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.
Is it peak while they were playing with the Rockets or peak overall? I'd love peak Barkley but not Rockets Barkley, etc.
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.
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
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).
Paul, Harden, Drexler, Sampson, Olajuwon Second team: Lucas, McGrady, Barry, Elvin, Moses Third team: Cassell, Murphy, Rudy, Thorpe, Yao D League: Barkley, Pippin
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.
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?
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
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.
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.
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."
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.
Scott Machado Donte Green Royce White Joey Dorsey Stromile Swift 6th Man: Derek Fisher Coach: Kevin McHale