would we still complain like we do about New York and LA? I don't think there is any question that the big markets get favorable treatment primarily due to the high tv ratings they can bring in. You hear about it in nearly every sport. I'm just wondering, if you were a fan of the Knicks, would you complain if Stern pulled a "frozen envelope" during the draft lottery like he allegedly did in 1993? Be honest.
There's no need not to be honest, really. Of course you wouldn't complain. I wouldn't complain if someone hands me a check for a million dollars if you win the lotto, but I sure do get mad at those bastids who currently win(especially when it's the only time they've ever played). Personally, my loyalty to the Rockets is on par with my loyalty to the NBA as a whole/league, which is why I wouldn't complain. However, from a health of the league standpoint, I could see how even though it would be my team benefitting, it may not be hte smartest thing to do.
I'm sure if we got favorable treatment, most people wouldn't even notice it and still b**** about NY and LA... Same thing goes for ESPN, if we had 20 articles praising the Rockets, and 1 article with an anti-Rocket spin, then ESPN's full of biased morons...
Which draft was this? Was this before they did the # thing? I think it was the Webber draft. Maybe Stern wanted a Shaq/Webber combo.
back then that wouldn't look menacing but now...having shaq and webber together would be a pretty good duo..not good as shaq and kobe though....
It was the year that Patrick Ewing was the prize of the draft. Supposedly, Stern kept the Knicks envelope in the freezer or fridge for several hours before they picked the envelopes out of the hopper so he would kow to not take the cold one out until the end.
Actually, it was the '85 draft. Before the balls were used, they would put unmarked envelopes in a cylinder, give it a few spins, and draw them out one by one. Legend has it that the night before the '85 draft lotto, a Knick\NBA intern or employee placed the Knicks' envelope in a freezer over night so Stern would be able to tell theirs from the rest. The Knicks ended up with the #1 overall, used that pick on one Patrick Ewing, and the rest is history,.... Sort of. And honestly, no I wouldn't complain, I've never claimed to be free of hypocrisy!
What! You must be kidding right? Shaq and Webber together with scott skiles,anderson and scott would have been lethal and shaq would probably still be in Orlando. Webber game then is pretty much the same now its just he's more of a focal point. He avg 18pts and 9 rebs as a rookie. By Shaq's second yr he was around 26 pts 12 rebs per game. Just like they were in 95, both would have been the most feared frontcourt in basketball. With Shaq manning the pivot and Webber working the high post, that would have been illegal then.
The question assumes an impossibility. I would never be a fan of the Knicks (or Lakers or Bulls) in part precisely because they are a big market team favored by the NBA, NBC, general public, etc. If Houston suddenly became the next hip thing (another impossibility), I'd have to re-examine my loyalties.
You don't think the Rockets could be the next hip thing? I don't think it's probable, but I wouldn't go on and say it's impossible. I mean, the Kings became NBC favorites for a year or two, did anyone see that coming or even think it was possible for a team in Sacramento to get so much national air-time?
I despise the knicks. But if the world ended, and i actually grew to think they were tolerable, I would LOVE to have the number one pick if it was legit. I sure as HELL wouldn't want the league kissing my *ss and giving me handouts. Where is the pride in winning something you didn't win legitimately? Cheating is whack, whether it works for you or against you....
Dear Davie Stern, Just give the Rockets the first pick and crawl back into your little hole. Love, finalsbound
If I recall, a Webber/Shaq frontline would have (and hindsight would still be) menacing. Penny was a surprise pick. Hindsight is weird. Penny, his first 3 years blew Webber away. Who knows How C-Webb would have developed. He's great now, but at one point, he was an enigma.
i think thats the whole reason i love the rockets and houston sports so much. because we seem to be the underdogs and its kind of us against the world. Houston is bashed all the time on National Sports Shows. i think all of that is the basis for my diehard houston fanbaselyness. i mean that and i was born there. i cant imagine a world in which houston got any respect.
Yes I would complain. I don't want the NBA to become like boxing where decisions are obviously rigged. In boxing the hometown favorite son wins a decision over 90% (seemingly) of the time regardless of how well he fights. In the NBA I would say that officiating quite often favors the home team. I can't back that up with hard facts but it just seems that way to me. If the NBA wants to favor the big city markets then it just ought to have teams in big cities and put an end to the charade.
I doubt I would "deny" help from Stern-to become a championship team, you need all the help you can get. But, I don't think I, or other Houston fans, would be as naive about it as Lakers/Knicks fans. Anyhow, the sleeper "fix is in" pick would be Memphis. Jerry West just complained about unfair treatment, and he's now in Memphis. Remember when NJ got the #1, right after Rod Thorn became president? I'm sure Mr. Logo still has a few NBA friends.
