What did Sampson do for us? As I recall he made the winning shot against the favored Lakers at about 1 am in the morning. If he doesn't fling that shot over his shoulder there is no guarantee we go to the finals. Don't sell Sampson short for those years he was good. ROY and he was dominating for bout 2 more years, then he fell like my etoys stock. ------------------ "Chucky who? I thought we were talking about basketball?" Charles Barkley
See http://www.saveourrockets.com/fanmoment.cfm?memid=25 concerning my feelings of that shot by Sampson. But the fact is that was a lucky shot. During his ROY campaign we won 28 games. It was Olajuwon that put us in the finals, not Sampson. ------------------ Save our children from the TAAS test: TAAS test report card TAAS test fact sheet Dog lover here....cats beware.
Dream Glide Sampson Cassell Barkley Ask anyone who hated the Barkley trade more than me and they will tell you nobody! Sort of how I feel about the Mo acquisition. But I was wrong the first time and I am ready to be wrong again! ------------------ I Want To Thank God For Making Me A Rocketfan
How does acquiring Moochie Norris make anybody's list? Even more, how does Mo Taylor make anybody's list, considering he has not contributed to one win?? 1. Winning the coin flip for Hakeem. 2. Trading for Moses. 3. Drafting Rudy T. 4. Trading for Clyde 5. Drafting Ralph Sampson 6. Drafting Sam Cassell 7. Trading for Otis Thorpe 8. Drafting Robert Horry 9. Trading for Steve Francis 10. Unloading Pippen's contract, thus erasing the Rocket's biggest mistake. The biggest moves the Rockets ever made were the ones that led to championship rings for the most part. I included Steve Francis based on my belief that he is the next Isaiah Thomas. ------------------ -The expert has spoken, so shut up and try to comprehend the truth.
Also, what did Barkley do for this team? We gave up Cassell and Horry and got in return a lazy player. To make matters worse, Barkley wouldn't/couldn't get along with Clyde. I rank the Barkley trade as one of the Rocket's WORST moves. We ended up wasting Hakeem's last good years in the process. ------------------ -The expert has spoken, so shut up and try to comprehend the truth.
Dreamer...I want to personally thank you for mentioning Elvin Hayes on your list. Does anyone else realize that this guy averaged 27 and 14 a game??? ( something like that anyways) He definately put Houston sports on the map. Baseball wasnt doing it. The Oilers were doing it either. But Dreamer I will argue with you on the Sampson bit. He was in my mind unquestionalby the first option the 86 finals year. The Rox would NOT of gone without him, and his skills were impressive. He probably could of played point guard if he wanted to...He was lazy though, and uninspired many times. His acquistion, and Akeems aquisition were key to garnering some attention to the Rox. Anyone else remember an article on the TWIN TOWERS in SI back in the mid 80's? If it was just Akeem with all his athleticism there would of been no article, and no title run. Akeem was the beneficiary of not being doubled due to Ralph being beside him, which helped him develope his offensive game. And his OVERLY aggressive defensive nature (while he was a youngin) was not picked on because he did have Ralph backing him up. I really really think that without Sampson those first few years, Akeem gets doubled mercilessly and might not of developed into near the player he became. Ralph was a very important acquisition. ------------------ "I have amazing, powers of observation"...Pink
Let's not forget the guys with the clipboards ... I'd add the acquisition of Bill Fitch to the list. He came to the Rockets as a guy who had actually won a world championship. Talk about bringing legitimacy. Not sure if we go to the Finals in 86 without him... ------------------
Everyone seems to be forgetting how great of a player Ralph Sampson was. If he didnt have as many back problems as he did hed be sitting up there with the other 49 best NBA players of alltime. ------------------ Bow down to GOD FRANCIS! "If they offered me (a lifetime contract) tomorrow, I'd take it." -- Steve Francis on if the Rockets offered him a lifetime deal. He has now been elevated to "God" status.
Robert Reid, Kenny Smith, Vernon Maxwell, Rodney McRay, Allan Leavel all made important contributions. You can't rate Steve on what you hope he'll do. The future is promised to no-one. After Ralph got ROY, everyone thought he would help the Rocks for years. S**T HAPPENS. ------------------ "Never give a sucker an even break. Nor wisen up a chump."
