Wow, how many centers are we going to play at one time? I know the twin towers works because it got us to a finals back when other franchises had dynasties, but hey you know better than most. I think RS was better (well rounded player) than Dream back then, too. But that is just my opinion. PS didn’t see your starting 5. Post so we can talk more (it’s harder than it seems).
Harden Paul Murphy Drexler McGrady Horry Dream Moses Yao Elvin Ralph Otis You can go big, strong, long, small, small long, quick, inside, outside, both, everything, or whatever. It would all be kick-ass. Poor Yao—second best All-time Third String Franchise Center. (No Barkley. Not a Rocket.)
First Team: G: Calvin Murphy G: James Harden FC: Rudy Tomjanovich FC: Hakeem Olajuwon FC: Moses Malone Second Team: G: Steve Francis G: Clyde Drexler FC: Robert Reid FC: Otis Thorpe FC: Yao Ming Third Team: G: Kenny Smith G: Mike Newlin/Cuttino Mobley (can't decide) FC: Tracy McGrady FC: Rodney McCray FC: Elvin Hayes Feel like this encapsulates Rockets history... from the 70s till now. I know some favorites got left off and CP3 hasn't even been here a full season yet. Part of me feels like Drexler didn't have the longevity as some others but he did help bring home a title as the #2 guy and has his jersey retired. Thoughts?
I would never forget our 2 championships because I was there painting car windows and at Richmond Ave., but I would put D'Antoni over Rudy T to coach this team.
I like it but the twin towers changed the league in it’s time. Ralph Sampson before his injury was the best player on those teams (yes better & higher BB IQ than the hot headed at the time Akeem) so he is a must on any Rocket all time list. Another change would be John Lucus or even Sam Cassell over Kenny Smith, just my opinion. Happy to see McCray, Mobley, the shark and Hayes. Overall it’s good because we are blessed to have so many wonderful players over the years. The chicken man, Reed, and Horry make a list some where, too. Plus the rest of the cocaine kids => that team was so talented. It’s hard to edit with so many worthy players.
If you're going for Rockets longevity, which this list seems to be including with Newlin, then you'd have to consider Allen Leavell, who played more years for the team than anyone not named Hakeem, Calvin, or Rudy. I'd put him in over Kenny Smith, who fell off a cliff at age 30. Even before that, he'd lost his position in the closing lineup to not just Cassell but to Scott Brooks before him. If you prefer to replace him with another early 90s player, and if Cassell didn't play for the team long enough to meet your criteria, I'd pick Mad Max over Kenny. Max drew the toughest defensive assignment and hit crazy shots.
bobby brown / matt malooney / sergio llull luther heard / vspan / nick johnson corey brewer / jordan hamilton royce white / clarence weatherspoon jake tsakalidis / maurice taylor
It's all about positionless basketball now. Just put the best players who can also play complimentary ball: Dream, Chairman of the Boards, Beard, Glide, CP3 Length, athleticism, power, iso scoring, post dominance, steals, rebounds, blocks - 4 rings, 3 MVP (including Harden), 5 HOFers (including Harden & Paul) and a point gawd. And we rave about the insane depth on current roster but Rockets also have insane depth on All Rockets team: C: Yao, Dwight, Dikembe PF: Elvin, Chuck, Horry, Ralph, Rudy, OT SF: Tracy, Reid, Ariza, Battier, Artest, Elie SG: Max, Kmart, Cat PG: Calvin, Francis, Sam, Kenny
