‘95’s Resilient Rockets
In June 2020, Bleacher Report published an article that featured a captivating list ranking the top 10 NBA playoff runs in history. Here is how the list went:
2001 Los Angeles Lakers
2017 Golden State Warriors
1991 Chicago Bulls
1989 Detroit Pistons
1996 Chicago Bulls
1987 Los Angeles Lakers
2016 Cleveland Cavaliers
1986 Boston Celtics
1999 San Antonio Spurs
1983 Philadelphia 76ers
In classical Bleacher Report fashion, they omitted a highly underrated run, one that holds the distinction of being the lowest-seed ever to win.
-
During the 1994-1995 NBA season, the Houston Rockets earned the 6th seed in the playoffs with a 45-37 record. They faced challenges, including injuries to key players and the integration of Clyde Drexler post-All-Star break. Before the break, they were 29-17, but they went 18-18 afterward. Injuries impacted their performance, with 9-9 without Robert Horry, 10-8 without Vernon Maxwell, and 3-7 without Hakeem Olajuwon
-
The starting lineup was anchored by Hakeem Olajuwon, renowned for his dominant post play. Kenny Smith orchestrated the offense, Vernon Maxwell showcased his scoring, Robert Horry brought defensive tenacity, and Clyde Drexler added star power.
-
The Rockets had won the championship the last year with Hakeem winning Finals MVP, though they looked much worse the next season being streaky and winning 11 games less.
Here were the odds for the Rockets that year:
Round 1: +210 (32% chance to win)
Round 2: +210 (32% chance to win)
Round 3: +250 (29% chance to win)
Finals: +130 (44 % chance to win)
Check out the odds yourself!
Examining each playoff matchup, they featured impressive comebacks, gritty performances, and it sent a strong message to the big men in the league. David Robinson had won the MVP that season and was on the 1st All-NBA team, while Shaq earned a position on the 2nd All-NBA team, and Hakeem on the 3rd All-NBA team. Let's take a look.
Quarter-Finals vs the 60-22 Utah Jazz.——————————————————————————————————————
Hakeem: 35/8.6/4 0.8 steals, 2.6 block
Clyde: 25.2/6.6/4.6 1.8 steals, 0.6 block——————————————————————————————————————
HOF’s defeated: Karl Malone, John Stockton
Semi-Finals vs. the 59-23 Phoenix Suns.
—————————————————————————————————————Hakeem: 29.6/9/3.7 0.6 steals, 2.3 block————————————————————————————————————— HOF: Charles Barkley The Rockets
Overcame a 3-1 deficit!
Conference Finals vs. the 62-20 San Antonio Spurs. ——————————————————————————————————— Hakeem: 35.3/12.5/5 1.3 steals, 4.2 block——————————————————————————————————— HOFS: Moses Malone, David Robinson, Dennis Rodman
Finals vs. 59-23 the Orlando Magic.——————————————————————————————————— Hakeem: 32.75/11.5/5.5 2 steals, 2 block——————————————————————————————————— HOF: Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway Rockets swept them in a dominant fashion!
In dominant fashion, Hakeem averaged 33.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 22 games. He won his second straight finals MVP in a row, in an unlikely playoff run against 8 Hall of Famers. In this run, he ran through the most dominant big men in the league, including Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, David Robinson, and Shaquille O’Neal.
Hakeem's postseason run through the best teams in the league resembled a Cinderella story, affirming his status as one of the top 10 players in NBA history.
