[Chron] Blinebury - Golden Oldies: The path to the future?

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Live Rockets commentary & more on NBA with Fran Blinebury

August 12, 2007

Golden Oldies: The path to the future?

Reggie Miller, Penny Hardaway, Allan Houston, Charles Oakley, Shawn Kemp.

Beanie Babies, Pearl Jam, Palm Pilots, New Kids on the Block, the O.J. Simpson Trial, a Clinton running for the White House.

Who flipped a switch and transported us all back to the 1990s again?

Whatever happened to the days when geezers just took off their sneakers, hung up their uniforms and headed to the golf course or a rocking chair and sit back and complain that the game was better when they played?

Oh, right. Charles Barkley does that job.

But it seems like everywhere else you turn, there's another former NBA star itching to get back into the league?

Does Miller really think he can finally get his ring by joining Kevin Garnett in Boston? Will Dallas or Phoenix or anybody really give Houston another shot and a fat contract?

Well, Miami is so desperate for a point guard, even after signing Smush Parker, that the Heat reached deep into the last decade for Hardaway, who never quite was as big a hit as his alter-ego L'il Penny.

It gets me to thinking about all of the solid golden oldies with connections to the Rockets who might be able to show Yao and T-Mac how to get things done in the playoffs.

• Mario Elie, 43 — The Rockets could definitely use some of that junkyard dog attitude, the bark, the bite. Not to mention the "kiss of death" 3-pointers from out of the corner.

• Hakeem Olajuwon, 44 — You saw the videos of his workouts with Yao at the Toyota Center. You saw the washboard stomach and the fancy footwork and the nifty jump hook. You know he's still the one and only.

• Charles Barkley, 44 — You saw his race against Dick Bavetta at the All-Star Game. You've seen his expanding waistline. Designated defender. If we just stand him in the paint, all penetration into the lane will be cut off.

• Clyde Drexler, 45 — Just like his buddy Hakeem, he's still in top physical shape. He played for Rick Adelman in Portland and knows the offense. Surely, he could still elevate for a few more Phi Slama Jamas.

• Moses Malone, 52 — Would Yao ever have to look over his shoulder to make sure his back is covered if Big Mo was out there cleaning the glass for 10 minutes a night?

• John Lucas, 53 — At what position could the Rockets use more help than point guard? And who was the greatest point guard in the history of the franchise? He could stop tutoring the young kids and show them straight out how it's done.

• Rudy Tomjanovich, 58 — Where else would you find the heart of a champion? If you ever saw him shoot 3-pointers after a practice as head coach, you'd know Reggie Miller would have company.

• Mike Newlin, 58 — You want attitude? You want defense? You want shooting range? You want somebody who's read "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" in ancient Greek?

• Calvin Murphy, 59 — The perpetual motion machine would always find a way to get up his shots and would never get tired in the second half of a Game 7. Together with Yao, the best big-small free throw combo in the game.

• Elvin Hayes, 61 — Could the Big E still find the elevation to hit that Hall of Fame turnaround jumper? Just give him the ball and watch.

• Vernon Maxwell, 41 — OK, first somebody would have to come up with the bail money.

Who do you like best from my list? Got any other candidates?

If nothing else, I'm thinking about starting a senior league.

http://blogs.chron.com/franblinebury/2007/08/golden_oldies_the_path_to_the.html