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

If the 97 three were in their best years (Dream of 95, Sir of 92, clyder of 91), then they would be the best three ever. But no, they were all 30+ at their career ends. 97 team was not a great team at all. 86 team would be a better team but the twin towers were less experienced. 08-09 team will be the best on paper.

 

Hakeem was All-NBA First Team
Charles was in a league-leading rebounding race with Rodman
Clyde had a 43 point game... the following year

 

Definitely going with the 86 team. They were big, they were fast, and they had a lot of horses. Their fast break was ridiculous. They beat down the Showtime Lakers and lost to a Celtics team in the Finals that many consider the best team ever.

I'd have to give the 95 team the second spot. They beat some great teams with Hall of Fame players, all without the homecourt. Considering the level of competition, that's still the best playoff run I've ever seen. They beat Stockton and Malone, they beat Barkley and KJ, they beat Robinson Elliott and Rodman, and they beat Shaq's invincible team of the future. That Rocks team had so much confidence, so much fun to watch.

 

no mention of the Bobby Sura, Scot Padgett, Andre Barrett, Rod Strickland era?!

 

the problem with that is you assume yao or tmac will be eventual champions one day. The 86 team may have been young, but olajuwon was already a force.

 

Now see, that's what I'm saying. If they 86 team played this team, 86 would win big. The 1st mismatch is Ralph, Dream, and Peterson vs whoever. Really, ralph would drop 30 a game on Scola,Landry, Hayes, Dorsey and whomever else u wanted to play at 4. Dream is erasing everything at the rack. Lucas is dragging rafer through the mud.

 

Shred these guys? Please

Top to bottom that was the most talented Rockets team ever on paper. Not the most successful, but the most talented/powerful. If it were not for injuries to our big 3 at different times in the year, they were easily a 65+ win team. People forget we started out that year 33-3 or something.

Seattle was not a easy task to get by, that series was destined for 7 games. Not only were they one of the best teams in the 90's, they took the 72-10 Bulls the year before to a strong 6 game series in the NBA finals.

Against Utah, had we played any lick of defense against Stockton those last 5 mins of the game, the outcome surely would have been different. Blowing a 10 point lead with Stockton taking it all away ranks up there with LeBron torching the pistons. And by that I mean, WHY THE HELL DIDNT WE GUARD HIM.

3 bonnafied HOF players who were still above the league talent wise, only marred by injuries, with solid role players in Willis (beast rebounder in the 90's), Johnson, Elie, and Maloney.

The best team? Probably not, but most talented team, yes. Barkley, Drexler, Hakeem on one team > Anything else (on paper)

 

Let's not forget Rodney McCray, and the sweet Lando Calrisian shooting of Robert Reid.

 

What about when Bobby Joe Reid played pg?

 

This years team has depth going for it.

Much like Team USA had depth at the Beijing games. It's not only the Big 2 or 3 but this years squad has the extra horses, (on paper) that must be taken into account.

Sure, Dream is better than Yao, no question. Dresler is better than TMac and Barkley is better than Scola. But the rest of the team in this year's squad makes the difference.

Now, if there are no health issues (Yao, Tmac and Artest play 90% of the games), then this team will have home court thoughout the playoffs. The trick is health.

Will they win the championship? Who knows? Did anyone truly believe that at the beginning of last season that the Big 3 in Boston was the bomb and will win the title?

 

We also got d.j. strawberry
Hes a great defender in the PG postion!

 

Why no love for the John Barry and Bobby Sura year? I think that should be on the list.

 

Hakeem > Yao, Tmac and Artest

 

I just watch some video hightlights of Hakeem and Ralph on YouTube --the good old days. Man, watching them makes me realize the combination of Hakeem--then Akeem and Ralph really was amazing.

If I had to choose a big three for the Rockets from present and past, I'd have to say I'd love to have Hakeem, Ralph and Clyde.

I really miss Ralph Sampson. I have nothing against Yao Ming. It was just so much fun watching Hakeem and Ralph play together to destroy the other team. Usually it would begin with block from Hakeem, then a steal, a fastbreak, then a dunk by Ralph.

Who is the next Ralph Sampson?

The Twin Towers of Houston-- ah ,the good old days!!!

 

The 94-95 Rockets might not have been the best team on paper, but they were absolutely unbeatable. I bet that people voting for the 80s Rockets are in their 40s, people voting for the 90s Rockets are in their 30s, and the younger fans are voting for the 2000 teams.

 

85-86 no question. that would have been a dynasty if...

 

rofl at the neo rox fans thinking this is the most talented team...

The 97' team was hands down..."On paper" like the poll asked.

For most talented + successful team 95'

 

I notice that the 1976-77 Rocket team is not included in the poll on this thread. For those members on this board who can remember that far back, that team posted its best record in franchise history, which was then 49-33, and some believe that team could have possibly beaten the Portland Trailblazers for the championship if they could have gotten by the Philadelphia 76ers in the ECF that year.

I would like to know how some people rank that 1976-77 team along with the group of Rocket teams shown in the poll on this thread. But then, I still would consider the 1985-86 Rocket team the best put together on paper hands down. I doubt it very much that this 2008-09 squad could beat that Laker team of 1985-86 4-1 in a 7-game series.

 

85-86.. and was barely born and i know they coulda taken the 95 (barely) and this years team.

 

To me it just has to be the Barkely, Drexler, and Hakeem team!!!!

Those were three hall of famers. Plus each was by themselves lead their own teams into NBA Finals. Sure they had good teams around them, but they all were the undisputed stars of their own teams.

Barkley gave MJ a run for his money in the championship series. Drexler did it twice in Portland and as well gave MJ a run for his money. And then Hakeem made it to the finals 3 times - winning it twice.

In my mind there is no doubt that on paper that was the best the Rockets looked like. It just happend they were way past their prime. But they were still very effective.


Right now the Rockets have Yao, McGrady, and Artest. None is a sure no doubt about it hall of famer. Not at this point in their careers.

But on potential, I think this is the best the Rockets have. It could turn into a dynamic team.