What's thread made me think about this question: Astros - Nolan Ryan Rockets - Hakeem Olajuwon Oilers - Earl Campbell What is the best? EDIT: Had "what" on the brain when making the poll ...mean "who" ....sorry for the mistake
My vote goes to Hakeem. His stats and Houston heritage is as impressive as anyone else's. He is an HOFer (like the rest), but the two championships he brought this town seal the deal IMO. I'd go with Ryan 2nd and Campbell 3rd (very close between those two though).
Nolan Ryan. Easy. Nolan Ryan's body of work was more outstanding than any of the other three. He never did anything to shame the city. His played in a more traditioned sport. After his playing days he has been true to Houston. He comes to every event he is invited to. It's Nolan then Dream. Earl's career was too short. I cannot get the image of Dream turning down invitations to events where all of the Houston legends are. Nolan, Roger, Campbell, Murph, Toy Cannon, Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton, Pastorini, Moses, Elvin, Biggio, Bags...ALL of those guys go to celebratory events. Dream doesn't. I think he shouild go into the HOF as a Vancouver Grizzly.
There's so much to base it on. Chance obviously thinks that athletic accomplishments don't mean as much as Public Relations...I'm betting that Hakeem turned down an interview with his station once or twice. I'm putting athletic accomplishments while a member of a Houston team above everything else, since that's what the question seems to ask. Nobody can even come close to Hakeem in that regard...
Nolan played on to many team outside of Houston to be considerd IMHO Dream has 2 rings so I have to give him the nod, with Earl a very close second
Dream Earl Nolan I know it's not his fault, but I can't put a guy who's in the Hall of Fame wearing another team's hat above two other Houston legends.
It was hard to pick one, but if I had to, I had to go with the Tyler Rose. That's saying alot since I don't even watch football any more. I'm guessing many of you didn't grow up in the Luv ya Blue era, but when I Was five years old, I wanted to BE Earl Campbell. My father used to get me to eat things I didn't want to (usually red meat back then), or clean up my room, by convincing me Earl Campbell does those things. "Earl always listens to HIS mama." Etc. Dunno if that's very objective, but I don't see how you can compare these three. For me they are my three favorite players in their respective sports. Ask me in a year when this thread comes up again.
i guess this was a pretty stupid poll didn't realize it would be such a squash with all the Horn fans we have here
I'm sorry, I couldn't hear what Chance said. I had two championship rings plugged in my ears. Sincerely, The Dream
So, THAT'S why Hakeem didn't make public appearances. He couldn't hear what anybody was inviting him to!
The Dream, his stats were great and he brought the city it's only 2 major sports titles. Ryan was a close second and would probably be ahead of Dream is the Astros won some titles while he was there.
Come on, it's Dream, hands down. Ryan and Campbell were greats at their position, but Dream was the greatest center ever.
Hakeem is the only one that brought chanpionships to this city. I sure did love watching Earl run though.
Its all about how you frame the question. But Counting all of Nolan Ryans accomplishments, he is our only legend. His legacy will live long past the other two gentleman. He is among the the most memorable of all baseball gods like Ruth and Mays. It will take a long time to erase his name from the record books. That's how dominant he was. I put him at number 1. He was the best. Everybody knows it. They only choose to deny it. Earl Campbell is close to a football legend, but will never outreach the more memorable players like Montana, Brown, Rice. He's more like a second tier legend. His status should hold throughout the ages because it is based on his bruising style more so than his stats. Olajuwon is not an nba legend. He is on the outskirts. Possibly even less known than Drexler is. But certainly among the most skilled nba players ever. The fans typically know best in my opinion. And most fans would pick Nolan Ryan if you were to open it up nationally. Olajuwon and Campbell would be an afterthought.
