I think Likemike33 meant to say, 93-94. By the way, that's a funny iconomotion! The look on the "yellow" icon's face is hilarious!
96-97 Rockets. 57 wins. Barkley, Hakeem, Drexler, Willis, and Eddie Johnson. We all know that if Karl Malone didn't bear hug Drexler, this team would have won Game 7 and beaten Michael and the Bulls.
Both the 93-94 team and the 94-95 team are a answers to different questions. Do you mean: which was the superior basketball team? Unquestionably, the 93-94 team. They were more well-rounded, had better depth, and performed better in the season. And no, Hakeem wasn't actually hurt for that long in the regular season. But if you're asking: which team made the more memorable run? Certainly the 94-95 team. That playoff run is still my favorite ever, in any sport. There was something unquestionably magical about it. Hakeem was the best player in the world, easily. Drexler always played well whenever we needed him too. Horry exploded at times. Cassell was a huge spark. Last second shots went in when they had to.
94-95. Only injuries tainted the regular season. Hakeem and Clyde best 1-2 punch since Magic and Kareem (sorry, Scottie was too erratic in scoring sometimes, Clyde was much better all-around).
'96-'97 The first year of the big three. They didn't get to the finals, let alone win, but that was mostly due to an ill fated bear hug by one Kung-fu Karla Malone or the Nature Boy as I like to call him.
There's no doubt in my mind that that's the best Rockets team ever. Wasn't Robert Reid playing the point? You have to wonder how they would have been if Lucas had been the PG in the playoffs. OMG! That would have been fun to watch.
1992 - 1993- the best. They started strong and finished strong. The Spurs getting a break at in the last game of the season -Robinswon's shot taken after the buzzer caused us to lose home court. We lost to Seattle in overtime after handling them at home well all season. We were ready to go all the way.. Between one bad call in that game and Karl Malone's bear hug on Drex in '97 - that is how close we were to winning 4 championships in a row...
Gotta disagree with you on "the best." I remember this loss and it hurt. We had tough times with Seattle during the early and mid nineties. Matter of fact we did not have to face them in either of our championship runs. I was more scared of Seattle than the Bulls. Also, I think your math is off, we won in 93-94, 94-95, were swept in the semis by Seattle in 95-96 (not close), came close in 96-97 as you noted.. Maybe you meant 4 years out of 5? That 1992-1993 team was good, but I believe the 1993-1994 team was better. So was the 1994-1995 team. And of course, the team that we are all sick over that it never got to mature and reach its potential, the 1985-1986 team, which was also better, in my opinion. Here is how I would rank them: 1. 1994-1995 - No one was going to stop this team of destiny and the most amazing playoff run in NBA history. Record was not better than the 1993-1994 team, but that Valentine's day trade for Drexler took time to gel and Mad Max had to quit. 2. 1993-1994 - An awesome Hakeen and great supporting cast. 3. 1985-1986 - if only.... well this would have been our best ever if given another year or two if no injury to Sampson and a Nancy Reagan, just say "No" pep talk. 4. 1996-1997 - three Top 50 players, but Drexler was fading and Olajuwon was not the same as in 1995. Swept Minnesota in the first round, beat Seattle 4-3 (Chuck gave us an advantage against Seattle that we did not have in the past), and lost to the Jazz 4-2. 5. 1992-1993 - Here is where I would put yours. Again in my opinion. No Super Mario, no Sam I Am. Beat the Clippers (41-41) 3 games to 2 in the first round!! The Clippers! Lost to Seattle 4-3 in the semis.
I remember one game of the 86 series where Akeem stole the ball three times in a row and just dribbled it up court and stuffed it. it's too bad Akeem (86) and Hakeem (95) couldn't have played together!
Coin Toss I stand corrected on my math. You are right we were not even close in '95- '96. I remember lividly Mr. Robert Horry walking up the court in the Seattle series. I thought the Nov '92 to May '93 teaqm was the best because they were efficient at winning. I may be wriong about them being the best - this is only my humble opinion. That year more than nay other I recall - in the regular season we owned Seattle on our home court. I felt Seattle was our nemesis in the best Rocket years. I will also feel special about '94- '95 because they beat 3 sixty win teams - Neither the Lakers nor Chicago had that stiff of competition. "92 - '93 was special for me because I really thought we could go all the way that year. The team began to get respect then.... That is what makes the posters here so cool - reminding me about some of the best things I had forgotten.
Best Rocket's Team? Team HAKEEM 'THE DREAM' OLAJUWON. Virtually a one man team. He won with scrubs. The Glyde was at the end of his career so technically an above average scrub. Same goes for Sir Charles.
Nemisis. Great word, that is what they were. We lost to them in 1992-1993 and again in 1995-1996, which bracketed our championship years. I remember celebrating when a young Denver team anchored by Mutumbo lost the first two games but came back to win three straight, including a Game 5 overtime contest in Seattle to knock Seattle out in the first round in 1993-1994. They became the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 8 seed and, boy, didn't they do it in style after being up 2-0! What a great day that was!
