The Ultimate Rockets Team

In this series, I assemble what I believe is the greatest team possible for each franchise. In this specific video, we're looking at the Houston Rockets.
5 starters, 5 backups, and 3 rotations players. A total of 13 roster spots on each Ultimate Team. It's not just about talent, but it's about building a team that works and gels together.
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Instagram: / jonnyarnett. .
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The game of Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old. I grew up as a kid watching my dad's recorded VHS tapes of playoff games through the 70s and 80s, and collected all the Basketball cards. Something about the game and what it represents just hooked me from a very young age.
My love for the game only continues to grow as time goes on. I love studying and analyzing the game, with an unbiased perspective. Feel free to subscribe, follow me on social media, and celebrate this amazing game and it's rich history with me!
I post videos every week on NBA history, predictions, hypothetical scenarios and current NBA topics.
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Intro Music: Turn On - RW Smith • Turn On - RW Smith (No... ​​​​​​​​​​
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#nba #basketball #hoops

[@jonnyarnett]

Which Ultimate Texas team do you think has the best squad?? Dallas, Houston or San Antonio??

[@celtics17banners84]

Dallas can’t defend like Houston or San Antonio. It’s tough but I’m going with spurs

[@pranksterboy8371]

I asked this on Reddit. The answer was 1. Houston. 2 Spurs. 3. Dallas.

[@TheProtagonistDies]

Houston.

[@DuranmanX]

Might be bias, but Houston. Too much history, from Hayes, to Moses, Sampson, Olajuwon, Drexler, TMac, Yao Ming, and Harden. Spurs are a close second though. They have the Iceman, the Admiral, Duncan, Kawhi and Wemby.

[@billysdedoussis1438]

Starting 5 is close but probably Spurs if we are talking about peak kawhi. Overall team definitely Houston. T P Gervin Kawhi Admiral Duncan Murphy Harden TMac Ralph Dream

[@king_supreme1102]

This team is fire. Throw in Harden, McGrady, Drexler, Olajuwon, and Malone as a death lineup. It’s great 2K team for sure.

[@RemoWilliams1227]

Oof that IS a good team

[@chrisl5711]

Should be the starting 5 for sure

[@MRWEDAWEST]

Fa sho*

[@Bigedub101]

​@@chrisl5711it's only one ball

[@3631956406]

- Hakeem Olajuwon will rest for some minutes. - Thank God. - Moses Malone enters to the court. - Whaaaat?!

[@TheIcemanthomas]

Oh Malone is out for the night. Don’t worry, we got 7 ft 6 Yao and 7 ft 4 Sampson 😂😂

[@awc6007]

@@TheIcemanthomas Houston Twin Towers? Nah those guys are the Houston Skyline 😂

[@TheIcemanthomas]

@@awc6007 and then u got big e Elvin Hayes as a reserve and Dwight waiting to be called up. That’s wild

[@3631956406]

@@TheIcemanthomas LOL, what a nightmare would be facing them.

[@BoricuaMMA.]

@@TheIcemanthomasI'm a rockets diehard and I didn't realize how many bugs we have that have been great and effective on the team. We got like 6 7 footers so it is the skyline 😂

[@chickenrex6835]

the pick and roll game between harden and basically this teams entire frontcourt rotation would be actually terrifying

[@adg9042]

mcgrady harden front court minutes…

[@Bigedub101]

Exactly this team has nothing but SKYSCRAPERS

[@markjackson6431]

Moses Malone should be the starting PF…man he’s underrated

[@lilpenny1982]

Moses Malone would decline playing at PF. He's a C

[@dwaynewade3711]

@@lilpenny1982I mean its weird bc jonny put kareem at the PF so not putting malone is weird too

[@lilpenny1982]

@dwaynewade3711 Yeah true. He should be consistent

[@acrumpet1329]

@@lilpenny1982Malone isn’t a power forward, he had one season where he played PF in the ABA. Plus, he is far more suited to center, he doesn’t have the mid range like Hakeem, but rebounds and defends like the best centers

[@c99kfm]

Hakeem as starting PF, Malone as starting C?

[@billysdedoussis1438]

Rudy Tomjanonivich instead of Barkley he was a 5 time all star and at his peak year he was a top15 mvp vote getter probably good enough for all-nba 3rd team if it existed in his era. Also might consider Big Shot Bob as the ultimate championship role player Otherwise pretty good list

[@kevinhouse4376]

Yes!! The absence of Rudy Tomjanovich in the top 13 is a glaring omission! Ron Artest played one year (!) for the Rockets and averaged 17 points a game, shooting 40 percent from the field and gathering five rebounds a game. In comparison Rudy played for the Rockets throughout the entire decade of the 70s, averaging around 20 points a game with high rebounding totals and a great field goal percentage for a forward.

[@derekt9974]

​@@kevinhouse4376 agreed. I know he is also picking players with play styles and chemistry in mind, but sometimes the years of service and / or the contributions for only the specific team out way that. (Example: Rudy instead of Ron) These aren't all time players, it's the team version of the player. That's like putting Shaq on the all time suns team.

[@xiamfinal571]

Top 15 mvp vote getter means nothing. Could have been 1 vote

[@inteligentidiot7233]

My favorite thing about this series is seeing just how solid some of these franchises have been over the years. For example, I would have happily put Kenny Smith and Sam Cassell on this team, until I saw who you picked, and then I realize the bit of history I missed.

[@DylanMadd]

Whoa. You got Paul, Clyde, TMac & Harden and your advantage is the PAINT?!! Yeah. These guys would be devastating.

[@lesbo37]

To be fair, it's a well past their prime version of Paul, Clyde and Tmac.

[@DylanMadd]

@@lesbo37 there’s at least one year on Hou when each of those guys was still great. Clyde brought them the 2nd chip. Paul went to the finals with the Suns after being there. You make a good point. Big names get old too!!

[@lesbo37]

@@DylanMadd No doubt, TMac also had a great season but they're still comfortably past their primes, it's a shame with Tmac especially as he really shouldn't have been but his body fell even more to pieces in Houston.

[@John-ct9zs]

TMac was 25 when he played for the Rockets. That’s old!?

[@coloradoconservative9073]

Once you finish the series, you should make a video about. How do you think the season would go and who would win the championship

[@74205gb]

He has said that he is going to do a 2k video game simulation for a whole season. Should be fun. Go Lakers!

[@cadecrusader3940]

Thank you Jonny for doing all time team including my favorite player in basketball, Hakeem Olajuwon!

[@ozgurdemir8929]

What a team!!! Unbelievable! SCARY!!!

[@MrReese]

The center position is insane on this team - and the team has possibly the best three rotation players of all teams. Just look at the honorable mentions, there are several players that would find a place in the top13 of other teams. Houston really should have more championships.

[@TheIcemanthomas]

Thank injuries and Kermit Washington for that

[@Bigedub101]

If wasn't for injuries or bad management they should have at least 4-5.

[@realhouston8156]

A video about my rockets what a time to be alive 🙏🙏

[@paquitocauli5229]

Thank you for making the Ultimate Rockets Team. This is my favorite of your Ultimate team series and have been looking forward to watching the Houston Rockets. I actually listened to this three times on my long drive to work.

[@ryanbobyan]

Harden and Olajuwon/Malone 😮‍💨😮‍💨. Plus McGrady and Yao in there?????

[@RemoWilliams1227]

Don't sell Drexler short either, Clyde was a bucket.

[@Dr.J42]

Clyde was a menace.

[@Bigedub101]

​@@RemoWilliams1227young people don't know how good Drexler is

[@Luso00_]

​@@Bigedub101Clyde the glide

[@tonevays]

Wow, this team is stacked... Though for that last spot really expected Robert Horry to fill it in case you need a game winning shot!

[@ralegade7710]

Damn. Imagine how effective Yao would be if they only need l needed him for 8-12 minutes a game.

[@Bigedub101]

He walking bucket and unstoppable cause he be in best health and gotta remember was Hella good FT shooter so he can't stop him from scoring. 15 points in like 9 minutes

[@coloradoconservative9073]

I love this series keep it up

[@sirbradfordofhousejones]

The honorable mentions always intrigue me- there really wasn’t much outside of the top 13, but the 13 itself is absolutely phenomenal. Definitely a top three seed in the west.

[@timmyg831]

I know what you’re saying, I’m a Houstonian and if I had to pick 3 best Honorable Mentions it’s hard. Right now I have Sleepy Floyd, Sam Cassell, Otis Thorpe.

[@steezsteezsteez]

10:13 that dunk was unexpected lmao

[@Bigedub101]

It really was and shocked he still was explosive

[@kirkiedakingpin]

I love this series. My favorite series

[@c99kfm]

Rob Horry needs to be a rotation player. He has the nerves for the big games, and famously the big shots. He helped three different teams win a total of seven rings - even if it's luck, I want that type of luck on the bench, ready to be deployed.

[@Sketch_0123]

I agree. Plus we need to remember how Horry had to defend some of the hall of fame bigs at that time, like Barkley, Karl Malone, Rodman (then w/ the Spurs), Kemp, etc. I feel his defense is undervalued.

[@Bigedub101]

He not making it over these bigs

[@74205gb]

Great Videos. This team will be in the mix for sure. Love to see Luis Scola in the honorable mentions.

[@17thNO]

That is a Top 5 squad.

[@Titch-de2re]

Team is stacked but I'd definitely make some changes. Calvin Murphy was great, but I'm not sure he is starting lineup worthy, especially considering how redundant his skillset is next to Harden. I'd probably look to slide Harden to the PG, and bring Drexler in for Murphy. I would also say that the 4 spot would definitely change for me depending on the matchup, and I could even see Malone starting a lot of games, and even Artest starting a good few as well when we need to go small. I also hate to do it, but I'd probably take out Chuck for Horry, just to add some much needed shooting to this squad, and I'd also be tempted to take out Yao for another shooter like Kenny Smith, just purely because the big men spots are so stacked he probably won't see much minutes anyway. Great picks tho, definitely one of the more stacked all-time lineups!

[@Bigedub101]

It's crazy injuries, or just playing better teams like in 1981,1986 kept them from winning more. Plus I'd change Murphy out too and put Drexler, it be lobs for days

[@benhenderson8952]

The amount of legendary centers, including PJ Tucker 🚀 💯

[@UltimateRareAncientGearGolem]

As a lifetime Rockets fan, you did a stellar job researching this team, i was worried you'd have some terrible lineup, in comparison to other teams in this series with modern spacing concepts, like Harden, T-Mac, Drexler, Hakeem, and Moses. But no you actually made a genuine modern lineup full of the greatest Rockets of all time, only change id make is swapping CP3 and Franchise but that's more of personal bias against Franchise 😅

[@Rsoto9185]

I have to rewatch the lakers one again to see how they compare. Every single time i thought i had the next player in my head, you go and mention someone 5 times better than i was originally thinking... the fact that guys like Luis Scola, Rudy Tomjonavich, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard, Vernon Maxwell didn't make the cut shows how absurdly stacked this team is... one of my favorite ones so far

[@Roy-ms8vt]

Great series, love the insight

[@tehsamjones]

This team is going to the conference finals, straight 🔥

[@Indigo_LaCrown]

It took a while but you finally got around and doing my hometown team. 😊👍

[@yigitryan4050]

Love the channel love the rockets and love the team

[@yigitryan4050]

LESSGO A HEART BABYYYYYYYYY most subbed channel to give me a heart

[@Canteen926]

Robert Horry is always the overlooked mastermind. Dude just wins.

[@elijahmorris9864]

I’ve watched video in series and many of them multiple times! Keep up the good work.

[@alex4833]

Wow, that is an incredible starting 5. Harden and T-Mac together would be amazing but adding Hakeem, Sampson, and Murphy together makes them even more amazing. The bench is so deep too. Francis and Drexler would be an incredible backcourt. Hayes, Artest, and Malone would be an incredibly difficult frontcourt to score on and rebound against. Ditto for Hakeem and Sampson. This team is so deep. Yao, CP3, and Barkley are some of the better 3rd string players in this series. This team is superb. Awesome video :) Have a nice weekend!

[@carlcolemanjr]

Great video, but I would put Malone and Olajuwon on the court together as starters. I also think Elvin Hayes was better than Ralph Sampson. Elvin Hayes was a beast for the rockets.

[@michaelbritt7397]

Kudos for respecting Calvin!!

[@allthingsfitness3957]

I would’ve personally put Hakeem at the 4 and Moses at the 5, I think Hakeem would fair quite well in the power forward position, entertaining video as always thoufh

[@koaschnir]

Benching Drexler and Malone is a crime for me. But i got youre point! Great work as always, it was a pleasure to watch!

[@fortynights1513]

Hot take: I like the late 90’s to early 2000’s Rockets jerseys best.

[@gamefreak2050]

Imagine all those second chances Harden could get from Moses 🤯

[@johnjackson229]

great video, Rocket homer here. I think you have to put Hakeem at the 4 and play him at the same time with Moses. This would allow you to bring in Yao earlier and when you need some good efficient down low points off the bench, and Sampson as a backup and playing limited minutes on his knees. Also, I am not the biggest CP3 fan but I would start him or at least move him in front of Stevie Franchise. Stevie couldn't really lead a team and Calvin was instant offense. With Harden, Tmac, Hakeem, and Moses on the floor together, I would let CP3 distribute and bring Murphy in off the bench like Vinny the microwave used to heat things up. Artest would play a good deal of minutes when defense was needed, and I agree with the post below that Rudy T should be in here instead of Barkley or E Hayes. Neither were at their primes in Houston. Lots of star talent on this roster and great offensive skill. However, I don't see a lot of winners here outside of Hakeem and I don't think they would fare well against an evenly matched team.

[@paquitocauli5229]

Moses Malone had a ring with the 76'ers. Ron Artest and Elvin Hayes have a ring each and CP3 have two gold medals. Drexler have a ring and a gold medal too. What are you talking about not having a lot of winners outside of Olajuwon?

[@johnjackson229]

@@paquitocauli5229 You proved my point. Olympic gold doesn't mean crap without NBA championships, and EVEN when you have a ring it doesn't mean you're clutch and can perform under pressure to win. Moses only won his with DR J and a stacked team, never sniffed a chip any other year of his career. Drexler came up short in the playoffs except for riding Hakeem's leadership coattails. This is a good team, but if you put them up against the all time Lakers or Celts, I think they would fold down the stretch.

[@paquitocauli5229]

​@@johnjackson229 i dont know what you're talking about. dont change parameters. you said "not a winner". i dont know why you would proceed to denigrate drexler's contribution as a merely riding olajuwon's coatails. rockets would not get past round 1 vs utah without him. your comment about gold medals not equaling nba chips, ok...be closed-minded. winning 8s winning, representing your country equates to winning too... look...just be honest, you dont know shit and you're biased. but i do agree this team would lose against all time lakers and celtics. but even then, i'll give them a puncher's chance. this team has enough hall of famers to give them a fight.

[@TwentyGrand]

Finally❤ The ultimate rockets would beat all of the ultimate teams on this series

[@kylepatrick2231]

Rockets Westbrook would be a tremendous addition off the bench - especially with big spacers like Yao Ming on the floor to clear up the paint for him. His time in Houston should not be forgotten.

[@TheIcemanthomas]

They nearly lost in the first round to a okc team with only cp3 as an allstar.

[@kylepatrick2231]

@@TheIcemanthomas yes but Westbrook's numbers during his Houston stretch at a point were downright great. He shot more efficiently than ever while there (barring this season), averaging 27/8/7 for the season, and at least 31/10/10 for a stretch I recall.

[@owensmith2137]

My my! That's a great team! Have you thought about doing all decade team lists with the same amount of rosters spots? Or would you do it like a All NBA first, second, and third team?

[@vicentecampos2893]

Championship contenders. The team is packed.

[@Jutrzen]

No team with Harden will be contender.

[@lookinforthe70s]

Yeah, that team is LOADED.

[@XaviorJordan]

SICK Lineup

[@demirg1421]

Harden was an unit 4-5 years ago holy shit man

[@eamparbeng]

You should pit the best teams assembled for each franchise against each other in a playoff series

[@michaelsloane9955]

This team is loaded. I've previously felt that the Rockets would be a 2-4 seed in the ultimate west and I stand by that. I'll wait to see what the Spurs and Warriors teams look like before deciding between them but I've felt all along they were 2-4 with the Lakers being 1. This Rockets team has an embarrassment of riches in the paint and on the block in all 3 phases, offense, defense, and rebounding. Hakeem is the 2nd best defensive center of all time behind only Boston's Bill Russell. And his offensive game was the most complete of any big man ever. With Hakeem, Sampson, Malone, and Hayes, not only do you lots of options for scoring in the paint and for rim protection on the other any, but you also have the best rebounding quartet of any team in this series. This team would MURDER their opponents in the points in the paint category with their combination of interior scoring skills and rim protection. As for the guards, Harden and Mcgrady are both multi time scoring champions and Drexler is extremely underrated as in his prime he was unstoppable as the great drivers and slashers of his era who also had 3 point range. Sampson and Olajuwon would also benefit from Harden's passing skills as Harden is also a 2 time assist champion. I would make Paul my starting point guard. With Harden, Mcgrady, Sampson, and Olajuwon on the floor, I'd rather have a pass first point guard. Perimeter defense is the biggest weakness of this team holistically and Paul is an all time great defensive point guard as well. I'd move CP3 into the starting lineup, bring Murphy off the bench, and make Francis a rotation player. It really puts in perspective how loaded this team is in the frontcourt that CHARLES BARKLEY is an end of the bench guy. This team would win at least one playoff series and maybe two. Man, this team is totally awesome baby!

[@mukaiba1]

I love the 13 - my only gripe is Ron Artest over Scottie Pippen...but I'm a 90's Bulls fan, so that's to be expected 😄. Love your content!

[@joelgonzalez2695]

I was expecting to see my man Luis Scola in there, but yeah, it is a stacked roster.

[@baller23ist]

This team is FIRE 🔥 I’m a Rockets fan as well.😎 🚀🚀🚀🚀

[@RetroBlaze43]

This my fav team thus far

[@stephenwashingtonjr1625]

This is loaded and deadly whenever you have such all time great playmakers and scorers you really don’t need shooters

[@JoseGuzman-ne3pk]

Damn the Rockets all time was so good Kevin Martin and Mad Max was left off the list.

[@adg9042]

T-Mac and Harden on the perimeter/mid range and Malone and Hakeem in the paint, yeah these guys have a chance to take down the lakers

[@rafaelraad555]

@jonnyarnett Moses can also play as PF. Can you imagine the defensive line with Hakeem, Moses and Artest. 😮 THAT IS DEFENSE

[@user-jw5qj8kv2y]

After spending one season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dwight Howard was acquired by Rockets general manager Daryl Morey in 2013. Howard would go on to play three seasons in Houston and average 16.0 points per game (60.1% shooting) and 11.7 rebounds. Howard and James Harden played together from 2013-16, and the deepest the duo went in the postseason was a Western Conference Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors during the 2014-15 season.

[@Italiancwb125]

I think Moses has to start!

[@ryanscott8180]

Im been a ball fanatic for almost half a decade since Ive got into but I never in a million years would have thought artest played for houston

[@wayneenglish17]

Harden and Hakeem is a crazy good duo. Arguably the greatest offensive player ever paired with arguably the greatest defensive player ever

[@claytonphillips85]

This is definitely a stacked roster

[@averyce2]

Barkley for Robert "Big Shot Rob" Horry and this team is #2 Seed in thr West!!

[@RemoWilliams1227]

Lol until the last two minutes when Robert is a must if it's close.

[@glenn-fr7hj]

This center rotation is crazy

[@letsgoooo9200]

Oh god this teams rebounding is crazy

[@gotwobag7876]

Happy Saturday!!!

[@RemoWilliams1227]

Right back at you bruv.

[@josephahern4096]

This is my pick for all time teams right here at least as far as 2k is concerned

[@chrisl5711]

McGrady on like 3 all time teams is wild

[@RetroBlaze43]

Can you do a video of the best single seasons by unknown players(the greatest 1 hit wonders)

[@douglasmcfarland9040]

This team in my opinion is tge 2nd best team of the series

[@showtimenick824]

3:36 I'm cool with Ralph Sampson's son Robert, who was playing professionally in Japan but now he's in Vietnam.

[@Mikey-wf9py]

6:27 first of all that was disgusting by Clyde drexler old men destroyed him and you could just see it on his face after like that old man face like please young blood. I've been doing this for 15 plus years... The same time man that was great work saying his stats exactly at the end he capped it off with that dunk in that guy's face. You put it together beautifully!

[@quackmemes5410]

Finally my rockets!!

[@jamvan1000]

That center rotation is a nightmare

[@tmac731]

Nice team, if I were you I would have Moses starting at PF and Hakeem as Center then have Sampson and Ming off the bench

[@psalmerperena4120]

This team is the most stacked when it comes to the big man positions.

[@florianpoulin7108]

I would personaly switch Sampson for Malone in the starting lineup. Then I would put Horry insted of Yao in the team (there are still many big manwithout him). Horry could be the joker option to put on a Forward position in the money time to get a clutch shot opportunity, as he used to do many times.

[@MT-zy7iz]

This team is tough as hell. I wouldn’t want to see this team today or any decade

[@benshabsels1600]

Id use Pippen over Artest for the offensive upside and very similar defense

[@silasbaby96]

My favorite team to win. Everybody have offensive and defensive

[@JulianLopez-xo4wz]

Houston Rockets a championship Team The Dream, The Bread, Calvin Murphy underrated, Ralph Samson, Yao Ming, The Chairman of the Boards, The Franchise, Clyde the Glide, Sir Charles, t Mac, Elvin Hayes, Ron Arrest defense, plus CP3.

[@acrumpet1329]

Hey Jonny why would you not put Hakeem at the 4 and run Moses at the 5? Hakeem was agile enough to be around the perimeter and Moses could grab rebounds on both offense and defense. Sampson was good but why him over a MVP who single handily carried his team to the NBA finals in 82?

[@ManEFresh]

Now this is a team that will make serious noise. The Spurs are the other team I root for besides Philly, and even I have to admit this Rockets team is better. There are so many rotations you can do with this squad that it's arguable Elvin Hayes should start at the 4. Or even Moses to maximize rebounding and have a 99 overall PF. That's what I do sometimes. Even the guards and wings are just fantastic scorers (even if their most recent MVP winner is a terrible winner for the time imo), so it's not going to be easy to guard them whatsoever. Even their defense is solid to the point where it can compete against other all-time offenses. The only issues with the Rockets are like you said, health, and the fact that 2 of the biggest favorites in the Lakers and Warriors are in their conference. However, I think the Rockets can beat one of them, maybe even both if the cards play right. But hey, those are my thoughts. See you for the winningest Texas team in the Spurs.

[@kannon1610]

I would have gone Yao for 2nd team center with Malone at PF and Hayes on rotation

[@yansonfilpo1818]

Rockets 🚀 are stacked!!

[@alejanoelallen1952]

🏀

[@sidseverino]

I think it would be better if there's no duplicate players in every team. Only one team for each player. Murphy Harden T-Mac Sampson Hakeem Alston Francis Battier Scola Yao Brooks Elie Robert Reid REMOVE: Drexler (Blazers) Artest (Pacers) Hayes (Bullets/Wizards) CP3 (Clippers) Barkley (Suns)

[@richardscott9973]

Houston is a real dark horse, no-one is sweeping these guys.....

[@justtimes9257]

this team is this team would win a chip

[@bautistarobles2954]

Do the spurs next. That's an interesting one

[@jonnyarnett]

They are next, but thats simply because I'm going in alphabetical order of the teams names. lol

[@MGroot-ou7de]

Paul to the starting lineup, Pippen a a distributor in the second unit, Murphy to the third unit and Francis is out. Also change Barkley to the second unit

[@texastoast9629]

Fuck yes! I waited for this team

[@byltraining]

They winning it all

[@Ball2930.]

Can you do a video on if DPOY were given to the best defender in 2010s and maybe up until current days?

[@3243_]

Yes, Calvin Murphy was extremely dangerous as an offensive player and free-throw shooter. And he was extremely dangerous if you started a fight with him.

[@DBomber_24]

And of course, coach Rudy T. is the coach for this ultimate Rockets team, not unless you want to underestimate the heart of a champion.

[@benberry792]

Would've Loved to see The Jet on the team but I dig it, super stacked as-is 😎 great series Jonny!

[@entervman2011]

@jonnyarnett, you put Malone and Olajuwon in the same starting lineup, I think it’s even better. I mean, look at their two championship seasons, in the 90’s. The first one, the only real star was Olajuwon. The rest were role players.