A Trip Down Memory Lane (Warning this is a Feel Good Thread)

With all of the angst in the GARM right now I thought a little positivity and some memories of better days might bring some happiness and serve to brighten up all fanatical Rockets fans. So I present to you the 3 of the 25 biggest play-off fails at the hands of our beloved Houston Rockets and 2 of the biggest play-off shots by our beloved Houston Rockets.

I only wish Kareem Abdul Jabbar's performance against Moses Malone in the 1980 play-off match-up would have been included in the greatest fail list. All in all however, the fact the the Rockets are such prominent players in these lists speaks highly of the Rockets history.

The list comes from SI.com. For those that want to see the entire list you can view them here http://www.complex.com/sports/2011/04/the-25-biggest-fails-in-nba-playoff-history/ and here http://www.complex.com/sports/2011/04/the-25-greatest-clutch-shots-in-nba-playoff-history/ although I warn you in advance to stay clear and do not view number 7 on the list of biggest play-off shots as it could ruin your breakfast or lunch or whatever you happen to be eating at the time.


The 25 Biggest Fails in NBA Playoff History

#21. "Olajuwowned"
Goat: David Robinson
Game: 1995 Western Conference Finals
Date: 5/22-6/1/1995

It was the most dominating performance against a top-seeded MVP we'd ever seen. The Spurs, boasting the league's best record, were knocked off by the sixth seeded Rockets in the kind of beating that parents threaten their wayward kids with. Robinson's numbers for the series: 23.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals. Hakeem's? 35.3 points 12.5 rebounds 5.0 assists 4.1 blocks 1.3 steals. If you happen to be near The Admiral while he's reading this, give him a hug.

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#7. "Nick's Nightmare"
Goat: Nick Anderson
Game: Game 1, 1995 NBA Finals
Date: 6/7/1995

Yeah, yeah, they're called free throws for a reason. But as we've learned by now, standing up there all alone can be harder than facing the toughest defense. Still, up three points and only needing to make one of four freebies to ice the game should be a bit easier, right? Right, Nick? ****. Would Orlando have still lost the series had he made them? Probably. Was it an all time choke regardless? No doubt

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#2. "Did This Dude Just Did This?"
Goat: John Starks
Game: Game 7, 1994 NBA Finals
Date: 6/22/1994

John Starks' story is one of persistence. He played for several community colleges before making it to Oklahoma State. He was undrafted and passed around the CBA before becoming the Knicks second leading scorer. He never gave up. Sadly, that meant he didn't know when to stop either, shooting 2-18 in Game 7, including 0-10 in the fourth quarter.
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[The 25 Greatest Clutch Shots in NBA Playoff History

#24. "Rocket Man"
Shooter: Eddie Johnson
Game: Game 4, 1997 Western Conference Finals
Date: 5/25/1997

There's clutch shots and there's clutch shots at redemption. Eddie Johnson managed to make both with just one flick of the wrist. The Rockets failed to steal either of the first two games against the Jazz in Utah, and were in danger of surrendering Game 4 on their own homecourt, which would've put them in a 3-1 hole. Enter Johnson, who missed three of four shots down the stretch for Houston. Apparently the fifth time's the charm. Utah would still win the next two games and finish Houston off in 6, but the shot lives on in Rockets lore.

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#17. "The Kiss of Death"
Shooter: Mario Elie
Game: Game 7, 1995 Western Conference Semifinals
Date: 5/20/1995

The 6th seeded Rockets had already pulled off an upset in the first round by defeating the Jazz in five games, but they topped themselves in this second round matchup with the Suns. Trailing 3-1 in the series, Houston forced a 7th game in Phoenix, where Mario Elie nailed the series-deciding three with just seven seconds remaining. The Rockets became the first team in league history to defeat the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd seeds in their conference en route to their second consecutive chip and Elie still holds the dopest nickname for a game winner.

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#16. "Tip Drill"
Shooter: Ralph Sampson
Game: Game 5, 1986 Western Conference Finals
Date: 5/21/1986

The game was tied, so it wasn't of dire consequence. It wasn't an off-balance three or a driving hook, so it wasn't particularly hard. But when there's only one second on the clock and everyone knows where the ball is going, yet Ralph Sampson completes this alley-oop over Kareem anyway, that's still pretty effing clutch.

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I watched that game at a friends apt in Colorado Springs when I was stationed at Ft Carson. The Rockets were all the buzz at the time. After that game me and my friends were wondering how Boston would be able to match up with a 7'4" inch Power Forward that could lead the break and dominate the paint. Funny.

 

Yep. Turns out that The Chief, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton and Bird were more than a match for a very young Dream, Sampson, Jim Peterson and McCray