[ClutchFans] Podcast: Former Rockets coach Bill Fitch talks with ClutchFans

Should've asked if he ever wanted to choke Ralph. lol. I'm sure he would've answered it diplomatically. Nice job, Clutch.

 

Listening now.........as a younger rockets fan always nice to hear about the history of the rockets.

 

legend!

 

Petersen was more of the backup back in the 80s IIRC. He was a hustler, solid fundamentals; I wouldn't really clarify it as a "combo". It would be like calling Dirk and Brendan Wright a "combo" (obvious differences between the two "combos", but just trying to show the difference in production/talent). Obligatory:

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Wow great memories, thanks!! I remember Fitch well. Going up AGAINST him with Moses Malone in the finals and then joining the Rockets. Really great times. So glad he is still around.

 

HOLY COW !!

This place is awesome - that was amazing Clutch !!

Thanks.

DD

 

Peterson was quick & nimble on his feet as seen in the clip. He was a decent 15 to 18' shot. A little thin for a good rebounder IIRC.

 

Yes, some team out on the West Coast

Clutch, great work. Thanks.

There often seemed to be some tension, even if just mild, between Bird and McHale. Bird was deadly serious much of the time and put in incredible practice work. When Jordan came into the league, one of his coaches (Kevin Loughery?) took Jordan to the Boston Garden hours before the game to show him Bird running laps around the arena and let MJ know that if you wanted to be great, you had to do what Bird was doing.

I remember hearing an interview years ago where someone asked McHale about Bird and McHale, I think, said something like "Bird's contributions to Boston's success has been discussed enough." As in, I'm tired of hearing about Bird and how great he was. Something along these lines, if I remember correctly.

Jim Petersen was a solid backup to Ralph Sampson and I think he may have also backed up Hakeem some. Scrapper, pretty tough, good guy to have on your team.

 

Great interview Clutch. That's how you do it. Keep it about the man and his experiences not outside stuff. Let the shock jocks ask those questions. Thanks as always.

 

Great Interview!

 

Great job Clutch!

Asked evocative questions and then just got out of the way, that's how you do an interview.

Encouraged by what Fitch said about how no team has the personnel to match up with a Twin Towers lineup. He seemed to think it could work so long as the bigs could run.

 

Listening to Bill Fitch talk about the 1986 season made me want to go back and watch Ralph Sampson shot against the Lakers.

I forgot totally that in that game 5 against the Lakers Hakeem got ejected because of the fight he had with Mitch Kupchak earlier in the game.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LF740MqYbOs

Classic Houston Rockets Memories!

 

Correct, I remember him hitting decently from 15-17 but never had 3-point range (few big guys did in that day). He was more of a power forward though, as he had zero shotblocking ability.

 

27 years later Hakeem screwed Kupchak with a right hook by jacking Dwight from him in free agency

Oh the irony!

 

This was Jim Petersen squaring off with Roy Tarpley of the Dallas Mavericks in the 1986-87 season. Pretty good example of how he was. Tough guy, would not back down from anyone:

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^ My bad, missed the Petersen fight being posted before I posted it.

Here is a blurb about Bird/Fitch/McHale. Sums things up pretty well, I thought:

http://www.celticslife.com/2013/07/the-nbas-odd-couple-larry-bird-and.html

I don't think Bird cared about much except basketball. He was laser-focused on being the best. That's how I recall him being, anyways.

 

Nice anecdote on MJ and LB. Love reading things about how great players learn from other great players.

 

Jordan had, and has, incredible respect for Bird. When Bird made the comment about how Jordan was "God" after Jordan scored 63 points against the Celtics, Jordan said he appreciated Bird saying that because it gave him confidence in his game.

I hated Bird growing up, for obvious reasons. But all the players at the time respected Bird. And as much of a jerk as Bird could be on the court, he also gave respect to players he thought earned it.

It is nice to see the greats interact and look at how they learned from one another.

 

Man... did I hate Bird growing up too. He sure as hell earned the respect though.

 

Amazing.

Excellent.

Bravo.