SI Flashback: NBA Finals

The defending champs languished through the regular season, finishing sixth in the Western Conference. But once the playoffs arrived, this veteran group -- supplemented by midseason acquisition Clyde Drexler -- got better and better. The Rockets were pushed to the max in the first two series, but took out San Antonio in six in the conference finals and then swept surprising upstart Orlando in the Finals.

Snapshot from Rocketing into History

By Phil Taylor

June 19, 1995 John W. McDonough

Joining the pantheon: Imagine the scene: The Houston Rockets come bursting through the doors, confetti still sticking to their champagne-soaked uniforms, slapping each other on the shoulders and laughing the satisfied laugh of back-to-back champions. But they stop short when they see the figures seated at the table in front of them. There are Magic and Isiah and Michael -- the men who led Showtime and the Bad Boys and the Jordanaires. The Rockets suddenly realize where they are, that they have stepped through the doors of NBA history into the room where repeat champions reside. The Los Angeles Lakers, the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls, all winners of at least two consecutive titles within the last decade, have been waiting for Houston to arrive.

They Said It "Whenever they write the list of NBA champions, our name will be on it. Twice. In a row. Ain't that history enough?" —Houston's Sam Cassell "I don't think they have the players from top to bottom that we had, for instance. In a way that lack of depth makes what Houston did even more amazing." —Detroit's Joe Dumars

Surprise!: Houston also became the patron saint of underdogs by taking the most difficult playoff route to the championship in NBA history. The Rockets were the lowest-seeded team ever to win the title, the first in 26 years to win without having the home-court advantage in any playoff round and the first to beat four teams with at least 50 regular-season wins. Houston was like a sprinter who spotted his opponent a lead in every race.

Unsung hero: But Robert Horry, the 6'10", third-year forward, was clearly the Rocket who opened the most eyes during the playoffs. ... Horry's astounding versatility was indeed reminiscent of Scottie Pippen. He is both a dangerous three-point shooter and an excellent slasher and finisher around the basket. He also played defense, rebounded and handled the ball exceedingly well, and had it not been for the relentlessly spectacular play of Olajuwon, Horry would have received serious consideration for Finals MVP.

Issue date: June 26, 1995