That's ok kido. For many of us here, that '86 run is what made us, well, to use your language, RFF - Rockets fans forever. Know it's hard to understand....but you will.
We don't have that kind of talent on this team, unfortunately. Sometimes we forget how good they all were ... dang!
Not even close! That team was the definition of a balanced roster. In today's league, that's the exception rather than the rule. That Rockets squad -- along with those legendary Lakers and Celtics teams -- was one of the best-assembled rosters in league history...and I am not saying that lightly. That team would absolutely demolish any NBA team today, it wouldn't even be fair. Michael's Bulls? The Shaq-Kobe Lakers? The current Spurs team? Those Rockets would've beaten them with relative ease IMO.
That's all folks have to hold on to around here. The present sucks. The future looks no better. It's been 12 long years since Rudy T proudly declared "Never Underestimate The Heart of A Champion". The past is the only thing long time Rockets fans have left.
Craig Ehlo couldn't get off the bench on that team. The depth of that team is in part due to the lack of a salary cap back then. The upper echelons team were loaded back then. Think about how good the Denver Nuggets, or Milwaukee Bucks from the 80's would do in today's NBA. They could flat out shoot the ball. I'm glad to think back on those Rockets, but I don't think the future is bleak at all. A healthy Yao and McGrady and a few tweaks can win it all. I still believe that.
Yeah, think about that. The Rockets were supposed to be the 3rd team back then. The Lakers and the Celtics were dominating the 80s. 3 teams that could have been among the top 10 teams in NBA history, playing each other.
Nice article! This article almost brought a tear to my eyes! Alot of bittersweet memories! It seemed like it was just destiny, & a bad one at that for that 1986 Rockets crew!
I do not really understand your attitude. What do you care if some of us old school- long time fans enjoy some good basketball from a team that should not be forgotten? They did not win a championship. They were really special. This is the off-season for me. Time to reflect where we have been- and where we are going. - Perspective...... I still remember what I was doing and where during the LA and Boston series-just like I remember where I was when Mario Elie hit the "kiss of death" shot. This is all just for fun. I look forward to next year and many more to come-we can and will improve. go Rockets!!! Enjoy the special teams that have played here and entertained us.
CBFC, you are one lucky dude to have that ball. Excepting the championship teams, that was the best Rockets team in the history of the franchise, and before Lucas was booted, better than the championship teams, in my opinion. (heck, even after) Depth we can only dream about today. Didn't we have a thread about this when it came out? I've never forgiven Fran for saying the Rockets would never get past LA, and written before the playoffs even started, if they got that far, which he doubted. Funny how he never mentions that when he gets to jonesin' for that team. Still and all, I have to give it up to Fran for that column. I think it's probably the best explanation of what happened to Ralph. It's how I remember it.
LOL just get Francis back and get a really good "Big" from Europe of Asia and stick em next to Yao. Then we'll be there again.
that 1986 had fire! dream, ralph throwing punches at the Lakers and Celtics! plus the CBS intro owns all!
In today's game, both teams would be suspended. Kupchack 'Horry-ed' Dream! <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TMonqfh69J4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TMonqfh69J4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
The days when Olajuwon was full of emotion and anger! Before he rededicated himself to his faith. When he got techs on a regular basis. I love it.
Back in the day when men ruled the paint, not ballerinas... lol. Check out Maurice Lucas... you don't want to mess with that dude. For anyone interested in why the league was so different back then, this article is a good indicator : http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003552391_enforcers02.html
Absolutely. I agree completely. It's why I had such a hard time with the whole "best team ever" run the Bulls used to get..particularly when they won the 72 games that year. I remember a Sporting News article in 1986 about how the Celtics just held off the Rockets impending dynasty for a year. All the talk about the Magic in 1995 reminded me of that. They were given that same kind of run...and it never panned out for them, either. The 86 Rocks were what made me a huge Rocks fan. I would have been anyway being from Houston...but that sealed it. The 86 'stros did the same. A good but heartbreaking year in Houston sports.