[video]Hakeem Olajuwon on MJ - Michael was there, Orlando beat them

This irritates my soul, obviously as Rockets fans we all know Jordan played that year and even if he made it to the final he wouldn't have been able to stop the Rockets.

Its the r****ded casual "fans" who only know Jordan & Kobe.

 

The problem with the Jordan wasn't there argument, other than him actually being there, is that the Bulls were never an obstacle to the Rockets winning championships. It's not like we were constantly defeated by MJ and then he steps aside and we win. It was Dream's time Jordan or not.

The bulls weren't winning 8 rings in a row. By the time he went to play baseball they were on the verge of being beatable by any of Indiana, New York, or Orlando the following season. Him stepping away and the bulls organization regrouping helped them become great again when he came back.

The rockets were winning those 2 rings regardless.

 

MJ averaged something like 30/5/5 in those playoffs. Those are sick numbers.

He was definitely there.

-- oops i think i voted wrong. stupid phone.

 

In 1995 what player scored the most points in a single regular season game and playoff game?

 

The forgotton Finals is the worst documentary ever. I like docs, I like the Rockets. I couldn't stand this thing.

 

He really makes an eloquent statement and puts the focus on the Magic not getting any credit for beating Jordan and the Bulls. I'm surprised that Shaq doesn't say more about this since it really disses their victory over the Bulls.

The conversation on the 95 championship always seems to focus on the Rockets, but totally ignores Orlando's dominating victory over the Bulls (4-2).

 

He was also little more rejuvenated for a 2nd 3-peat. He would've been worn down in between 94-96. New York got to the point where they could beat Chicago in a series, especially Chicago was weaker than Miami on the front line, defensively and rebounding, which is you occasionally saw Pippen against power forward . Hence why they lost to the Magic. No 2nd 3 peat, he retires in 99...

93-95 were rebuilding...Krause knew the team wasn't ready to win a title, but the team overachieved...especially Grant and Armstrong who played very well. Oddly, Horace was the piece for the Bulls' success against strong front lines. He defected to the Magic.

With all that being said, Chicago in 95 did about as good job as anyone Shaq...considering they were overmatched.

And, people don't realize the Bulls as a team couldn't beat the Rockets or Magic, maybe even the Pacers.

 

unfortunately living in the past is all I have. Miss you dream.
he's right, fans, you know nothing.

 

It was pretty bad! But it was only 24 minutes and had current interviews with Olajuwon/Ewing/Starks etc. so it's not like it wasn't worth the time... but yeah there were no video clips at all, just stupid pictures.

 

The Dream has so much class.

Seriously- in this minute and a half video clip, he dispels the rumor that the Rockets only won a championship because MJ wasn't playing, while at the same time giving credit to how good of a team Orlando had and also giving credit to MJ for coming back even stronger the next year.

Class.

 

That's the problem on both sides... people tend to have revisionist views on these issues.

The Chicago vs. Orlando was actually pretty closely contested series, but Orlando was a bit better.

Pippen was a fantastic player, but he could be his own worst enemy...and he couldn't carry team as much as posters like to think, like say ... Bird, LeBron, or Dr. J. His numbers declined several years in the playoffs. There were players who could score against him...does it mean he wasn't the best defender... Of course, not. Some players are really hard to stop...he was an eraser on defense, but there are players struggled against. Also, numbers across the board went down in the playoffs.

93-95 Rockets are actually some of the stronger champions over the last 25 years. They could beat most champions from 90-2014. Houston fans aren't going to like this...but I could see them losing to a few Bulls' and Lakers' teams. Struggling with stronger Spurs' teams, Jazz teams, and yes, even modern-Miami would present nightmarish matchups at certain posi

Olajuwon didn't really shutdown Shaq, as much posters claim, not like Ewing who effectively taken out of the series...he help shutdown everyone else...Shaq and Penny, more or less got their points. But, everyone else except Horace Grant was nullified.

Starks was a good player, but overrated by the media, fans, and even the team. If you traded out Starks and another wing player, besides Harper for say Sprewell and Houston...they may have beaten the Rockets and even the Bulls alot sooner. Those two were legitimate offensive playmakers.

Sadly, Olajuwon maybe the most talented, versatile, and flashiest center/big man. A magician of big men. As far as great centers go, he shouldn't be any lower than 3, but in reality he could be as low as 6th or 7th. I'm almost certain if he spent his career with more functional franchise or had a solid all-star or two. Could you imagine if in some twisted world, if he got to be on the same team with say a Paul Pierce type and Blake Griffin type player, just two random at the halfway point or peak spot of his careers.

Rodman ended up in Chicago, because he was f#cking... lunatic, no one wanted, and a small gamble. His defense was brilliant, but he got lit up, too...in the Finals. Kemp destroyed him in 96, and he fared better, but needed help at times...In 98, Malone was unstoppable, since Chicago lost Brian Williams. Rodman did the silly Lance Stephenson stuff x50...it worked, sometimes especially against Mourning.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=malonka01&p2=rodmade01

 

There's no way to tell really. Who knows? Its a matter of opinion. I thought the bulls would've gave the Rockets more of a challenge and would've been favorites to win. If i was a player, I would've wanted to measure up against the best of my era to validate my success, and MJ, Phil Jackson, and the Bulls were the team to measure up to at the time.