I grew up with Rudy T, Calvin and Moses and watched them play a lot of games through my teens. Hands down the most popular was Calvin back then. Now don't get me wrong Moses was great and it hurt when we traded him and I am talking it hurt inside as a big fan of his. Rudy was a great talent also and if we add the years as a coach he would win it. Calvin though was amazing to watch when he would destroy other teams.
Moses Had we not traded Moses, we would not have gotten the #1 to select Dream. So, I don't factor that in. Moses would be #1 had we kept him.
Calvin shouldn't even be in the conversation. Calvin went to one all-star game. Rudy was our best player throughout most of the 70's, and Moses lead us to our first finals. I would consider the Big E before Calvin. And I was a big Calvin fan back in the day.
3 way tie! Calvin as far as the playing career...and his longtime ties to the organization..Broadcasting, etc. Rudy T for both his time as a player and coach.... And, yes...Moses. While it's true that he was the best player of this bunch and only played 5 years...HIS TUTELAGE OF DREAM WAS HUGE!
are we ONLY counting their time as a Rocket? Or #2 best player to play for Rockets? that distinction may certainly push Moses and Clyde up in the rankings.... prob only time as a Rocket - since we wouldn't want Quitten in the conversation....lol ...and Rudy loses a couple points for his association with that other team... still gotta love him though!
For some reason I thought Malone was a Rocket for much longer than he actually was. He played here for about 6 seasons.
A case could be made for Rudy as player and coach, but looking only at players, it has to be Moses. He is the only other Rocket besides Dream to win NBA MVP and he did it at age 24 when he averaged 25 ppg and 17.5 rbg and set the NBA season record for offensive rebounds at 587. And then he won it a second time averaging 31 ppg and 14.5 rbg. Oh by the way, Moses got us to the NBA Finals. He was a one-man wrecking crew in the paint. And of course, he taught and toughened up both Dream and Barkley.
