How do you think these teams would matchup? Who would win and why? I know we discussed the 95 Rocks vs Lakers.....but many thought 95 Rocks would win and several thought the Lakers, for those who thought Rocks of 95 would win (or even those who didnt), who would you take and why? If anyone isnt interested please dont respond or bash me for being nostalgic This post is only for those who like these sort of threads! Thanks (Of course this is the 93-94 rockets not 94-95 rocks again)
2001 Lakers no doubt... Fat Shaq would bruise Dream, but Dream's finesse would play him at a standstill. You think Mad Max can take on Kobe?... Horry against Otis Thorpe. I guess an older Horry has more defensive savvy after taking on Duncan and Webber. Sam Cassel would punish Fisher, but I think Phil would sic Kobe on him and let Fisher take on whatever SG commitee the Rox have. Kobe is the definite Xfactor that controls everything. They're both tremendous defensive teams that like to shoot an occasional three, but no way a near rookie Rudy can match wits with a 7 time champion Phil... A better match would be Jordan's 92 Bulls against the 94 Rox...
If i had to put any Rocket team on the floor to play, it would be the 86 team. Could horry check Ralph?No. Lew Lloyd and Wiggins would be enough to offset Kobe, but then you could bring Peterson off the bench as another big ,physical player. I would put that team against almost any team. Unfortunately , drugs and injuries robbed that team. Reid-6'8 Lloyd-6'6 McCray-6'8 Sampson-7'4 Hakeem-7'0 Wiggins-6'5 Level-6'0 Peterson-6'10 That team was deep and atheletic. Sometimes i really think the early Rockets were robbed of greatness.
they were definitely robbed of greatness...by their own stupidity with drugs...thanks Mitch...thanks Lew!! thanks for ruining a great opportunity!!! I remember reading a Sporting News article in 87 (I think) that talked about the Rockets being the next great dynasty at the time. as for the 94 rockets...I would LOVE to see the Maxwell of yesteryear match up with Kobe. LOVE it!!! Max's defense was unreal...Kobe hasn't played against a guy like that in the playoffs yet. I'm not ultimately sure who would win...but I bet Otis Thorpe would be an X factor there...i'm thinking that would be a good matchup for us. OT was a darn good player back then.
I am biased as hell but my Rockets win and this is why: 1- Hakeem ; Shaq does not defend well away from the basket, so Dream draws him away and toys with him. Jumpers, fade-aways, and then goes by him to the hoop when he least expects it. Shaq is so dominating right now because Vlade Divac is the 2nd best center in the league ..... he aint seen nuthing like this since the brooms came out the closet. 2- Pick & Roll ; Otis Thorpe & Smith frustrates Laker defense with their version of Stocton & Malone. LA would love to send Horry(LA version) help but are afraid to leave Dream alone and Horry(H-town) cutting to basket from weak side ties up Fox. 3-Defense ; 94 Rockets are the most underratted defensive championship team in my lifetime. If Kobe thought Doug Christie was a good defender wait until he sees Mad Max and Elie . Olajuwon frustrates Shaq with his ability to steal the ball. The interior trio of Olajuwon, Thorpe, and Horry(H-town) seal the basket off from penetration. 4-Bench ; Cassell, Elie, Herrera, and Bullard provide far more depth than Walker, Shaw,George, and Hunter. In a long series Rockets simply wear down Lakers. 5-Team Destiny ; Although this isn't tangable 01-02 Lakers seem poised to be beaten (though they wont be). Fact is there just isn't a team mentally strong enough to beat the Lakers this year. Last years Laker team was much more invensible IMO. However the Rockets finish where Sac town failed hitting big shots and making free throws. They dont call us Cluth City for nothing!!!!!!
your last two points in particular are excellent ricky, and ones I didn't really consider. the 94 rockets did have a strong bench...herrera was unreal in the finals!!! and i agree entirely on the mental makeup of both teams. the lakers barely do enough to beat lesser opponents. they let teams hang around with them (a weakness of some of the chicago bulls teams, too, i might add). sacramento did a neat little choke job in the fourth quarter of game 7...no one wanted to step up....the rockets of 94 would not have done that. the playoff rockets of 95 would have rolled them over big time.
