Francis was athletic in the first years. But overall, the team wasn't really very athletic. We had Yao who was more of a finesse player, and people like Chuck Hayes, later Scola, Battier, etc., all smart players, but not the "jump out of the gym" types. McGrady wasn't like that in later years either, always had back problems, etc.
Drexler and Maxwell never played together so it would be one or the other. I wouldn't think Drexler was that athletic when he came to the rockets esp considering he retired after being with the rockets for 3.5 years
Not true at all. They played together the latter half of the 94-95 championship season -- that is until the Utah series when Maxwell decided to leave the team due to a diminished role behind Drexler. It was Maxwell's greatest regret as a pro, as he himself has confessed.
just splitting hairs here but Drexler player in 35 games as a rocket, about 10 of which Maxwell was suspended for. He was then injured and missed a few games as well (only 1 playoff game) So while they did play together, it was not by much while we are on the subject, in the 2 years rockets won the championship, Vernon shot 30 and 32 percent from 3 point line for a rockets team that basically had Hakeem and 3 point shooters
We had supreme athletes over the years like Charles Jones, who else could keep up with Shaq like Charles. Not just anyone can foul 6 times that fast. Ryan Bowen quickest feet in the game to draw a charge, Chuck Wagon strong as an ox, how else can you start a generous 6'6 center in the NBA But over the years there were a few athletes here and there, Mario Elie was pretty athletic, Chase Budinger had some lift (good vertical, his side to side agility was pretty garbage thats why he couldnt defend anyone). We brought in Stromile Swift to shore up the lack of athleticism during Yao and Tmac years except he had such low bbiq. Overall though, Rockets have been pretty old for the past 2 decades, always having folks at the tail end of their career, some worked out well like Marcus Camby and Deke. Feels like every year the avg roster age is like 31-32.
[edit, didn't realize someone already corrected you] Maxwell and Drexler played 23 games together and even started together several games.
Ralph Sampson was over seven feet tall and could play the 3-5 in any game. Never played in the back court but could run fast breaks. Remember this was back in the day, too; where kidney shots and elbows to the head were just part of playing. In today’s game —> easily a bigger KD or better. The more athletic of the twin towers, Ralph Sampson.
This. Athletic players were more important when post play was more dominant, because they could prevent a fronting strategy. Now that pull-up/step-back threes are the norm, the only important thing is being able to shoot. Obviously that’s only half court offense, but even in transition, as the transition 3 becomes more common place, athleticism off the ball will diminish there as well.
Oooooh, thanks for this, this definitely would explain how theres been zero news about him in awhile.