Top 10 Rockets of All Time

It's about time somebody mentioned the great Derrick Chievous on this board.

 

Unlike the nba.com poll, I'm glad someone gave Moses his due. If he had won a ring and played most of his career in Houston, Moses would be the greatest Rocket player,ask Kareem and Dr.J.

 

Yao hasn't progressed enough? I agree he shouldn't be on the list for reason #1. But as for #2, very plausible arguments could be made for him being a better player already than 8, 9, and 10.

 

What, no Scottie Brooks? No Pete Chillcut?

 

Oh, my list would have to be:

1. Hakeem
2. Malone
3. Rudy (ok, his coaching helps him out here)
4. Ralph Sampson (for a couple of years...)
5. Elvin Hayes
6. Drexler
7. Murphy
8. Lucas
9. Francis
10. Cassell

 

I nominate whoever was involved in bringing Houston a Championship.

 

1. Hakeem
2. Calvin
3. Moses
4. Drexler
5. Hayes
6. Rudy T
7. Francis- he is already the best point to ever play for Houston
8. O. T.
9. Horry
10. Smith/cassell- in my mind they were one player Sam Smith that helped us win 2 titles.

 

What's the criteria for "top rockets"? Best player (as a rocket)? Most significant contribution? Favorite player? Do contributions as a non-player (like Rudy T) count?

Here's my interpretation:

(1) Hakeem - greatest player in franchise history, and there isn't a close 2nd.
(2) Tomjanovich - for his contributions both on the court and as coach of the two-time champs.
(3) Clyde - instrumental in the second title run, not a whole lot to show after that.
(4) Moses Malone - put the Rockets on his back and took them to the Finals, before being traded
(5) E.T. - playoff heroics, brought fearlessness and creativity to the point guard position that was previously lacking. 2 championships his first 2 seasons.
(6) Thorpe - backbone of the team before he was traded. As tough as they come, without being a dirty player.
(7) Murphy - Hall of Famer, elite scoring little guard.
(8) Ralph Sampson - hit perhaps the most memorable shot in Rockets history and helped lead young team to the NBA Finals. Had the total package, and would have been considered an all-time great if his career wasn't cut short by knee problems.
(9) Bobby Horry - big shot Rob was clutch time and time again for the Rockets. Wouldn't have 2 titles without his late-game heroics.
(10)Mario Elie - the JYD, the kiss of death was a thing of beauty. Perfect fit for the mid-90s Rox, hard-nosed defense and big brass balls on offense.

No Steve Francis. One of the most talented players in Rockets history, but hasn't ever taken the Rockets to the playoffs. Will move up the list as soon as he shows he can do that consistantly.
No Elvin Hayes. 7 years, 4 of them great, finished above .500 exactly once.
No Vernon Maxwell. He was one of the best, and as tenacious a defender as they come, but I can't vote in a quitter.
No John Lucas either. Pure point guard, druggie. Late-80s Rockets would have been a dynasty if they didn't lose Lucas and others to drugs and Ralph to the knee injury.

 

My top 10 Rockets for novelty appeal.

1. Granny Waiters

2. Sleepy Floyd

3. World B. Free

4. Cedrick 'Cornbread' Maxwell

5. Chuck Nevitt

6. Thomas 'Two Sandwiches' Hamilton

7. Matt Bullard ( would be higher but to much of his appeal comes from valid reasons and not as much novelty)

8. Moochie Norris

9. 'Sweet' Lou Lloyd

10. Buck Johnson

 

Barkley didn't do what he was brought here to do. He was brought here to win a championship, you don't change the make up of your entire team one year removed from a championship to beat a specific team.

And this has nothing to do with Francis, its just for the Barkley apologists.

 

How about Jim Peterson?

 

I wasn't apologizing for Charles. He can speak for himself.
Right now, the only regret I've got about my list is that I didn't make a spot for Sam Cassell. He deserved it. And I was conflicted about Horry and Elie... but there's only 10 spots.

 

Great list! And I firmly believe Rudy T belongs in the Hall of Fame.

I don't think Sampson was in the league long enough to be on the list. He was the Rockets' greatest "could've been": He could've been Kevin Garnett. Instead, he spent, what, four seasons with us? Two so disappointing he was traded? No way he's top ten.

Reid was a great Rocket, but I don't think he belongs, either. Rodney McCray beat him out of a starting job for a good reason: he outplayed him.

I thought of Cassell, too, but he was also here too brief a time. Two rings in his first two years is a great resume, but that's all there will ever be as far as the Rockets. Same with Horry. Same with Clyde, really, but what the hell, I'll put them on the list anyway:

Hakeem, Rudy, Murphy, Malone, Clyde, Elvin, Lucas, Horry, Cassell, and Francis.

Please add Steve "Wrong Way" Harris to the Bottom 10 list. Steve once shot at the wrong basket! Of course, he missed.

 

Whatever happened to Rodrick Rhodes? That dude picked Jordan's pocket.. in... '98..i believe?.. kid had some defense game..but couldn't hit the broad side of a barn.

 

But you felt the need to add a qualifier to his name. No one else on your list needs that.

 

What's your point?
Some of the others explained why they had certain people on their lists. I thought I was being reserved.

 

1. Hakeem Olajuwon
2. Akeem Olajuwon
3. Moses Malone
4. Clyde Drexler
5. Ralph Samson (I know, but it was because of injuries. The guy was a great player.)
6. Calvin Murphy
7. Elvin Hayes
8. Rudy T.
9. Steve Francis
10. Can't decide.

 

Nice list, crash. However, Hakeem is not, and will never be recognized as the best center of all time. Top 10, absolutely, top 5, maybe. But not top 3.

 

1. Jason Collier
2. Eddie Griffin
3. Rodrick Rhodes
4. Pete Chilicutt
5. Moochie Norris
6. Dan Langhi
7. Charles Jones
8. Zaid Abdul Aziz
9. Jawanna Oldham
10. Andre Turner

 

How dare you throw Charles Jones in that list of losers.