Exactly. The Sonics owned us back then. Scarface (George Karl) had his team playing illegal defense against Olajuwon and the refs would rarely call it. Stockton and Malone were rolling. The Suns were incredible. The Spurs were really good. The West was just freaking tough like it is now. The city of Houston had never won a championship at that point either so it seemed damn near impossible. That said, once the Sonics got knocked out I felt like we had a legitimate shot at the title but certainly wasn't counting on it. Every game was huge in route to the championship. I don't know if you watched the Astros playoff run or not, but it felt just like that to me. Lot's of highs and then huge letdowns. But in the end it was Clutch City! Then we played like crap the next year, traded for Drexler near the deadline, and the playoffs were crazy again. Everyone counted us out but it was back to back Clutch City. It's been a long time since I felt like we had a legitimate shot like we do now. My biggest question is the mental toughness of Harden and CP3. Olajuwon was so mentally strong. He never disappeared in the playoffs. Harden and CP3 need to show it this year.
We get it the dream is the greatest But hakeem never had to play with ryno as the 2nd highest player taking 20% of the cap as his starting forward. And harrel as his backup pf. Replace curry in 15 or kd in 17 with harden and gsw still champs with harden as their best player Last season even lebron couldn't have carried the rockets farther in the reg season and playoffs. Harden didnt hold the rockets back. Its the other way around Same with cp3. Hes in the same boat as clyde. Hof but never had any ring before he joined the rockets
People can argue about stats and physical traits from this era to the last but mentally there is no debate. Those guys had ultimate mental fortitude. They don’t make players like that anymore.
I was young back then and remember feeling like we could never beat the sonics. Stupid Gary Payton and his stupid gum chewing. Shawn kemp and his stupid flat top. I remember feeling the same way about the Jazz. You are also correct about the similarity with the Astros. It is just really hard to win a championship lol.
No doubt. Harden overachieved with that squad. This year is different though. Harden and CP3 have the pieces to get it done. They need to seize the opportunity to make it happen now because who knows if they will ever have another chance. Despite how good GS is, this will count towards Harden and CP3s legacy. There were a lot of HOF players who never got it done in the 90's thanks in large part to the Bulls and Rockets. That's how most of those guys are remembered too- on the "greatest players without a ring" list.
I agree! Notice this year that Harden has more juice in the 4th Qtr, because CP3 is giving him time to rest. As my son said, he's become the ultimate closer. We have a really nice blend of talent (Scorers, shooters, passers, defenders, ball-handlers, etc.), veteran experience, tenacity, athleticism, and pure moxie. If we stay healthy and keep playing our game, we can compete with anyone in the play-offs. Go Rockets!!!
Are you saying Hakeem had it easier than Harden, essentially throwing some shade at Hakeem in order to elevate Harden above Hakeem? @tinman, come check this dude.
That is one thing that makes this year so different from 1993-94. The Astros just won the World Series. And obviously the Rockets won their back-to-back titles a couple decades ago. So there's no championship drought in this city. There's no fear that we're cursed to the point where none of our professional sports teams are capable of winning it all. People who didn't follow the Rockets(or the Oilers or Astros) back then can't grasp how desperate H-Town was for a title. There's a reason the local papers went apesh-t after they blew that 20-point 4th quarter lead to Phoenix and ran the Choke City headline. We really thought this town was jinxed with that and the Oilers' 35-3 Buffalo collapse looming over us. It wasn't until Mad Max hit that 3-pointer off Dream's pass to put the Rockets up 8 in the final minutes of Game 7 that I finally believed we were gonna see a championship in this city. And BTW, that's also why so many of us were disgusted by the "but Jordan was retired" narrative the media loves to push. It's rare enough we get to celebrate a title in Houston. Please let us enjoy it without trying to delegitimize it. With regard to the mental toughness of Dream, I do feel it's necessary to point out that the Rockets didn't get past the first round from 1987-1991. And they didn't even make the playoffs in 1992. We could argue about the talent(or lack thereof) around Olajuwon during those years and obviously he more than proved himself from 1993 onward. But sometimes even one of the greatest players in the history of the game needs time, quality teammates, and a little luck(thank you Nuggets and Lakers for beating Seattle) to win it all.
Lol Hakeem carried that first championship team. And all you whiny Anderson hating blow hards need to give it a rest. We have the best record in the NBA with Anderson playing a huge role. The only thing dumber than the Anderson needs to go he sucks crowd is the Anderson is ok but he makes to much money so we need to get rid of him crowd. When we stomp golden states ass with Anderson you guys will still be crying about his contract. Sit back and enjoy what is happening. It doesn’t happen often so you better enjoy it while you can.
see i's not even hakeem vs harden hakeem & harden didn't hold back the rockets from winning anything. t'was the other way around.
LOL at white knighting Ryno from Morey 3rd highest paid player but worst in NET rating and BPM don't get your panties in a wad @ me for Morey trying his best to trade Ryno for Melo and the whole season while NY and other teams didn't even want none of that
Such a great feeling compared to 2 years ago where the Rockets were barely in the playoff race and in the dumpster. Watching and enjoying basketball is big part of my life and having to enduring that horrendous season really did a number on my happiness and well-being. Now I eagerly look forward to every game and night and keeping up with the game.
