Maybe it is just me but Murphy's off the court issues really don't make me want to view him as a top 3 all time Rocket. On the court he wasn't too 3, but has been involved with the organization forever... Still cannot see how Rudy T isn't above Murphy. Moses Malone played like 6 years as a Rocket, that is long enough. Couple that with his mentoring of Dream is good enough to put him #2 as a player and #3 overall. I have personal favorites like Robert Reid, Alan Level and Otis Thorpe that personally are "Rockets". Yao isn't in the top 3 but people are already forgetting how dominant he was when he played. Defensively he was vastly underrated and offensively he was the most skilled since the early 90's. He will be a Hall of Famer and never complained or asked to be traded. He is an exceptional man.
I voted for Moses Malone, since he had two MVP seasons with the Rockets. The Big E's best seasons statistically came when he was a Houston/San Diego Rocket. He was the scoring champ when he was rookie.
When he or Howard take us to the promised land again, no doubt! Did you leave Moses off on purpose? He carried us to the finals AND he taught Hakeem how to play the game. http://youtu.be/SAsKKy93Wr4?t=7m35s <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SAsKKy93Wr4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The other tower was the better of the twins in the early years... Till his injuries and not taking the time needed to heal stole his career.
Akeem destroyed the Lakers in four games in a row in 1986, his 2nd season. He passed Sampson in his second season. I don't think there's much argument on this.
Moses! My favorite player growing up who basically singlehandedly (with ZERO frontcourt help and an greatly aging Murph) carried the 1980-81 Rockets to the finals and to two wins against the stacked Celtics who not only had their HOF trio frontcourt but a prime Cedric Maxwell as well (can you say quadruple team?). Of course I am a fan of Murph and Rudy too.
two time league MVP with the Rockets, Moses by a landslide....he even beats The Dream in that category best offensive rebounder of all time
I definitely believe Moochie Norris is the 2nd greatest player in Rockets history. He definitely changed the game.
I didn't forget him, I personally think there are 5 guys in front of him. MVP or not. I put him at 6. I'm looking at what these guys sacrificed, on/off court achievements, and what they have brought to the team since they retired from playing. All 4 of them left a mark, Rudy T and Yao suffered physically and are both probably still in pain. You get your face or foot shattered and come back to play you get to be a life long legend. Moses was a legend, but also a journeyman. Was he a lifelong, loyal Rocket? He played for the Spurs during Robinson's MVP season so that needs to be taken into serious consideration. That was Hakeem's trophy!!
