He should've been invited to be part of the all-star game, thats the least they can do for the biggest disrespect in recent Rockets history by not including him in the 90s decade team while, no disrespect, Kenny, Elie & Horry made it..
I had Otis Thorpe Iron man insert basketball card in my collection. I think it was made by Topps. I also had Otis Thorpe Marathon Man insert from Topps Finest. Someone stole my basketball cards and comic book collection from my dorm room.
It was Oakley vs Thorpe. Riley used to bring Mason in to try to beat up on Hakeem. But yes, Rockets dont win that ring without Thorpe helping Hakeem on the front court.
Thorpe was a pure power forward. His defense was amazing, he rebounded, he had a few moves, and was a great finisher. When you put up 14 ppg the defense has to respect you. His only flaw was that he didn't really block shots, but with Hakeem you didn't need that.
Back then, power forwards DUNKED da damn ball if they were in range, none of this pansy ass layup, finger roll, jumpshot finesse crap todays "power" forwards do. I still dont understand players of today who are tall as hell big men and they go up weak as hell to finish under da rim if someone pass em da ball, DUNK THAT M**********R!!
OT was great but just think how good he would have been if he could have hit the 17 to 18 foot shots.
When Houston became Clutch City, and I literally mean the 3 games we turned it around. He was averaging about 13 rebounds and 17 points over that three game run. He was also very good at swooping across the lane for a high one hand bank shot of the glass. A near unstoppable shot. Integral to the first championship. And longtime number two scorer and wingman to Dream. One of my favortie players of all time.
I've read posts where people have compared Smith to OT because of Smith's hands. Well, if Greg can become half the power forward Otis was, he'll be a hell of a good player. OT threw the best passes for distance on the court of anyone I've ever seen. It was like the basketball was an orange, or a softball. Just crazy. He was one tough S.O.B.!
Miss me some of that coast to coast 1 handed dunk or lay up... He's like a runaway freight train when he does that
If you watch that youtube of him on page 1, look at how many times Kenny dished to him for an assist, he was one of kennys favorite targets down low cuz he knew OT could fonish so well! Love it!!!
Anyone know what OT has been up to recently? Don't seem to have heard anything about him after he retired, and even when he was in Houston seemed to stay out of the news. Hopefully he made enough $ and was smart with it.
