Houston Rockets: The ten best shots in team history

Hakeem hits the corner three to close out second championship

The Houston Rockets sealed their status as Clutch City after their remarkable run as the lowest seed to ever win an NBA championship. They sputtered through the first half of the season, suffering from the dreaded championship hangover.

They played lack luster basketball and all year it didn’t seem like they could do anything right. They traded for Clyde Drexler to infuse some excitement by reuniting University of Houston teammates from the good ol’ fraternity of Phi Slamma Jamma.

As the Rockets worked their way through the Western Conference, the Orlando Magic were making their way through the East. Along the way they beat the Chicago Bulls WITH the recently returned Michael Jordan on the roster. So this team was no joke. They were young, they had swagger and had a veteran championship presence in Horace Grant. Oh, they also had Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway.

But after the Rockets beat the teams who had the top three records in the league, the fourth best record was no sweat (Other than game one.) In game four of the series, with the game seeming like it was pretty much over, Hakeem left no doubt as the Rockets broke the Magic’s full court press, Olajuwon got the ball in the corner, and took a rare three point attempt and hit it sending the crowd into a frenzy. The moment happens at the 7:08 mark of the video above.

It was a shot most fitting, as it was an unlikely source for the three pointer, from an unlikely champion. Rudy Tomjonavich would drive the point home with one of the best post championship game interviews and quotes of all-time.

"…we had non-believers all along the way. I have one thing to say to those non-believers. Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion."

Here’s the clip just so you can get that sense of Rockets pride once again.

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