I don't get the Barkley idolatry here on CF. In the time he was here, he missed at least 30 games every season, and averaged only 46 games over his 4 years. Zero titles. Since then, he's been 100% anti-Rockets, bad-mouthing us every chance he gets because he's convinced Les owes him money. On top of that, he's a loud-mouthed idiot. Kinda fun to watch at times, but still a bonehead. F$#% Chuck.
Took us to the WCF (last time before Harden) Gave up a high salary to be part of the team He was old and had injuries due to his age Didn't leave the Rockets when everyone else bailed when we were clearly rebuilding
Two of the rare breed of NBA players that don't just pretend to fight. If you were involved in a situation with Barkley or Oak, there were going to be punches thrown and landed.
Damn, that's one ugly ass court design in the Summit. I forgot how soon after the titles Les went to that design. What is that, 1997-98?
Barkley was awesome with the fans and the local media. His first couple years with us, he was really good. Check out his rebounding numbers.
not true. He played every game in the strike year -- 42. "Idolatry" you say, when you are propagating falsehoods ... albeit, probably due to a slip in memory vs intentional. Sorry, don't mean to call you out, but people using games played averages and not asterix'ing that wrt to the strike year always robs me wrong. Also, his first year he suffered a freak hip-pointer injury to the bony-ass Shawn Bradley....otherwise, led us to that 21-2 start....and defeating Seattle as was his assignment. fwiw: Drexler (at a mere 1-yr older) missed 20 games in that year, too.
You're right, I totally forgot about the strike. The other 3 years, though... And though I don't understand it, I'm okay with CFers worshiping anyone from those '90s teams. Except Quitten. I draw the line there, as should everyone else here.
No Rockets fan liked Quitten. That's up there in the laws of Rockets fandom next to respecting our championships.
Rudy T tracked the efficiency of plays and I want to say that a Barkley post up on the left block was the #1 most efficient play for the Rockets, though I may be remembering that wrong (to be fair is was almost 20 years ago).
Great point. When he got here he was the guy that brought it the most. That Clyde/Barkley'Dream team was very, very close to climbing the mountain.
Because if we are talking about Barkley fights, watching him throw a basketball off of Shaq's head is always funny
