@highpost1388 and I had this conversation in another thread. If you had some magic to change one thing in Rockets history, what would you change? #1: The 95 Bulls beat the Magic in the ECF and we got to watch Dream wipe the floor with Luc Longley for the win. I can't stand 99% of the idiots out there that put a * on the Rockets championships because "Jordan retired". The mandela effect is in full effect because those idiots never seem to remember that Jordan played in 95 and also forget that he put up like 40ppg in 3 games in that series. The Rockets would have cleaned house with the Bulls that year. #2: CP3's hamstring thing never happened cause the Rockets win that year. #3: In 1983, the Rockets drafted Clyde Drexler at #3 rather than Rodney McCray. #4: China didn't make Yao play every summer. (@highpost1388 contribution) Any others?
Even if the Rockets beat the Bulls in 95, it would still be an asterisk because Jordan came back in the middle of the season. But obviously if we are doing wishful thinking, the obvious one is the Sampson for #2 and Drexler trade in 84 draft.
When I bring it up, most people don't remember that Jordan even played at all in '95. Not only did he play, he was at the top of his game. So the argument that him coming back mid-season somehow diminishes the Rockets accomplishment is an "excuse". Hence why that's my #1 wish. Remind me. I recall this one but can't remember the particulars. I remember hearing a scenario where the Rockets get Drexler but when I looked, I saw that they passed on drafting him in '83. I don't remember a potential trade in 84.
Knicks matching the Lin deal would have meant no viral video of Harden playing matador defense … and together with my #5 above, media actually likes Harden
Not top 10 but dishonorable mention.... Danuel House doesn't act an ass in the bubble and get sent home. We beat the Lakers preventing them from a *chip. That series was closer than it looked. House was not the worst defender on LeBron that year Oh and Parsons letting Lillard get that look at the buzzer
We lost like 3 Starters from that team Sampson - I still think Ainge injured him on purpose and he was never the same Mitch and Sweet Lou were monsters Rocket RIver
Ah I like this type of stuff. Personally I wouldn’t care as much about facing the Bulls without Maxwell. So I’ll throw in a few: 1993 Game 7: Referees don’t give Sonics home calls and instead we face The Suns in the WCF. I’ll take my chances with that team beating them and facing the Bulls over the 1995 one. 1997 Game 6 WCF: Malone gets called for the bearhug, we win the game and force a Game 7. Taking my chances with Dream on that one. 1994-95 - We do not trade for Clyde, Thorpe stays, Maxwell doesn’t act out and we see what they would’ve done. 1996 off-season - We do not trade Sam & Horry for Barkley, we roll with that team one more time and see what happens. 2004 off-season - We trade for Tracy without giving up Mobley, whatever draft picks that had to take. I’ll take my chances with a T-Mac & Mobley backcourt, Jim Jackson at SF, whoever at PF and Yao at C. 2017-18 - Luc Mbah a Moute doesn’t get hurt instead of CP3 as that guy would’ve honestly at least given us a shot with defense. The one I’d go with though: 2008-09 - Tracy doesn’t get hurt, doesn’t act out, we have a big 3 and we have a serious shot at a title. That changes the whole dynamic and butterfly effect might cause Deke not to be used as much, thus not go out as he did.
#2 is one of my all time most annoying, anger inducing things that has happened to me in my sports fandom. And I fan *a lot* across like 6 different leagues.
BTW - I still think the Drug Suspensions against Lou and Mitch were complete bullshit to keep the Lakers/Celtics 80s going cause seriously . . .EVERYONE WAS ON THAT SH*T THEN!!! Rocket River
Yeah this one is pretty big too, though I don’t know how long that would’ve lasted since Morey insisted on meddling with his staff. Oh and a big one: Leslie never changes our uniforms in the 1995 off-season!
I'll add another to that Harden era... Prince Luc doesn't dunk that ball, lays it up, and our depth doesn't start to crumble. :/ Also speaking on those 80s drug issues, I wish John Lucas never went down that path. It helped him mentor young men to this day, but he's a huge what if for me. And of course... Sampson's health. Twin Towers era with full health? Crazy.
A few on my mind Before the 1984 draft, the Rockets trade Sampson to Portland, getting Clyde and the #2 pick which is used on Jordan. The Rockets sign Tim Hardaway instead of Brent Price for the 1996-1997 season In the 2000 draft, the Rockets make the same trade but take Hedo Turkoglu instead. Also in the 2000 draft, the Rockets keep their own 2nd round pick (instead of trading up to get Dan Langhi) and take Michael Redd The Rockets don't make the trade for Eddie Griffin in the 2001 draft - we draft Richard Jefferson, Zach Randolph and Gilbert Arenas Due to #3-5, the Rockets trade Francis plus 2 young prospects, taking back only McGrady and still retaining plenty of depth and talent The Rockets sign Raja Bell instead of Derek Anderson for the 2005-2006 season In the 2011 draft, the Rockets take Kawhi Leonard instead of Marcus Miller The Rockets take anyone other than Royce White in 2012 The Rockets sign Paul Milsap in 2013 to play alongside Dwight and Harden The Rockets keep Robert Covington instead of cutting him in 2014 The Rockets keep Isaiah Hartenstein instead of cutting him in 2020
The Rockets had taken Terry Porter in the 1985 draft like speculated, instead of Harris. Porter would have probably led to another title.
We lose the flip and get Jordan. Hakeem goes to Portland.....How many championships does Portland win!
