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STUDIO: Warner Home Video
MSRP: $49.98
RATED: NR
RUNNING TIME: 802 minutes
SPECIAL FEATURES:
The Pitch
Miss all 7 games of the 1994 NBA Finals? No prob.
The Humans
Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, Robert Horry, Charles Oakley, John Starks, Derek Harper, Vernon Maxwell, the rest of the Knicks and Rockets.
The Nutshell
"Yes, you may worship me, I understand, thank you my subjects…"
1994: Rockets vs. Knicks in the NBA Finals. It went seven games and featured MVP Hakeem Olajuwon against Patrick Ewing as the key matchup. In a seesaw series, the Rockets fought tooth and nail on their way to capturing their first NBA Title. This set has all seven games plus a recap disc, so you can relive one of the hardest fought NBA Championships ever.
"Hey, how did Jordan do today?"
"He went 0-for-4, striking out twice."
"He just can’t hit that slider."
"I keep telling him to widen his stance"
"Uh guys, this is Game 7, you think we could maybe focus a little bit here?"
The Lowdown
I remember this series pretty well and how it was a perfect example of how competitive a truly good NBA playoffs series, especially the Finals can be. There was no doubt that Olajuwon was the best player in the league that year (since Jordan went to start his legendary baseball career), and even the next year, although David Robinson picked up the big trophy that year. But as good as this playoff run for the Rockets was, I remember their ’95 run, when they went 8-0 in eliniation games. If memory serves, they were down 3-1 to both the Suns and the Jazz, came back to win both series, before knocking off the Spurs and finally sweeping the Shaq-led Orlando Magic. Coach Rudy Tomjanovich’s mantra for that team was to “never, ever underestimate the heart of a champion”, and that playoff run, which featured the reunion of Phi Slamma Jamma (Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler), was the gutsiest I can ever remember.
"Okay, so once we dish it to Hakeem in the low post, you take off your shirt and show off that six pack, hopefully that’ll confuse the Knicks so we can get an easy deuce…"
Nevertheless, this is a fine set to have and a must for any Rockets fan. This eight-disc set features all of the seven Finals games in their entirety and a season recap disc. The recap disc covers disc the entirety of the season and how the Rockets made their way through the playoffs, including their series with the Trail Blazers, Suns, and the Jazz, whom the Rockets scooted out of the Western Conference Finals in five games. The series with the Knicks went back and forth as the Rockets took Game 1, but lost Game 2 at home. The Knicks then took two of three at home in the Garden, and Game 5 ended up being interrupted by the infamous O.J. white Bronco chase. Back in Houston, the rockets eked out a two-point win in Game 6 before toughing it out in Game 7 to take it all.
"I just want to say that you should never ever underestimate the heart -"
"Uh Rudy, that’s not till next year."
"Oh, uh well…um…anybody hear how Jordan did today?"
I’ve covered a few NBA sets, including the 2006 Miami championship, but this is the first set I can see that has been given this level of treatment, having all of the playoff games in their entirety in one set. While not quite as good as a good NFL Films set, this is still basketball at its best.
The Package
This is an eight-disc set and features all of the ’94 games in their entirety and they look good. Aside from the recap disc, however, there are no extra features. But considering that you get every second of every game, you really don’t need them.
"Thanks MJ for playing Baseball!!"