Tag Archives: Houston Rockets

ProHoopsHistory HOF: Clyde Drexler

Posted on by
Clyde Drexler (Manny Millan/SI)

Clyde Drexler (Manny Millan/SI)

To pull out an old writing trick… Webster’s Dictionary defines “glide” as the following:

: to move smoothly, continuously, and effortlessly

: to go or pass imperceptibly

It’s a term that connotes ease, that signifies freedom from agitation. Clyde Drexler as a basketball player encapsulated these attitudes and mores. Despite being one of the more exciting players in the NBA during the 1980s and 1990s, it was quite often an understated excitement, if possible.

His dunks came about in such a gliding ease. He rose majestically and flowed seamlessly through the atmospheric fluid flushing home the jam. Seemingly lacking even less effort was the way Drexler could extend  and wind his way into gorgeous finger rolls and scooping layups that no man should ever have any business of taking, let alone making.

Well, after viewing Drexler’s highlight package, it’s kind of clear that not all of his dunks were done devoid of invigorating passion. The man could throw down a hammer on opponents.

There was so much more to Drexler’s game than the dunks and flashy layups though. He was an extraordinary passer from the big guard spot, was great on cleaning up the defensive glass and was magnificent at anticipating woeful passes to steal. Combining all of those traits with his flair for dunking and Drexler became perhaps the most feared player on the fastbreak during his era.

He possessed great handles for a man 6’7″ tall, even if he dribbled with his head down. The tunnel vision drive, though, just made the ultimate outcome of his forays even less in doubt. He was going to glide in stride and leave you embarrassed at the end of the occasion.

His assortment of abilities led him to play in the NBA Finals three different times (twice in Portland, once in Houston) and delivered a membership on the Dream Team in 1992. However, when it comes to naming great shooting guards in the NBA’s history, Drexler’s name can often glide by without notice.

Well, let this serve as a reminder to always remember the magnificent ride of Clyde the Glide.

Seasons Played: 1984 – 1998

Accolades

NBA -
Champion (1995)
All-NBA 1st Team (1992)
2x All-NBA 2nd Team (1988, 1991)
2x All-NBA 3rd Team (1990, 1995)
10x All-Star (1986, 1988-’94, 1996-’97)

Statistics

NBA – 1086 Games
20.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 47.2% FG, 78.8% FT
7th All-Time in Steals, 10th All-Time in SPG
27th All-Time in Assists, 28th All-Time in Points
26th All-Time in FGs Made, 37th All-Time in FTs Made

ProHoopsHistory HOF: Elvin Hayes

Posted on by
Elvin Hayes (celtic-nation.com)

Elvin Hayes (celtic-nation.com)

The Big E is the only player in NBA history to have played 50,000 minutes.

Oh sure, two other players, well three now after Jason Kidd’s recent minutes played triumph, have played more minutes than that, but none have played exactly 50,000 minutes like Elvin. That kind of monumental memorability was something typical of Hayes’ career.As a college standout at the University of Houston, Hayes helped defeat the juggernaut UCLA Bruins led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the Game of the Century played in the Astrodome (which was the world’s 8th Wonder at the time).

As a rookie, Hayes led the NBA in PPG with a sterling 28.4 starring for the San Diego Rockets. The next season he led the league in RPG with a sizzling 16.9 per game. That same year he led the league in minutes played per game with an exhausting 44.7.

However, the Rockets were a dud on the court. A move to Houston in time for the 1971-72 season didn’t help. Hayes was traded to the Bullets in the 1972 off-season and found much greater success. The Big E slid to power forward beside center Wes Unseld. Hayes was the shot-blocking rim protector while Unseld was immovable object that clogged the physical space of the defensive lane. They complemented each other perfectly.

The two stars propelled Washington to three Finals appearances in the decade (1975, 1978, 1979) and captured the 1978 NBA title after the addition of Bobby Dandridge and outstanding coach Dick Motta. All the while, Hayes continued to rack up the prodigious stats thanks to his lathe-like frame, his proficient mid-range jump shot, and his shot-blocking ability.


(more videos from Oakley and Allen)

Upon his retirement in 1984 after a second-stint with the Houston Rockets, the Big E ranked 3rd all-time in points, rebounds and blocks. And of course his minutes played were the most at that time. So were his games played.

These prodigious stats certainly don’t mean Elvin was perfect or without fault. He had a tendency to shrink a little bit in big playoff games. His shooting percentage was a bit low for a power forward. His FT% a tad woeful. But these nitpicks are just that, nitpicks.

He’s one of the handful of truly great power forwards in the game’s history… even if we tend to forget that fact.

Seasons Played: 1969 – 1984

Accolades

NBA -
Champion (1978) 3x All-NBA 1st Team (1975, 1977, 1979), 3x All-NBA 2nd Team (1973-74, 1976)
2x All-Defensive 2nd Team (1974-75), All-Rookie 1st Team (1969)
12x All-Star (1969-80)

Statistics

NBA – 1303 games
21.0 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 45.2% FG, 67.0% FT
PPG Leader (1969), 2x RPG Leader (1970, 1974), 2x MPG Leader (1970, 1974)
4th All-Time in Total Rebounds, 4th All-Time in Minutes Played, 8th All-Time in Points, 13th All-Time in Games Played
14th All-Time in RPG, 21st All-Time in Blocks

The Lowdown: Billy Paultz

Posted on by

Years Active: 1971 – 1985
Career Stats: 11.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.5 bpg, 0.5 spg, 49.7% FG, 69.0% FT
Accolades: 3x ABA All-Star (1973, ’75-’76), ABA Champion (1974)

In a 1972 game against the Squires, [Paultz] hit his first eight shots, and finished with 13 field goals in 15 attempts. Rick Barry scored 43 points and John Roche 37 points that same evening. “I get 33 and I’m the third high scorer on the team,” complained Paultz. “Are you kidding me?”

Via Complete Handbook of ProBasketball by Jim O’Brien

Now there’s an insightful quote into both, Billy Paultz and the ABA. The league was about flash and pizzazz, glitz and glamor. On a night where Paultz goes a-wreckin’ for 33 points on 13-15 shooting, he’s still not the brightest light shining on the court. Nonetheless, Paultz revealed his affable, self-effacing and humble personality in discussing his misfortune. Barry and Roche may have overshadowed him that night, but for someone with no organized basketball experience until his senior year in high school (1966), Paultz was doing quite well for himself.

Drafted by the NBA’s San Diego Rockets and the ABA’s Virginia Squires in 1971, Paultz opted for the ABA and was soon traded by Virginia to his hometown New York Nets. What the Nets got was an uncoordinated heap of man that would be nicknamed “The Whopper” for his well apportioned waistline and the hamburger that kept it so. Nets teammate Rick Barry quipped “I didn’t believe he could possibly make it…” and Jim O’Brien added his two cents: “An ardent surfer, but the way he moved at the outset of his rookie season it was hard to envision him keeping his balance on shore let alone sea.” The off-balance Whopper nonetheless averaged 14.7 points and 8.4 rebounds during his rookie year.

Continue reading →