Jordan, Drexler and Olajuwon on the same Houston Rockets team?

[jag4life]

Local sports radio host Matt Jackson was talking about past drafts and brought up something that then Rockets coach Bill Fitch said in a book (didn't get the name of the book).

He said that in 1984 the Blazers offered Drexler AND the #2 pick in the draft for Ralph Sampson (only). Sampson had just come off a ROY campaign and Drexler struggled his rookie year, plus the Blazers needed a big man. The Rockets said no, and everyone ended up with who they got.

The Rockets would have had hometown favorites Olajuwon and Drexler, and since they had a big man, wouldn't have drafted injured Sam Bowie, thus picking Jordan at #2.

:scared:

 

[dacontinent]

Local sports radio host Matt Jackson was talking about past drafts and brought up something that then Rockets coach Bill Fitch said in a book (didn't get the name of the book).

He said that in 1984 the Blazers offered Drexler AND the #2 pick in the draft for Ralph Sampson (only). Sampson had just come off a ROY campaign and Drexler struggled his rookie year, plus the Blazers needed a big man. The Rockets said no, and everyone ended up with who they got.

The Rockets would have had hometown favorites Olajuwon and Drexler, and since they had a big man, wouldn't have drafted injured Sam Bowie, thus picking Jordan at #2.

:scared:

That would have been awesome...but remember the UNC starting 5 was supposed to be

• James Worthy
• Michael Jordon
• Sam Perkins
• Jimmie Black
• Ralph Sampson

...but Dean Smith wanted Ralph to play with his back to the basket and Ralph didn't think he would get the ball enough ... so he went to UVA so Terry Holland would let him do whatever he wanted.

 

[TexasTerror]

This story has been thrown around for years...

First time I've seen it mentioned in awhile, but I believe Matt Jackson or Adam Wexler was the source of it back then. Don't listen much to those guys since I'm all about 1560 AM.

 

[Jag Voice]

Yeah, but who knows if Jordan would have become a hall of famer in Houston.
Remember, he wasn't the best person at UNC and probably would have been the 3rd option in Houston behind Drexler and Hakeem.
Houston would not be able to afford all these guys once they became good NBA players.

 

[jag4life]

Yeah, but who knows if Jordan would have become a hall of famer in Houston.
Remember, he wasn't the best person at UNC and probably would have been the 3rd option in Houston behind Drexler and Hakeem.
Houston would not be able to afford all these guys once they became good NBA players.

Jordan would have been Jordan, just with less shot attempts. Remember, Clyde was coming off a sub-par rookie season, so he wouldn't have been expected to be THE MAN above Jordan or Dream.

 

[JaguarNation99]

Yeah, but who knows if Jordan would have become a hall of famer in Houston.
Remember, he wasn't the best person at UNC and probably would have been the 3rd option in Houston behind Drexler and Hakeem.
Houston would not be able to afford all these guys once they became good NBA players.

Jordan would've been a hall of famer with the Clippers lol. He wasn't the best player his freshman year, but don't forget that he was a first team All-American his sophomore year and consensus national player of the year his junior year.

 

[JR]

That would have been awesome...but remember the UNC starting 5 was supposed to be

• James Worthy
• Michael Jordon
• Sam Perkins
• Jimmie Black
• Ralph Sampson

...but Dean Smith wanted Ralph to play with his back to the basket and Ralph didn't think he would get the ball enough ... so he went to UVA so Terry Holland would let him do whatever he wanted.

Actually Dominique Wilkens and Sleepy Floyd were supposed to be there. Never heard the story about Ralph Sampson.

But I do remember Jordan, Dominique and Worthy saying in an interview that Nique and Sleepy Floyd who also were from NC were supposed to go there and they all would have played together under Dean.

 

[JR]

Yeah, but who knows if Jordan would have become a hall of famer in Houston.
Remember, he wasn't the best person at UNC and probably would have been the 3rd option in Houston behind Drexler and Hakeem.
Houston would not be able to afford all these guys once they became good NBA players.

Jordan was the man as soon as Worthy left UNC after Jordan's freshman year. Even though Sam Perkins was an All American as well. Jordan stock shot up his Soph year. The only person who held MJ back was Dean Smith who made him respect the game.

Also remember Olajuwon grew as a player as well. He was still raw early on. The Dream Shake didn't happen until much later. All these guys would have gotten better together. Now what they would have needed is a good point guard to direct the ball. That would have been a scary team. Jordan or Clyde could have played SF and the other play the SG. Dream in the paint. So all would have been needed was a rebounding Power Forward and a good solid all around PG.

 

[MikeBigg]

Interesting...When I think of how Jordan and Pippen caused folk problems imagine Jordan and Drexler! Kenny Smith or Sam Cassell would have been awesome with those two. Houston actually had the power forward in Otis Thorpe. Robert Horry would come off the bench in later years.

 

[dacontinent]

Actually Dominique Wilkens and Sleepy Floyd were supposed to be there. Never heard the story about Ralph Sampson.

But I do remember Jordan, Dominique and Worthy saying in an interview that Nique and Sleepy Floyd who also were from NC were supposed to go there and they all would have played together under Dean.

That's funny. I never heard your side before now. What a cache of talent that would have been.

 

[O'Bladerunner]

I hate this subject.

 

[Kendrick]

Interesting...When I think of how Jordan and Pippen caused folk problems imagine Jordan and Drexler! Kenny Smith or Sam Cassell would have been awesome with those two. Houston actually had the power forward in Otis Thorpe. Robert Horry would come off the bench in later years.

I know this is all revisionist history, but just think if the Bulls had won the ill-fated coin flip and drafted Magic Johnson instead of the Lakers in the late 1970s. Then it could have been possibly Jordan and Magic on the same team.

 

[MikeBigg]

I know this is all revisionist history, but just think if the Bulls had won the ill-fated coin flip and drafted Magic Johnson instead of the Lakers in the late 1970s. Then it could have been possibly Jordan and Magic on the same team.

Okay...now that dwarfs Jordan/Drexler!

 

[EB]

I read about this 5-10 years ago.

Jordan was the man as soon as Worthy left UNC after Jordan's freshman year. Even though Sam Perkins was an All American as well. Jordan stock shot up his Soph year. The only person who held MJ back was Dean Smith who made him respect the game.

Also remember Olajuwon grew as a player as well. He was still raw early on. The Dream Shake didn't happen until much later. All these guys would have gotten better together. Now what they would have needed is a good point guard to direct the ball. That would have been a scary team. Jordan or Clyde could have played SF and the other play the SG. Dream in the paint. So all would have been needed was a rebounding Power Forward and a good solid all around PG.

I remember the final four when Olajuwon and Jordan were freshman and Worthy was the man. Yes, Olajuwon was extremely raw. Jordan was one season removed from being a high school all-American.

In the long run I think it helped Jordan that he played for Dean Smith-especially when it came to the passing game. I may be in the minority in saying this but have not changed my opinion since Jordan's college days.

Interesting...When I think of how Jordan and Pippen caused folk problems imagine Jordan and Drexler! Kenny Smith or Sam Cassell would have been awesome with those two. Houston actually had the power forward in Otis Thorpe. Robert Horry would come off the bench in later years.

I liked Otis Thorpe a lot. I think that Houston could have gotten him back after the 1995-96 season if they wanted.

 

[Dr. Mac]

I read about this 5-10 years ago.



I remember the final four when Olajuwon and Jordan were freshman and Worthy was the man. Yes, Olajuwon was extremely raw. Jordan was one season removed from being a high school all-American.

In the long run I think it helped Jordan that he played for Dean Smith-especially when it came to the passing game. I may be in the minority in saying this but have not changed my opinion since Jordan's college days.



I liked Otis Thorpe a lot. I think that Houston could have gotten him back after the 1995-96 season if they wanted.

I was at that Final Four in New Orleans. Not only did it have Georgetown and a young Patrick Ewing, but Louisville with the McCray brothers and Derek Smith (whose son Nolan won the tourney with Duke this year). The plane ride from Atlanta to New Orleans was nothing but a cheering match between G'town, L'ville, and Carolina fans, and was almost as fun as the tourney.

I agree that Jordan was helped by playing under Dean Smith. Even with all of those blue-chippers Smith was getting, he made them play team ball; and I think that's what's helped Jordan the most - knowing that he needed a team concept around him in order to win.

Regards.

 

[PsychoJag]

Wasn't Larry Brown an assistant during MJ's time at UNC? That helped alot too. Plus Bob Knight coached him during the 1984 Olympics.

 

[EB]

I was at that Final Four in New Orleans. Not only did it have Georgetown and a young Patrick Ewing, but Louisville with the McCray brothers and Derek Smith (whose son Nolan won the tourney with Duke this year). The plane ride from Atlanta to New Orleans was nothing but a cheering match between G'town, L'ville, and Carolina fans, and was almost as fun as the tourney.

I agree that Jordan was helped by playing under Dean Smith. Even with all of those blue-chippers Smith was getting, he made them play team ball; and I think that's what's helped Jordan the most - knowing that he needed a team concept around him in order to win.

Regards.

The final four had a lot of stars, who are not talked about a lot today. Drexler was not the big of a star on Houston then. It was Rob Williams.

As for the Tar Heels, look at how their players have done in the pros. Many players not named Worthy or Jordan played more than a couple of years in the NBA.

 

[JR]

Wasn't Larry Brown an assistant during MJ's time at UNC? That helped alot too. Plus Bob Knight coached him during the 1984 Olympics.

No Larry was probably in the NBA or at Kansas. Current UNC Coach Roy Williams was an assistant along with Phil Ford. I think Eddie Fogler may have been on that staff as well.


Dean Smith was the man. His coaches did well and his players did well ON and OFF the court.

All these guys played for Dean Smith
Larry Brown- Won a championship at Kansas and with Detroit as a head coach
Billy Cunningham - Sixers coach who won a title with Dr. J ...also was a good NBA player
George Karl- took Seattle to NBA Finals. Always in the hunt.
Roy Williams- Final Fours at Kansas and 2 Championships with UNC as a coach.


The players:
Charlie Scott- good player for the Celtics. 1st black player Dean recruited to UNC. Dean was very active in getting UNC to integrate.
Bob McAdoo- damn good scorer
Phil Ford- great college player....decent NBA player
Walter Davis- had some great seasons with Phoenix
Bobby Jones- was the best 6th man in the game with Philly. Before that an All-Star caliber player with Denver. Dude was the best white boy defensive player I ever saw and he could finish on the break
Mitch Kupchak- Okay career....now known for being the GM of the Lakers.
James Worthy- Big Game James.....enough said
Sam Perkins- Consistent good career in the NBA......very under rated
Michael Jordan- The Greatest Ever
Kenny Smith- good all around PG. 2 titles in Houston
Brad Daugherty- good player. All-Star until injuries ended his career.
Jerry Stackhouse- good career. Could have been better
Rasheed Wallace- long 15 year career with one NBA title in Detroit.
Vince Carter - recruited by Dean but played under Guthridge.
Antwan Jamison- same as Vince.

 

[JR]

I was at that Final Four in New Orleans. Not only did it have Georgetown and a young Patrick Ewing, but Louisville with the McCray brothers and Derek Smith (whose son Nolan won the tourney with Duke this year). The plane ride from Atlanta to New Orleans was nothing but a cheering match between G'town, L'ville, and Carolina fans, and was almost as fun as the tourney.

I agree that Jordan was helped by playing under Dean Smith. Even with all of those blue-chippers Smith was getting, he made them play team ball; and I think that's what's helped Jordan the most - knowing that he needed a team concept around him in order to win.

Regards.

Dr Mac, I also went to that Final Four with my older cousins back then.

Louisville also had Milt Wagner and Lancaster Gordon (Jackson Ms/Jim Hill HS) on that team.

U of H had Rob Williams as their star then. He played guard. Micheaux, Young, Drexler and Olajuwon were the other cast of characters.

UNC had Jordan, Worthy, Perkins, J. Black and M. Doherty as their starters
G-town had a bunch of good freshmen with Ewing. Sleepy Floyd was the leader of that squad.

 

[Dr. Mac]

Dr Mac, I also went to that Final Four with my older cousins back then.

Louisville also had Milt Wagner and Lancaster Gordon (Jackson Ms/Jim Hill HS) on that team.

U of H had Rob Williams as their star then. He played guard. Micheaux, Young, Drexler and Olajuwon were the other cast of characters.

UNC had Jordan, Worthy, Perkins, J. Black and M. Doherty as their starters
G-town had a bunch of good freshmen with Ewing. Sleepy Floyd was the leader of that squad.

My brother, who lives in Kenner, got our tickets. He went down at midnight the day applications could be accepted and put the request in the mail. I haven't been able to get a ticket to a Final Four since. I figured from that experience that the NCAA must give dibbs to postmarks from residents of the city that is hosting.

I had just gotten married in January of that year. Me to wife - "I going to New Orleans for the NCAA Finals": wife - "I want to go": me - "Sorry honey, it's sold out. I had to buy my ticket a year ago, and we weren't married then.":lol:

That was a great Final Four. We were up in the "nosebleeds" in the dome, but we were there.:lol:

Regards.

 

[EB]

No Larry was probably in the NBA or at Kansas. Current UNC Coach Roy Williams was an assistant along with Phil Ford. I think Eddie Fogler may have been on that staff as well.


Dean Smith was the man. His coaches did well and his players did well ON and OFF the court.

All these guys played for Dean Smith
Larry Brown- Won a championship at Kansas and with Detroit as a head coach
Billy Cunningham - Sixers coach who won a title with Dr. J ...also was a good NBA player
George Karl- took Seattle to NBA Finals. Always in the hunt.
Roy Williams- Final Fours at Kansas and 2 Championships with UNC as a coach.


The players:
Charlie Scott- good player for the Celtics. 1st black player Dean recruited to UNC. Dean was very active in getting UNC to integrate.
Bob McAdoo- damn good scorer
Phil Ford- great college player....decent NBA player
Walter Davis- had some great seasons with Phoenix
Bobby Jones- was the best 6th man in the game with Philly. Before that an All-Star caliber player with Denver. Dude was the best white boy defensive player I ever saw and he could finish on the break
Mitch Kupchak- Okay career....now known for being the GM of the Lakers.
James Worthy- Big Game James.....enough said
Sam Perkins- Consistent good career in the NBA......very under rated
Michael Jordan- The Greatest Ever
Kenny Smith- good all around PG. 2 titles in Houston
Brad Daugherty- good player. All-Star until injuries ended his career.
Jerry Stackhouse- good career. Could have been better
Rasheed Wallace- long 15 year career with one NBA title in Detroit.
Vince Carter - recruited by Dean but played under Guthridge.
Antwan Jamison- same as Vince.

McAdoo and Cunningham are in the hall of fame. Cunningham played on the 1967 Philadelphia 76ers, which some call the greatest team ever. McAdoo was a rookie of the year and a league MVP. He won two titles in Los Angeles. I think that Roy Williams only played on the junior varsity at North Carolina.

Kenny Smith knew about Charlie Scott's days while before he, Scott, got to UNC.