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Houston Astros: Six reasons not to worry about this team’s adversity

By Kenneth Cline

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 29: Manager A.J. Hinch of the Houston Astros, left, looks on during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field on August 29, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Jason Behnken / Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 29: Manager A.J. Hinch of the Houston Astros, left, looks on during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field on August 29, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Jason Behnken / Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets
(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /

Reason #6: The Launch Pad

And Prepare for a Rockets Liftoff

Of all the teams that won back-to-back NBA titles, perhaps no one took a longer, harder road then the Houston Rockets. They might not be among the most elite NBA teams like the Celtics, Lakers, Bulls, Spurs, and now Warriors. But if those five teams would watch the Rockets during the 1994 and 1995 seasons, they could just shake their heads and smile a bit.

People will argue that the Rockets won because MJ wasn’t there. But as always…WE KNOW THE TRUTH! Anyway, we all know the story here.

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1994

The Rockets start the season with an NBA record 15 straight wins. They finished second in the Western Conference where they knock off the seventh-seed Portland Trailblazers in the first round. Disaster seemed to be on the horizon as the Rockets lost the first two games to the Phoenix Suns in the next round by blowing two twenty-point leads. It didn’t help that the Houston Post decided to post two words to describe the sports in Houston. Fortunately, Houston rallies to beat Phoenix in Game 7 before dominating the Utah Jazz in the conference finals.

The Rockets then fall behind 3-2 to the New York Knicks before Hakeem Olajuwon saves the season with perhaps one of the three biggest blocks in NBA History. This led to the biggest game in franchise history where the Rockets won 90-84 to win the title.

1995

Houston started the 1995 season 9-0. But from that point on, it seemed like the Rockets played .500 or below. Not even a controversial trade for Clyde Drexler could put Houston in a better spot than they were in at the sixth seed. Still, the Rockets would get a chance to defend their title. Boy, what a run it was.

Houston trailed 2-1 to Utah before taking Game 4 to send the series back to Salt Lake City. Down 82-75 late in the 4th quarter, the Rockets rallied to win and advance. Then, they fell behind 3-1 to the Phoenix Suns. Back then, the chances of a 3-1 comeback were slim to none. Yet, Houston fought back and ended up giving the kiss of death to the Suns. Hakeem outduels David Robinson and the San Antonio Spurs in the conference finals. Then the Rockets swept the Orlando Magic to win the NBA Finals. Rudy Tomjanovich then makes his famous heart of a champion speech.

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