Definitely the Good 'Ol Days. Those days where when playoff times come, someone always bring out their best and have memorable nights. Maxwell with that game and game 7 vs the Knicks, Kenny's game 1 vs Orlando with all those 3s, Cassell with Game 7 vs Phoenix in '94 as a rookie, game 2 against Orlando (31 pts i believe in that game), and of course, the 3 pointer against the Knicks. Horry with that big shot against the Spurs in game 2, game 3 vs Orlando (7 steals and 25 pts or something along that line), Elie's Kiss of Death, and his game 4 vs Orlando. Drexler's fight with fever when down 3-1 against the Suns in '95, etc etc. That's what a team really is. People stepping up, and it's not the same people. Everyone centers on the superstar and people step up and take it home. The game was so big internationally too. During '94, I was in Hong Kong and Malaysia during the finals series and I was hearing nonstop about the games. Cassell's big shot against the Knicks and the game's recap had a 3-full page long story at the front of Malaysia's newspaper's sports section.
I completely agree- say what you will about Hakeem, and Cassell, and Drexler, and Big Shot Rob, and the Kiss of Death- but the single greatest game, what turned us around, was Maxwell. We were down by 12 at halftime, if I remember correctly. I left Savages (I think that's what it was called, it was a sports bar near Bissonnett) because I told my friend I couldn't bear to watch. We wanted to go to a small pub that would most likely not have a TV- so we went to a place called Kenneally's, an Irish pub. And wouldn't you know, someone brought in a 13" and had it on the bar. I was pissed at the time, and after 3 shots of Wild Turkey, I said what the heck, why not watch the Rockets go down in flames. And then Maxwell happened. A 3. And a 3. And another 3. A drive across the lane and a quick scoop/baby hook in the middle over two defenders. Nobody could stop him. Nobody in Phoenix could figure out what the heck was going on. And before they knew it, we won. That game changed the course of the Rockets history more than any other. If we would have lost game 3, I am 100% confident the Suns would have won that series. Even the 3-1 deficit in 1995 had some precedence, but down 3-0? This was way before the Red Sox proved it could be done. So that game was perhaps the most important in Rockets history, and Maxwell was the reason, so you'd have to say his was the best single-game performance.
Not much to add here. Yesterday I watched a tape of a game I'm pretty sure I never saw before. It was the second regular season game against the Lakers in Dream's rookie year. Dream had two fouls in 6 minutes into the first quarter and didn't play again until the second half started. He dominated the 3rd quarter and it amazed me that he was so advanced with his moves (Dreamshake over a year away). Anyway he and Ralph made some unbelievable plays, Kareem had a monster game and Lionel Hollins basically won that game in the 4th quarter. Lloyd and Wiggins were not in '86 form, Rodney went his seemingly usual 8-8 from the field and the whole experience was just eerie for me. But the one thing I took from that game was that the Forum crowd were in frikkin' awe about the talent on our team. The oohs and ahhs and the worry was palatable, but along with that there was great appreciation for the athletic beauty of that '85 team.
11 rings in 13 years as a player and a coach. One of the two reasons (Wilt being the other) that they keep the "Blocked Shots" stat now. 15 points, 22 rebounds , and 4 assists per game over his career. There are only one or two guys that even come close to matching up with Russell as far as impact on the game. Jordan is one and IMO, Mikan is the other.
Please do mention the All of Famers on his team. He was a terrific and big piece of the puzzle but the sole reason for 11 rings? I think not. Put Wilt, Hakeem, or Kareem on the team he was with and they would have just as many rings as Bill. Definately not the All time greatest center much less greatest player.
This is from a post from another basketball forum regarding Russell's Fall of Fame teammates: As you can see, Russell only played with 2 true Hall of Famers, Cousy and Havlicek, and they only played one season together, the rest of those guys were great players too, but they're in the Hall of Fame mostly because they won so much.
Dream would have dreamshaked all of them out of their shoes. the big xfactor that dream had over Wilt, Kareem, and Russell was his quickness. none of these guys were as quick as dream. that's why the dreamshake was so unstoppable.
it was really unbelievable how that game went, from what I remember it wasn't even close at the end. he really imposed his will like you describe. it was like phoenix was walking along the beach to the next series and got hit by hurricaine katrina. they never recovered.
this will answer your Dream vs Kareem and other questions. note all the SWEET MAXWELL TO DREAM HIGHLIGHTS <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uBrEsNS9zKg"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uBrEsNS9zKg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Actually, Kareem had a higher peak as well. In '72 Kareem was putting up 34 and 16, neither of which were matched in any season by Dream. Kareem was a better passer too. Dream was a better/more versatile defender, but I would take Kareem if given the choice of either of them, even if he were forced to retire 2 seasons early (yep he only played 2 seasons longer than Olajuwon, so the "All his accomplishments are based on playing so long" argument is bunk.) There is a reson that Kareem won 6 titles and 6 MVP awards and won the NCAA championship every season he was eligible to play (losing only 2 games in the three seasons he played for UCLA). The best center and player of all time was Wilt, and the second best center was Kareem. Hakeem is in the argument for #3 with Shaq, Moses, and Bill Russell.
I like it too, but it doesn't do it for me. I want footage of Dream sending him out in the pro's. I know its happened, i've seen pics but no video. Anybody got anything? I know its basically impossible to find footage of Jordan getting blocked, the NBA can't have that being seen. I get the feeling we'll also being seeing edited versions of LeBron's travelin' buzzer beater against the Cav's from now on.
