Playoffs: 1998-99 Houston Rockets Lost NBA Western Conference First Round (3-1) versus Los Angeles Lakers - Scottie Pippen traded to Portland for Kelvin Cato, Stacey Augmon, Walt Williams, Ed Gray, Brian Shaw and Carlos Rogers. 2003-04 Houston Rockets Lost NBA Western Conference First Round (4-1) versus Los Angeles Lakers -Steve Francis/Cuttino Mobley traded to Orlando for Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard 2008-09 Houston Rockets Lost NBA Western Conference Semifinals (4-3) versus Los Angeles Lakers -???
Interesting point although it's rather obvious that those first two series weren't even close and up until this year the "curse of beating Houston" existed. Losing badly to a team that wasn't a championship level team is a whole different can of beans than taking the eventual champion to seven games without your two best players. Still an interesting tidbit, though.
It's a perfect storm. Team tasting success in the playoffs. Major needs due to retirement of key player (Mutumbo) Major contract due to expire (you know who) Teams looking to cut cost for economic reasons Teams looking to cut cost for 2010 free agents
Right. Just saying those Rockets teams weren't good enough to hang with the Lakers let alone nearly beat them. Losing 3-1 and 4-1 is more likely to trigger change than losing 4-3 (minus Yao/T-Mac) to the eventual champions. Just throwing that out there. I do see your point, though.
This year's lost showed that we really need healthy players and at least a backup to Yao who can play the low post. The Lakers exposed that our team was lacking height and depth at certain positions.
after the 90 loss we traded for Kenny Smith who solidified himself as the most consistent starter at PG and best 3 point shooter in rockets history. after 91, they canned Don Chaney and promoted Rudy T to head coach. you know the rest of that story.
I can see a major trade happening this offseason for sure. Everyone knows the Rockets are right there, they might even be in the best position in the west to make a run for a championship next year. Lakers will not be the same, they will most likely loose key players (Odom or Ariza) Phil might retire? No other west team is as well equipped as the Rockets are.. Chilcutt
I always wondered why we traded Pippen, he played stellar for us...lol,, damn between 1998 and 2003 was hard to watch the rockets
I wasn't aware that changing coaches counted as a "big trade". Besides, Chaney was the coach for the majority of the season following the loss to the Lakers in '91. He coached 52 games and Rudy coached 30. Using that to try to back up your theory is a big stretch.
True about Rudy T, but I wasn't going that far back in history. Well, my theory rests in the hands of Morey now! Come on Morey!
do you remember their advertising promotions in the offseason following 91? RUDYBALL!!! Rudy had been an interim coach for us after chaney got fired...but I remember me and friends joking about RUDYBALL!! Like, "What does that even mean??? Rudyball???" He showed us a few years later what that meant!
History also show every time we only win around 28-29 games we get to pick no 1 in the Draft. 2001-2002 Record: 28-54 no 1 pick 1983-1984 Record: 29-53 no 1 pick Not saying we should do this anytime soon but the next time we need to snatch a "can't miss" prospect maybe we can call it a season after 28 wins?
I'm thinking back to Kenny Smith We got him for Tim McCormick and John Lucas. Steve Patterson, what a GM!
