This topic began in another thread: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?p=2347972#post2347972 but since all that's left is the draft, the finals, and lots and lots of speculation on what the Rockets should do, I think this would be a good topic to discuss. Name your all-time Houston Rockets' killer(s)? If you want, provide a brief explanation on what makes this individual stand out in your mind, but this isn't really necessary, because your choice should be self-explanatory There are certain players that do well against everybody, but hey include them as well if you want. My choices: Sam Perkins - well know we used to freak out everytime sleepy Sam had an open 3 Dale Ellis - He won the 3 point contest the first time the all-star game was held in Houston and he always said that he like the rims in Houston, but he also killed us in Seattle. Kevin Johnson - At times it seemed that the Rockets had no answer for this guy (46 in Game 7 of the 1995 playoffs against Houston) and it pissed me off so damn much. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf - He was a pure shooter and I just remember him pulling up hitting jumper after jumper after jumper against the Rockets from all locations on the court. Honorable Mention: The Refs...
Seattle in '96, or the Jazz in '97.... man those were heartbreaking playoff series wasn't this the clown that hit super mario as he was goin for a layup, thus injuring him for months?
Shawn Kemp Kevin Shrimp (I think thats his name) John Stockton Jeff Hornasek Yea I hate all those players with a passion.
I'm gonna go with that damn Sonics team that we could never beat. Most of the other Rocket "killers" we beat in heartbreaking fashion. KJ with the Suns, Malone and Stockton with the Jazz. So if we're gonna bestow the title of all-time Rocket Killer on anyone it has to be someone from that Sonics team. We never really beat them except when we got Barkley but by then that team was imploding. Let us not forget Detlef Schrempf the original "germanator." WARNING!!!! Danger! High Voltage! This might bring back some bad memories.....
Maurice Taylor used to torch us on a regular basis. Then we signed him and he continued to kill us in a new way.
Derek Fisher, for a season or two or three when Fisher was with the Lakers, he used to torch us game in and game out. Especially from three point land. I could not stand to watch any time he had the ball when we played the Lakers.
My history of being a Rockets fan isn't long, so I'd say... Steve Francis! I loved him as a great personality, but his trademarked dribble-mania simply killed the Rockets everytime on offense. I know, some of you saw this coming... but I simply can't help it. I lost too much hair when watching him and Mobley playing along side Yao Ming. Other than him, I'd say Jason Terry. The dude killed us as a Hawk, and then as a Maverick. I'm hoping he signs a $256,563,347,132,132 contract with a Saudi Arabian team this offseason and stop his existence in the US.
Definitely Payton and Ellis,along with Kemp those Sonics were brutal on us. Gary driving the lane at will against our matador defense out top. Ellis hitting 10 threes in a row from the concourse of the Summit.You just knew he would make almost everything against us. ...and the beast that was Shawn Kemp before he smoked,drank,and ate his way to 300.We would have vanquished the Bulls,probably winning a couple of titles if not for those guys.
Larry Bird, 81-86 Kevin Johnson, (94-95) Danny Ainge, Celtics (94-95) John Starks games 1-6 (94) Seattle (I was so happy when we beat them with Barkley and Maloney) John Stockton- Ended our run.... Jason Terry, Josh Howard Rule changes favoring the guards Phoenix beating us by 50 this year. I dont think any loss this year hurt me as much as that one did.
Derek Harper is at the top of my list. Seemed he had a career game almost every time he played us back in the late 80s, early 90s along with numerous back breaking, game stealing shots. Kenny Smith was his personal whipping boy it seemed.
It seemed like Payton had our number before we traded for Barkley and ended the Sonics hold on the Rocks. Stockton and Hornasek...I hated Jeff more because he'd flip up some wierd shot that always banked in with little left in the shot clock. Both loved the dirty 3s.
