1. have Sampson not play until his hip was fixed regardless of how many games or seasons he would miss 2. someone should have told les never to change the logo 3. Pippen. 4. put Wiggins/Lloyd/Lucas in rehab (drug rehab, not tracy mcgrady rehab)
Was this an option at the time or just wishful thinking? If it WAS an option oh man would we have been the team to reckon with during this era.
This was absolutely an option. I thought it was common knowledge with Rocket fans. I've heard more than a few times this story. Wish I had time to dig something up.
The problem with Sampson is that he played too early after injury. If he had proper medical help and time, you could think about the championships because we destroyed the Lakers (the team that ruled the 80s) in 86. Jordan could stay in chicago and do all his stuff as far as I'm concerned. the healthy twin/towers, that would be the best duo ever in Rockets history.
The trade to make was with Portand because they WANTED a big man (see Sam Bowie). With Sampson coming off a ROY campaign we could have gotten their 2nd overall pick plus Clyde Drexler. Hakeem Jordan Drexler on the same team ... wow!!!!
Dream was the unanimous pick. whoever goes #1 gets him. he's talking about trading Sampson to chicago for that draft pick (jordan) Sampson was already in the nba and was kicking ass.
Furthermore, 1. Not make the Barkley trade 2. Take Rashard Lewis in the draft 3. Keep Rudy Gay 4. Trade up to get Bradon Roy to start ...
It's def hindsight. I loved Sampson, the guy was amazing. There was question of not having enough heart, but he was a freaking stud. I remember the lakers series and "the shot" like it was yesterday, but when push came to shove he disappeared in game 6 at Boston. There was alot of heat on him and he folded. Still, loved his game
Shoot, I would have done a T-MAC/Ming trade for Kobe trade. That would have gotten it done and we would have had 20 mil plus off our books. I know a lot of people don't want to trade Yao, but what good is a center like him if he get injured EVERY year.
dude, it's not like we lost to some crappy Utah team like Tmac/Yao did. We lost to Bird/McHale/Parrish/Dennis Johnson That Boston team would have beaten the Tmac/Yao team by 20 points every game. That was year 2 of the Dream era in Houston. YEAR FREAKING TWO. NBA Finals. I know certain fans here can't fathom how awesome that is.
