Not true it was a matchup thing, the Rockets had Chucky Brown out of position at PF that's the main problem they had really. In 97 w/Barkley they won the 2 most pivotal games of the series (G3 and G7) despite him having no impact in the 4th quarter. They didn't necessarily need Barkley they just needed a PF in general which is exactly what he was. They didn't get to the finals afterwards either so bringing him in didn't work out in the long run.
If the Rockets were going to repeat this year, they were going to need big leaps from Robert Horry and Sam Cassell. Unfortunately, Horry was complacent and Sam needed a little more time.
"Don't ever underestimate the heart of the champion!" Don't ever underestimate the heart of an elite team got upset by low-seeded teams the previous two (2) seasons, either. Manu Ginobili give credit to Golden State Warriors that helped the Spurs won the 2007 NBA Title. Houston should give credit to Denver and LA Lakers for upsetting Seattle in 1994 and 1995, respectively. And now I have watched the entire "sweep story" by Seattle over the defending champs, a big thing when I read it in a local sports mag almost 28 years ago. As always, thanks for sharing.
With all due respect. Hakeem teammates missed almost 150 games in 1996. This always gets skipped. The same with the second half of the 80s when Hakeem lost his best teammates due to injuries and suspensions. This is nothing like the Sun's match up. Plus remember when the ref wrongfully ejected Drexler in 1995. Giving the sun the early series lead. Yet some were trying to say Hakeem was choking instead of talking about what actually happened.
@@JamesHardenoverKobe13 No one said anything about choking, Chucky Brown was overmatched not being considered a low post defender that's why they got Barkley and Willis afterwards to cut down on all the double teaming.
@@philipconte5732 Even in 97 Barkley had just 1 dominant 4th quarter that entire series (G4 along w/overtime). G3 and G7 the Rockets won w/him not being a scoring factor at all in the last quarter. Him being the sole reason they won is over exaggerated they also had Kevin Willis who was a very good low post defender.
@@ChrisM07 you’re completely missing the point of what I was saying. I’m saying that specifically the 94 and 95 rockets, the 2 teams that won the championship, wouldn’t have won it either of those years if they’d had to face Seattle. 1997 has nothing to do with that.
I always wondered why Kemp didn't wear the Kamikaze's during the 96 playoffs? Them joints looked waaaayyyy better than the joints he rocked during the 96 playoffs
If the Rockets were going to repeat this year, they were going to need big leaps from Robert Horry and Sam Cassell. Unfortunately, Horry was complacent and Sam needed a little more time.
Anybody who thinks the Seattle always had the Rockets didn’t watch Game 7 of the 1993 playoffs between them or the last game of the Rockets Season. Bulls had Thorn and Stern in their pockets.
No they didn't they just needed a low post defender at PF in general Kevin Willis by himself would've been enough. Barkley only had 1 game that series he was a major scoring factor down the stretch (G4), G3 he had no FGs in the 4th and G7 was scoreless in the 4th.
