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What is the most talented Rockets team in History (on paper)

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Sweet Lou 4 2, Aug 25, 2008.

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Which of the following teams had the greatest overall talent?

  1. 1980-1981 Calvin Murphy, Rudy T, Moses, Robert Reid, Dunleavy, Allen Leavell

    4 vote(s)
    0.9%

  2. 1985-1986 Hakeem, Ralph, Lewis Lloyd, John Lucus, Robert Reid,McCray, Leavell, Wiggins, Jim Petersen

    93 vote(s)
    20.1%

  3. 1993-1994 Hakeem,Thorpe, Maxwell, Kenny Smith, Robert Horry, Mario Elie, Cassell, Carl Herrera

    28 vote(s)
    6.0%

  4. 1994-1995 Hakeem, Kenny Smith, Drexler, Robert Horry, Elie,Cassell, Carl Herrera

    53 vote(s)
    11.4%

  5. 1996-1997 Hakeem, Barkley,Drexler, Elie, Willis, Maloney, Bullard, Eddie Johnson, Harrinton, Price

    113 vote(s)
    24.4%

  6. 2008-2009 Yao, T-mac, Alston, Artest, Scola, Francis, Battier, Brooks, Landry, Hayes, Mutombo, Barry

    172 vote(s)
    37.1%
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  1. Sweet Lou 4 2

    Sweet Lou 4 2 Member

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    Thought this would be an interesting debate.....

    I think it's a tough call. I am really not sure to be honest. Case could be made for the 1986 team, or the 1997 team with the big three. But this years team is definitely in the mix - while T-mac, Yao, and Artest may not be all-time 50 greatest, if you look at their supporting cast, it's pretty incredible.
     
    #1 Sweet Lou 4 2, Aug 25, 2008
  2. dntrwl

    dntrwl Member

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    if clyde would've stayed one more year, then it would've been the greatest lineup on paper, of all time, almost.
     
    #2 dntrwl, Aug 25, 2008
  3. The_Yoyo

    The_Yoyo Member

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    According to Les its whoever is on the current team.


    though this team could arguably be the most talented on paper but I would reserve any sort of judgment until the season is over.
     
    #3 The_Yoyo, Aug 25, 2008
  4. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    85-86......I forgot about that one....

    DD
     
    #4 DaDakota, Aug 25, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2008
  5. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

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    It was the team with eddie griffin.
     
    #5 Air Langhi, Aug 25, 2008
  6. theREALDEALkid

    theREALDEALkid Member

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    On paper our team this year is amazing, if this all works out we could be a very fun team to watch...i cant wait until our first game...i hope we'll still get mms links to watch the games cuz i dont have league pass at school
     
    #6 theREALDEALkid, Aug 25, 2008
  7. Aznoob

    Aznoob Member

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    On paper?

    1997, hands down, although this year's is pretty sahweet too! :)

    Hakeem, Barkley, Drexler > Yao, TMac, Artest

    Anyone who doesn't think that is not a true Rockets fan.

    Hell, even Hakeem > Yao and half of TMac.

    Again, the OP asked ON PAPER.
     
    #7 Aznoob, Aug 25, 2008
  8. declan32001

    declan32001 Member

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    '97? tinman, get in here and shred these guys.

    DaDakota I share you're enthusiasm but jeez... you know better.
     
    #8 declan32001, Aug 25, 2008
  9. Hayesfan

    Hayesfan Member

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    Not that I am a Rockets historian, but I can still put forth an opinion based on what I have seen of those other teams on the classic games. I think from the top down as far as level of talent, this year has the most talent spread out among the "rest" after the best.

    The years with Hakeem and "insert one or two other fantastic players here" it seemed like there was a bigger spread between the top two or three and the end of the bench. Obviously Hakeem was dominant and Barkley, Clyde and Sampson were as well, but then as you move past the starting five on those teams and the talent level drops.

    For this team it's a slow progression down in talent. Of course we have three players that are head and shoulders above the rest, but then the talent level sort of plateaus.

    That's just an opinion based on trying to catch up with the history of the Rockets. :)

    Good question though Sweet Lou. I will be curious to see what a lot of the old timers say on this one.
     
    #9 Hayesfan, Aug 25, 2008
  10. tinman

    tinman 999999999
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    Dream says 85-86 Team, so that's what I say.

    http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2006_4062974

     
    #10 tinman, Aug 25, 2008
  11. declan32001

    declan32001 Member

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    I say you get a reprieve for honesty. :D That '86 team along with the Lakers and Celtics played the most incredible ball I've seen before or since. MJ be damned.
     
    #11 declan32001, Aug 25, 2008
  12. tinman

    tinman 999999999
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    2008-2009 Yao, T-mac, Alston, Artest, Scola, Francis, Battier, Brooks, Landry, Hayes, Mutombo, Barry

    We don't even know if this is the final team
     
    #12 tinman, Aug 25, 2008
  13. baller4life315

    baller4life315 Member

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    96-97

    Sure, our best players were all 30+ but Hakeem/Drexler/Barkley....are you kidding me? Not only that but add in Willis/Elie/Johnson.

    It's close between the 96-97 team and our current squad but I look at it this way: if you had to choose one "win now" squad to roll into next season with which would you choose? In that instance given the overall talent and experience factors you have to choose the 96-97 squad.
     
    #13 baller4life315, Aug 25, 2008
  14. emjohn

    emjohn Member

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    I agree with the Dream/Barkley/Drexler 97 team. They would have had it if it weren't for collective overconfidence after sweeping the Timberpuppies. Stumbled taking care of the Sonics, and weren't playing as hard as they could have against Utah.

    That was a really deep, well balanced team. Willis was the perfect F/C off the bench. Maloney, Bull, and EJ were money from distance. Sam Mack may have only been good for a couple years, but he was nice instant offense. Elie and Drexler provided good defense with Dream backing them up with his blocking.

    I would take that squad over our current one any day. They're forgotten since they fell short, but that was the last great team assembled in Houston.

    The ironic part about Barkley griping about Dream/Drexler being complacent in the playoffs since they already had rings is that to this day I'm still convinced that Barkley's history of taking wins for granted is what killed us in the end. We had Clutch City twice against Phoenix since he celebrated before finishing the job, and I fully believe that's what happened when we were up in the series against Seattle and struggled to finish things off.

    Evan
     
    #14 emjohn, Aug 25, 2008
  15. Hayesfan

    Hayesfan Member

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    Thank you :)

    I have only seen I think two of the games from that year. The last second shot by Sampson and Finals game where Sampson got into it with the Celtics player.. umm I can't remember who it was.

    They were both on Hardwood classics for me to watch :)
     
    #15 Hayesfan, Aug 25, 2008
  16. thacabbage

    thacabbage Contributing Member

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    Pretty careless of the OP to leave out the 02/03 Rockets featuring Yao Ming and Cato at center; Eddie Griffin, Mo Taylor, and Kenny Thomas at power forward; Bostjan Nachbar at small forward, and Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Moochie Norris in the backcourt. Not only was that the most talented Rockets team in history but it was also one of the greatest teams ever assembled.
     
    #16 thacabbage, Aug 25, 2008
  17. pgabriel

    pgabriel Educated Negro

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    i'd have to say 86 before lucas was suspended. you have ralph and hakeem playing all star ball. two all star centers on one team beats any other combo in my book.
     
    #17 pgabriel, Aug 25, 2008
  18. Sweet Lou 4 2

    Sweet Lou 4 2 Member

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    It's the team now as it stands though....but you are right.

    I picked the 86 team. But these guys would have been my second choice.

    The 97' team lacked a point guard in a bad way.
     
    #18 Sweet Lou 4 2, Aug 25, 2008
  19. Sweet Lou 4 2

    Sweet Lou 4 2 Member

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    I assume you're being sarcastic.
     
    #19 Sweet Lou 4 2, Aug 25, 2008
  20. baller4life315

    baller4life315 Member

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    Can you believe he forgot to mention Glen Rice? :)
     
    #20 baller4life315, Aug 25, 2008
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