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Starting Five Peak Years.

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by nickb492, Dec 5, 2017.

  1. nickb492

    nickb492 Contributing Member

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    Was listening to a rockets podcast and they talked about what are the best starting five players in peak years in Rockets History that could play together. Wanted to know what Clutchfans thought on the starting five and why?
    Here are their picks along with mine.

    Mitch
    Harden
    Clyde
    McGrady
    Hakeen
    Yao

    Kolache Mike

    Harden
    Clyde
    McGrady
    Barkley
    Hakeem

    Drew
    Calvin Murphy
    Harden
    McGrady
    Hakeem
    Yao

    Mine
    Chris Paul
    Harden
    McGrady
    Barkley
    Hakeem

    At peak they could play uptempo and would be almost impossible to defend any era. With rebounding by Barkley and Hakeem along with scoring by Harden and Mcgrady with Paul passing they would destroy any team.
     
    #1 nickb492, Dec 5, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2017
  2. kevC

    kevC Contributing Member

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    Is it peak while they were playing with the Rockets or peak overall? I'd love peak Barkley but not Rockets Barkley, etc.
     
    D-rock likes this.
  3. nickb492

    nickb492 Contributing Member

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    Peak years overall. I'm thinking peak Suns Barkley when I picked him.
     
  4. peleincubus

    peleincubus Member

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    I agree with yours (if that what mine is) it is an almost unbeatable team. I would put that team up against any Bulls, Lakers, or Celtics team.
     
  5. cerophilik

    cerophilik Member

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    I think I would pick Mitch.
    Since u either have harden or Cp3.
    Plus this is his first year with us.
    And peak Yao and Hakeem would be unstoppable. Who can guard Yao. Either u guard Yao or Hakeem. And either way they would burn you
    Then T Mac and Clyde.
    Then Harden

    I doubt Barkley could guard Yao. Or Hakeem. That’s why I liked this line up better.


    Yao
    Hakeem
    Harden
    Tmac
    Clyde
     
    #5 cerophilik, Dec 5, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2017
  6. clutch citizen

    clutch citizen Contributing Member

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    1: Paul
    2: Harden
    3: McGrady
    4: Horry
    5: Olajuwon

    Still iffy about the 1, 2, 3, and 5
     
    Mr. Turbo likes this.
  7. c1utchfan925

    c1utchfan925 Contributing Member

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    Well, if it were up against this era's teams I would have to agree with the line up that you posted:
    Chris Paul -> distributes the ball with the best of them, plays significant defense and plays off the ball
    Harden-> incredible passer, scorer
    McGrady-> as as above, only if we get prime Orlando Tmac
    Hakeem-> height of a center but moved and played as fluid as a guard, enough known about his contributions
    Sampson-> if healthy would have made this line up unstoppable

    I wouldn't choose Yao if it were in this era because this day and age benefits from teams that have players who can guard multiple positions, when Sampson was healthy he could run with the best of him (at least with the footage that I was able to see).
     
    Houstunna and napalm06 like this.
  8. rimrocker

    rimrocker Contributing Member

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    Paul, Harden, Drexler, Sampson, Olajuwon

    Second team: Lucas, McGrady, Barry, Elvin, Moses

    Third team: Cassell, Murphy, Rudy, Thorpe, Yao

    D League: Barkley, Pippin
     
  9. Classic

    Classic Member

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    Hakeem
    McGrady
    Clyde
    Harden
    Paul
     
  10. don grahamleone

    don grahamleone Contributing Member

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    Hakeem is no PF and none of them listed Elvin Hayes at PF. Weak crew.

    Your list is pretty good, but Elvin is still better than Barkley and Clyde nixes McGrady.
     
  11. Invisible Fan

    Invisible Fan Contributing Member

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    I wonder how Moses and Dream would play side by side. Too many touches, not enough basketball. Or just simply the most nasty lockdown frontcourt after they learn to play off center?
     
  12. D-rock

    D-rock Member

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    Barkley over Moses? That is all kinds of wrong.
     
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  13. BigMaloe

    BigMaloe Contributing Member

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    I listen to a lot of podcasts but have no idea what podcast this is

    Anyways, if it’s players prime and not the rockets prime I would go

    Chris Paul
    James Harden
    Clyde Drexler
    Scottie Pippen
    Hakeem Olajuwon
     
    #13 BigMaloe, Dec 6, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2017
  14. Ziggy

    Ziggy QUEEN ANON

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    Are we trying to find the best players or make the best team? To actually try and win games at an optimum level using modern NBA rules:

    Moses
    Hakeem
    Rice
    Harden
    Paul

    Hard not to put Pippen at the 3 though, the defense would be bananas.

    I don't want McGrady trying to play off-ball, I don't want Barkley's defense or ball domination. Need a shooter/floor space for my bigs, sorry Clyde.
     
  15. larsv8

    larsv8 Contributing Member

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    Not sure how well it would mesh, but top 5 peaks from Rockets players are:

    08-09 Chris Paul
    17-18 James Harden
    02-03 Tracy McGrady
    89-90 Charles Barkley
    92-93 Hakeem Olajuwon

    Mo Malone was consistently excellent, but didn't peak all that stupid high like the above.
     
    HewbieTrippin likes this.
  16. JayZ750

    JayZ750 Contributing Member

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    Paul
    Harden
    McGrady
    Hakeem
    Moses
     
  17. Richie_Rich

    Richie_Rich Member
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    Chris Paul
    James Harden
    Clyde Drexler
    Ralph Sampson
    Hakeem Olajuwon

    Most physically, athletically dominant front court of all time. Open court game would be a nightmare as each can go coast-to-coast. Both offensive and defensive IQs off the charts.

    How does a team matchup?

    As Dream would say, "Unbeatable."
     
    Jake Tower likes this.
  18. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    I'd take Horry over McFrady anyday

    Rocket River
     
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  19. Will

    Will Clutch Crew
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    Hakeem, Harden, and McGrady for sure. Then, if you give me peak years, I'm taking Barkley to round out the front court. And Drexler over CP, since Harden can play the point.
     
  20. Sean Dr34ms

    Sean Dr34ms Member

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    Scott Machado
    Donte Green
    Royce White
    Joey Dorsey
    Stromile Swift

    6th Man: Derek Fisher

    Coach: Kevin McHale
     

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