I talked with OT several times during his Rocket tenure. He was one of the nicest guys I ever met. Always had time to visit and talk with fans. His hands were huge. He was completely different off the court than he was on the court. Next to Hakeem he was my favorite Rocket of the era.
OT was a tough SOB and one of my all time favorite Rockets. I don't think there are any players like him playing today.
Besides maybe Karla Malone, no PF could fill the lane on the fast break like OT. I'll never forget being at his first game back after the Drexler trade. He came off the bench to check in and the place went bananas. A good 2-minute standing ovation. He grabbed the ball to throw it in bounds and the ref grabbed it back and started wiping it off with a towel just so the fans could cheer for him a little longer. Classy move by that ref. After the game, someone asked him about it and he said it was something he would never forget. That's the thing about Houston. If you're good on the court/field and a nice guy off the court/field.....we'll pretty much love you forever.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v8xdNx42DoQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
He was a lot of fun to watch. I've never seen anyone better at rebounding and outlet passing in one motion using one hand. The guys hands were massive--it was kind of crazy actually. I agree with him being the most underrated Rocket of the 1st championship. The West was full of really good power forwards back then. Malone, Barkley, Kemp. OT stood up to all of them, filled the lane, and allowed Dream to be the roaming shot blocking intimidator. By today's standards he had a good post game too. We didn't see it then because he was playing next to one of the greatest post players of all times and the league was full of good post play back then (I miss that) but he was solid there too. Not a hall of famer, but a fun player to watch and someone the Rockets would be lucky to have now (at center).
We should have never traded Thorpe for Drexler. If we hadn't acquired Drexler, he probably wouldn't be our announcer. If we had only known then, what we know now.
He is exactly what this teams needs down in the post. Tough rebounder, defender, can pass, scores well. Very strong.
