The 1993-1994 Houston Rockets Championship Season

Relive the Rockets first championship in their franchise history.

[@mendezmando23]

I love how Olajuwon accepted his MVP award with his team- so humbling

[@deenugent473]

Chilling moment for me!

[@hectorlopez1069]

He wanted his teammates to hold it, as well. Beautiful times.

[@asnark7115]

@@hectorlopez1069 He wanted to hit David Stern with it.

[@Storm27ification]

@@asnark7115 LOL😂😂

[@tribefan9112003]

Olajuwon - Best Center of his era. Period.

[@bushmastersavimbi3379]

Of all time.

[@bushmastersavimbi3379]

***** you wish,dick face.dream would obliterate him mentally

[@bushmastersavimbi3379]

***** All time. most skilled definitely.

[@002random]

+Unknown111 Hakeem > Shaq. Let me know when Shaq can beat Hakeem when the NBA championship is on the line.

[@kohsmoger1567]

David Robinson?

[@SoulfTylerTX]

The First NBA Texas Team, that Won NBA title in the state of Texas, not just only that, but to win it back to back. I LOVE Me Some HOUSTON basketball!!

[@JeffTheFutureJaros]

Olajuwon is one of the most underrated Centers in all of Basketball History. This guy had a more all-around game than any center he went up against. Shaquille O'Neal and Patrick Ewing could not stop Hakeem The Dream.

[@asnark7115]

Neither could David Robinson or Kareem Abdul-Jabaar.

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

He has an award named in his honor. Relax. He's great. One of the best ever. Arguably greatest two way player ever. Arguably greatest defensive player ever. Arguable and most of the time a lock 🔒🔐 in most all time top 10's. Just repeat it enough to yourself till he's overrated.

[@lhart99]

I put Olajuwon @ the #1 of greatest Centers, and people often think I've lost my mind. However, I think he could shutdown any legend @ the Center position. Olajuwon certainly dominated the great Centers of his era. I know The Dream doesn't have monster states such as, most career points scored like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or six rings like MJ. In my opinion, what sets The Dream apart is his consistent defense and his footwork on offence and defense.

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

@@lhart99 i think alot of people agree with you. And he was the certainly #1 of his era he's largely considered best of modern era along with Kareem and many don't really consider Kareem outside his generation and because his politics if from his generation. Russell and Wilt are dinosaurs to many and almost belong to a different sport. Hakeem did have monster stats though, blocks and steals. He's the all time blocks leader. Alot of people have played basketball since blocks were counted and Hakeem did it the best during that time with crazy stats for his size.

[@Storm27ification]

Big facts. I loved his footwork in the post

[@joshuajackson7596]

Hakeem=Goat. The most skilled , well rounded center to ever play the game.

[@breadandcircuses8127]

Why?

[@spinner9057]

Those old school 90s Phoenix Suns jersey's were fresh!!!

[@aztecempire9970]

ers47163 yeah but the Houston rockets were two

[@camerons8993]

Aztec Empire two?

[@user-lg5ft6cs1t]

@@camerons8993 too*

[@rola529]

Yep I remember those jerseys they were clean

[@josephayers7395]

@M L

[@VancouverChokers]

That 15-0 game was more important for Houston than anyone could imagine; it earned them home court advantage against the Knicks in the finals as the Rockets finished one game ahead of New York.

[@KTF0]

Rockets and Suns should've never changed their uniforms.

[@Daniel86cole]

I remember my dad lost it when the rockets 🚀 changed uniforms.. he knew it was over! Smh

[@markovitorovic3257]

Yessss.And logos

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

If they hadn’t changed yall’d be bored of them by now

[@Storm27ification]

Facts

[@freakyfornash]

Yeah, and their new uniforms were so hideous for certain too! That along with the Rockets cartoony logo during the mid 90's to early 2000's, which made them resemble an expansion franchise more than anything! It wouldn't have been so bad if they just went straight to their more basic look of what they had in 2003 onward, which was at least far more acceptable. The Suns did kind of go back to a design which paid homage to their original one they had until 93. That being even if it was just so dull and plain compared to their more flashy previous uniforms, which everyone loved however.

[@morecowbell235]

The Rockets won the 95 Title as the 6th seed. Think about that. They never had home court advantage and they had to beat 5-6 +50 win teams on the road to get the title. It had never been done before. That was legit.

[@angiegarzonn3420]

And it might never be done again

[@Storm27ification]

Facts that was impressive what they did that year.

[@Biggrittz]

@@angiegarzonn3420unny enough the Golden state Warriors Defending NBA champions are 6th-7th seed as of now

[@gregkolbenschlag6551]

Yes! I personally think he's the most versatile Center, ever. Most blocked shots of all-time, best footwork in the paint, could shoot from the outside, fade away , could run the floor, pass, smart as well. He's never really got his due, and guys like Shaq and Chamberlain could never dream of having his skill-set for that position.

[@joshuajackson7596]

Facts

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

Chamberlain compares and SHAQ was his own kind of special monster 👹💀 so RELAX and respect.

[@stevenrogers8939]

Olajuwon is currently living in my dad’s birth place . He built his own compound. When I visited overseas I took pictures with him. It was 10 years ago. He was very cool.

[@hectorlopez1069]

I think hes living in Jordan and sugar land, Texas. He switches places between them.

[@jefftravis3808]

Remember, Olajuwon was in the finals five years before Jordan took a team there.

[@sidmichael1158]

85?

[@jasonjohnson5080]

@@sidmichael1158 '86 against Bird & the C's☘️

[@EzMoney95]

And he lost remember. MJ 6-0 never lost

[@youtuber3328]

the goats are wilt chamberlain and bill russell and michael jordan wasn't quite as legendary as kareem abdul-jabbar oscar robertson wilt chamberlain and bill russell

[@hectorlopez1069]

Olajuwon would of won 1 if he played Jordan in the Finals. Olajuwon owned Jordan in the regular season. Olajuwon might of beaten Jordan in the Finals in 7 games.

[@pudlah]

"When I first took over this job...You walk around the city and watch the kids...they're wearing Chicago Bulls and all these other jerseys. The kids in Houston should love the Houston Rockets." LOL

[@freakyfornash]

Same with my state of New Jersey, where you'd see Bulls, Knicks, Lakers, Suns, Magic, and even Hornets apparel almost everywhere, while you couldn't find anyone wearing Nets gear to save your life during the 90's! Not until the Jason Kidd era did I FINALLY see that begin to happen at last! Granted the fact that the Nets were such a garbage franchise with a weak fanbase until then didn't exactly help, but still. At least you saw a reasonable amount of Devils stuff being worn and what not. Even if they got good during that time period, that was still despite them playing second fiddle to the Flyers & Rangers, depending on what part of the state you were in though.

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

Devil's won 3 rings in the Brodeur era or more right ? I was a Chicago raised Kidd Nets era fan. After Jordan Eddy Curry 🍛 wasn't cutting ✂️ it so I looked for a new hero post Jordan and Pippen so I chose JKidd. As Gary Payton started to disappear from the Western Conference Playoffs by years 99-02 before the Bucks trade for Ray Allen. And I was a point guard @ school so I gravitated and modeled myself after Kidd. Especially cuz I'm Puerto Rican and I have mulatto appearance so I also felt kinship to Kidd and KMArt and all these less than BLACK black guys. Kittles and RJ también. Fun squad for me. I had a Kidd jersey. In Chicago.

[@jlowrey68]

I saw Olajuwon play live once and I was blown away how big he was. His legs were tree trunks. He absolutely destroyed my Spurs and sunk The Admiral. They would dump the ball into Olajuwon and if they doubled he would kick out for a wide open shot to all those guards. The would shoot 60% from 3 in a some of their biggest games.

[@asnark7115]

Best 3-Ball team of all time.

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

Both y'all crazy.

[@jlowrey68]

@@alecsanderhamilton9224 how so

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

@@jlowrey68 just the statement u left is a lil sensationalized and childish to me. Spoken with enthusiasm that is just a lil odd to me. And to the other guy, the Houston Rockets were the best 3pt shooting team of the mid 90s but aren't better than the 2016 to present Warriors. Or before that for the Warriors since Splash revolutionized the game. Maybe I can see if he means all time Houston is the home of the greatest 3pt shooting franchise of all time compiling Hakeem 's teams with McGrady and Hardens eras... But then the Warriors have some teams to fire back at that statement as well. Like Run TMC Baron Davis era Gilbert Arenas and to Curry and Klay. But the Suns also have a stake and Portland and Seattle aka Thunder thru Westbrook and co. And hell speaking of 3's the Sonics dropped 20 on Houston in Game 2 of 1996 WCSF so basically aired out the best artillery from deep team with their own weapon 🔪 that day. And smoked them out that playoffs and essentially out of the decade after that.

[@aw144k9]

Olajuwon was much better than LeBron James FAAAAACTS 💯

[@reidphillips2828]

The narrators voice beckons me back to a great childhood learning the ones before me. Sure do love my rockets! And NBA films

[@cole-trickle50]

How sweet it was . Loved that team . Olajuwon is still the Greatest player of all time . He isn’t appreciated outside of Houston as much as he should be

[@Storm27ification]

Huge Facts

[@mattprssmn4]

Sam Cassell also won one last ring with the 2007-2008 Celtics.

[@bigmike676767]

People forget that. Cassell was such an underrated player

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

Sam Cassell sam I am is a 3x nba 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏀

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

Hakeem Olajuwon the dream is a lone nba all-star in 1993-94 has carried the job

[@meghatre6140]

The Greatest Center and The Most Greatest Season ever!!!

[@EinhanderPilotSantos]

Dude I remember watching this when I was little! This takes me way back!

[@hectorlopez1069]

Me too on VHS tape

[@thegov08]

Rockets matched up very well with the Bulls. Check the regular season matchups in the early 90s and you'll know what I mean. They had no one to stop Olajuwon.

[@hectorlopez1069]

They might of won one championship, at least

[@hectorlopez1069]

Probably, the only team that could defeat Jordan in the NBA finals. Jordan had problems and issues with the rockets.

[@briandewolf2374]

Robert Horry 7-time NBA Champion. Multiple championships with multiple teams. I believe that should qualify him for a place in the Hall of Fame some day.

[@miketremamunno9745]

Naaa it really shouldn't doe

[@delioniowilson7301]

Arguable but usually hall of famers are the best players on there team at one point in there career. Horry was never that.

[@OldSchool3pts]

Some say no cause he wasnt a star some say yes cause he was a role player on multiple championship teams

[@housepumpinpc3983]

Nah... he won't sniff the HOF E V E R.

[@hectorlopez1069]

The guy deserves it for what he did to his teams of winning titles.

[@XDB888]

Barkley never ceases to amaze me with what he did with those rosters he was on

[@sidmichael1158]

What?

[@breadandcircuses8127]

​@@sidmichael1158The teams he was on were absolute garbage.

[@redpillfreedom6692]

​@@breadandcircuses8127In Philadelphia maybe. But there was no excuse for the failures in Phoenix. They had a better roster than Houston both years.

[@jamesstevens1595]

Growing up watching The King. The Dream is definitely Top 10 of All Time.

[@edwardrichardson9543]

Man I would've loved to see Jordan's Bulls against The Dream's Rockets I think the series would've went to 7 games

[@mrand1themamba]

That would be money of a finals

[@kmena05]

@Ziggy Stardust nah the Magic clapped the Bulls w Jordan on the roster in 95' and the Rockets obliterated the Magic in the Finals in 96' the Bulls would've won.

[@deenugent473]

That would have been epic!

[@mrand1themamba]

@@kmena05 nah he's talking about if Jordan hadn't retired the first time around with Hakeem at his peak those 2 seasons. If Jordan was still on the bulls after 3 peating and Hakeem was at his apex, the series would've been the greatest nba finals series of all time and it would've went to game 7 and see who is the best

[@hectorlopez1069]

We would of seen Olajuwon vs Jordan in the Finals if Jordan didn't retired. He retired because his father was murdered in 93 and his father wanted him to be a baseball player.

[@michaelastorga3187]

This was the NBA version of the 84 Detriot Tigers. Started 22-1. Love my Rockets

[@breadandcircuses8127]

Why?

[@officialmightynotoriousaka3897]

In the 1994 NBA playoffs led by Hakeem olajuwon-mvp, defensive player of the year, the rockets got past the Portland trailblazers in the first round, rallied back from an 0-2 deficit vs phoenix suns before winning the series in seven, and beaten the Utah jazz in the conference finals in five games before erased from an 3-2 vs Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks to win the NBA finals in seven

[@hectorlopez1069]

They certainly would have beaten Jordan bulls in the Finals, that year if Jordan was still playing.

[@officialmightynotoriousaka5463]

Robert Horry was a member of his 7 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP teams:2 with the Rockets,3 with the LA Lakers and 2 with these San Antonio Spurs 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

[@hectorlopez1069]

He needs to go to the hall of fame. He deserves it for what he did to those three teams.

[@cmurphy0707]

To me the 2 Rockets championship teams never get enough credit, and those arguing that the Bulls with Jordan would've smashed them, I'll just say this, In '91, '92, and '93, The Rockets played the Bulls (with Jordan) in six regular season games and won five out of those six and I'll leave it at that.

[@FuShengAlex]

And the Rockets walloped the Magic that the Bulls choked away game 6 at home to lose the series.

[@TheSteveSteele]

And the Western Conference was much tougher than the East back then. If the Bulls were in the West, would they have won six? IMO, no.

[@nicks5297]

And most of those Bulls games were blowout wins for the Rockets , Dream just killed Chicago and nobody was beating the 94 team

[@benwallace5364]

+Steve Steele excuses

[@russelwestgoat8751]

+Steve Steele back then ? Also now rofl

[@thereal_notoriousakagdubb3486]

The Houston Rockets had the second best record of 58-24 overall, and Hakeem Olajuwon was named 2×defensive player of the year and the league MVP in the 1994 NBA playoffs was bumping the road to the NBA finals:dominate Portland in the quarterfinals 3-1,they rallied back from an 0-2 deficit to eliminate Charles Barkley and the the Phoenix Suns in 7,and knocking out Malone, Stockton-led Utah jazz in 5,and overcome from an 3-2 deficit to win the NBA finals over the New York Knicks in 7 GMs

[@raymondsolisjr.1262]

Best two years of my life 94, and 95!

[@hectorlopez1069]

If Jordan was playing those two years, Olajuwon would still get a ring.

[@breadandcircuses8127]

​@@hectorlopez1069Duh

[@hectorlopez1069]

​@@breadandcircuses8127duh, Olajuwon owned Jordan period.

[@Chuckclc]

Choke City is what made Clutch Ciy

[@Shinobi6407]

I have this on VHS. This team is one of my favorites on NBA 2K17.

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

Damn the NBA saved money 💴 on the Rockets championship video They borrowed a lot of film 🎞 from the 1992 Bulls movie 🍿 😆

[@therocklau]

looking at the games today, if you are smart enough you'll see how big a impact this rockets team is to modern basketball. before this team no team tried this many 3 points shooting, no team even close. since there's very not likely to be another MJ, Rockets shows that 3 points is the key for regular team to win championship, that's exactly what teams do today.

[@SEAME7]

This Time when NBA basketball was so beautiful to watch...😢

[@Glokas7]

The Dream was amazing throughout this whole Season, but so was the entire team as a whole unit. That MVP Ceremony was absolutely a defining moment for them all. The way he had them all come out and be a part of it was beautiful. Brought a tear to my eye. It seemed to solidify their bond completely.

[@Aplegendary3]

5 time watching this never gets old

[@johnathancross7465]

Hakeem was the best for sure. a beast.

[@hectorlopez1069]

Not even Jordan could of accomplished of what the dream did.

[@uranderson]

I went to the University of Houston for my freshman year in 94 and fell in love with this team. One of the best defensive front courts ever imo. People think of Horry as just "Big Shot Bob" the 3pt specialist, but when he was in his prime he was an athletic freak and lock down defender. Thorpe was a rock in every respect, and Olajuwon was Olajuwon: one of the best 2-way players in NBA history. I loved that team, Vernon Maxwell, Sam Cassell, Kenny the Jet in the back court, they were amazing.

[@hectorlopez1069]

How can Jordan beat them in the Finals. Jordan had big problems with those rockets players.

[@HiFi5280]

Holy moly! If Dream doesn't block that shot, just feels like Starks was going to nail it. Incredible series. I wasn't watching bball yet in those years.

[@myfight23]

This was the BEST SERIES of that decade. Every game decided by less than 10 points and the physical play only added to it no matter who won, the winner was deserving

[@bryangluce]

Now if only our Astros and Texans can bring a championship to our city.... :-\ Houston needs it

[@theoriginalmrjguill3803]

And fast forward to November 2017. Congrats to your ASTROS fellas from a die hard Cubs fan. Love my Bulls but also loved your rockets during those 2 years.

[@Chosen1one1]

2017 😂

[@teresamoore3968]

It will happen this year if not next year

[@trevinschaerr3732]

Chiming in from 2021. Yeah don’t put any faith in the Texans going anywhere.

[@DreDaDon16]

Lmaoo Barkley we were all over him like that cheap suit you got

[@Cocalistic]

Perhaps the greatest finals series I've ever seen. So exciting. Interesting also that Olajuwon was facing Ewing who he lost to twice in the NCAA championships. I'm surprised that the documentary didn't mention that.

[@vonstev1668]

He only lost one NCAA Championship to Ewing. The other was to NC State

[@Cocalistic]

Ok then.

[@vonstev1668]

Cocalistic I agree with all your points though.

[@hardwoodthought1213]

They did mention the defeat.

[@Jurocket]

they did mention it.

[@terapeo2027]

The Legendary hall of famer Chris Jent was also on the rockets.

[@meharinationsportspodcast2582]

John Starks in Game 6 played the best game of his career. While Ewing was struggling, Starks almost carried the Knicks to the championship before Olajuwon's rejection in the final seconds denied the Knicks the championship. In my opinion, his might have left his entire shooting stroke in Game 6 and was 3/18 in Game 7. To this day, I will never blame Starks for his shooting disaster because he played his heart out for the Knicks but I can blame Ewing for being outplayed against Olajuwon throughout the whole series. Pat Riley deserved the blame too for leaving Starks in the game when he wasn't shooting well and he should have placed in Davis or Blackman in the game for 3pt shooting. If the Knicks would have won the series Derek Harper would have been the MVP of the Finals because he shut down Kenny Smith and Vernon Maxwell until Game 6 and 7 along with him shooting well averaging 20+ in the series as well.

[@brandynhenry7107]

Good shit my man. Love the insight. Boss ass posts like this are what makes the comments section awesome despite the 90% douchebaggery ratio in them.

[@meharinationsportspodcast2582]

Thank You. I'm in the university of minnesota studying journalism and I want to be a sportswriter and these comments boost my confidence.

[@brandynhenry7107]

Abel Mehari haha, keep it up partner. Providing factual stats and providing a story and your opinion while at the same time making your opinion a minor subject matter, not the actual topic. That's what true journalism is all about. Keep digging and stay humble partner.

[@brandynhenry7107]

Abel Mehari Oh, and go Bucks(Ohio State grad here)

[@meharinationsportspodcast2582]

Brandyn Henry Hey, the Buckeyes have better overall success but the problem with the Gophers sports program has been their geographic location, and their facilities. People don't really like dealing with Minnesota winter specifically with the basketball teams, another problem has been they haven't invested enough money to improve their facilities because most of the buildings haven't received a lot renovations and they are really old buildings.

[@neomysterio]

Not underrated, he's considered the best of his era.

[@johnbenson7929]

Man... Thank you for uploading this video. I was a kid.... Had no money... Wanted this video so bad. Went into the military and when I got out and could afford one.... I could not find it. You rock.

[@cooljhags7356]

Man that would have been epic had Hakeem the greatest center of all time faced Michael Jordan the greatest player of all time in the Finals. It would have been absolutely epic to see.

[@jaimep3432]

Naw maybe 3rd.

[@youtuber3328]

please tell me who that player is with his hand on his ear at 47:42 next to kenny smith and hakeem olajuwon was legendary just like michael jordan but they didn't equal kareem abdul-jabbar and oscar robertson along with the goats being wilt chamberlain and bill russell

[@adamgalan1148]

I've always thought Robert Horry and Will Smith look like almost identical Twins!!

[@fidelsolis6070]

Haha yeah me too. That's what i said. I actually say look thats will smith. What's he doing with olajuwan

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

Yeah except Robert Horry looks more like Will Smiths ' fish 🐟 animated version from that aquatic movie he did.

[@ellandecampbell6279]

I don't know why these topics have come up, but I'll address them: 1) Why are people discrediting the Rockets' titles? Jordan retired, so the show shouldn't go on? People come & go, but the games continue to be played. 2) Supposed rust on MJ's part isn't an excuse for the Bulls' playoff loss in '95. The Bulls went 13-4 in the 17 regular season games he played in. In the playoffs, his stats were better than they were in the 95-96 playoffs. His averages in the series against the Magic: 31 points per game, .477 FG%, .231 3PT%, .796 FT%, 6.5 rebounds per game, 3.7 assist per game, 4 turnovers per game, 2.5 steals per game, 1.8 blocks per game. 3) Would the 93-94 & 94-95 Bulls have beaten the 2 Rockets' title teams? If the Bulls had Jordan in 93-94, I think it would've been an absolutely incredible series. The more I think about it, the more I change my mind as far as who would win. As far as 94-95, the Rockets would've destroyed that Bulls team. What's the missing link? Horace Grant. From 91-92 through 94-95 (his last 3 years with the Bulls, & his 1st year with the Magic), he averaged at least 12.8 points (15.1 in 93-94), at least 9.5 rebounds (11 in 93-94) & a field goal percentage of at least .508. (By comparison, Scottie Pippen led the 94-95 Bulls with 8.1 rebounds per game, followed by Jordan's 6.9 & Will Perdue's 6.7.). In the '95 playoff series against the Bulls, Grant averaged 18 & 11 on .647 shooting. That rebounding void is the reason why the Bulls traded for Dennis Rodman. 4) Why do so many people act as though Jordan did nothing other than score? Scoring was obviously his greatest asset, but that doesn't mean he didn't do anything else. (Look at the stats if you don't believe me.)

[@Mediocre0]

Ellande Campbell agreed.... yes im a rockets fan till the day i die. im deployed and still a fan supporting them even tho i can barley watch any of their games. i don't discredit Mj. i just think they wouldn't have had an answer for hakeem the dream that's all. absolutely would have been a 7 game series without a doubt in my mind

[@ChrisM07]

Horry would've gave Pippen huge problems. He had a size advantage, was just as athletic, and had the 2nd best defensive rating on the Houston team. The Bulls wouldn't have had a chance if Horry took Pippen out the series, which is a great possibility he would've.

[@ChrisM07]

@Blue Skeptic He wasn't? That's a good one he most definitely was, his impact on that end against Orlando was proof of that. He was a good perimeter defender it was PF's like Barkley, Kemp, and Malone that gave him trouble considering he wasn't an inside player.

[@chrisuncleahmad]

For all we hear about the Clyde trade of 1995, it should me noted Houston did NOT win the 1994 title in spite of Thorpe and Maxwell

[@hectorlopez1069]

Thorpe was traded for Drexler Maxwell quit the team after the first game of the 95 playoffs

[@samderrida]

Jordan said during his first three peat, after a regular season hammering by Hakeem, "we're lucky they never get out of the west because we have no answer for the big fella." Also remember in 93 Jordan was burned out even before the murder of his father. If he had kept playing he would not have been quite asas good. It was the two Years off that rejuvenated him. It is a fantasy that he could have played those two years and been exactly the same MJ as. He was before and after

[@kurtcometa4818]

I agree. The rockets would won even MJ didn't retire

[@arsonhakobyan]

No they wouldn't have, cause the Bulls added Kukoc.

[@blueblur2329]

If it's the 94 Bulls roster with MJ in his prime than I'd go with the 94 Bulls in 6. With the addition of a prime MJ and Kukoc it's a stronger roster than the 93 version. Although they wouldn't have an answer for Hakeem they would have enough bigs to battle the Rockets on the boards and the strategy would either be let Hakeem get his(which is just single coverage) and slow everyone else down(like the Knicks did in the 94 Finals which was very effective but only because they had the personnel to do so) or double Hakeem and force the shooters to beat you. If it's the 95 Bulls roster with Horace Grant gone to Orlando and no Rodman yet than I'd give it to the Rockets in 6. Bulls wouldn't have an answer for Hakeem and much like the Bulls had no choice but to double Shaq that year against Orlando the Bulls would be forced to double Hakeem setting his shooters up for wide open jumpers. If the Bulls decide not to double than Hakeem destroys them single coverage(just like Shaq did their bigs in the Orlando series). The Bulls get dominated in the paint and most likely loose the rebounding battle also. If it's the 96 Bulls roster than just like when MJ hit "The Shot" over Craig Ehlo "THE BULLS WIN! THE BULLS WIN!" in 5 or 6. With the addition of Rodman, Bulls have the ability to guard Hakeem in single coverage(just like they were capable of doing against Orlando that year) and the combination of that along with the Bulls team defense(plus perimeter defense) the Bulls present a real problem for the Rockets. In any case, the Rockets 95 run along with their 94 run is probably the most difficult runs in NBA history. Hakeem won the championship in 94 with no other All-star teammate. Meanwhile every other team he faced in the playoffs that year had at least 2 All-stars on them. So Hakeem's 1st championship had nowhere near as much help as any other center. In 95, Hakeem got an Allstar teammate in Clyde but they played from a 6th seed and never had home court advantage in any of their series but still won. The difficulties of these championships along with Hakeem practically having no weakness in his game and dominating all the best centers in the Golden age of Centers is why Hakeem is the Greatest Center of All-time.

[@ChrisM07]

The Rockets had Carl Herrera who could've defended Kukoc he was another athletic big they had along with the frontcourt starters and Kukoc struggled against that kind've defense. They could still win even if they were struggling from the perimeter because of their half court play on both ends, the Rockets had a more undersized team the following year and with Drexler played at a more uptempo pace so they had to shoot jumpers at a high clip to win most of the time.

[@breadandcircuses8127]

@@arsonhakobyan Rockets bested Kukoc. LOL!

[@JeffTheFutureJaros]

I agree with all that you said, but Chamberlain, he was absolutely amazing, watch some footage, he ran the floor & passed like a guard, I think he even led the league in assists one year, lol, Chamberlain is he measuring stick, Shaq on the other hand can't dream of having his skill set for sure, Dream dominated Shaq when they went up against each other, look at the finals that they went against each other.

[@jonathanwashington9199]

If Shaq Had Wilt's Skillset Combined With His Physical Strength Oh Boy Shaq Would Be An Maestro

[@cedricbarrey3537]

Hakeem Olajuwon has won every possible trophy in the world of basketball : ncaa champion . Ncaa finals mvp . NBA champion . NBA season mvp . NBA finals mvp . Magic Johnson , Wilt Chamberlain , Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul jabbar have done the same .

[@breadandcircuses8127]

Amazing

[@navaropalm6111]

Dream did it while being the lone all-star of that team. If you replace Dream with Lebron, you'd hear him crying of no help and wanting a "decision" all along.

[@RafsanS15]

once he demanded a trade...

[@kcrump6764]

It's amazing how people always say that if Jordan hadn't retired they would have won the years the Rockets won, yet they do not go back and see how they played each other during the year. Rockets would have won both series 94 & 95 Championship Years. Vernon Maxwell on Jordan in 94 and Drexler on Jordan in 95. Maxwell guarded Jordan better than anybody ever did. Drexler and Jordan would just about cancel each other out. Olajuwon was factor no body could guard.

[@mdmcdd1117]

Agreed!

[@mdmcdd1117]

***** Hypothetically speaking, if Jordan had not retired and the Bulls faced the Rockets in 1994, Jordan would have faced best player he ever faced for the title in Akeem. I'm sorry Mike, but Akeem was more dominate than you. Rockets win!!

[@KCRyder]

Chris D lol - no, no way. By that logic the lakers should have won in 1997 and 1998....

[@mdmcdd1117]

KCRyder Why should Lakers have won in those years?

[@KCRyder]

Chris D you argued that Hakeem was more dominant than Jordan.....wasn´t O`Neal more dominant then too? So the Lakers should have won, right?

[@edmon91]

The following season, Houston finally get the respect they deserve after repeating as champs, and without the benefit of homecourt advantage in all four playoff series.

[@geraldocesarrodrigues8285]

Muito bom rever estas grandes estrelas do basquete e grandes jogos. Registro espetacular.

[@SimbaLabrador]

I remember,my country man from Croatia, ZAN TABAK, was in this champion team!

[@yauguste85]

Live from Lakewood church

[@p-townhitta3138]

I see alot of haters on here lol

[@osiris3895]

Watching this after the Giannis just won his first ring with the Bucks hits different.

[@christophersanzo1833]

The Dream played the game so beautifully. He was an athletic artist 👩‍🎨 one of my favorite players of all time

[@markperez3540]

notice how Patrick ewing had almost no highlights in the finals

[@scottmiller275]

That’s because this is the Rockets championship highlight tape. He avg 19 pts and double digit rbds. Not bad vs an All-Time defender in Hakeem.

[@dopeking-2903]

But Ewing had like 37-38 field goal percentage meaning Hakeem just clamp the hell out of him

[@J98131]

@@scottmiller275 no it was bad bc as the person below you mentioned, he shot horribly

[@kohsmoger1567]

2016 rockets can't even compare to clutch city.

[@MrJimmy3459]

+Koh Smoger Not even close, this team was all around great

[@cmurphy0707]

The 2014/15 team came pretty close.

[@kohsmoger1567]

L

[@MrJimmy3459]

Connor Murphy Lay off the drugs man

[@cmurphy0707]

MrJimmy3459 Well think about it, we dominated the first round, and then had the series against the Clippers, including the game 6 comeback and the 3-1 comeback in general and a Southwest division title to go with it. Kinda similar parallels don't you think?

[@johnathancross7465]

A hell of a great team! Back to back.

[@darrino3606]

Robert is a hall of famer. He is obviously not the greatest, but the clutch shots in so many games made his contributions invouuable.

[@famitstj7589]

Am I the only one here from 2019?

[@phanthomzm]

2020

[@josephayers7395]

@@phanthomzm 2021

[@wiley666]

19:48 one of the nastiest dunks I’ve ever seen. And in Karl Malone’s face to boot. Sweetness!!

[@herbertamaya2215]

Tha dream shake one of a kind olojuwon the dream best era from my city back to back championships 94 95 players had heart humblness and actually passed the dam ball

[@joeyboy178]

Best center of all time

[@KCRyder]

27:00 - Chris Benoit WCW entrance theme....

[@MusicFromNBAFilms]

Jeff Rose, Martyn Ford & Richard John Parfitt - Replica (b)

[@ellandecampbell6279]

Part 2: To everyone that's discrediting the Rockets' titles because of Jordan's retirement (or suspension): The '95 Bulls would've gotten DESTROYED by the '95 Rockets. The '95 Bulls couldn't even beat a Magic team that got swept by the Rockets (despite Jordan's averages in that postseason being better in every single category than they were in the '96 playoffs, with the exception of 3PT%, FT%, & turnovers per game). Against the Magic, he averaged 31 points (on .477 from the field, .231 from 3-point range, & .796 from the line), 6.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists (& 4 turnovers), 2.5 steals & 1.8 blocks, so "rust" isn't an excuse. Horace Grant's departure was vital, which is why the Bulls later traded for Dennis Rodman. Now, if Jordan were on the '94 Bulls, they definitely would've had a chance to beat the Rockets. (The more I think about that one, the more difficult I think it is to pick a winner.).

[@ellandecampbell6279]

PS: I'm a Jordan fan, & I'm not a fan (or "hater") of the Rockets, just in case someone wants to call me biased

[@MrJimmy3459]

+Ellande Campbell But this 93-94 Rockets team was no joke either, they beat the Suns (coming back for an 0-2 deficit) and the Knicks in the finals. Both teams who the Bulls beat, the Suns in the 93 finals and the knicks who they always beat. This Rockets team would of probably pushed a game 7 with the Bulls had Jordan never left for this season.

[@ellandecampbell6279]

MrJimmy3459: Like I said, I have a hard time determining who I think would win such a matchup.

[@kohsmoger1567]

But none the less it would have been a matchup for the ages we never got to see happen because of poor timing.

[@ellandecampbell6279]

Oh yes, Jordan's alleged "rust" (which I'm still not buying) is because he spent his retirement or suspension playing baseball. He surely wouldn't have been "rusty" if he had spent that time playing another sport (sarcasm)

[@stevesibaja3123]

After the 1993 Season when the Bulls won the Championship Jordan Retires to play baseball and the Houston Rockets makes a Championship Run twice back to back in 1994 and 1995💪💪🏀🏀🏆🏆

[@DeuceDebonaire]

Such a great time in history and for the city ! Crazy how now Joel Olsteen preaches there every Sunday... Rockets Need another chip !!

[@hectorlopez1069]

Joel osteen preaches where the rockets won their 2 titles.

[@trollpolice]

would of loved to see these rockets play the jordan-pippen bulls. too bad it never happened.

[@kohsmoger1567]

+Alfredo Castro Thats because the magic pounded the shit out of the bulls.

[@trollpolice]

Jordan was playing baseball during those years. so the bulls weren't at 100%

[@FuShengAlex]

+Alfredo Castro Jordan must've felt he was facing the Rockets when he faced opposing pitchers....in both cases he was batting under .500.

[@kohsmoger1567]

But Jordan came back in the 1995 playoffs only having played 18 games to close out the season, but they were beaten soundly by the magic which the rockets humiliated in a 4 game sweep.

[@razkable]

I feel the 95 Clyde hakeem rockets would fair better vs. Mjs bulls...sorry but I don't trust Maxwell Thorpe a young cassel elie before he bloomed and horry smith vs the bulls star trios without another star at his side to lessen the burden ..hakeem couldn't best the duo of mj pippen at their peaks alone...

[@powerlessviet]

17:00 tears

[@Slaveship-zh8vx]

I'd say that Olajuwon is the best center bar none. But, it truly was Mad Maxx who's spark lit the come back in that first championship season. I will never forget the display he put on against Phoenix, that turned everything around.

[@legolas0078]

Wow this '93-94 Rockets team was amazing, then they added Clyde 'The Glyde' for '94-95 wow! Man would've loved Jordan to be in the game in these season's.

[@ChrisM07]

MJ said himself he was worried about a potential Finals matchup with the Rockets and was glad he didn't run into them, he was particularly talking about the 1st championship team. Kind've destroys the "MJ didn't fear the Rockets" myth that a lot of people have been saying for so long, doesn't it?

[@JeriDro]

lol @ Hakeem "Maybe next year.." yea we ALL know what happen in 95

[@jo23bulls]

The Dream would have had monster stats, but the Bulls would've been able to shut everyone else down. I think a Bulls and Rockets final would have been really interesting. I'd still have Bulls in 7. But with the lineup they had in 96, no contest.

[@ChrisM07]

The Rockets were a great defensive team too so what makes you think they wouldn't have been able to slow everyone else on the Bulls not named Jordan down?

[@ChrisM07]

***** Let's not forget that Horace Grant was apart of the Orlando Magic team that Houston swept, he wouldn't have saved Jordan from losing to the Rockets lol.

[@ChrisM07]

***** Word, agree with you. Rodman couldn't stop him either.

[@willtaylor9916]

jo23bulls Bulls would have won again if MJ were playing.

[@willtaylor9916]

***** You have a right to your opinion. I believe the Bulls would have kept winning championships for the following seasons if MJ had been playing.

[@nicholassmith277]

Thank you Rudy T! Thank you Thorpe! Thank you Horry! Thank you mad max! Thank you Cassell! Thank you Eillie! Thank you Kenny the Jet! Thank you CLYDE! Thank you to the role players! And Thank you Hakeem Olajuwon for the Two Rockets Championships! Forever the Heroes Of H-Town! “Don’t ever! Underestimate the heart of a champion!”

[@hectorlopez1069]

Jordan was so scared of that rockets team. He's lucky, he didn't play them in the Finals.

[@ChrisM07]

@@hectorlopez1069 "Michael Jordan Once Revealed His ‘Great Respect’ for the Rockets and Doubted Whether the Bulls Could Have Beaten Houston in the NBA Finals" He actually said this yet people still aren't convinced.

[@rvisual]

Sam Cassell from Florida State. Great Career in the NBA !

[@FuShengAlex]

So if Shaq considers himself the Most Dominant player ever and you consider him the greatest Center ever and yet Hakeem is the only superstar swept him off his homecourt and made him cry, then what should I be calling Hakeem? Hehehehehe!

[@ellandecampbell6279]

Part 1: To everyone that's discrediting this title by the Rockets (&/or the second one) because they didn't play the Sonics: All you can do is play who's in front of you. It's not the Rockets' fault that the Sonics choked. They blew a 2-0 lead (in a best-of-5 series) against a team with 21 fewer wins in '94, & then lost 3 games to 1 (including 3 straight, after winning Game 1 by 25) against an underdog with 9 fewer wins in '95, so the Sonics must not have been that good. Do you wanna go through the history books in every sport & attach an asterisk next to every team that was "lucky" to not play a particular opponent in the playoffs?

[@brucewayne1662]

Yeah that is even dumber than the Jordan retirement asterisk. And the 95 Rockets would have also beaten Seattle. Remember that the Spurs also had the Rockets' number, but the Rockets beat them in the playoffs anyway.

[@christopheracosta7658]

I remember watching the series and then during one game was the OJ Simpson slow ass Bronco chase. My teen years was some good hoop years.

[@Syphaxx5]

Very good basketball team. They played as a unit and got it done

[@geronjenkins18]

Starks was going to hit that three if it wasn't for Hakeem's fingertips.

[@tayeebhussain5014]

Olajuwon was a quality player.

[@ellandecampbell6279]

That's a huge understatement

[@tayeebhussain5014]

Ellande Campbell I really enjoyed watching the nba back in the day brother Ellande. NBA was full amazing players.

[@ellandecampbell6279]

Tayeeb Hussain: So did I. Basketball was my 1st favorite sport. The Knicks were my #1 team, & the Bulls were my #2 (because of MJ & Pippen), though I was too young for the 93-94 season. Maybe about 10 years ago, I completely lost interest, & the only thing I care about now is whether LeBron loses

[@gennygaite4945]

Hakeem is not jst quality....he is one of the best ever

[@hectorlopez1069]

​@@gennygaite4945the best to play the game.

[@rjpsuh06]

Mike Breen, then Knicks radio announcer and now on the NBA on ESPN/ABC, with the “BANG” on a John Starks three: 34:46

[@MichaelAstorga-iw4qo]

Clutch City came through back to back. 1995 playoff run will never be matched

[@GTheGenius]

Sad cause Ewing played hard and never won a ring. If only John Starks could've made more shots in Game 7.

[@cmurphy0707]

G The Genius Beats He pretty much used all his good shots the game prior, once the Rockets weathered that storm the series was over.

[@redpillfreedom6692]

If only Ewing hadn't shot 36% in that series

[@timsmith1033]

in my opinion the 94 & 95 rockets were better more complete teams than the 94 & 95 bulls.

[@delioniowilson7301]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 man ppl are funny

[@sunchaotmac]

joey joey joey. you are always bang bang bang .keep hanging there. dude. you are a legend as a ref.

[@timsmith1033]

94 Rockets vs bulls series with mj would have been an epic 7 game series but i do believe houston would have won. MJ would have gotten his points but the rockets would have doubled him the bulls would have had NO answers for hakeem & even worst the bulls would have had to double hakeem which is something they didnt do for any other center including shaq. double teams on hakeem would open up smith, maxwell, horry & elie all were very good 3pt shooters. maxwell had no fear and even out played mj in a few of their meetings horry & were elite defenders. if the these 2 teams met in 95 the rockets would have beat them in 5 but most likely 6. bulls were a worst team in 95 than in 94 with basically no interior defense with grant and houston with drexler & horry playing strech 4 making it even harder to double hakeem.

[@peskelj]

On paper Houston could win it, but MJ never lost this kind of competetion. We would probably see Jordan averagin 50 and 20 in 4Quarters.... it was always like that with 90s bulls. They were not able to guard, barkley, ewing, malone, mourning, shaq, kemp.... but somehow MJ always elevates to another level. That was the reason he was the best. Even bulls opponents didn't believe that MJ can be beaten.

[@timsmith1033]

@peskeji: if mj never lost he would have 13 titles instead of 6. If mj never lost he wouldn't have got swept out the playoffs in 86 & choked vs the magic in 95. If mj never lost any competition he wouldn't have gotten cut from his high school basketball team. If mj never lost why did he lose back to back game 7's against Detroit? Those 90's bulls team were great but they also faced water downed competion during the seacind 3 peat. Those Seattle & Utah teams they beat weren't as good as they were in previous years. Stockton & Malone were past their primes by 97. The only team the bulls faced that was close to their level was the 93 suns & they needed the refs help to beat Seattle in game 7.

[@peskelj]

In 90s none of the superstars that faced bulls in playoffs wasn't able to dominate the games as MJ did. That all I'm saying. I loved those rockets teams, and on paper they could have beat bulls, but in reality it always happened that Jordan would elevete to another level..... averagin more asist then Magic in 91 finals, destroying Drexler in 92, averagin 41 ppg against suns in 93..... In that strech 91-98 nobody was able to beat MJ.

[@FuShengAlex]

peskelj Yeah MJ jacking up a lousy 40% FG to beat New York in '93 and struggling most of the games while Hakeem lost vs a more talented Sonics team, leading Houston in scoring, rebounding, blocking, steals & assists. Its a good thing Mike had more help than any other star in the 90s :).

[@peskelj]

I agree with that... but M.J. wouldn't :/....and he could have done anything.

[@cdub4182]

the 94 rockets would have ended bulls reign with jordan on that team.

[@arsonhakobyan]

Not a chance!

[@michaelcardona4108]

Its possible

[@frednewman9183]

greatest basketball player ever Hakeem the dream Olajuwon

[@bwilson265]

What a great team!

[@FuShengAlex]

MJ never got the better of Hakeem.....Never has..Never would.

[@Chriscool202]

We will never know that