What was the most memorable shot in Rocket's history???

What I meant to say was, "In the Sampson shot, we did have the series lead." We were obviously tied with Phoenix 3-3 for Elie's shot.

 

Whoops. Your right. 95 was the year Max left the team.

 

Those Suns series' were the ones that I remember most. Just the fact that we had to make such enormous comebacks to win the series against that team. I remember then Dan Majerle (can't spell his name) was jacking up threes from what seemed like almost half court and was draining them like they were automatic. All the trashtalking Barkley did back then. Kevin Johnson burning us almost on a nightly basis back then. Yet we prevailed and pulled off some amazing feats. I mean everytime it seemed like we were about to be eliminated, we somehow managed to pull through with a W. We didn't have a true go to guy that could hit a clutch shot. We had like 5! It always seemed like a new hero was emerging in those days hitting a clutch bucket to keep us off the brink of elimination.

The Rockets back then may of been considered the worst champions in the game, but I've personally never been apart of anything as exciting as that since watching sports. It wasn't just that we won those championships, it's how we won them, and that's why I remember them so much. I had watery eyes just thinking back on those moments with a gri from ear to ear reading each of those shots you guys described. I WANT THOSE ROCKETS MEMORIES BACK!

 

Tough decision. I was thinking of Sampson's shot, but Elie's seems so much more memorable because it was one of the BIG stepping stones to our 2nd championship. As great as Sampson's shot was, it just led us to an ass-whipping by the Celtics in the finals...not good. Hell, we were going to beat the Lakers in that series anyways, the only reason it was close at the end was because 'Akeem' wasn't in the game. He was ejected wasn't he?

 

definately the kiss of death....

 

It was only Game 3 in a series that went 7 games. I don't think you can say that at all. The Rockets still would have had two more chances to win at NY.

 

The Kenny Smith shot. It just came after so much drama. It ended Nick the Bricks career though

 

i definately agree that those were the 2 greatest shots in rox history, but what makes the kiss of death greater was the fact that:
a. it seemed to set a tone for the rest of our playoffs. both the jazz and suns series could have gone either way...that shot seemed to bring back a confidence and establish the the mentality of destiny in both the player's and fan's minds...
b. we went on to win the championship that year unlike in '86...

 

We would've been down 2-1 with the Knicks having two more home games in a row. I think you can definitely say that.

 

This is where I see it different codell. We might have had no business beating the Lakers, but after the first 3 wins to their 1, I think it was pretty certain we would win the series. Sampson's shot, as amazing as it was, just hurried us to our demise by the hands of the Celtics...not a very memorable ending to such a great shot.
Elie's on the other hand, was a big shot that led to the "ultimate prize"(in a Bill Walton voice.)

 

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but I think Stockton's shot may be the most memorable. There's no doubt in my mind that we'd have won game 7, then gone on to face the Bulls in what would've been one of the best Finals ever, IMO.

 

Stockton's three off of the Nature Boy's bear hug. Man, the Jazz sucking this year will be sweet. Wow, I didn't even read the thread and mine was the same as RM95's.

 

I was having a good day before i read this

 

I'm glad you said it first and not me. That's a shot I'll NEVER forget

Sampson's and Elie's shots ... hmm ... that's a toughie. I vote Sampsons, though I have no problem if you insist the Kiss of Death is more memorable.

 

I have to say Mario....it was Game 7, after all. We trailed nearly the entire game. That 3...was so freaking gutsy. And the buildup to the game with all the "butt kicking business" talk from Phoenix...and coming back from 3-1...all of that make this the biggest shot.

My second would be Sampson's...but the Rockets were totally in command in that series. That wasn't a series on the line...a team fighting for their playoff lives, like in 1995 in Phoenix.

That Phoenix series is probably my very favorite series in the history of NBA playoff basketball. Just amazing.

 

That shot is my favorite memory of any Rockets shot ever. You're right, it wasn't very important in terms of winning the game, but it was the ultimate dagger and a very nice way to cap off Hakeem's dominance of those two years.

 

Maxwell's game clincher was the most memorable to me. I had been a die hard Houston sports fan for as long as I can remember. I remember Luv Ya Blue vs. Pittsburgh (pain); Rockets vs. Celtics (disappointment); Phi Slamma Jamma vs the Final Four (sad, twice); Astros vs Philly, Mets, Braves (anger, agony, resentment); House of Pain vs Broncos, Bills, Chiefs (numbness, disbelief, f*ck it).
Then those 94 Rocks came along and changed all of that. Maxwell's shot gave me a feeling that I'd never felt before with regards to Houston sports. Pride. It sent shivers through me. To this day whenever I hear "We Are The Champions" I get that same feeling that I had 9 years ago when Max's shot secured Houston's status, for at least once in my lifetime, as a champion. I'm amazed that so few posters chose that moment.

 

Sampson without a doubt. There was more on the line in that shot and it wasn't only the game winning shot, it was the series winner.