I think we all hear what we want to hear. I'm reading different interpretations of what was said/meant... That said, I agree that we have true warriors on our team that I wouldn't mind defending me in a battle.
Everyone is susceptible to first impressions and it sticks even if circumstances change. His last year with the Rockets, maybe a season and a half, he put forth lots of effort (rebounds, blocks, steals in bunches) in game situations. I'm sure there are others that remember if they try hard enough but it is a Rocket tradition to make fun of him. My favorite was the moniker he was given by someone--not sure who. The Halucination. A play on Hakeem "the Dream"...