He didn't carry the team, but he was a very major part of it. That team that year was probably the most talented Rockets team ever assembled top-to-bottom. That's why he saw the post-season success that year. Jordan was something special from the moment he stepped on the court. They both were considered to be on the verge of being great players. The Chronicle (and maybe the Post, too?) ran a headline calling the team's performance "Choke City" after they choked away big leads against the Suns in the playoffs that year. The Rockets came back and won the series after Barkley guaranteed there was no way the Rockets would win the series. Once the Rockets won the series, they were dubbed "Clutch City" in response. If anybody wants the video on DVD, it's only like $6-$7 including shipping and handling : http://www.amazon.com/Hakeem-Olajuw...ef=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1266013050&sr=8-3
I had no idea he practiced with Moses and was getting clowned at first, that come back dunk, wow, must of been a sight to see. That cab story is just classic, who knows what the next tide will bring....
Hearing about it is one thing... Seeing it live and in color was something totally different... Malone was like a Marine Instructor... It was un-freakin real
He used to get dunked on at U of H by the other members of Phi Slama Jama from what I recall reading. Then he adapted and it got to the point nobody wanted to go in on him because he was so explosive. I remember reading Michael Young say they had 3-on-1 breaks on him and he'd still stuff the shot.
Nice to know you want to learn about the History of the Rockets. The documental was made before the 2nd championship, so thats why they didnt include that.
