The 1990-91 Rockets and How They Relate to Today…My Column: lol

basso · Apr 29, 2026

Bolajuwon said: ↑

Interesting team the 90-91 team. After dream went out everyone thought the rockets were toast but mr mean larry smith became a rebounding machine, otis thorpe was the # 1 option and avg 20 and 11, max avg 18 kenny gave u 17. i remember the 1st game dream came back and they lost and the media lost it saying it was his fault, sounds like todays fans. Anyway I thought Hou got robbed in gm 1 vs the lakers in the 91 playoffs and were swept after that. Thats when i witnessed the nba cheating for the lakers and it continues today.
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Mr Mean sweepstakes:

Larry Smith vs Larry Micheaux

DaDakota · Apr 30, 2026

Well, up to 2-3.

DD

Newlin · Apr 30, 2026

MadMax said: ↑

Last thing…I spent 5 years coaching AAU hoops for a nonprofit that I love so much. Through that I learned really quickly, sometimes the coach can’t answer the question for you…maybe more than sometimes. I knew I could draw up plays to get my kids open shots..but I can’t make it for them. I look down that bench when we’re struggling and the answer isn’t there…because there is no answer if your team just can’t put the ball in the basket. The wide open shots and missed layups and bunnies kill me because of that experience. I’ve been defensive about Ime a lot because of that experience and given the shortcomings of our roster..but I also get I’d never say things (and my son wouldn’t either about kids he coaches) in the way that Ime said the other night. He needs to go….I just want you all to understand a coaching change isn’t a panacea for the issues we have with our roster.
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The Rocket players are not children. They are professional athletes making millions of dollars. They can be coached differently than children. Maybe he told them exactly what they needed hear. Or, maybe without KD they grew up a little and realized they are capable of winning games themselves. Maybe some of both.

Players comments after the game seem to indicate that they heard what Ime said and responded.

MadMax · Apr 30, 2026

Newlin said: ↑

The Rocket players are not children. They are professional athletes making millions of dollars. They can be coached differently than children. Maybe he told them exactly what they needed hear. Or, maybe without KD they grew up a little and realized they are capable of winning games themselves. Maybe some of both.

Players comments after the game seem to indicate that they heard what Ime said and responded.
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I completely agree with you. Just was giving my perspective from my experience. This group definitely is responding to what he said in the right way!! Let's go!!!

KingCheetah · Apr 30, 2026

The 1990-91 Rockets and How They Relate to Today…My Column: lol

fryjol7 · Apr 30, 2026

MadMax said: ↑

Among my very favorite Rockets squads ever was the 1990/91 Rockets. Hakeem was Hakeem…but the supporting cast of what would later be key parts of back to back champs was coming together.

I was in high school..in love with the Rockets already…and could finally drive to the Summit to go see games with friends. They had just acquired this guy named Vernon Maxwell who I fell in love with immediately. Just all heart with a massive “I’ll show you” chip on his shoulder. Very clearly, that was and is my guy. They also brought in this other guy named Kenny Smith. Those 2 joined Dream and Otis Thorpe. That’s 80% of the starting lineup that would bring Houston its first major pro sport title.

Dream missed 25 games down the stretch because Bill Cartwright couldn’t keep his elbows to himself and broke his eye socket. Larry (Mr. Mean) Smith filled in big time. They won big games down the stretch to get the 6 seed. I went to the last game of the season with one of my best friends…against Denver..sat super high up in the Summit…still great seats

They were swept in the first round by the Lakers that would go on to lose to the Bulls for MJ’s first title. I was convinced we’d win that series, because I was a fan. (Quick reminder, I was voted Most Optimistic in high school lol). I was so all in on that team. Made it so much sweeter when I was in the building in a Maxwell jersey on June 22, 1994.

They’re among my favorite Rockets teams ever because they played so hard. They busted ass, and it was their calling card. Winning a bunch of games when Dream was out to keep a playoff spot was phenomenal. I was 17 years old, and this was the team my Dad woke me up for when Sampson hit that shot when I was 12.

It occurs to me that I had no idea then about efficiency numbers or analytics. I knew they worked hard and they carried stories that were relatable to me…and they were MY team because they played for Houston. Didn’t have social media to tell me how overwhelmed they were or how trash they were…didn’t even have Clutchfans for that either. We didn’t wake up to a constant stream of negativity. I regret I’ve contributed to that to any extent. That robs us from the joy of just being a fan of OUR TEAM.

I hate that we and I have lost any part of that…the biggest part of it…because we’re knee deep in math and formulas. And I’m guilty of it too. I was critical of Şengün yesterday about math…but what he did yesterday transcends numbers…it’s what it means to be a human being and a leader, and that’s why I care and why I watch. I don’t watch or care so I can pretend to be GM or for formulas and equations. I don’t bet on sports…I watch to root on my city and to draw inspiration from competition. I’ll never forget Amen talking about Sengun’s pre-game speech. Guys diving out of bounds to save a possession last night. That’s the **** that belongs on a Dream On video I’ll watch when I’m 80, assuming I last that long (sure wish someone would have recorded the Şengün talk they way they did Yao stomping his knee! )

I get we have a ton of factors working against this current group…but I genuinely like them sans Durant. And Durant could still win me over if he did things the right way from now on. He’s a Rocket after all. I guess we’ll see because I still hate Pippen lol

Either way, I plan to lean back into the fun of just being a fan. These are my guys until they’re not. I’ll be here for the Rockets long after all of them are gone.

As I said last night….no one has ever come back from 3-0..but a handful of teams have come back from 3-1, and as I hit send on this post, it’s 3-1. If we win on Wednesday the pressure is gonna be so tough on the Lakers for Game 6 to try to avoid a Game 7 and being the first team in history to blow a 3-0 lead. LFG

Last thing…I spent 5 years coaching AAU hoops for a nonprofit that I love so much. Through that I learned really quickly, sometimes the coach can’t answer the question for you…maybe more than sometimes. I knew I could draw up plays to get my kids open shots..but I can’t make it for them. I look down that bench when we’re struggling and the answer isn’t there…because there is no answer if your team just can’t put the ball in the basket. The wide open shots and missed layups and bunnies kill me because of that experience. I’ve been defensive about Ime a lot because of that experience and given the shortcomings of our roster..but I also get I’d never say things (and my son wouldn’t either about kids he coaches) in the way that Ime said the other night. He needs to go….I just want you all to understand a coaching change isn’t a panacea for the issues we have with our roster.

But it’s our roster and it’s our team and I’ve been all in since I was 11. I turn 52 on Friday lol.

Go Rockets (tldr you’re old, MadMax!!)
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thank you for sharing, respect.
You are right, we are hurt because we invest so much time, and nowadays, its the only thing its really ours.

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