Just because you're too young to remember Hakeem doesn't mean the rest of us are. I'm too young to remember Phi Slama Jama and the Twin Towers (I was alive but wasn't interested in basketball at the time), but I was there when he was in his prime. Hakeem was arguably the greatest center ever and is a Top 10 all time player. AJ is very, very good and a likely HOF'er, but he'll never be talked about in relation to other receivers or NFL players the way Hakeem will be in relation to all time NBA greats.
Old enough to know that Basketball doesn't even come close to football in this city. To think so would be ignorant.
So if the Rockets had drafted Jordan instead of Hakeem, AJ would still trump him because of football?
Andre Johnson is a great, great player but he has never and will never carry a team like Hakeem did. Hakeem was and is on a completely different level than Dre. That is no slight to Dre. Additionally, I wouldn't even say that he is the greatest Houston football player. Campbell and Moon were arguably more important to their respective teams. I do not see winning a Super Bowl this year changing my opinion. Again, that is no slight to Dre, he just isn't that important this year. Unfortunately for him he was on a lot of bad teams and never had the chance to shine because I think he had potential. I would also argue that Dre wasn't as important as Bagwell and Biggio. I loved Nolan Ryan but I think his importance is, was overstated because he was a local product. He wasn't here that long and a lot of his accomplishments were not in an Astros uniform. I love Dre and he had a great game. I hope we win a Super Bowl this year and I'll be most happy for Dre as he weathered all of the suckitude that was the Texans. Regardless, at this point in his career, I never see him getting into the level of most of the players that I named. I just do not see it.
You weren't around in the Clutch City days...if you think the Summit (not Toyota Center) was a ghost town, you're horribly mistaken. The city embraced the Rockets during those years just as much, if not more than any other team in Houston. I dont care if Football is king in Texas...that has nothing to do with Hakeem and the Rockets during those prime years.
What if, What if, What if the Rockets left town? would it hurt more than the oilers leaving houston? Nope.
This city loves its football, no doubt, but you obviously missed the late 90's-00's Stros and the 90's Rockets. This city gets up for its team, regardless of the sport.
And you will still be calling for TJ Yates to be the quarterback because you have no idea what you're talking about. Tell me something, who was throwing the ball to AJ in his back-to-back 1500 yard seasons?
If you are only 17, then you weren't around to experience it, so your opinion has ZERO credibility on the matter. It's amazing that you continue to defend it.
It's not about what is popular. Hakeem was arguably the second greatest player of his era. Top 5 at his position of all time. Andre might be top 5 just in his era.(2000s) Don't think he's top 5 of all time.
I hate to say it, but this is true now because football is like many times above basketball. If Oilers had won back then, probaly on even term with NBA years with Hakeem. Nowadays, I can tell you how many friends I have that are football fans and very few that are basketball fans. And I was alive and kicking when we won back-to back. As for Hakeem and Andre. Hakeem 1 and Andre 2, Hakeem went to UH and basically became an Houston icon in and out. Even if Andre wins a Super Bowl, it is a team win and has to share spotlight. Dream is MVP and really without him, we would not have 2.
Leave the 713 little kid alone. He is just underestimating the heart of a champion. Sorry kid, but Hakeem will always be greater than AJ. And AJ is awesome, no knock on him. Hakeem was transcendent.