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

Sampson's shot is the most memorable in Rockets history. Even though we led that series, all of the national press never gave us a chance. How can anyone forget Gene Peterson going bonkers (hell, so was I) That shot knocked off one of the greatest teams in NBA history.

 

Absolutely agree. I voted for Ralph's shot as well. If I'd been any taller, I'd have put my head through my ceiling when he hit it. I had it on tape and watched that game and that shot over and over. Alas, one of my kids taped over it.

Great list, codell! Thanks for a fun topic.

 

Elie's shot had more on the line than Ralph's. It was a Game 7 series winning shot. Just imaging the Rockets down by 2 - the most dominant player in the game positioning himself in the post waiting for Mario to pass it to him - and he puts up a three! It took a lot of guts for Elie to take that shot.

Even if Ralph misses his shot, we still had control of that series.

 

what about Nick Anderson FTs, they were clutch shots for the Rox

 

Absolutely, in my mind, it has to be the Sampson shot. I've told this story before, but it bears repeating.

Two friends and I had purchased 3 tickets to the next home game for $200 (righteous bucks in 1986!). We were figuring on seeing the Rockets and Lakers in game 6 of the WCF. But lo and behold, that shot by Sampson not only put the Rockets in the finals, but me in the finals as well! The next home game became game 3 of the 1986 NBA Finals! I was there as Houston ran all over the Celtics in game 3 that year. They gave away mini megaphones to everyone in attendance, and that place was louder than any concert or sporting event I have ever been to before or since. I still have that megaphone.

 

He uses it get his kids to do their homework

 

Nick "The Brick" Anderson Who could forget that? I love that guy.

 

The whip had no affect, I had to try something.

 

I was too young for the Sampson shot, so it came down to Kenny Smith vs Elie. I voted for Elie, but I wish I could vote for both because that Smith shot was just awesome. We looked like we were dead in that game, then Nick chokes on 4 straight throws, and Kenny hits a game tying 3. I was just in shock at how amazing that comeback was...I almost voted for it simply because I think there was a lot more pressure on that shot than there was on Mario's. If Smith misses it, it's game over. If Elie missed his, it's overtime. I voted for Elie though, simply because it started Clutch City...

 

I think this says it all right here.
I was watching the game at my apartment with 2 hot girls who were rooting for the Lakers, but after that shot they became Rocket fans. Unfortunately they didn't become silent j fans that night.
j

 

weren't we down by 2 when elie took the shot?

those of you talking about 86 reminded me of the conversation i had with the two red sox fans i sat next to at fenway last week. we started talking about the rockets and the 86 finals....one of the guys said, "i was so amazed at the guts of that rocket team. i mean, they actually thought they could beat us. and they played like it." sounds arrogant...but when you consider how great the 86 celts were, it's really quite a compliment.

 

It's amazing how 1986 almost had the cities of Houston and Boston against each other two times in the same year. (NBA Finals in the summer, World Series in October)


Had the Astros won game 6 of the NLCS, Mike Scott would have no doubt led us to win game 7, and put us up against the Red Sox...who knows.

I can't remember the circumstances of what happened in game 6 of the NLCS...but there was something that happened that led us to ultimately lose.

 

kevin bass not being able to lay off of that damn orosco slider...

 

VERNON MAXWELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude, this was the greatest shot, this made us champions. The Knicks called time out, Mario and Kenny running to out to hug him. Fists pumping.

I dont care if he ends of beating up fans in the stand. Maxwell deserves more respect for his contributions as a player for the Rockets.

Oh, yeah, when we were 0-2 to pheonix in 94. Who stepped up in game 3?

 

"Uh-oh" ...


Sorry, if you know what I mean.

 

The first 2 definatly because they are nation wide shots of all time.
Plus Ralph shot put us in the finals unexpectly and mario cap history.

 

I selected Ralph's shot that beat the Lakers because that is the playoffs that made me Love the Rockets & hate the Cletics(especially that punk Danny Ainge). The Rockets were so exciting that year (and ANYTIME we can beat the Lakers that is a good thing for all us Rox fans in the SW that have to listen to Laker crap all the time)!

 

Sampson's and Elie's are a toss up. I voted for Sampson's because of the team we beat. All the other shots' opponents were more or less our equals. But that Lakers team was one of the best. Nobody gave us a chance before the series.

The miraculous nature of that shot also got my vote. All the other shots were decent open shots. Sampson's shot, on the other hand, was impossible. Nobody thought it could go in. That's why so many ceilings (and heads) got busted because of that shot.

Winning that game was important even though we were up 3-1. The Lakers were down because they didn't expect Olajuwon was so good. I had a feeling that had they won that game and made it 3-2, they would probably be able to adjust and beat us in 7.

That being said, Elie's shot is right up there too. As some have mentioned, it was the clutchest shot in Rockets history.

 

hey Codell. Excellent background info. thx!

I can't vote because my bbs account is screwed up, but I would vote for the Sampson shot. imo, the Kiss of Death gets alot of play in highlights around the league manly because it was a rare reaction by the player, and it has such a memorable name. Those shots happen all the time in the playoffs. Sampson's is memorable all on its own.

I'd put Eddie's ("Hollly Mother") above Elie except for the fact it didn't lead to a championship. That shot was from at least 27 feet, not what I'd call a "decent open shot."