Did anyone see where the NBA Board of Governors voted to remove the asterisk on the Spurs title in 1999 (link: NBA.com/titles/asterisks). The board cited the fact that since the Spurs have reached their third Finals in seven years that the '99 title must have been legitimate. Former Lakers coach, Phil Jackson, who requested the asterisk, concurred with the decision. He was quoted as saying, "now that my head is clear, I was foolish to ever request the asterisk be placed on the Spurs title in 1999. I want to apologize to all Spurs players and fans".

On another issue, the Board did vote to put asterisks on the Rockets '94 and '95 titles. The decision was based on the fact that Michael Jordan was out of the NBA for those two years. Board member Henry Heckler was quoted as saying, "the Bulls would have 8 titles and the Rockets none if Mr. Jordan would have stayed in the league". An associate close to Mr. Heckler said the decision was also based on the fact that the Rockets had not even "sniffed" a title since their two year run.

I thought that this was pretty interesting information. I was not sure if any of you had seen it.

There is not a team in the league that would not have wanted and taken the '99 title...

The only ones you hear whining are the ones that did not get it...

Jordan was wearing #45 for the Bulls in 95. Shaq's and Penny's Magic eliminated him.

#45 was not Jordan. That was Michael trying to get back into basketball mode, once he got back there, it was game over.

You're right, he wasn't in shape when he dropped that 55 on the knicks. You need to play a full season for a title to count. Back up goes the asterick for the Spurs.

Jordan has nothing to do with the Spurs title...

but obviously the Jordan that was in those playoffs was not the Jordan of before or after.

breaking news just in... the nba has decided to put a * on every title since jordan retired, and from now on, because jordan isnt in the league right now.

breaking news...the NBA is going to fine the Spurs for faking Robinson's injury in order to get more ping pong balls.

was there really an * on the spurs? why?

actually there are two asterisks on that championship because jordan was only on a break and would have won it that year as well.

there's asterisks on every championship except the ones that jordan won because he wasnt in the league at the time.

Let's just be completely honest.

If Robinson didn't hurt his back, the Spurs wouldn't have won a championship. If Michael Jordan's dad would have been around in 1994 and 1995, the Rockets wouldn't have won a championship.

edit: not quite that offensively honest.


[This message has been edited by woop01 (edited 6/7/2005 10:42p).]

If my aunt had testicles, she'd be my uncle. Your point?

I don't understand all the candy asses on here. Fcuk asterisks. Whether the season is 40 games long or 400 games long, whoever wins was the best that season. Why are you guys still b|tching about this?

F-ing retards. Fact is, the Rockets had one of the best, if not the best record against Jordan and the Bulls during their championship runs. Yeah, Jordan left, but who gives a shiite. It's hard enough to get to the damn finals to begin w/. Rox did their part and got there, we don't even know if the Bulls would have done their part and made it; it's all spec and **** talking right now.

Another thing, it's more likely that if the Rox had met Seattle in the playoffs during their championship run, they would have lost out to them more likely than losing to the bulls.

My point? I tidied up the post because it was a bit crass before. Originally it was...

The best thing to ever happen to the Spurs was David Robinson getting injured.

The best thing to ever happen to the Rockets was Jordan's dad getting murdered.

...I'm sure you can see why it was changed to the aunt's nuts style post.

you're an idiot

I try.

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F-ing retards. Fact is, the Rockets had one of the best, if not the best record against Jordan and the Bulls during their championship runs. Yeah, Jordan left, but who gives a shiite. It's hard enough to get to the damn finals to begin w/. Rox did their part and got there, we don't even know if the Bulls would have done their part and made it; it's all spec and **** talking right now.

Another thing, it's more likely that if the Rox had met Seattle in the playoffs during their championship run, they would have lost out to them more likely than losing to the bulls.

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This always makes me laugh. A complete lack of understanding of the fact that the regular season doesn't mean jack squat.
I don't buy into the asterisk BS. The Rockets won theirs legit, and the Spurs won theirs legit. But the "we would have beaten the Bulls anyway" argument is completely bunk. The 90's Bulls were the greatest basketball teams of all times. Unbeatable in the playoffs. Period.

2 points:

1) It is a shame that Michael's Bulls and Hakeem's Rockets never got to play a finals against each other. The '95 Rockets, regular season notwithstanding, had the most exciting playoff run that I have seen in the past 15 years, and played the most inspired ball I've ever seen in the NBA - period. We were all robbed by not getting to see that team go against the full strength Bulls, and anybody who doubts it would've been a classic series is probably wrong.

2) NOBODY EVER MAKES THIS POINT - With the possible exception of the '93 Suns, all of the Bulls' championships should have asterisks. Why? They never had a worthy competitor. Watching the Bulls slog through the playoff year after year against a bunch of wanna-be's with no credentials was as predictable as watching Charles Barkley at Happy Hour with free hotwings. When the Lakers had their great run in the 80's, there was a worthy challenger in the Celtics. It made the game fun to know if the Lakers made the smallest slip-up, Larry's Celtics would wrest the title from them. Despite the fact that the Pistons and Spurs play the game like a rugby match in molasses, I am for once looking forward to the Finals, because there are two champions, and nobody truly knows what will happen. YES, Jordan was the greatest, but had a worthy competitor - like the '93 Suns or the '94 - '95 Rockets - emerged from the West, no way the Bulls win 6 titles.

Furthermore, assuming that Jordan would've won 8 straight is silly. Perhaps the only reason he had the knees to play in '98 is because of the 150 games he missed in '94 - '95.

Basically, the Pistons started winning because the Lakers got old. Then the Bulls started winning because the Pistons got old - no real drama. Then of course in '96, the Rockets got old...

Also, the Spurs won it in '99 - not even worth debating otherwise. Shaq sits around eating bob-bons for 2 months while Duncan is working out, the the Lakers cry about not having time to get into play-off form - hilarious! Just goes to show that you can power a diesel with Krispy Creme.

[This message has been edited by 94chem (edited 6/8/2005 10:36a).]

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With the possible exception of the '93 Suns, all of the Bulls' championships should have asterisks. Why? They never had a worthy competitor.

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I somewhat agree, but that had more to do with the greatness of the Bulls than anything else. That Phoenix team with Barkley, Majerle, Ainge, Finley and co. would have won a championship in any other era.. That Portland team at their peak with Drexler, Porter, Kersey and Buck Williams all hitting their primes at the exact moment was virtually unstopable. The Jazz team the Bulls beat was also very good. The lakers were sub-par that first year, but otherwise the Bulls had worthy contenders in nearly every matchup.
There just wasn't anyone who could stay on the floor with them.

I think Jordan switched back to 23 for the playoffs in '95.

*1999 NBA Champions- San Antonio Spurs


*Note: This team's march to the championship was one of the most dominant, thorough trouncings of opposing playoff "contenders" in Modern NBA history.

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Then of course in '96, the Rockets got old...

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Actually, in 1996, the Rockets finally met the Sonics in the playoffs and Karl's pseudo zone on Olajuwon and got swept. Then they traded for Barkley and Pippen and got old.

I think if Jordan had not gotten supended for gambling those 2 years he may have had a few more rings.

The only people that want to put an * next to championships are fans of teams that didn't win it. The fact is, the Rockets were the best team that year. If it was so easy to win it then where is your team's championship for that year?

Good point Frok I remember in 95 the Spurs were the team to beat and the rockets as a 6 seed beat the Spurs in the West Finals. That had to be David Robinson's worst moment as a spur.

I think the Rockets were actually the 7th seed, but I could be wrong.

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The only people that want to put an * next to championships are fans of teams that didn't win it.

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Nothing more needs to be said.

Rockets were the 6th seed.

Beat the #3 Jazz, #2 Suns and #1 Spurs and Magic.