I just watched a 1998 play-off game and saw Rockets as the 8th seed up 2-1 on Jazz. I was surprised that we were an 8th seed and were actually up 2-1 on the team that eventually went to the finals. For those who watched that, how did we even go up and how come we were not able to close them out? Based on the roster, it seems we were very old with Charles Jones, Willis and Eddie Johnson at 38,39 and 40 years old with Kevin Willis starting. I'm guessing with Barkley coming off the bench and Bullard starting we had some injury issues or just a very flawed roster as any team starting Bullard would not be expected to beat a Malone team. Maybe Bullard starting was Rudy taking stretch 4 too far? Olajuwon was not the 94-95 player anymore either, but still we were up 2-1. So can anyone provide some insight? Would be much appreciated.
and even when the Rockets signed former Jazz players like Shandon Anderson and Antoine Carr, it never felt right, and they always sucked for us, almost as if they were still Jazz players now ruining our franchise from the inside.
Barkley tore his tricep in game 4 and we had no chance because Othella Harrington couldn't compete with Karl Malone in a wet dream much less in a playoff series.
The keyword is "almost" In 2009, the Rockets almost upset the ultimate champion Lakers. In 2018, the Rockets almost upset the ultimate champion Warriors. With the ways things are going, we will probably upset the Sacramento Kings in 2027 playoff......almost.
Every account I've read (here's a decent one, didn't watch the series myself) pins losing Barkley as the reason the Rockets lost. In fact, here (warning: Utah website) they have a quote straight from Clyde: "We didn't have enough energy and we didn't have any firepower off the bench after we lost Charles to injury." No source indicates any malicious intent, and some sources call the elbow to Barkley "accidental." The Utah source I link above doesn't even get the right Utah player involved in the injury. Just pointing this out; I don't expect anyone except this forum to be stirring up controversy about this after two decades, but that certainly doesn't mean I believe what all these other accounts say. What I can't find is video of the incident in question. If anyone can, I'd like to see it for myself. Might have to find a copy of the whole game. Here's the play-by-play of Game 4 for reference if that helps.
Don’t have video but I vividly remember Chuck hitting Carr with a mean up and under (in the midst of killing them) and Carr made sure to come down hard on Chuck’s arm to foul him. Not a clean play then or now.
"I have one thing to say to those non-believers: Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion." Rudy Tomjanovich
All I know is Hornacek and Stockton would not be able to flourish (as they did in the 90s) in this era. Imagine Hornacek or Stockton trying to guard Harden, Westbrook or even Ja Morant lol.
They weren't exactly athletic for their era, but they were both good shooters so they would be fine now.
