Since it appears the Rockets will have two starters at the All-Star game this year and one rookie, I thought it would be interesting to break down the multi-player appearances at all star games. I got the idea because I saw Bob Allen on channel 13 say he could not remember if the Rockets had EVER had two all-stars. Tsk, tsk, Bob. You don't know your history. Actually, the Rockets have had two players on the all star team 6 times and THREE once. Of those 7 multi-player appearances, the Rockets have had 2 starters on four different occassions. The most recent was Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler in 1996. As an aside, Yao will not be the first rookie Rocket to play in an All-Star game. Ralph Sampson did it his rookie season, however, he was not a starter. He was chosen as a reserve. In fact, in his second season (1985), Sampson won the MVP trophy at the all star game, the only Rocket to accomplish that feat. Here is a list of those multi-player appearances dating back to the Rockets inception in San Diego: 1969 - Don Kojis & Elvin Hayes (both starters - San Diego Rockets) 1979 - Moses Malone & Rudy Tomjanovich (starters), Calvin Murphy (reserve) 1985 - Ralph Sampson (starter - MVP), Hakeem Olajuwon (reserve) 1986 - Sampson (starter), Olajuwon (reserve) 1987 - Olajuwon & Sampson (starters - Sampson did not play due to injury) 1992 - Olajuwon (starter), Otis Thorpe (reserve) 1996 - Clyde Drexler & Olajuwon (starters)
Thanks, Jeff. I wouldn't have thought of Don Kojis (--) to save my life. We have a great history to be proud of... at least, in the early days, great players and some great runs that didn't go all the way to a championship. Close, but no cigar. (and we know who was smoking the damn cigar ) This should be the start of several dual (or better??) appearances, with a little luck.
<blockQUOTE>Originally posted by Jeff Actually, the Rockets have had two players on the all star team 6 times and THREE once. Of those 7 multi-player appearances, the Rockets have had 2 starters on four different occassions. The most recent was Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler in 1996.<hr>[/blockQUOTE] Actually, if you count the Sampson 1987 year when he didn't play, you should count 1997, too. 1997--Hakeem (starter), Barkley (starter, DNP-injury), Drexler (reserve, DNP-injury). Counting 1997, we had 8 years of 2+ selected to the All-Star game, 5 with two starters selected, and 2 with 3 players selected.
Thanks Jeff!! I appreciate hearing interesting info on our Rox. Here's a breakdown of the match-ups (If the game were held tomorrow...) This could prove interesting. Starting 5: West East C The Dynasty Ben Wallace PF Tim Duncan Jermaine O'Neal SF Kevin Garnett Vince Carter 2G Kobe Tracy Mac PG Franchise Iverson Here's all of the numbers the way they look right now... EASTERN CONFERENCE Forwards: Vince Carter (Tor) 871,189; Grant Hill (Orl) 586,664; Jermaine O’Neal (Ind) 556,675; Antoine Walker (Bos) 326,582; Kenyon Martin (NJ) 247,254; Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Atl) 169,000; Latrell Sprewell (NY) 162,883; Darius Miles (Cle) 150,441; Keith Van Horn (Phi) 146,042; Richard Jefferson (NJ) 134,268. Guards: Tracy McGrady (Orl) 822,034; Allen Iverson (Phi) 755,409; Michael Jordan (Was) 654,849; Jason Kidd (NJ) 596,118; Paul Pierce (Bos) 208,188; Ray Allen (Mil) 159,756; Jerry Stackhouse (Was) 105,308; Reggie Miller (Ind) 105,252; Baron Davis (NO) 101,538; Ricky Davis (Cle) 89,884. Centers: Ben Wallace (Det) 687,337; Dikembe Mutombo (NJ) 399,653; Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cle) 192,794; Antonio Davis (Tor) 149,573; Brad Miller (Ind) 138,843; Brian Grant (Mia) 103,413; Theo Ratliff (Atl) 86,153; Todd MacCulloch (Phi) 81,386; Tony Battie (Bos) 78,931; Kurt Thomas (NY) 54,597. WESTERN CONFERENCE Forwards: Tim Duncan (SA) 758,754; Kevin Garnett (Min) 710,394; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 673,076; Chris Webber (Sac) 534,155; Elton Brand (LAC) 159,625; Peja Stojakovic (Sac) 148,056; Pau Gasol (Mem) 135,471; Scottie Pippen (Por) 115,657; Rasheed Wallace (Por) 112,255; Robert Horry (LAL) 111,151. Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 958,695; Steve Francis (Hou) 652,210; Steve Nash (Dal) 467,803; Gary Payton (Sea) 343,065; Mike Bibby (Sac) 321,911; Michael Finley (Dal) 270,890; Tony Parker (San) 119,734; Cuttino Mobley (Hou) 112,745; Andre Miller (LAC) 110,926; John Stockton (Uta) 107,870. Centers: Yao Ming (Hou) 814,393; Shaquille O’Neal (LAL) 655,744; Vlade Divac (Sac) 181,917; David Robinson (SA) 163,547; Raef LaFrentz (Dal) 110,679; Michael Olowokandi (LAC) 91,149; Arvydas Sabonis (Por) 49,308; Marcus Camby (Den) 45,382; Erick Dampier (GS) 36,880; Radoslav Nesterovic (Min) 22,557. I wonder what match-ups will be like in the Wester Confthe projection is like for the next several year. We have at least 4 potential All-Stars on the team right now! (Although Cat will likely shoot is way out of contention every year)
wonder what match-ups will be like in the Wester Confthe projection is like for the next several year. We have at least 4 potential All-Stars on the team right now! You included Mobley but who's the 4th?
My fourth is E.G. - He's going to do what Hakeem did and improve a different facet of his game each year. Once he learns to put the ball on the floor, he will be nearly unstoppable.
Does the Western coach have to start Yao? I mean Yao WILL make the team, but is he guarenteed to start?
He doesn't have to, but it's customary respect to the fans who vote for the STARTERS. He can yank him 2 min later, if he wants. Of course, the fan voting indicates they want to see him play, and coach should consider that.
so who was the first rookie to START an all star game? i noticed you had sampson as being the other rockets rookie to play in a game but he wasnt a starter.
I just want them to trot out a Yao Ming, Shaq, and KG front line... talk about intimidating. Hell, put KG at SG and throw in Tim Duncan.
There have been 15 rookie starters in the All-Star game history including four other centers: Ray Felix, Wilt Chamberlin, Walt Bellamy and Shaquille O'Neal. Yao will be the 16th rookie to start and the 5th center overall to get the starting nod.
Two played for the Knicks, two (play/played) for the Lakers (Felix even played for the very first Baltimore Bullets). PLUS : EG will play in the Rook-Soph game, no doubt.
