Did anyone see this? http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/te...05981888-roundtable120815top5shots.mp4-187538 Just watched it... good list but not sure I agree with all of it, particularly Steve Novak's shot. I'd go: 1. Mario Elie "Kiss of Death" shot, Game 7 1995 West Semis vs. Suns 2. Ralph Sampson's buzzer-beater, Game 5 1986 WCF vs. Lakers 3. Kenny Smith's three, Game 1 1995 NBA Finals vs. Orlando 4. Hakeem Olajuwon's Overtime Tip, Game 1 1995 NBA Finals vs. Orlando 5a. Eddie Johnson's shot, Game 4 1997 WCF vs. Jazz 5b. Vernon Maxwell's three, Game 7 1994 NBA Finals vs. Knicks 5c. Sam Cassell's three, Game 3 1994 NBA Finals vs. Knicks I don't like having two shots from the same game but both are pretty iconic, in my opinion. I understand Eddie's shot didn't win the series... in fact, the Rockets lost the next two games, but that was a big buzzer-beater in the Western Conference Finals (and I'm partial to game-winners). However, I could be convinced to put Maxwell's shot on the list instead of Eddie's because of what it ultimately meant.
I didn't watch your link but 5b has to be #1. It was the moment we all KNEW the Rockets were going to win their first championship. Will never forget the feeling after that bucket. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ASxTyFlLYso" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> My favorite moment in NBA history!
I did immediately think of that Steve Novak shot before opening this thread. Not to say I'd put it in my top 5. But, we should consider doing a two Top 5 lists. Top Five shots in a Playoff Series Top Five shots in the Regular Season And then, maybe also best Pre-Season Game ever, so we can remember Kelvin Cato.
Link had... 1) Kiss of Death 2) Sampson vs Lakers 3) Kenny Smith's 7th 3PT Game 1 vs Magic 4) Cassell 3PT Game 3 vs Knicks 5) Novac 3PT vs Sac (game 8 of 22-game winning streak) ________ Great memories Rockets can be argued as Top 5 franchise. Top 10 is irrefutable.
Clutch, I put Maxwell's shot as #1 because that the sealed the Rockets first championship, It was beyond surreal. On top of that, the whole city went loco honking horns all night long after that night. We were all jumping up and down like Mattress Mack 1. Maxwell's 3 in Game 7 2. Ralph Sampson's buzzer beater against the Lakers to take us to the Finals 3. Kiss of Death 4. Kenny's 3 vs the Orlando 5. Sam Cassell vs the Knicks
The best thing about that shot by Sampson was the physical nature of the game against the Lakers, who were favored to win. There was so much animosity and hard fouling going on, which eventually took Akeem out of the game. To have Sampson make that shot and stun the Laker players and fans was the best thing that I can remember aside from actually winning the championship in '94 and '95.
I like this thread, it feels like we're talking among friends not random people on the internet. it feels like we love clutch city.
1994 might be Houston's signature year. Rockets on many levels (15-0 start, Olajuwon DPOY/MVP/FMVP, Clutch City comeback, 1st championship), Bagwell's MVP (absurd stats), Scarface's classic album Diary. Amazing times. There's chance to soon repeat similar success with Rockets and Astros, and a QB with Watt. Stros have a REAL chance this season. Sampson's shot was before my time, but I can only imagine how huge it was in the moment. Was that bigger surprise than LAC last season? Can only imagine seeing Olajuwon gamely during his absolute athletic peak and Sampson too... must've been nice.
Ralph's shot will always be number one on my list. It was against the defending champion Lakers. A Laker team that featured Magic, Kareem, worthy. It was also the greatest game in Rockets history in my opinion. That game had everything. Fights, ejections and heroic performances. The Lakers were desperate for a win and gave it all they had, but Ralph's shot was a dagger that killed a giant. Rocket players of today should watch that game to see how real men play basketball.
Those would more than likely be my top 5 as well. Nostalgia at it's finest. I love talking the glory days. Sometimes looking back I can't believe how long it's been for a lot of these.
Sampson's shot is #1 for me. I was a senior in high school in 1986 and I remember watching that game with one of my buddies and both of us just losing our **** after that shot.
Also in a similar fashion maybe the greatest moment in Rocket history can include the big shots that Josh Smith and Robert Horry hit. Josh Smith gave the Rockets life in season that would have been a failure for James Harden and the team if he did not. Robert Horry hit many big shots to close out teams or to combat teams that were trying to make runs during games. I know this is somewhat of a different category, but both players were involved in great moment in Rockets history.
Honorable Mention <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GHKWJ8yCqBE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Yes it was because the Lakers were defending champions, it was in LA, Dream got ejected from the game. That Laker team was PRIME SHOWTIME with Magic and Kareem. That team would beat every team this decade with ease. The raw potential of Dream/Sampson was on full display. Sampson was KG/Dirk before being a 7 foot with handles was popular. The Clippers were series was amazing, but the Clippers were not the Showtime Lakers.
These lists are always littered with playoff game winners from the title seasons (for good reason). So I'm gonna go a little different direction. Top 5 shot's not related to the title seasons, at least most memorable for me. Wasn't a fan until 92, so no Ralph either. It was in early regular season game, and the shot wasn't as important as the events that led up to it, but T-Mac's 3 to cap off 13 in 35 sticks in my memory Another one is game 1 versus the Lakers in 09, when we thought Yao was hurt but he came back. He made a jumper, and for a brief time, I thought a title was actually a real possibility, that this was the breakthrough. 1.Eddie Johnson 2.T-Mac 13 in 35 3.Yao return jumper v Lakers 4.Novak to extend the streak 5.Francis game tying 3 in Shaq v Yao 1
I don't remember the shot from Ralph, was too young, but I understand it's context. I know they were in the finals in 81, but they were 40-42. I think that shot by Ralph put the Rockets on the map as an NBA Franchise. My personal favorite was Eddie Johnson. The ball hung up in the air for what it seemed like an eternity. It's too bad we lost the series. I knew Clyde Drexler was going to miss that layup in game 1 vs Orlando.
