How can you hate Thabeet? That's like hating vanilla ice cream or milk toast. You can't hate a naught. One has to actually do something to warrant hatred.
I really hated Pippen, Maxwell, and McGrady by the time they left the team. I guess I'll medically excuse McGrady and his bruised vagina. Pippen was such an ass the way he forced his way off the team. Still, some of his critiques on Barkley were spot on. He was just a terrible fit for the team, and it was probably best for him to be gone. We would have gotten more for him if he hadn't spouted off on TV. Maxwell bailed on team in the playoffs over playing time. That to me is still the most egregious thing any Rocket player has done while I've followed them. You're defending an NBA title, and you quit in the middle of the first round? Yes, it worked out gloriously for the team, and we went on the most magical playoff ride ever. Yes, he helped us win the first title. Still I was so much more pissed off when he quit the team against Utah than I was when Pippen left. Gotta hand it to Maxwell barely over Quitten. And the poll is terrible.
apparently you forgot everything before that. even the clutch city game, you know game 3, phoenix? anyways, not trying to change your mind, but Maxwell was crazy, those other guys weren't. he had more pride than both of those guys. so taking away his starting job, which he was the starter last year for a championship team, and not getting an extension at the beginning of the year, made a gangsta want to leave. It's like when Ice Cube left NWA.
OP couldn't name a Rocket that was on the team before 2009. Within the last decade, Rafer takes it for me. Kelvin Cato, who came over int he Pippen trade, stands out as well. He got 7 blocks in a preseason game and CD immediately signed him to a 7 year contract thinking he was the 2nd coming of Hakeem. Cato went on to suck here for the next 5 seasons before being part of the trade that got us T-Mac from Orlando.
I almost quit being a Rockets fan when I had to witness Antoine Carr chillen on our bench with his creeper shades. Also, Shandon Anderson. He killed us when he was a Jazzhole and when he came here he literally killed us with his terrible play.
When I think about it, Pippen's probably the only ex-Rocket I've ever really hated in my life. There were many players who left on poor terms, and players who I was relieved to see go. Pippens uniqueness is the way in which his arrival and departure combined every necessary ingredient to bring about genuine angst. The championship hopefulness and glee upon his arrival, the disappointing regular season play that was regularly justified as him acclimating to the team, the porous postseason output, and eventual pathetic departure. I cant remember a player I was THAT excited about coming to the Rockets and so disappointed in when he left. The excitement of getting Eddie Griffin for me was huge, but his departure and eventual demise was more saddening to me than it was maddening. Although many on this board hate T-Mac, I have no reason to do so, especially given the amazing moments he gave this team. Pippen provided no such moments or effort. He claimed to want to end his career here, and proceeded to quit in epic fashion. Many on this board remember those moments, and despite only being on the team for one season, I cant think of a more deserving player.
Jesus, it was a simple question with my choices...I have been a fan since I was a kid, I still have my 2 Olajuwon Jerseys from when I was 6 years old. I really don't need your approval of me as a Rockets fan.
We've gone around on this before, and we will never change each other's opinion on this. I remember everything the guy did, and that's probably why it felt like such an utter betrayal when he walked in the middle of that series against the Jazz.
He had the most to be ticked off about than Pippen or McGrady. Money Pippen/McGrady - no, they weren't mad about this cause they were the top paid Rockets Maxwell - yes, he was pissed the whole year the Rockets didn't give him an extension Playing time Pippen/McGrady - no. Even though McGrady wanted more minutes after his return from surgery, the relationship between him and the organization had gone sour way before his 'return'. Also, the Rockets were justified to see after he got his minutes in New York, he was back to DNPing with ice packs on his knees. Maxwell lost his starting spot on the team. He has pride. Deliberate or emotional Pippen/McGrady were not known as hot heads, they were calculating in what they did. McGrady with shutting it down at the trade deadline, Pippen with his trade demands. Maxwell didn't calculate, hey let's wait til the Utah series. Also, we've gone through this before, Maxwell is the ONLY ONE of the three to show remorse for what he did. And you can look back at the thousands of post we did on this. Pippen and McGrady..no regrets
BMiller was the worst since Ariza and before that Pippen. Miller was talking trash to the Rockets bench in one of the Minnie games. Sad, so sad. The guy probably kept us out of the playoffs with his losses last year. I'm glad he has been worthless his whole NBA tenure, glad to know that will not change.
The board literally BLEW up when Clutch posted a headline on the homepage that Pippen was coming. We didn't even have nearly the amount of posters as there are today but it was mass hysteria when we signed Pip. I think the excitement for Pippen was greater than Barkley and even Drexler. Mostly because we had to give up good players in exchange for when we got Barkley and Drexler but we were expecting major things from Pippen. I remember him having 1 great game against in the Playoffs against the Lakers and I think we all expected him to play like that every game he was here. I think the combination of the excitement when he came here to the insurmountable expectations combined with the lack of production mixed with the finger pointing and blaming of his teammates is what really did him in and pissed off a lot of Rockets fans.
