunch, they’ve played great matches. It may not have the same appeal as say Andre and myself, for a few years. But if you look at it, the last two greats were Roger and Rafal when they had their moments: lefty, righty, both very different.”

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There was a lot of money spent during the NBA offseason with the salary cap set just north of $94 million for the 2016-17 season. Aside from Kevin Durant leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder and signing with the Golden State Warriors and Derrick Rose being traded from his hometown Chicago Bulls and landing with the New York Knicks, players signing with their hometown teams has been ‘a thing.’  

Dwyane Wade left the Miami Heat, a team he won three championships with and inked a deal with the Chicago Bulls.

Dwight Howard also did it. “Man, everybody’s going home,” Atlanta rapper and actor T.I. joked.”

Despite only averaging 13.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game last season as a member of the Houston Rockets, Dwight Howard played comfortably.

An Atlanta native, Howard signed a three year $70.5 deal with the Atlanta Hawks and will play home games at Philips Arena; minutes away from his high school, Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. Howard became a sensible fit after Al Horford bolted Atlanta to sign the richest free-agent contract in Boston Celtics history on a four-year, $113 million deal in July.

T.I. was disappointed to see Horford, leave. A nine year vet with career averages of 14.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, Horford was a fan favorite. TI is a fan of both the Hawks and Horford, but also understands that the NBA is a business. “It was hard to see him go,” he said.

“Of course we appreciate Al and all of the many years of just outstanding efforts and energies he’s given. It was hard to see him go as well as Jeff Teague. But I salute him and support him on his journey. Thinking positively though we got Dwight Howard.”

Check Out TI’s Why You Wanna

The Hawks are surely a perimeter oriented team. Howard’s inside presence may be just what they need in addition to an inside physical presence at center defensively.

Perhaps his first season in his hometown of Atlanta is a fresh start. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Chris Vivlamore, Howard wants to be considered a threat from mid-range and believes that if he confidently shoots jumpers, it will add another aspect to his overall game. “It’s all about being able to grow and just having confidence,” said Howard. “Coach (Mike Budenholzer) has total confidence in me shooting the basketball. So, that’s not an issue. I think in the past I’ve started to shoot and then I’ve stopped. I can’t allow missing or anything like that to affect how I play on the floor.”

The Atlanta Hawks open up their season at home on October 27 against the Washington Wizards.

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