I was just sitting around last night watching The Bucks put it to The Pacers and I starting to think about their chances of winning the series. They have George Karl, who I can't help but to respect as a basketball coach, they a wonderfully talented trio in Sam Cassell, Ray Allen and Glen Robinson. Last night they had a bench that was on fire. Then I realized that Sam knows all about momentum and being on the brink of elimination. Then I remembered how Rudy used to say that all of the pressure is on the other guys because we were never expected to do as well as we have been. Sam knows this as does Karl, who as the Sonics coach was the first ever #1 seed to be eliminated by and 8th seeded team (Denver in 94). Indiana must have a tremndous amount of pressure to deal with right now. I hope Sam and co. pull this one off. If they suddenly come together like we did in 95 then they make a lot of noise. Then I started to think about Mario Elie for some reason. I guess because he and Sammy are such good friends. Anyway I started remembering all the good times during our runs and how much excitement Sam and Mario (and everyone for that matter) provided. I'll be the first to admit that I gave Elie a hard time last year on the BBS. I still think he was being a punk and all, but now he's not all in my face with it on TV and the good memories have returned. While I have no interest in somehow getting him back, I have to say that I kinda miss him now. 1994 and 1995 suddenly seems like 20 years ago. It's kinda weird. I'm sure it has alot to do with the team being mostly brand new with many of the players being under 25. It could also be that we only have 2 members from those teams with us still: Dream and Bullard. Now when we talk about the Championships we are talking about a copletely different team in a different era. Strange isn't it? Given that revalation, it strengthens my desire to see Dream play through next season. He deserves to go out with a fanfare. He deserves to have our city and so many others praise his acheivements. He raised the bar when it comes to being a center. As much as I love to dog Shaq, I'll always respect him for always praising Hakeem. Like Jordan was to all of the guards growing up, Dream was that to the big man. He reset the standard. Anyways.... thus concludes my trip down memory lane. Go Bucks! ------------------ RocketFuel is taking the summer off!
What? No one else interested in riding the sentimental train? Do I smell or something?! ------------------ RocketFuel is taking the summer off!
I just hope we keep the Bull when Dream retires. At least we can still have one champion until the new guys win the next one. ------------------ I'm sticking with Charlotte. I can't flip because I don't want to be confused with Peter Vecsey. -- Charles Barkley
I think we're on denial right now as Rock fans. I really miss those good old days. So it's bittersweet trying to reminisce. ------------------
Actually Dcab, The last couple of years is when we were in denial. This season on is a whole new thang. New team, new style, new outlook. The only expectations I have now are that we get in the playoffs next year. I no longer expect us to win it all. I just wish for it, like I did from 1985-1995. The miracle run in 95 is what did it for me. There was no obstacle that we couldn't overcome. Injuries, disgruntled players, new superstar addition, 6th seed, no home court, beating the 4 best teams during the playoffs, and prevailing in all of those elimination games. After that run I beleived for years that it could happen again. I think most of us did. ------------------ RocketFuel is taking the summer off!
Man, you guys bring up an interesting point. For the longest time, we hoped we'd win it all. Then came 1994 and 1995, and speaking personally, it's like expectations totally changed. Even given all the injuries, and Seattle's terrific play, and their homecourt advantage, I was still sure we'd win it all heading into the 1996 playoffs. Oops. Of course, I was still sure we'd win it all in 1997, when we added Barkley. I told a friend during the pre-season that we'd probably "only" win 67 games while the talent meshed. Oops. After that, I was back to hoping. I was hoping Pippen would work out, I was hoping Hakeem was merely slowed by injuries and not age, and I was hoping we could swing a playoff bid this year. Oops. Now I'm just hoping Butterball Stern pulls a Rocket ball out of the draft lottery hopper for the No. 1 pick. So we can take Mihm! ------------------ Anyone who advocates the use of violence should be beaten, tortured, and killed (painfully if possible).
That's true, SpaceCity / BK! Same sentiments here. Biggest reason I got cable was to watch every Rockets game available. So right now I don't know how to feel about our Rocks. Sometimes I'm in that "hoping" mode - like at the start of the season and I was cheering 15-0 with all this talent at training camp. Then I'm in the "resignation" mode - when injuries start piling up and I kind a like "well, sh*t happens" so I just expect them to do better sometime in the future. Then Popeye gives us this wonderful scoop, and I'm back to "hoping" mode again. Oh well! That's life according to Rock Fan! ------------------
Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled. We were all given the greatest fairy-tale of NBA history. We were shown that the heart of a champion can beat all odds. Then we came to expect the Rockets to win it all, against all odds. No matter what injuries, home court disadvantage, level of opposition. When you expect your team to re-create that once-in-a-century fairy tale every playoffs, when you expect the championship no matter what your seeding, there can almost only be disappointment. At last we, the fans, and the Rockets as a team are out from under the weight of those expectations of contention. It's a great time to be a Rockets fan. ------------------
