Rockets Legend Robert Reid on Flopping, Kobe vs LeBron and Crown Royal
by Mike Kerns on Jun 11, 2010 7:55 AM CDT
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All of those who were able to make it to the SB Nation Houston launch party at Champps Uptown last night got the chance to meet the community of SB Nation writers, Texans tight end James Casey and former Houston Rocket Robert Reid. They also got to meet lots of waitresses handing out Beer and Whiskey like it was going to go bad or something. It was a great time getting a chance to meet everybody and I am sure I speak for the rest of SBN Houston that we appreciate everyone who came out and it was our pleasure to meet you all.
So, lots of good debates and discussions took place last night, but the one that is sticking in my mind is one that me and Texans-Broncos from BRB had with Robert Reid. Now, I will admit that I did not know much about Robert Reid. I started following the Rockets from my Atlanta home more around '87 or '88 because I liked Hakeem Olajuwon so much. But, it wasn't as easy to follow an out of market team back then as it is now. So, I really only got to see the Rockets twice a year when they played the Hawks or the rare occasion that they were on a weekend national TV game. So, I really never saw Robert Reid play that much. But when he walked into Champps last night, it was pretty easy to pick him out, being 6'8" and all.
At first, us Battle Red Blog guys were still mobbing James Casey and trying to get him to come onto the site for an interview. But after things lightened up a bit and the drinks had everyone a little more loosey-goosey, Robert Reid made his way over to a Kobe vs LeBron debate some of the attendees were having. He quickly made his opinion known of which of the superstars he would rather have in a pickup game declaring that he would take Kobe because he knows how to win. Whereas LeBron loses and looks at his teammates and blames them. Not a bad argument, as it wasn't the first time those critiques of LeBron have been expressed. But, he was so passionate about it (he had a few choice things to say about everyones favorite former Rocket, Tracy McGrady, too) and was telling a lot of NBA war stories about him and Moses Malone that I just had to ask his opinion on a certain topic that is my biggest pet peeve in the NBA. And that would be flopping.
I've always said the past few years that I bet the NBA veterans of the 80's and before are probably disgusted with the way that flopping is taking over the NBA. Well, if Robert Reid's opinion is any indication of that, then I was pretty correct in that assumption. His exact words were this:
"Oh, let me tell you about that. Guys in the NBA in the 80's flopped. They did. But when they did it the referee would look down at them and say "man, get your ass up!" No, you had to earn it."
He also talked about how much tougher the league was back then. Guys were playing with broken bones and fresh stitches. Where, now, they sit out because they have a tummy-ache. I couldn't have agreed with him more.
Regardless that Robert had had his fair share of Crown and Coke's (we all had), he was a genuinely nice guy and extremely humorous and I have nothing but nice stuff to say about the guy. So, I want to thank Robert and James Casey for being there and thanks to SB Nation for putting together such a great event and bringing in the guests that they did (and paying for all of our drinks. That was an epic win, if I do say so myself). It was pretty terrific. And, again, I'm sure I speak with the entire SBN Houston staff in saying it was terrific meeting all of you that made it. Thanks for coming.
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“Oh, let me tell you about that. Guys in the NBA in the 80’s flopped. They did. But when they did it the referee would look down at them and say “man, get your ass up!” No, you had to earn it."
Priceless. It irritates me to no end to see a guy like Kobe go into the paint and make some contact and then throw a child-like tantrum when the refs don’t blow the whistle. It’s like, dude do you know how easy you have it now??? Back in the day you probably had a 50-50 chance of getting a little bit of contact and getting your ass thrown to the ground.
I disagree about one of the differences between Kobe and LeBron. I think Kobe blames his teammates just as much as LeBron does.
Agreed.
Kobe blames his teammates for all kinds of stuff. He pouts and whines every bit as much as LeBron. He’s just had more success in the postseason to this point. SO he is going to get the benefit of the doubt.
The thing about what you said about players today having it so good on the flopping reminds me of something Calvin Murphy once said. It was his rookie season and he took one to the hoop over Wilt Chamberlain and thought he should have gotten a plus one and let the referee know it. Then Wilt said, hey rook, I’m gonna let you have that one because your Mama’s in the crowd. But don’t bring that in here again." Next time down the court, he took it in the paint again and the next thing he knows they’re waking him up with smelling salts on the sideline. He asked if he was supposed to be shooting free throws and Alex Hannum (the then head coach) told him “Nope. They didn’t call a foul.”
I can’t find that in print anywhere, he just said it on the radio show he had out here a couple years ago. But, that just goes to show you that a guy in the early 70’s gets knocked out and there wasn’t a foul called. Especially for a rookie. Wouldn’t happen today.
But, that just goes to show you that a guy in the early 70’s gets knocked out and there wasn’t a foul called. Especially for a rookie. Wouldn’t happen today.
Nope. Not after The Punch.
by DribbleHooper on Jun 13, 2010 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks for posting this
I agree, Robert was alot of fun to visit with. However you missed the first half of the conversation when he was talking about the young guys, and their “Possies”. Dude had me rolling on the ground. One thing he did say though was that he liked the way baseball does it, by not putting the young guys in right away, and letting the play in the minors for a couple of years.
You can't fix Dumb or being a VYFB
What time did all this take place?
I received an e-mail that said the meet up was from 8-10 p.m.. I showed up at 9:30. The greeters at the restaurant looked at me like I was crazy when I asked where the Rockets group was. I knew the game would be on, but I thought you had a private room or something. No worries, see y’all next time.
Peace in the Middle East!
Hey Les! We the people of H-Town want our logo and uniforms back!!!
by Start the Bench on Jun 11, 2010 5:16 PM CDT reply actions
5-8.
The Dream Shake ...on Twitter.
"I think girls are probably just better shooters." - Steve Novak
Just waiting for some news, really
But I’m sure I’ll have one before the draft. Made a commercial last night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke0an20L644
Always loved his complete game
He would defend the other team’s best player,often run the offense and could get his points w/out forcing it.
He’d be ideal for today’s Rockets,except for being 55 and all.
Writer?
Hey, dude, I know this is the new media and all, but if you are going to refer to yourself as a writer or journalist, you should learn a few rules of writing.
It’s bad enough you buried they lead so deep that it would be behind Granville Waiters on the bench if it were an NBA player, but this is straight up pathetic:
“It was a great time getting a chance to meet everybody and I am sure I speak for the rest of SBN Houston that we appreciate everyone who came out and it was our pleasure to meet you all.”
This is a terrible sentence for many reasons, but most of all it is an extremely awkward run-on sentence. I know you don’t have the luxury of an editor, but such poor grammar in your opening paragraph is unacceptable.
If you want to be a fan blogger, then such poor syntax ain’t no thang but a chicken wang on a strang. But if you want to call yourself a writer, you should work to live up to the title.
edited:
It was great to get a chance to meet everybody. I am sure I speak for the rest of SBN Houston WHEN I SAY that we appreciate everyone who came. It was our pleasure.
_______________________________
If you want to be a writer, invest in an AP style guide. At least brush up on your elementary school grammar.
Just in case you were wondering:
Definition:
a person who is able to write and has written something
So basically, this is an epically stupid comment. You’re making a joke right? This is a blog, we don’t, nor do we care to, always use proper syntax or grammar. If you want that you can go to the local newspaper and read completely unoriginal content.
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
Eh, I've been told worse.
Plenty of the Fanball guys are pissed at me for being so involved with SB Nation. So I wouldn’t be surprised if that is one of them.
Dave used to write over there too
And it sucks horribly now
www.TheDreamShake.com Co-Founder and Writer
I still like it there
Because of the freedom. But a lot of the guys on there have apparently burned their bridges with SB Nation and seem to think I should do the same. So, they’re giving me a hard time for “selling out.” Even though I wrote for SB first. Who knows.
Reid is still the man
I agree with RR, he was a class act in the NBA and Loved that 81 and really liked the 86 team. Kolbe is a Whinner and a Jerk, Lebron isn’t anywhere as bad as Kolbe. Also, players today think they are great….give me the Rockets, Lakers, Celtics, pistons, Philly of the 80"s could wipe the floor with these teams. I would even take the bucks,Jazz and Dallas teams of the 80"s better than these teams today.
I know it is a bit after the fact but...
I had a great time at Champps last week. It was nice getting to meet some of the bloggers and chat. Free drinks were also a plus =D
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