If the Rockets went back in time would any one of you wished That we should've selected Jordan over Hakeem. As a player and a person and both including I would've still picked Hakeem #1. There is no question Jordan is the best player but no one ever complained ( media and commentators) or questioned the Rockets pick because of the greatness of Hakeem.
At the time, Jordan was good, but he was nowhere near what he was in his prime obviously. What I'm trying to say was that he was good, but no one expected him to be that good - he was a good player but not one of the best, i.e. Olajuwon who at the time was.
Tough call. Behind door #1 is a WHOLE LOT of gold. Behind door #2 is a TON of gold. Either way, you're pretty damn happy. Jordan might not have panned out with the Rockets, and Hakeem might not have panned out with the Bulls, or whoever. I'm perfectly happy with the way things ended up, and I don't feel we got the short end of the stick by any means.
i would rather have hakeem but do you know what this team could have been if we had traded ralph for jordan
Akeem was a sentimental pick, but also a great pick. Plus, people in Houston (staff and fans) liked the idea of matching Akeem with Sampson (previous years rookie of the year); the "Twin Towers!" Also, in 1983-84 NCAA season, Jordan was a very good guard. But he was NOT considered a "great guard." And he surely wasn't considered the "greatest NBA player in the history of the game," like he is now. So, hindsight is 20/20. Akeem was the only pick for us, since the fans demanded it. On a side note... There was an article that talked about how we could have had Drexler, Akeem and Jordan, minus Sampson. I'm can't remember the exact layout, but it could have happened if we made the right trades. A lot of teams really loved Sampson, and wanted that pick. Imagine a team like that! SG: Jordan SF: Drexler C: Akeem Instant dynasty contender! Boston and La...you have a problem!
As great as Jordan was, I'd much rather have a Hall of Fame center than a Hall of Fame guard. It's a lot easier to build around a big man or in the case of the 84 Rockets...2 big men. I think that team would have won a championship or 2 if not for the drug suspensions that broke it up. Of course, I'm biased.
You're being silly right? McCray was very good, especially on the fast break lay-up. But Drexler was incredible! And a future, HOFer. Drexler was considered a better prospect coming out of college than Jordan. Until Jordan came into the league.
Uh, I have. I do realize that's the opinion of most people. I have for a long time. What I have a problem with is people stating this opinion as if it were a fact. See my problem? He said "There is no question Jordan is the best player," not "I don't think there is a question Jordan is the best player," or "There is no question in my mind Jordan is the best player." He used a definitive statement, as in fact. That's all I'm saying I have a problem with.
I would have taken Jordan given what we know today. If Jordan could win all those rings with Luc Longley as his centre, I'm sure the rox could have found a centre of that caliber, if they decided to pass on Hakeem. Sure you can talk about other players like Pippen, but the bulls never won a ring when Jordan retired, but won 3 straight when he came back, so he was the main reason why they won all those rings and is the greatest player in nba history.
Oh God, there it is again. Opinion stated as if it were fact. *Groan* On a side note, how many rings did Jordan win without Pippen again? Better yet, how many playoff games even?
We're talking about Jordan in his prime. In his prime he would have taken the scrubs on the wizards to a championship easily. Just to clarify Jordan is the greatest player to ever play the game. (my opinion and fact)
I would take Hakeem. Hakeem didn't need another super star to win us our first NBA championship. Could Jordan have done it with out one? Because he wouldn't have had one. If we would have taken Jordan then Portland would have taken Olajawon. I'm betting Portland would have been the dynasty of the 90's with Hakeem, Drexler and some damn fine role players (off the top of my head I remember Clifford Robinson was a key player on that team). That team went to the finals with out Hakeem. I seriously doubt Houston would have a single ring if we would have taken Jordan. I don't think we'd have ever gotten past Portland.
Just to clarify, Wilt is the greatest player to ever play the game. What did Jordan ever win without Pippen again?
I already said we're talking about Jordan during his prime. The only years without Pippen are his wizards days. Pippen needed Jordan far more than Jordan needed him.
actually, we're talking about drafting Jordan as a rookie, but even if we are talking about him in his prime, there is absolutely no basis behind your comment. You can't say in certainty that Jordan could have lead any team of scrubs to a championship because he never did that. He always had at least one super star with him and at one time he also had Rodman who was just listed as one of the top 75 players of all time in SLAM magazine. But that isn't all. There were players like Horace Grant, Steve Kerr, Toni Kukoc, BJ Armstrong, Bill Cartwright. Those guys are all quality players. Also, when Jordan returned from retirement he was in his prime and he couldn't lead his team to a championship that year. Don't give me that "he was rusty" crap because he scored 54 points in his third game back. He was still in his prime. He was in shape and he was in top form.
Man, I've seriously thought about the same kind of thing so many times: what if Portland had won the coin toss instead of us? I mean, Dream and Glyde together for like 15 years on a team with excellent role players? They might've given Boston's 8 in a row a run for it's money. Fun to think about, ain't it?
