As I was posting in that JVG Myth-busting thread, my last thought was on this team's chemistry, and I began a slow trip through memory lane...but just to explain the Thread title: The "inverse" reference in the topic has to do with T-Mac's arrival here from the Magic, similar to Clyde's arrival from Portland in 1994. The difference being that Clyde came to play second banana to Dream (on most nights anyway), and this year T-Mac was brought in to be "the man" and Yao can now relax and be second banana (on most nights). Now to start our stroll down memory lane.... The hard work and hustle of the Rox '93 and '94 champ. team role players is a fond memory of mine. Who can forget the job that Mario Elie did in '94, or how Robert Horry was such an excellent compliment to Dream and Clyde. And for those who don't remember or weren't onboard yet; Defensive Stalwart Otis Thorpe was traded to Portland for Drexler and Carl Herrera... '94 was also the year that Chilly Pete and Chuckie Brown arrived... not to mention Charles Jones.... all of them cast-offs from other teams. So, just like 2005, there were whole-sale changes in the line-up, and the chemistry improved as a result. This year's Rocket's while likely not quite ready to claim back to back trophies have clearly established some excellent chemistry. But with the arrival of Barry, Sura and Padgett's re-emergence, as well as Howards better understanding of his role, the chemistry is excellent. I think we may now be only one player away from a serious run.... Let me apologize now for any historical inaccuracies and emphasize that I'm only comparing this year and '94, with no insult intended to the amazing team we fielded for trophy number 1.
Sorry about the mistake on the year... (early Alzheimer's) I did mean '95, but the other facts are correct for that year.... (I'm pretty sure they are... ). Any other thoughts?
I think if we still had Cat, we could have done some serious damage. Cat is a better defender than any of our guards, and you can't sag off of him to help out on Tmac and Yao.
Tmac is our Hakeem the Dream (24-26ppg+) Yao is our Clyde the Glyde (18-20ppg) ...although no resemblances in their games. Just their roles.
Heh, heh....I was thinking that too! Sura is our fire and heart! Like Elie. And Sura seems clutch too. Elie was more a 3pt shooter with great D. Sura is more a slasher with great D.
The Trade wasnt for Clyde andCarl Herrera. Carl was already on the Rockets before he was part of the 93-94 team.
I'm convinced that we are one athletic defensive minded shotblocker/rebounder away from being a big time contender. And count me as another guy pinning some hopes that we can land Swift, this summer for the full MLE. He'd be perfect for our needs, and I don't think that he's distinguished himself enough to get big money from any teams out there. Coupled with the fact that there aren't as many teams with cap room as last year, he might have to settle for an MLE offer like past top picks in Olawakandi and Joe Smith.
It was Clyde and Murray.... my memory was a little faulty... Herrera was supposed to fill Otis Thorpes spot but wound up having injuries and (I think) some personal/family issues as well. Anyway, I'm pretty sure he came back to help later in the season... I agree with the idea of landin Swift... can't you just see him finishing on the break with T-Mac, and swatting shots with Yao!!
Yep. Herrera had had two shoulder dislocations and was never the same after that. Chucky Brown, Pete Chilcutt, Robert "Bob" Horry ended up sharing minutes at PF. I believe Horry shared minutes with Elie and Bullard at small-foward also.
You should be on those NFL commercials where guys don't know their NFL stuff... and are casually talking in their homes about football... ??? First of all, you have the years wrong. Second, Carl Herrera didn't come from the TrailBlazers... we drafted HIM from UH... it was TRACY MURRAY... ...
