Apr 20, 1990
Dallas Mavericks logo DAL 121
Houston Rockets logo HOU 120
Boxscore
Apr 22, 1990
Houston Rockets logo HOU 100
Utah Jazz logo UTA 88
Boxscore
Apr 27, 1990
Los Angeles Lakers logo LAL
Houston Rockets logo HOU
Game preview
Apr 29, 1990
Los Angeles Lakers logo LAL
Houston Rockets logo HOU
Game preview

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Houston Rockets 1989-1990 stats

NBA

Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 3P% FG% FT% Or Reb Ast Stl To Blk Fo Pts Eff PTS REB AST
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 26 24.3 14 2.8 82 41-41 38.1 16.7% 50.1% 71.3% 3.6 14 2.8 2.1 3.9 4.6 3.8 24.3 32.4 52 25 10
Otis Thorpe 2m09 27 17.1 9 3.2 82 41-41 35.9 0% 54.8% 68.8% 3.1 9 3.2 0.8 2.8 0.3 3.3 17.1 20.3 33 26 9
Mitchell Wiggins 1m96 30 15.5 4.3 1.6 66 35-31 28.1 0% 48.8% 81% 2 4.3 1.6 1.3 1.3 0 2.5 15.5 14.1 34 10 6
Alfonso Johnson 2m01 25 14.8 4.6 3.1 82 41-41 34.5 11.8% 49.5% 75.9% 1.4 4.6 3.1 1.3 2 0.8 3.9 14.8 15.5 30 11 10
Vernon Maxwell 1m94 24 12.5 2.9 5 30 18-12 28.8 24.5% 44.2% 66.4% 0.5 2.9 5 1.4 2.4 0.2 2.3 12.5 12.3 32 7 10
Sleepy Floyd 1m90 29 12.2 2.4 7.3 82 41-41 32.1 38% 45.1% 80.6% 0.6 2.4 7.3 1.1 2.5 0.1 1.9 12.2 14.8 35 8 19
Mike Woodson 1m96 31 6.5 1.4 1.1 61 29-32 15.9 29.3% 39.5% 72.1% 0.4 1.4 1.1 0.7 0.8 0.2 1.6 6.5 4.6 17 5 4
Derrick Chievous 2m01 22 6 1.8 0.7 41 17-24 12 37.5% 50.6% 70.1% 0.7 1.8 0.7 0.6 1 0.1 1.4 6 5.3 17 7 3
John Lucas 1m85 36 5.8 1.8 4.9 49 21-28 19.1 29.9% 37.5% 76.4% 0.4 1.8 4.9 0.9 1.7 0 1.2 5.8 7.8 16 7 13
Anthony Bowie 1m98 26 4.3 1.8 1.5 66 31-35 14.1 28.6% 40.6% 74.1% 0.5 1.8 1.5 0.6 0.9 0.1 1.2 4.3 4.5 18 8 5
Lewis Lloyd 1m98 30 3.5 0.9 0.6 19 12-7 5.9 - 56.9% 56.3% 0.4 0.9 0.6 0.2 0.8 0 0.5 3.5 2.8 15 3 2
Byron Dinkins 1m86 22 3.5 1.2 2.3 33 17-16 11 11.1% 40.4% 86.7% 0.4 1.2 2.3 0.6 1.1 0.1 0.9 3.5 4.4 12 4 12
Larry Smith 2m03 31 3 6.1 0.9 74 39-35 17.6 0% 47.4% 36.4% 2.4 6.1 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.4 2.7 3 8.2 11 18 4
Adrian Caldwell 2m07 23 1.9 2.1 0.1 51 27-24 6.5 - 55.3% 46.4% 0.7 2.1 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.4 1.4 1.9 3.2 11 8 1
Tim McCormick 2m11 27 1.7 1.5 0.2 18 11-7 6.4 - 34.5% 52.6% 0.4 1.5 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.1 1.3 1.7 1.4 6 5 1
Chuck Nevitt 2m30 30 1.3 1 0.3 3 2-1 3 - 100% - 0 1 0.3 0 0.7 0.3 1 1.3 2.3 2 2 1
Total 106.7 47 26.7 82 41-41 241.5 31.2% 48% 72% 14.8 47 26.7 9.9 18 6.7 23.6 106.7 125.4
Opponents 105.3 44.3 24.5 82 - 241.5 29.4% 46.4% 74.1% 14.3 44.3 24.5 9.6 17 4.8 22.2 105.3 116.5
Gap 1,4 2,7 2,2 0 - 0 1,8% 1,6% -2,1% 0,5 2,7 2,2 0,3 1,0 1,9 1,4 1,4 8,9
Average
height 201 cm
Average
age 27 years old
Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 2P 3P FG FT Reb Ast Stl Blk Fo Pts Eff
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 26 1995 1149 233 82 41-41 3124 805/1603 1/6 806/1609 382/536 299 1149 233 174 316 376 314 1995 2654
Otis Thorpe 2m09 27 1401 734 261 82 41-41 2943 547/988 0/10 547/998 307/446 258 734 261 66 229 24 270 1401 1667
Mitchell Wiggins 1m96 30 1024 286 104 66 35-31 1852 416/850 0/3 416/853 192/237 133 286 104 85 87 1 165 1024 931
Alfonso Johnson 2m01 25 1215 381 252 82 41-41 2829 502/1002 2/17 504/1019 205/270 113 381 252 104 167 62 321 1215 1267
Vernon Maxwell 1m94 24 374 87 150 30 18-12 865 129/268 13/53 142/321 77/116 15 87 150 42 72 5 69 374 368
Sleepy Floyd 1m90 29 1000 198 600 82 41-41 2629 273/569 89/234 362/803 187/232 46 198 600 94 204 11 159 1000 1213
Mike Woodson 1m96 31 394 88 66 61 29-32 972 148/364 12/41 160/405 62/86 25 88 66 42 49 11 100 394 283
Derrick Chievous 2m01 22 244 75 27 41 17-24 492 87/170 3/8 90/178 61/87 28 75 27 23 40 4 59 244 219
John Lucas 1m85 36 286 90 238 49 21-28 938 83/204 26/87 109/291 42/55 19 90 238 45 85 2 59 286 381
Anthony Bowie 1m98 26 284 118 96 66 31-35 930 113/272 6/21 119/293 40/54 36 118 96 42 59 5 80 284 298
Lewis Lloyd 1m98 30 67 18 11 19 12-7 113 29/51 0/0 29/51 9/16 8 18 11 3 16 0 9 67 54
Byron Dinkins 1m86 22 115 40 75 33 17-16 362 43/100 1/9 44/109 26/30 13 40 75 19 37 2 30 115 145
Larry Smith 2m03 31 222 452 69 74 39-35 1300 101/211 0/2 101/213 20/55 180 452 69 56 70 28 203 222 610
Adrian Caldwell 2m07 23 97 109 7 51 27-24 331 42/76 0/0 42/76 13/28 36 109 7 11 32 18 69 97 161
Tim McCormick 2m11 27 30 27 3 18 11-7 116 10/29 0/0 10/29 10/19 8 27 3 3 10 1 24 30 26
Chuck Nevitt 2m30 30 4 3 1 3 2-1 9 2/2 0/0 2/2 0/0 0 3 1 0 2 1 3 4 7
Total 8752 3855 2193 82 41-41 19805 3330/6759 153/491 3483/7250 1633/2267 1217 3855 2193 809 1475 551 1934 8752 10284
Opponents 8632 3635 2011 82 - 19805 3236/6770 163/555 3399/7325 1671/2255 1175 3635 2011 790 1393 392 1819 8632 9557
Gap 120 220 182 0 - 0 94/-11 -10/-64 84/-75 -38/12 42 220 182 19 82 159 115 120 727
Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 3P% FG% FT% Or Reb Ast Stl To Blk Fo Pts Eff PTS REB AST
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 26 23 13.2 2.7 82 41-41 36 16.7% 50.1% 71.3% 3.4 13.2 2.7 2 3.6 4.3 3.6 23 30.6 52 25 10
Otis Thorpe 2m09 27 17.1 9 3.2 82 41-41 36 0% 54.8% 68.8% 3.2 9 3.2 0.8 2.8 0.3 3.3 17.1 20.4 33 26 9
Mitchell Wiggins 1m96 30 19.9 5.6 2 66 35-31 36 0% 48.8% 81% 2.6 5.6 2 1.7 1.7 0 3.2 19.9 18.1 34 10 6
Alfonso Johnson 2m01 25 15.5 4.8 3.2 82 41-41 36 11.8% 49.5% 75.9% 1.4 4.8 3.2 1.3 2.1 0.8 4.1 15.5 16.1 30 11 10
Vernon Maxwell 1m94 24 15.6 3.6 6.2 30 18-12 36 24.5% 44.2% 66.4% 0.6 3.6 6.2 1.7 3 0.2 2.9 15.6 15.3 32 7 10
Sleepy Floyd 1m90 29 13.7 2.7 8.2 82 41-41 36 38% 45.1% 80.6% 0.6 2.7 8.2 1.3 2.8 0.2 2.2 13.7 16.6 35 8 19
Mike Woodson 1m96 31 14.6 3.3 2.4 61 29-32 36 29.3% 39.5% 72.1% 0.9 3.3 2.4 1.6 1.8 0.4 3.7 14.6 10.5 17 5 4
Derrick Chievous 2m01 22 17.9 5.5 2 41 17-24 36 37.5% 50.6% 70.1% 2 5.5 2 1.7 2.9 0.3 4.3 17.9 16 17 7 3
John Lucas 1m85 36 11 3.5 9.1 49 21-28 36 29.9% 37.5% 76.4% 0.7 3.5 9.1 1.7 3.3 0.1 2.3 11 14.6 16 7 13
Anthony Bowie 1m98 26 11 4.6 3.7 66 31-35 36 28.6% 40.6% 74.1% 1.4 4.6 3.7 1.6 2.3 0.2 3.1 11 11.5 18 8 5
Lewis Lloyd 1m98 30 21.3 5.7 3.5 19 12-7 36 - 56.9% 56.3% 2.5 5.7 3.5 1 5.1 0 2.9 21.3 17.2 15 3 2
Byron Dinkins 1m86 22 11.4 4 7.5 33 17-16 36 11.1% 40.4% 86.7% 1.3 4 7.5 1.9 3.7 0.2 3 11.4 14.4 12 4 12
Larry Smith 2m03 31 6.1 12.5 1.9 74 39-35 36 0% 47.4% 36.4% 5 12.5 1.9 1.6 1.9 0.8 5.6 6.1 16.9 11 18 4
Adrian Caldwell 2m07 23 10.5 11.9 0.8 51 27-24 36 - 55.3% 46.4% 3.9 11.9 0.8 1.2 3.5 2 7.5 10.5 17.5 11 8 1
Tim McCormick 2m11 27 9.3 8.4 0.9 18 11-7 36 - 34.5% 52.6% 2.5 8.4 0.9 0.9 3.1 0.3 7.4 9.3 8.1 6 5 1
Chuck Nevitt 2m30 30 16 12 4 3 2-1 36 - 100% - 0 12 4 0 8 4 12 16 28 2 2 1
Total 15.9 7 4 82 41-41 36 31.2% 48% 72% 2.2 7 4 1.5 2.7 1 3.5 15.9 18.7
Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 3P% FG% FT% Or Reb Ast Stl To Blk Fo Pts Eff PTS REB AST
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 26 25.5 14.7 3 82 41-41 40 16.7% 50.1% 71.3% 3.8 14.7 3 2.2 4 4.8 4 25.5 34 52 25 10
Otis Thorpe 2m09 27 19 10 3.5 82 41-41 40 0% 54.8% 68.8% 3.5 10 3.5 0.9 3.1 0.3 3.7 19 22.7 33 26 9
Mitchell Wiggins 1m96 30 22.1 6.2 2.2 66 35-31 40 0% 48.8% 81% 2.9 6.2 2.2 1.8 1.9 0 3.6 22.1 20.1 34 10 6
Alfonso Johnson 2m01 25 17.2 5.4 3.6 82 41-41 40 11.8% 49.5% 75.9% 1.6 5.4 3.6 1.5 2.4 0.9 4.5 17.2 17.9 30 11 10
Vernon Maxwell 1m94 24 17.3 4 6.9 30 18-12 40 24.5% 44.2% 66.4% 0.7 4 6.9 1.9 3.3 0.2 3.2 17.3 17 32 7 10
Sleepy Floyd 1m90 29 15.2 3 9.1 82 41-41 40 38% 45.1% 80.6% 0.7 3 9.1 1.4 3.1 0.2 2.4 15.2 18.5 35 8 19
Mike Woodson 1m96 31 16.2 3.6 2.7 61 29-32 40 29.3% 39.5% 72.1% 1 3.6 2.7 1.7 2 0.5 4.1 16.2 11.6 17 5 4
Derrick Chievous 2m01 22 19.8 6.1 2.2 41 17-24 40 37.5% 50.6% 70.1% 2.3 6.1 2.2 1.9 3.3 0.3 4.8 19.8 17.8 17 7 3
John Lucas 1m85 36 12.2 3.8 10.1 49 21-28 40 29.9% 37.5% 76.4% 0.8 3.8 10.1 1.9 3.6 0.1 2.5 12.2 16.2 16 7 13
Anthony Bowie 1m98 26 12.2 5.1 4.1 66 31-35 40 28.6% 40.6% 74.1% 1.5 5.1 4.1 1.8 2.5 0.2 3.4 12.2 12.8 18 8 5
Lewis Lloyd 1m98 30 23.7 6.4 3.9 19 12-7 40 - 56.9% 56.3% 2.8 6.4 3.9 1.1 5.7 0 3.2 23.7 19.1 15 3 2
Byron Dinkins 1m86 22 12.7 4.4 8.3 33 17-16 40 11.1% 40.4% 86.7% 1.4 4.4 8.3 2.1 4.1 0.2 3.3 12.7 16 12 4 12
Larry Smith 2m03 31 6.8 13.9 2.1 74 39-35 40 0% 47.4% 36.4% 5.5 13.9 2.1 1.7 2.2 0.9 6.2 6.8 18.8 11 18 4
Adrian Caldwell 2m07 23 11.7 13.2 0.8 51 27-24 40 - 55.3% 46.4% 4.4 13.2 0.8 1.3 3.9 2.2 8.3 11.7 19.5 11 8 1
Tim McCormick 2m11 27 10.3 9.3 1 18 11-7 40 - 34.5% 52.6% 2.8 9.3 1 1 3.4 0.3 8.3 10.3 9 6 5 1
Chuck Nevitt 2m30 30 17.8 13.3 4.4 3 2-1 40 - 100% - 0 13.3 4.4 0 8.9 4.4 13.3 17.8 31.1 2 2 1
Total 17.7 7.8 4.4 82 41-41 40 31.2% 48% 72% 2.5 7.8 4.4 1.6 3 1.1 3.9 17.7 20.8
Player Height Age USG% PACE PIE PER GMSCR AST% TO% AST/TO OREB% DREB% REB%
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 26 28.2% 26,4 13,0 27,7 24,4 10% 15% -3.8 8% 24% 32%
Otis Thorpe 2m09 27 19.7% 17,4 8,0 18,6 16,3 15% 16% 2.2 8% 14% 22%
Mitchell Wiggins 1m96 30 23% 15,8 5,0 18,8 12,9 9% 8% 1.6 5% 6% 11%
Alfonso Johnson 2m01 25 18.8% 15,9 6,0 14,9 13,7 16% 13% 6.5 3% 8% 12%
Vernon Maxwell 1m94 24 20.9% 14,8 2,0 14,9 11,0 25% 16% 17.6 1% 3% 3%
Sleepy Floyd 1m90 29 17.2% 13,5 7,0 16,3 12,5 35% 18% 35.7 2% 5% 7%
Mike Woodson 1m96 31 20.6% 8,1 1,0 10,0 4,7 12% 10% 3.5 2% 4% 6%
Derrick Chievous 2m01 22 21.2% 6,3 1,0 15,7 5,1 10% 16% -5.1 2% 4% 7%
John Lucas 1m85 36 17.4% 8,2 2,0 13,0 6,3 37% 21% 38.2 1% 4% 5%
Anthony Bowie 1m98 26 16.5% 5,7 1,0 9,9 3,9 20% 16% 9.8 3% 6% 9%
Lewis Lloyd 1m98 30 26.7% 3,9 0 16,8 2,5 13% 22% -6.8 1% 2% 3%
Byron Dinkins 1m86 22 17.9% 4,8 1,0 12,5 3,6 32% 23% 23.9 1% 3% 4%
Larry Smith 2m03 31 9.6% 4,2 2,0 11,4 6,0 18% 23% -0.3 11% 16% 27%
Adrian Caldwell 2m07 23 14.8% 2,4 0 11,2 2,5 5% 27% -20.8 6% 12% 18%
Tim McCormick 2m11 27 16.6% 2,6 0 3,0 1,5 6% 21% -14.8 1% 3% 4%
Chuck Nevitt 2m30 30 18.1% 1,3 0 14,5 1,6 20% 50% -25 0% 1% 1%
Player Height Age eFG% TS% 3PAr FTr %FGA/2PTm %FGA/3PTm %FGA/FTm %PTS/2PTm %PTS/3PTm %PTS/FTm PTS/2PTm PTS/3PTm
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 26 62,0% 54,1% 0,4% 33,3% 74,7% 0,3% 25,0% 80,7% 0,2% 19,1% 1 0.5
Otis Thorpe 2m09 27 70,2% 58,7% 1,0% 44,7% 68,4% 0,7% 30,9% 78,1% 0% 21,9% 1.11 0
Mitchell Wiggins 1m96 30 60,0% 53,5% 0,4% 27,8% 78,0% 0,3% 21,7% 81,3% 0% 18,8% 0.98 0
Alfonso Johnson 2m01 25 59,5% 53,4% 1,7% 26,5% 77,7% 1,3% 20,9% 82,6% 0,5% 16,9% 1 0.35
Vernon Maxwell 1m94 24 56,2% 50,3% 16,5% 36,1% 61,3% 12,1% 26,5% 69,0% 10,4% 20,6% 0.96 0.74
Sleepy Floyd 1m90 29 56,7% 55,2% 29,1% 28,9% 55,0% 22,6% 22,4% 54,6% 26,7% 18,7% 0.96 1.14
Mike Woodson 1m96 31 47,2% 44,5% 10,1% 21,2% 74,1% 8,4% 17,5% 75,1% 9,1% 15,7% 0.81 0.88
Derrick Chievous 2m01 22 67,7% 56,4% 4,5% 48,9% 64,2% 3,0% 32,8% 71,3% 3,7% 25,0% 1.02 1.13
John Lucas 1m85 36 44,7% 45,4% 29,9% 18,9% 59,0% 25,1% 15,9% 58,0% 27,3% 14,7% 0.81 0.9
Anthony Bowie 1m98 26 47,4% 44,8% 7,2% 18,4% 78,4% 6,1% 15,6% 79,6% 6,3% 14,1% 0.83 0.86
Lewis Lloyd 1m98 30 65,7% 57,7% 0% 31,4% 76,1% 0% 23,9% 86,6% 0% 13,4% 1.14 0
Byron Dinkins 1m86 22 52,3% 47,1% 8,3% 27,5% 71,9% 6,5% 21,6% 74,8% 2,6% 22,6% 0.86 0.33
Larry Smith 2m03 31 52,1% 46,8% 0,9% 25,8% 78,7% 0,7% 20,5% 91,0% 0% 9,0% 0.96 0
Adrian Caldwell 2m07 23 63,8% 54,9% 0% 36,8% 73,1% 0% 26,9% 86,6% 0% 13,4% 1.11 0
Tim McCormick 2m11 27 51,7% 40,1% 0% 65,5% 60,4% 0% 39,6% 66,7% 0% 33,3% 0.69 0
Chuck Nevitt 2m30 30 100,0% 100,0% 0% 0% 100,0% 0% 0% 100,0% 0% 0% 2 0
Player Height Age %MIN %PTS %FGM %FGA %2PM %2PA %3PM %3PA %FTM %FTA %OREB %DREB %REB %AST %TOV %STL %BLK %BLKA %PF %PFD %+/- %EFF
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 26 95% 23% 23% 22% 24% 24% 1% 1% 23% 24% 25% 32% 30% 11% 21% 22% 68% - 16% - - 26%
Otis Thorpe 2m09 27 90% 16% 16% 14% 16% 15% 0% 2% 19% 20% 21% 18% 19% 12% 16% 8% 4% - 14% - - 16%
Mitchell Wiggins 1m96 30 70% 15% 15% 15% 16% 16% 0% 1% 15% 13% 14% 7% 9% 6% 7% 13% 0% - 11% - - 11%
Alfonso Johnson 2m01 25 86% 14% 14% 14% 15% 15% 1% 3% 13% 12% 9% 10% 10% 11% 11% 13% 11% - 17% - - 12%
Vernon Maxwell 1m94 24 72% 12% 11% 12% 11% 11% 23% 30% 13% 14% 3% 7% 6% 19% 13% 14% 2% - 10% - - 10%
Sleepy Floyd 1m90 29 80% 11% 10% 11% 8% 8% 58% 48% 11% 10% 4% 6% 5% 27% 14% 12% 2% - 8% - - 12%
Mike Woodson 1m96 31 40% 6% 6% 8% 6% 7% 11% 11% 5% 5% 3% 3% 3% 4% 4% 7% 3% - 7% - - 4%
Derrick Chievous 2m01 22 30% 6% 5% 5% 5% 5% 4% 3% 7% 8% 5% 4% 4% 2% 5% 6% 1% - 6% - - 4%
John Lucas 1m85 36 48% 5% 5% 7% 4% 5% 28% 30% 4% 4% 3% 5% 4% 18% 10% 9% 1% - 5% - - 6%
Anthony Bowie 1m98 26 35% 4% 4% 5% 4% 5% 5% 5% 3% 3% 4% 4% 4% 5% 5% 6% 1% - 5% - - 4%
Lewis Lloyd 1m98 30 15% 3% 4% 3% 4% 3% 0% 0% 2% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 5% 2% 0% - 2% - - 2%
Byron Dinkins 1m86 22 27% 3% 3% 4% 3% 4% 2% 5% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 8% 6% 6% 1% - 4% - - 4%
Larry Smith 2m03 31 44% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 0% 0% 1% 3% 16% 11% 13% 3% 5% 8% 6% - 12% - - 7%
Adrian Caldwell 2m07 23 16% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 0% 0% 1% 2% 5% 4% 5% 1% 3% 2% 5% - 6% - - 3%
Tim McCormick 2m11 27 16% 2% 1% 2% 1% 2% 0% 0% 3% 4% 3% 3% 3% 1% 3% 2% 1% - 6% - - 1%
Chuck Nevitt 2m30 30 8% 1% 2% 1% 2% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 2% 1% 4% 0% 5% - 4% - - 2%

Basketball team

About the Houston Rockets

Houston
Location of Houston

Country: USA

Location: Houston, Texas

Demography: 2,326M

Spoken language: English

NBA Championships: 1994, 1995

Team names:

  • San Diego Rockets (1967-1971)
  • Houston Rockets (1971-...)

Houston Rockets logos history

Houston Rockets logo
2019/20-Today
Houston Rockets logo
2003/04-2018/19
Houston Rockets logo
1995/96-2002/03
Houston Rockets logo
1972/73-1994/95
Houston Rockets logo
1971/72

Houston Rockets Retired Numbers

Jersey Drexler 22
Jersey Murphy 23
Jersey Malone 24
Jersey Olajuwon 34
Jersey Tomjanovich 45

Retired Numbers : Clyde Drexler #22, Calvin Murphy #23, Moses Malone #24, Hakeem Olajuwon #34, Rudy Tomjanovich #45

Houston Rockets history

When the NBA looked to expand in 1967, they chose a Californian city with a growing population and a strong economy. San Diego was awarded an expansion franchise as Robert Breitbard paid 1.75 million dollars to join the League. The fans chose the name Rockets as San Diego used the theme "a city in motion" to boost its image as a first class city, and the Rockets' name lent itself to that effort.

From San Diego to Houston

To build the roster, the Rockets chose veteran players during an expansion draft and their first ever draft pick : Pat Riley from Kentucky, who was drafted that same year as a wide receiver by the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. It was no surprise that the Rockets finished last in the League in their inaugural season with only 15 wins. It gave them the opportunity to draft a power forward who ended up in the Naismith Hall of Fame and the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. 6-foot-9 Elvin Hayes twice took Houston University to the NCAA Final Four. And it did not take him long to make an impact in the NBA. As a rookie he was the first in scoring (28.4 points per game) and fourth in rebounding (17.1 boards). Although he remains the only rookie in history to lead the League in scoring, he was not named Rookie of the Year as center Wes Unseld, from Baltimore, won the trophy.

The following season he was the NBA’s leading rebounder but despite the addition of guard Calvin Murphy and forward Rudy Tomjanovich, the Rockets did not become a contender and failed to win over fans in San Diego. Owner Robert Breitbard sold the team to a group of investors from Texas and the team moved to Houston where the name Rockets fit perfectly with the city’s connection with the space industry.

The triangle offense fiasco

The franchise hired a new coach with no prior NBA experience. In the NCAA he implemented a system he had learned as a player after World War II : the triangle offense. Tex Winter later became a legend as an assistant with the Chicago Bulls, but his philosophy did not seat well with Rockets star Elvin Hayes. The two clashed, the Rockets won only 34 games and at the end of the season Hayes was traded to the Baltimore Bullets. Winter was fired soon after and some improvement was perceived with coach Johnny Egan.

Much had to do with the stellar play of Calvin Murphy.  Standing at 5-9 Murphy is the shortest player inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame and a true Rockets’ legend. Known for his quickness, defensive ability and free-throw accuracy, his number 23 was retired by the franchise where he spent his whole career. He never left the organization after his retirement in 1983, working in numerous roles, mainly as a television analyst.

During the 1976-77 season he received the help of fellow guard John Lucas, the first overall pick of the draft out of Maryland, and center Moses Malone, already a star in the ABA. With Tomjanovich scorching the nets averaging 21.6 points per game and Malone controlling the boards with 13.4 rebounds per game, the Rockets enjoyed their best season ever. With 49 wins they reached the playoffs, eliminating the Bullets before losing to the Philadelphia Sixers in the Eastern Conference Finals. It was only four years later that they joined the Western Conference, playing in the Midwest Division rather than the Central Division.

The punch to Tomjanovich's face

The team rise to the top was derailed by an incident that remains famous today. On December 9, 1977, during a game against the Lakers, Tomjanovich was knocked down by a punch from power forward Kermit Washington. The blow shattered Tomjanovich's face and inflicted life-threatening head and spinal injuries, leaving him sidelined for five months. Washington was suspended for 60 days, missing 26 games; then the longest suspension for an on-court incident in NBA history. Although Tomjanovich recovered and regained All Star status, the Rockets were no longer contenders despite Moses Malone dominance. The Chairman Of The Boards was the NBA’s MVP in 1979 averaging 24.8 points and a League best 17.6 rebounds per game.

He carried on with his impressive numbers as the Rockets, under new coach Del Harris, qualified for the playoffs in the final game of the 1980-81 season with a 40-42 record. Yet, they upset the Lakers in the first round then topped San Antonio and Kansas City to become the second team in history to reach the Finals despite a losing record, where they eventually fell to the Celtics 4-2.

Ralph Sampson, Hakeem Olajuwon: The twin towers

Malone, again named MVP in 1982, was traded to the Philadelphia Sixers. The move proved to be catastrophic in the short term as the Rockets had the worst record in the League but positive in the long run as Houston chose first in the 1983 and 1984 drafts. The franchise decided to draft two centers who quickly became the Twin Towers. 7-4 Ralph Sampson teamed up with 7-0 Hakeem Olajuwon. It took only two seasons together to bring the Rockets back to the Finals.

With Bill Fitch on the sidelines and John Lucas back as a point guard, the team topped the 50 win barrier for the first time, won its division, dominated the Kings and Nuggets before facing the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers. After losing Game 1, the Rockets won the next four games including a decisive last win in L.A. on a buzzer beating turnaround jumpshot from Sampson. Despite his size, Sampson had moved to the power forward position to make room for Olajuwon. His speed and mobility was unprecedented and his teammate John Lucas insisted "he will revolutionize the game." Yet, Houston was no match for the Celtics and Larry Bird in the Finals, losing 4-2. Boston coach K. C. Jones called the Rockets "the new monsters on the block" feeling they had a bright future. But his vision never came true. Injuries to key players, including Sampson, and suspension for drug abuse derailed their road to success.

Hakeem The Dream

It was the return of Rudy Tomjanovich, this time on the bench, that brought the franchise back to the top. As Michael Jordan retired in 1993, following a three-peat, Hakeem Olajuwon was without a doubt the best player in the world. At 31 he was at the pinnacle of his career. He played 41 minutes per game in 1993/94 averaging 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.7 blocks. He became the only player in NBA history to win the MVP, the Championship, the Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season. He was also the first foreign-born player to win the league's MVP award. The Rockets won the championship in a gruesome seven game series against the New York Knicks, with neither team able to score more than 93 points.

The Rockets initially struggled in the first half of the 1994–95 season and decided to send power-forward Otis Thorpe to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Olajuwon's former college teammate Clyde Drexler. With only 47 wins, the Rockets entered the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Western Conference. But they cruised through the playoffs earning the nickname "Clutch City" and sweeping the Orlando Magic in the Finals. The Rockets they became the first team in NBA history to win the championship as a sixth seed, and the first to beat four 50-win teams in a single postseason. The result led to Tomjanovich’s famous quote : "Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion!"

Costly injuries to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady

After years of rebuilding, fans firmly believed they had another opportunity to dream when the franchise welcomed another center with the first pick of the 2002 draft. 7-6 Yao Ming was an attraction because of his size, shooting touch and the fact that a country of more than 1 billion followed his every move. When he was joined by Tracy McGrady in 2004, the franchise had the one-two punch to bring them a championship. But these two incredible talents battled through injuries. Of the 463 regular season games for which they were teammates, Yao missed 146 and McGrady 160. Together, they never won a playoffs series.

Once again Houston was forced to rebuild. And this time the franchise put his faith into the hands of a guard. In 2013, the reigning sixth man of the year, James Harden arrived from Oklahoma City. Out of the shadow of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the lefty and his trademark beard became one of the most prolific scorer in NBA history. Around him and with Mike D’Antoni taking charge in 2016, the Rockets changed the game relying on isolation plays for Harden and a flurry of three-pointers. Quite ironic for a franchise where centers ruled the hardwood.