ACCEPT NOTHING, OVERCOME EVERYTHING
4 LESSONS THE 1995 NBA CHAMPION HOUSTON ROCKETS TAUGHT ME, THAT CHANGED THE COURSE OF MY LIFE
I think the wavelength of our thought patterns are developed early and often. We are molded by observations and gained knowledge, but we reformed, refined, and shaped by emotional investment. I can personally reflect on a pivotal time in my life that has resonated through all of my life's ebbs and flows.
Growing up in Houston, Texas in the mid 1990's guaranteed one thing... your favorite part of the National Anthem was "the rockets red glare!". When the confetti settled inside The Summit in Houston that warm summer night in 1995, the Houston Rockets had all but performed a miracle. Against all odds, the Rockets had won their second straight NBA championship. I can still feel the adrenaline start to pump, closing my eyes and taking myself back to that moment that Rudy Tomjonavich took the microphone and addressed the world. His eloquent speech filled with passion, took the viewers on a journey through the trials they had to overcome to get there. He brought the crowd to the edge of their seats, as I was glued to the swivel-box tv in my parents room. At that instant, he dropped a message directed at their "non-believers"... his voice articulated decisively exclaiming,
"Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion!"
See the Rockets were not favorites, despite being reigning champs. They had a rough season, nearly falling out of the playoff running. They pulled the trigger on one of the most notable mid-season trades of all time, aquiring Clyde Drexler, a hometown hero with the contending University of Houston Cougars of the mid 1980s, as one of Hakeem Olajuwon's teammates. The duo was reunited with just enough time to work their way to the 6th seed with 43 wins of 82 games. Thankfully making the playoffs, they were faced with the fact that no team had ever won the championship from the 6th seed. This also meant the Rockets would not see homecourt advantage the entire playoffs. Despite all the walls the team had to climb, Tomjonavich's declaration gave you the feeling that this was destiny, and Rudy knew it all along. Overcoming the unsurmountable odds was not an accident, and their fearless, calculating leader always set the tone, and that trickled through the organization.
In the first series they played the Utah Jazz, a 60 win team that made the Rockets clear underdogs.
Assistant Coach Larry Smith said, "I'm quite sure everyone thought there wasn't a chance the Rockets would get out of the first round, we everyone but the Rockets."
There was never a doubt, as Mario Ellie said, "I knew we were destined"
The Rockets road to glory, didn't get any easier, facing the division champs Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns, a 59 win team. Once again the Rockets were touted as heavy underdogs. The Sun's quickly established dominance steamrolling to a 3-1 lead. At this time only 4 teams in the entire NBA history had ever come back from this series deficit.
Rudy Tomjonavich, Head Coach articulates, "When just about every man gets pushed into a corner, the tough guy is going to come out swinging and come out giving their best effort... and that's us. Some will get into a corner and cower and give up. We don't have that mentality at all,"
Rudy T effectively reenforcing the team culture he had cultivated. The improbable 3 straight wins to close out their dramatic historical comeback, capped off by the epic Mario Elie three pointer in the final seconds to seal it.
Sitting indian style, empowered by my Vernon Maxwell jersey, I was glued to the TV through all of this. I prayed with childlike passion for every make or miss of the free throws; like the Rockets annointed telepathic spiritual cheerleader. My heart skipped with every loose ball and every big shot, and I truly felt like I was making a difference. I assumed my form as an embodiment of the Rockets culture, I truly believed I was the part of the magic.
Beating the Phoenix Sun's awarded the Rockets the 60 win San Antonio Spurs featuring David Robinson. Before the first game, David was awarded the MVP award, in a close race with none other than the Rocket's Hakeem Olajuwon. Olajuwon performed with a vengeance, and before game 4 when
David Robinson said, Hakeem "is only human and can't score 40 points every night,"
He had sealed his fate, because that's exactly what Hakeem did. He scored 27, 41, 43, 42, and 39 in 5 of the 6 games, solidifying the Rockets NBA finals hopes and a masterpiece of total domination that still echoes amongst NBA analysts today. The Rockets momentum took them to a 4 game sweep against the 59 win Orlando Magic.
Still to this day their 1995 playoff run is heavily touted by experts as the most difficult road to the championship in history facing 4 teams with an average of 59.5 wins. They entered the playoffs as the 6th seed, still to this day the lowest seed to win the title, so they were without homecourt advantage in any of the match ups. They over came two "win or go home" game sevens in hostile territory, a feat in and of itself. Not to mention they became the 1st team to do it since 1981 to comeback from a 3 to 1 game deficit, a virtual historical anomaly.
To say I was emotionally invested in the Houston Rockets would be an understatement. I still have many of the things I acquired from this pivotal time. Proudly I have an NBA game ball signed by nearly the entire rosters from the 1994 and 1995 championship teams, all of the signatures were aquired in person. I even have a small section of The Summit hardwood floor collecting dust in my parents closet. They are both for sale, but you don't want to ask me what they are worth. More significant is indoctrination of the Rockets culture. I experienced the road to a championship, I believed when the odds were stacked and celebrated with the team when they were overcome.
1: Anything is Possible
The moment the Rockets collectively hoisted the trophy in the air, I knew that anything is possible. The Rockets had no quit in them, they were the dog backed into the corner that fought its way out. Still to this day, I compete to the final buzzer. I unrealisticly believe I have a chance to win even in the face the impossible, and many times to a fault. Despite this, I consider this to be my best attribute. There are not enough doubters to derail me, and no matter what happens or what stands in my way I will always have an answer.
2. Winning Takes Work
The pedestal I had placed these players, highlighted the relentless work ethic required to be a professional. I adopted that mindset, I ran drills daily... sleeping with my basketball. I had eaten from the winners table, and I had a taste for it. In the following 1995 school year, my basketball coach named me team captain as an eighth grader. I lead the team to a winning season and on to win the championship. I still remember writing the words, "Work While They Sleep" on the side of my sneakers with a sharpie.
3. Focus is a Precursor to Winning, and it Starts With Internal Chemistry
I cringed when I saw the headlines, "Choke City" in the Phoenix newspapers after back to back loses to the Suns. After the Rockets came back from the dead, the headlines read, "Clutch City", flipping the script. It was Houston vs. the world, but the Rockets were focused internally. Rudy T famously took the team to Galveston Island to focus and build cohesiveness both before the season and before the playoffs. A team chemistry that manifested itself through continuity of focus. They had a culture of accountability and role playing, and it showed as several of the less notable players shined when it counted most. The Rockets continually credited their focus as a team to the success of their run. If I want to accomplish something, daggerlike focus will get me there but is always founded on an internal chemistry of want and drive.
4. Once a Winner, Always a Winner
Winning wasn't something I had to watch other people do. Winning was a formula, and the Rockets has painted the picture for me. I always believe I can, because I have. I lived it, through the Rockets and then when I duplicated their formula applied to my own life. I hold to that and no matter how many times I lose, I am still in the game and I already know that I am a winner.
Every year since I watch the Rockets make their playoff run, and every year I believe. Houston hasn't had a team with the heart of the championship teams, but they are still champions and anything is possible...
next year.