Talked To Rudy's Wife

Last comment and I'm out of this discussion. I honestly think the Rockets are one of the elite franchises in the NBA. I think that, because the NBA puts so much of an emphasis on championships and greatness, it further cements the Rockets' reputation in NBA history and makes this an attractive place for free agents. However, let's look at things in perspective:

1. Judging talent is a tricky proposition. Injuries, busts, etc. Too many things can go wrong. I'd venture to say that the Rockets have not done the best job in the last 6 years building a team compared to others (I think the Spurs are way higher up there, but of course they have Duncan), but they have certainly not done a bad job.

2. O.K. the playoffs have been a while. But are you going to tell me that the Rockets have had a longer drought than others? You can't honestly say that. Yes, 8 other teams beat us out the last 4 years, but they've mostly been the same teams, which have stayed pretty much the same regarding personnel. I honestly think we're looking at this year or next for the playoffs.

Well, I'm done until October. This has been fun. The Rockets, for the most part, have exceeded their fans' expectations over the past 10 years regarding personnel moves, playoff appearances, etc. But it is time to get back to 1997 or 1994. After 2004-2005, if we're still looking at the no. 9 position, I think Les has to make major moves, a la 1995, 1997, or 1999 (without the results from the latter).

The Rockets will be the #7 seed this year. Copy and paste this statement into a folder, and don't open it until the end of April. And then thank me for calling it right.

Later.

 

Don't go.... you are positive and benevolent.... where have you been all these threads!?....

 

OK, just a last response because I am swamped with projects through September and may not get a chance to respond.

Lived in Houston since 1983. Became a fan in 1985-1986 for obvious reasons. Listened to every game on the radio for years while delivering pizzas for Gattis and putting myself through Sam Houston State. Went to my first Rockets game in 1990 (or 1991), it was Game 3 of the first round between the Rockets and Lakers when I saw James Worthy single-handedly destroy the Rox and sweep them out. Obviously got caught up in the frenzy of 1993 (anyone remember how glad we were to get past the first round?), 1994 (nuff said), 1995 (I remember people running out of SRO with drinks in hand and screaming after both Game 5 Utah and Game 7 Phoenix- actually knocked over my group's table after Elie's shot), and 1997. Moved to SugarLand and ran into numerous Rockets players (boy, Sam Mack was cheap).

Then, moved to Lubbock. But I still visit Houston twice a year.

 

No, it was not implied!!! You said "when he wasn't shagging fly balls in AA."

So no after his first comeback he wasn't shagging "fly balls".

And how can you say the Rockets were in their prime pre Jordan's retirement. THREE first rounds and OUT, and one trip to the second round in the four year prior to the retirement!!!!

 

Wrong!

They missed the playoffs entirely in 1991-1992.

You were the one who was going on about how that club was "very good..."

 

Yes it was implied and I think you did know and picked the numbers. So you think that post 95 was in the Rockets prime? You don't follow basketball much do you?

 

Futhermore backing up what I said.

 

And no b****, it was not implied. So maybe you're talking about his whole career, seeing that he wasn't "shagging fly balls" from 95 and on

 

Seems like someone could use a visit from the courtesy fairy.

 

* - I never said that EG sucked.
** - First of all I would not label the pick of Kenny Thomas as a "Great pick". Maybe I would consider this pick a better than average pick if he would have produced well enough to not warrant a trade or if the trade would have had some redeeming value. But it didn't, so don't go around labeling all of these picks as "great picks" when we get nothing in return.
*** - Michael Dickerson contributed nothing to the Rockets organization other than trade value. This I do not dispute was a decent trade but for you to mention sorry no-brain steve francis in the same breath as Kevin Garnett, Tracy Mcgrady, Jermaine O'Neal, and Jason Kidd is just ignorant. As far as Marion and Rasheed Wallace I would consider Steve on an even plain as them. Also Marbury and Francis are almost from an identical mold. Giving the edge to Marbury due to the fact that he has been in the league longer.
**** - Another pick that I would not tag with greatness. But overall a "good" pick. Too bad we wasted his talents on an old forward with bad knees.
***** - (See above) But definatly not great. Robert Horry is a one dimensional forward that is strictly a role player. I'm not saying that role players are not good or they are not instrumental in success, but they are not "GREAT" in any way, shape or form.


So simply, 8 of the 12 years in which Rudy was drafting have lead to no picks, bad picks, or picks in which we recieved nothing in return. That is giving you the picks of Yao Ming (which was a complete miracle), the draft in which we traded for EG, Sam and Horry. While i'm taking 1998 because two-thirds of our first round smelled really bad.

.75% BAD
.0833% MIRACLE
.1666% DECENT

All in all, not very good in twelve years.

 

Of course. "Very good clubs" miss the playoffs all the time...