[goneParticipant]

The king of squinting zings is at it again.

Down in Houston to preside over yet another close loss (four in a row, actually) for his Los Angeles Lakers, coach Phil Jackson offered a less-than-ringing endorsement of former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich (who was also both Jackson’s successor and full-time predecessor in Los Angeles during most of the 2004-05 season) for Springfield’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

From the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen: Asked if he thought Tomjanovich was deserving, Jackson said, "We’ll see. I’m not on that committee. I like all the coaches to get a chance to go in." Geez. You can’t just pretend to be effusive, just for five seconds?

Jackson goes on to toss in some pretty declarative statements on a subject that, take it from me, Houston Rockets fans have been pretty sensitive about for well over a decade: Jackson agreed with the argument that the Rockets’ championships were tainted because Michael Jordan was out of the league for the first of their title seasons and much of the next. "Definitely," Jackson said. "Without a doubt. Clearly, if the Bulls were whole, we would have won. It’s pretty much registered by now. When Michael played, we won the championship." Without a doubt? Clearly? Definitely? I’m as big a Bulls backer as they come, but I also remember Chicago playing for its lives against the Knicks in the 1992 and 1993 playoffs, and things were pretty hairy there for a while. I’d put my money on the red and black, but I don’t know if I’d be so black and white about it, if you catch my colors. Honesty, frustratingly, compels me to also point out that the Bulls lost twice by a combined 25 points to a Rockets team that very much resembled the 1993-94 and 1994-95 champions, with Jordan, during the 1992-93 season.

By Kelly Dwyer

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Phil-Jackson-is-not-making-fans-in-Houston;_ylt=AqEz2v.1o5TZLvZd3kgOIWW8vLYF?urn=nba-291327 Its funny because I think it is true…..

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Jackson is right in a way..The league was making a transition..Magic & Bird’s dominance was over..Jordan became the man to beat..And his 2 year absence open the door for alot of teams.Utah,Knicks,Seattle,Phoenix and swept a young Orlando team lead by Shaq & Penny…But you can’t take away from the Rockets success..They beat the teams they face….

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Jackson is right in a way..The league was making a transition..Magic & Bird’s dominance was over..Jordan became the man to beat..And his 2 year absence open the door for alot of teams.Utah,Knicks,Seattle,Phoenix and swept a young Orlando team lead by Shaq & Penny…But you can’t take away from the Rockets success..They beat the teams they face….

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Jackson is right in a way..The league was making a transition..Magic & Bird’s dominance was over..Jordan became the man to beat..And his 2 year absence open the door for alot of teams.Utah,Knicks,Seattle,Phoenix and swept a young Orlando team lead by Shaq & Penny…But you can’t take away from the Rockets success..They beat the teams they face….

[sacphil_08Participant]

I wouldnt go as far to as saying the titles by houston were ‘tainted’ but i’m almost positive the bulls would pull through and win that series. you could make the argument that the 93 phoenix suns team was more talented than the bulls but chicago won that series in 6 and phoenix had 3 or 4 all stars on the same team. its hard to try and predict anything but from the 1990 season where the bulls beat the lakers to win the championship they won the title EVERY year that michael was present the whole season. and to say that the rockets won by a combined 25 points during the regular season is meaningless. I could name a million matchups where the team that loses the series in the playoffs is the team that won the series in the regular season and vice versa. The playoffs are a much different feel and approach than the regular season. it wouldve been a great series though. houston was deep and chicago didnt have dennis rodman yet so hakeem wouldve been a handful and jordan vs drexler wouldve been great to watch also. i’d have to still go with chicago in 6 though

[sacphil_08Participant]

I wouldnt go as far to as saying the titles by houston were ‘tainted’ but i’m almost positive the bulls would pull through and win that series. you could make the argument that the 93 phoenix suns team was more talented than the bulls but chicago won that series in 6 and phoenix had 3 or 4 all stars on the same team. its hard to try and predict anything but from the 1990 season where the bulls beat the lakers to win the championship they won the title EVERY year that michael was present the whole season. and to say that the rockets won by a combined 25 points during the regular season is meaningless. I could name a million matchups where the team that loses the series in the playoffs is the team that won the series in the regular season and vice versa. The playoffs are a much different feel and approach than the regular season. it wouldve been a great series though. houston was deep and chicago didnt have dennis rodman yet so hakeem wouldve been a handful and jordan vs drexler wouldve been great to watch also. i’d have to still go with chicago in 6 though

[sacphil_08Participant]

I wouldnt go as far to as saying the titles by houston were ‘tainted’ but i’m almost positive the bulls would pull through and win that series. you could make the argument that the 93 phoenix suns team was more talented than the bulls but chicago won that series in 6 and phoenix had 3 or 4 all stars on the same team. its hard to try and predict anything but from the 1990 season where the bulls beat the lakers to win the championship they won the title EVERY year that michael was present the whole season. and to say that the rockets won by a combined 25 points during the regular season is meaningless. I could name a million matchups where the team that loses the series in the playoffs is the team that won the series in the regular season and vice versa. The playoffs are a much different feel and approach than the regular season. it wouldve been a great series though. houston was deep and chicago didnt have dennis rodman yet so hakeem wouldve been a handful and jordan vs drexler wouldve been great to watch also. i’d have to still go with chicago in 6 though

[Sonny RedParticipant]

Those years the Rockets were winning was the worse era of basketball during my life time.  It was really unwatchable, especially those good Knick teams during that time, they played some boring basketball.

[Sonny RedParticipant]

Those years the Rockets were winning was the worse era of basketball during my life time.  It was really unwatchable, especially those good Knick teams during that time, they played some boring basketball.

[Sonny RedParticipant]

Those years the Rockets were winning was the worse era of basketball during my life time.  It was really unwatchable, especially those good Knick teams during that time, they played some boring basketball.

[GoodbyeChandlerParticipant]

 every team plays its fair share of games, regardless of who is in the league. to say that a championship is tainted cause they didnt face the best is unfair. they played as much as anyone in the league and they won. it wasnt their choice to not play against  jordan.

[GoodbyeChandlerParticipant]

 every team plays its fair share of games, regardless of who is in the league. to say that a championship is tainted cause they didnt face the best is unfair. they played as much as anyone in the league and they won. it wasnt their choice to not play against  jordan.

[GoodbyeChandlerParticipant]

 every team plays its fair share of games, regardless of who is in the league. to say that a championship is tainted cause they didnt face the best is unfair. they played as much as anyone in the league and they won. it wasnt their choice to not play against  jordan.

[RickyRubio9Participant]

Every other title is tainted as well?
Since Michael hasn’t played basketball forever.
It’s a ridiculous statement by Phil Jackson; he’s being a sour puss. 
Hakeem should receive tons of credit, in ’94. HE WON IT ALL BY HIMSELF. He was a Star with role players, what other team has won a Championship?
Houston earned those titles! They still took out David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Malone, Stockton, Shaq, Hardaway, Patrick Ewing, etc. 
In ’95 the team was even sicker! I would have loved to see these two face off or at least hear about it. 
It’s just a ridiculous statement in my opinion. 
Show some respect Phil; a lot of coaches could lead the two greatest Shooting Guards to 11 Championships. 

[RickyRubio9Participant]

Every other title is tainted as well?
Since Michael hasn’t played basketball forever.
It’s a ridiculous statement by Phil Jackson; he’s being a sour puss. 
Hakeem should receive tons of credit, in ’94. HE WON IT ALL BY HIMSELF. He was a Star with role players, what other team has won a Championship?
Houston earned those titles! They still took out David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Malone, Stockton, Shaq, Hardaway, Patrick Ewing, etc. 
In ’95 the team was even sicker! I would have loved to see these two face off or at least hear about it. 
It’s just a ridiculous statement in my opinion. 
Show some respect Phil; a lot of coaches could lead the two greatest Shooting Guards to 11 Championships. 

[RickyRubio9Participant]

Every other title is tainted as well?
Since Michael hasn’t played basketball forever.
It’s a ridiculous statement by Phil Jackson; he’s being a sour puss. 
Hakeem should receive tons of credit, in ’94. HE WON IT ALL BY HIMSELF. He was a Star with role players, what other team has won a Championship?
Houston earned those titles! They still took out David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Malone, Stockton, Shaq, Hardaway, Patrick Ewing, etc. 
In ’95 the team was even sicker! I would have loved to see these two face off or at least hear about it. 
It’s just a ridiculous statement in my opinion. 
Show some respect Phil; a lot of coaches could lead the two greatest Shooting Guards to 11 Championships. 

[GrandmamaParticipant]

Had Jordan played the full season both of those years he would have won 8 straight rings.  Scary.

[GrandmamaParticipant]

Had Jordan played the full season both of those years he would have won 8 straight rings.  Scary.

[GrandmamaParticipant]

Had Jordan played the full season both of those years he would have won 8 straight rings.  Scary.

[andxxxParticipant]

 I dont know about Jordan winning 8 straight he did come back in 1995, in the playoffs and could not beat the magic and it wasn’t like he was completely out of shape he had a 55 point game against the knicks earlier.  One of the reasons they got rodman was the bulls needed someone just in case they face someone like olajuwon or shaq in the playoffs.

[andxxxParticipant]

 I dont know about Jordan winning 8 straight he did come back in 1995, in the playoffs and could not beat the magic and it wasn’t like he was completely out of shape he had a 55 point game against the knicks earlier.  One of the reasons they got rodman was the bulls needed someone just in case they face someone like olajuwon or shaq in the playoffs.

[andxxxParticipant]

 I dont know about Jordan winning 8 straight he did come back in 1995, in the playoffs and could not beat the magic and it wasn’t like he was completely out of shape he had a 55 point game against the knicks earlier.  One of the reasons they got rodman was the bulls needed someone just in case they face someone like olajuwon or shaq in the playoffs.

[llperez]

jackson is being an a.ss. WOuld the bulls have won, maybe. But well never know. To say it would have happened for sure without a doubt is just silly. Hakeem was the best center in the league and one of the only guys in the league who could have a greater impact on a game then jordan on any given night. In 1993, olajuwon finished ahead of jordan in mvp voting and many thought he should have won it over barkley that year. If i had to bet money, i would say bulls win the 94 title and the rockets win the 95 title.

[llperez]

jackson is being an a.ss. WOuld the bulls have won, maybe. But well never know. To say it would have happened for sure without a doubt is just silly. Hakeem was the best center in the league and one of the only guys in the league who could have a greater impact on a game then jordan on any given night. In 1993, olajuwon finished ahead of jordan in mvp voting and many thought he should have won it over barkley that year. If i had to bet money, i would say bulls win the 94 title and the rockets win the 95 title.

[llperez]

jackson is being an a.ss. WOuld the bulls have won, maybe. But well never know. To say it would have happened for sure without a doubt is just silly. Hakeem was the best center in the league and one of the only guys in the league who could have a greater impact on a game then jordan on any given night. In 1993, olajuwon finished ahead of jordan in mvp voting and many thought he should have won it over barkley that year. If i had to bet money, i would say bulls win the 94 title and the rockets win the 95 title.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

@andxxx

Come on now… MJ wasn’t the same in 1995. He’d been retired a year and a half lol. He was in great shape, but he just lacked the on court awareness and same ability to take over games that he’d had. He lost some of his feel for the game. You can’t tell me the MJ from 95-96 was the same as the MJ from 1995 lol.

I don’t think Houston’s titles are tainted, but I don’t think they’d have beaten the Bulls. Jordan was the BEST player in the game and BY FAR. The Bulls had the best team. No one knows for sure, but there’s an amazing chance they’d have won eight straight.

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

@andxxx

Come on now… MJ wasn’t the same in 1995. He’d been retired a year and a half lol. He was in great shape, but he just lacked the on court awareness and same ability to take over games that he’d had. He lost some of his feel for the game. You can’t tell me the MJ from 95-96 was the same as the MJ from 1995 lol.

I don’t think Houston’s titles are tainted, but I don’t think they’d have beaten the Bulls. Jordan was the BEST player in the game and BY FAR. The Bulls had the best team. No one knows for sure, but there’s an amazing chance they’d have won eight straight.

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

@andxxx

Come on now… MJ wasn’t the same in 1995. He’d been retired a year and a half lol. He was in great shape, but he just lacked the on court awareness and same ability to take over games that he’d had. He lost some of his feel for the game. You can’t tell me the MJ from 95-96 was the same as the MJ from 1995 lol.

I don’t think Houston’s titles are tainted, but I don’t think they’d have beaten the Bulls. Jordan was the BEST player in the game and BY FAR. The Bulls had the best team. No one knows for sure, but there’s an amazing chance they’d have won eight straight.

 

[llperez]

indiana, from 92-95, hakeem was at his absolute best. Just like MJ, he could dominate both ends of the court. Jordan might have been the best had he not retired but it wouldnt have been "by far" over hakeem.

[llperez]

indiana, from 92-95, hakeem was at his absolute best. Just like MJ, he could dominate both ends of the court. Jordan might have been the best had he not retired but it wouldnt have been "by far" over hakeem.

[llperez]

indiana, from 92-95, hakeem was at his absolute best. Just like MJ, he could dominate both ends of the court. Jordan might have been the best had he not retired but it wouldnt have been "by far" over hakeem.

[andxxxParticipant]

 MJ scored 55 points the same season are you just gonna ignore that he wasn’t the same, but still the best player in the league

[andxxxParticipant]

 MJ scored 55 points the same season are you just gonna ignore that he wasn’t the same, but still the best player in the league

[andxxxParticipant]

 MJ scored 55 points the same season are you just gonna ignore that he wasn’t the same, but still the best player in the league

[llperez]

when jordan first came back he wasnt the same and they had no pf. Jordan getting a full off season to get back in shape and them adding rodman were both big moves. Thats one thing to consider when saying the bulls would have won those two titles, who would be their pf? Horace left becasue he was not happy with management and who knows if he would have stayed or left if jordan was there.

[llperez]

when jordan first came back he wasnt the same and they had no pf. Jordan getting a full off season to get back in shape and them adding rodman were both big moves. Thats one thing to consider when saying the bulls would have won those two titles, who would be their pf? Horace left becasue he was not happy with management and who knows if he would have stayed or left if jordan was there.

[llperez]

when jordan first came back he wasnt the same and they had no pf. Jordan getting a full off season to get back in shape and them adding rodman were both big moves. Thats one thing to consider when saying the bulls would have won those two titles, who would be their pf? Horace left becasue he was not happy with management and who knows if he would have stayed or left if jordan was there.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Olajuwon, Barkley, Robinson, Malone, Ewing… All great players. Just not on MJ’s level.

I’d take the 93-94 and 94-95 Bulls with Jordan over the 93-94 and 94-95 Rockets.

The Rockets weren’t even that great of a regular season team in 1994-1995, but they did get hot at the right time. They were VERY fortunate to get by the Jazz and Suns in the playoffs that year.

1993-1994 would’ve been very interesting, but I’d still go with the Bulls.

Olajuwon was dominate both seasons, especially during the playoffs, and I don’t think Chicago would’ve had an answer for him (they’d have had to double him), BUT… I just think Pippen and Jordan would’ve DESTROYED Houston’s wings. Maxwell and Horry would’ve had nightmares dealing with Jordan and Pippen in 1994. Jordan would’ve destroyed Drexler again in 1995. I think Jordan, Pippen and Chicago’s team defense gets the job done.

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Olajuwon, Barkley, Robinson, Malone, Ewing… All great players. Just not on MJ’s level.

I’d take the 93-94 and 94-95 Bulls with Jordan over the 93-94 and 94-95 Rockets.

The Rockets weren’t even that great of a regular season team in 1994-1995, but they did get hot at the right time. They were VERY fortunate to get by the Jazz and Suns in the playoffs that year.

1993-1994 would’ve been very interesting, but I’d still go with the Bulls.

Olajuwon was dominate both seasons, especially during the playoffs, and I don’t think Chicago would’ve had an answer for him (they’d have had to double him), BUT… I just think Pippen and Jordan would’ve DESTROYED Houston’s wings. Maxwell and Horry would’ve had nightmares dealing with Jordan and Pippen in 1994. Jordan would’ve destroyed Drexler again in 1995. I think Jordan, Pippen and Chicago’s team defense gets the job done.

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Olajuwon, Barkley, Robinson, Malone, Ewing… All great players. Just not on MJ’s level.

I’d take the 93-94 and 94-95 Bulls with Jordan over the 93-94 and 94-95 Rockets.

The Rockets weren’t even that great of a regular season team in 1994-1995, but they did get hot at the right time. They were VERY fortunate to get by the Jazz and Suns in the playoffs that year.

1993-1994 would’ve been very interesting, but I’d still go with the Bulls.

Olajuwon was dominate both seasons, especially during the playoffs, and I don’t think Chicago would’ve had an answer for him (they’d have had to double him), BUT… I just think Pippen and Jordan would’ve DESTROYED Houston’s wings. Maxwell and Horry would’ve had nightmares dealing with Jordan and Pippen in 1994. Jordan would’ve destroyed Drexler again in 1995. I think Jordan, Pippen and Chicago’s team defense gets the job done.

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I don’t know if Grant would’ve stayed, but Kukoc was pretty solid that year playing the position. They played that position by committee.

And @andxxx… I didn’t think Jordan was the best player in the league when he came out of retirement.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I don’t know if Grant would’ve stayed, but Kukoc was pretty solid that year playing the position. They played that position by committee.

And @andxxx… I didn’t think Jordan was the best player in the league when he came out of retirement.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I don’t know if Grant would’ve stayed, but Kukoc was pretty solid that year playing the position. They played that position by committee.

And @andxxx… I didn’t think Jordan was the best player in the league when he came out of retirement.

[llperez]

i dont think there is any question jordan was significantly better then malone, ewing, robinson, barkley etc… But a prime olajuwon would have been the one player that really would have been close in terms of impact as jordan. Jordan would have lit up anybody houston threw at him and olajuwon would have lit up the bulls centers. I still think bulls win in 94 rockets win in 95. The rockets really shot the three ball well, they were a equal defensive team to the bulls if not better depending on who would have been the bulls pf in 1995.

[llperez]

i dont think there is any question jordan was significantly better then malone, ewing, robinson, barkley etc… But a prime olajuwon would have been the one player that really would have been close in terms of impact as jordan. Jordan would have lit up anybody houston threw at him and olajuwon would have lit up the bulls centers. I still think bulls win in 94 rockets win in 95. The rockets really shot the three ball well, they were a equal defensive team to the bulls if not better depending on who would have been the bulls pf in 1995.

[llperez]

i dont think there is any question jordan was significantly better then malone, ewing, robinson, barkley etc… But a prime olajuwon would have been the one player that really would have been close in terms of impact as jordan. Jordan would have lit up anybody houston threw at him and olajuwon would have lit up the bulls centers. I still think bulls win in 94 rockets win in 95. The rockets really shot the three ball well, they were a equal defensive team to the bulls if not better depending on who would have been the bulls pf in 1995.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I don’t know, because the Bulls were an elite defensive team in 95 and that was without Grant and Jordan, who was an All-NBA defender. The Rockets on the other hand weren’t an elite defensive team that season… They’d taken a step back from the prior season. They were giving up like over 100 per game. It’d have been very interesting, but I wouldn’t bet against Jordan.

I was REALLY hoping that the Rockets made it to the Finals in 96, so the world could see that matchup. Too bad the Rockets were swept by the Sonics.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I don’t know, because the Bulls were an elite defensive team in 95 and that was without Grant and Jordan, who was an All-NBA defender. The Rockets on the other hand weren’t an elite defensive team that season… They’d taken a step back from the prior season. They were giving up like over 100 per game. It’d have been very interesting, but I wouldn’t bet against Jordan.

I was REALLY hoping that the Rockets made it to the Finals in 96, so the world could see that matchup. Too bad the Rockets were swept by the Sonics.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I don’t know, because the Bulls were an elite defensive team in 95 and that was without Grant and Jordan, who was an All-NBA defender. The Rockets on the other hand weren’t an elite defensive team that season… They’d taken a step back from the prior season. They were giving up like over 100 per game. It’d have been very interesting, but I wouldn’t bet against Jordan.

I was REALLY hoping that the Rockets made it to the Finals in 96, so the world could see that matchup. Too bad the Rockets were swept by the Sonics.

[Author]

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