Apr 18, 2000
Phoenix Suns logo PHX 98
Houston Rockets logo HOU 107
Boxscore
Apr 19, 2000
Houston Rockets logo HOU 92
Memphis Grizzlies logo MEM 96
Boxscore

Houston Rockets leaders

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Houston Rockets 1999-2000 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
Steve Francis 1m91 22 18 5.3 6.6 77 31-46 35.5 34.5% 44.5% 78.6% 2 5.3 6.6 1.5 4 0.4 3 18 18.8 34 17 14
Cuttino Mobley 1m94 24 15.8 3.6 2.6 81 34-47 30.4 35.6% 43% 84.7% 0.7 3.6 2.6 1.1 2.3 0.4 2.1 15.8 13.2 35 9 11
Charles Barkley 1m99 36 14.5 10.5 3.2 20 6-14 30.5 23.1% 47.7% 64.5% 3.6 10.5 3.2 0.7 2.2 0.2 2.4 14.5 19 26 24 7
Shandon Anderson 1m99 26 12.3 4.7 2.9 82 34-48 32.5 35.1% 47.3% 76.7% 1.1 4.7 2.9 1.2 2.4 0.4 2.2 12.3 13.4 35 13 8
Walt Williams 2m04 29 10.9 4 2.1 76 34-42 23.9 39.1% 45.8% 82.1% 0.9 4 2.1 0.6 1.5 0.6 2.5 10.9 11.6 24 12 7
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 36 10.3 6.2 1.4 44 14-30 23.3 0% 45.8% 61.6% 1.5 6.2 1.4 0.9 1.7 1.6 2 10.3 12.7 31 15 7
Kelvin Cato 2m12 25 8.7 6 0.4 65 28-37 23.8 0% 53.7% 64.9% 1.6 6 0.4 0.5 1.1 1.9 2.7 8.7 12.4 27 15 3
Kenny Thomas 2m04 22 8.3 6.1 1.6 72 33-39 24.5 26.2% 39.9% 66% 2 6.1 1.6 0.8 1.6 0.3 2.3 8.3 10 22 22 6
Carlos Rogers 2m12 28 8 5.2 0.8 53 16-37 20.3 7.1% 52.5% 59.1% 1.8 5.2 0.8 0.3 1.2 0.6 1.5 8 9.7 28 14 4
Moochie Norris 1m86 26 6.9 2.3 3.1 30 13-17 16.2 41.4% 43.4% 78.1% 0.5 2.3 3.1 0.8 1 0 1.1 6.9 8.6 19 6 10
Matt Bullard 2m09 32 6.8 2.5 1.1 56 26-30 17.8 44.6% 40.9% 83.3% 0.2 2.5 1.1 0.3 0.6 0.2 1.5 6.8 6.7 24 8 5
Bryce Drew 1m91 25 5.8 1.4 2.3 72 28-44 17.5 36.2% 38.3% 84.9% 0.3 1.4 2.3 0.6 0.9 0 1.1 5.8 5.5 20 6 10
Tony Massenburg 2m07 32 4.6 2.7 0.3 10 2-8 10.3 - 44.4% 87.5% 0.7 2.7 0.3 0.2 0.9 0.5 1.3 4.6 5.2 8 6 1
Thomas Hamilton 2m19 24 3.7 4.1 0.7 22 6-16 11.9 - 44.3% 52.2% 1.4 4.1 0.7 0.2 1.3 0.6 1.1 3.7 5.5 12 13 4
Anthony Miller 2m07 28 3.7 4.7 0.5 35 19-16 13.2 - 53.6% 51% 1.4 4.7 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.3 1.9 3.7 6.9 19 13 2
Bill Curley 2m07 27 3 2 0 4 3-1 11.8 - 54.5% - 1 2 0 0.5 1 0 2.5 3 3.3 8 5 0
Devin Gray 1m99 27 2.3 1.2 0.2 21 7-14 5.5 - 40.5% 65.5% 0.5 1.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 1 2.3 2.4 6 4 2
Total 99.5 43.8 21.6 82 34-48 236.9 35.8% 45% 73.3% 12.3 43.8 21.6 7.5 16.6 5.3 20.3 99.5 109.5
Opponents 100.3 42.4 22.7 82 - 236.8 35.4% 45.6% 77.9% 12.5 42.4 22.7 9 13.4 5.3 22.4 100.3 114.5
Gap -0,8 1,4 -1,1 0 - 0 0,4% -0,6% -4,6% -0,2 1,4 -1,1 -1,5 3,2 - -2,1 -0,8 -5,0
Average
height 203 cm
Average
age 28 years old
Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 2P 3P FG FT Reb Ast Stl Blk Fo Pts Eff
Steve Francis 1m91 22 1388 409 507 77 31-46 2737 390/807 107/310 497/1117 287/365 152 409 507 118 306 29 231 1388 1447
Cuttino Mobley 1m94 24 1277 288 208 81 34-47 2461 333/724 104/292 437/1016 299/353 59 288 208 87 186 32 171 1277 1073
Charles Barkley 1m99 36 289 209 63 20 6-14 609 100/196 6/26 106/222 71/110 71 209 63 14 44 4 48 289 380
Shandon Anderson 1m99 26 1009 384 239 82 34-48 2666 289/553 79/225 368/778 194/253 91 384 239 96 194 32 182 1009 1097
Walt Williams 2m04 29 827 306 157 76 34-42 1818 210/420 102/261 312/681 101/123 69 306 157 49 113 44 190 827 879
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 36 455 274 61 44 14-30 1024 193/419 0/2 193/421 69/112 65 274 61 41 73 70 88 455 557
Kelvin Cato 2m12 25 567 389 26 65 28-37 1548 216/398 0/4 216/402 135/208 102 389 26 33 71 124 175 567 809
Kenny Thomas 2m04 22 594 437 113 72 33-39 1763 180/409 32/122 212/531 138/209 147 437 113 54 112 22 167 594 718
Carlos Rogers 2m12 28 422 275 42 53 16-37 1074 169/310 1/14 170/324 81/137 98 275 42 14 63 34 77 422 514
Moochie Norris 1m86 26 207 68 94 30 13-17 485 57/130 12/29 69/159 57/73 16 68 94 23 30 1 32 207 257
Matt Bullard 2m09 32 382 138 63 56 26-30 998 60/163 79/177 139/340 25/30 13 138 63 19 36 13 85 382 373
Bryce Drew 1m91 25 420 103 162 72 28-44 1258 99/250 59/163 158/413 45/53 23 103 162 41 66 1 79 420 398
Tony Massenburg 2m07 32 46 27 3 10 2-8 103 16/36 0/0 16/36 14/16 7 27 3 2 9 5 13 46 52
Thomas Hamilton 2m19 24 82 90 15 22 6-16 262 35/79 0/0 35/79 12/23 31 90 15 4 28 14 25 82 122
Anthony Miller 2m07 28 130 164 16 35 19-16 461 52/97 0/0 52/97 26/51 49 164 16 11 19 10 68 130 242
Bill Curley 2m07 27 12 8 0 4 3-1 47 6/11 0/0 6/11 0/0 4 8 0 2 4 0 10 12 13
Devin Gray 1m99 27 49 25 5 21 7-14 115 15/37 0/0 15/37 19/29 11 25 5 5 4 3 22 49 51
Total 8156 3594 1774 82 34-48 19429 2420/5039 581/1625 3001/6664 1573/2145 1008 3594 1774 613 1358 438 1663 8156 8982
Opponents 8227 3478 1863 82 - 19418 2876/6083 350/990 3226/7073 1425/1829 1027 3478 1863 735 1095 433 1833 8227 9390
Gap -71 116 -89 0 - 11 -456/-1044 231/635 -225/-409 148/316 -19 116 -89 -122 263 5 -170 -71 -408
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
Steve Francis 1m91 22 18.3 5.4 6.7 77 31-46 36 34.5% 44.5% 78.6% 2 5.4 6.7 1.6 4 0.4 3 18.3 19 34 17 14
Cuttino Mobley 1m94 24 18.7 4.2 3 81 34-47 36 35.6% 43% 84.7% 0.9 4.2 3 1.3 2.7 0.5 2.5 18.7 15.7 35 9 11
Charles Barkley 1m99 36 17.1 12.4 3.7 20 6-14 36 23.1% 47.7% 64.5% 4.2 12.4 3.7 0.8 2.6 0.2 2.8 17.1 22.5 26 24 7
Shandon Anderson 1m99 26 13.6 5.2 3.2 82 34-48 36 35.1% 47.3% 76.7% 1.2 5.2 3.2 1.3 2.6 0.4 2.5 13.6 14.8 35 13 8
Walt Williams 2m04 29 16.4 6.1 3.1 76 34-42 36 39.1% 45.8% 82.1% 1.4 6.1 3.1 1 2.2 0.9 3.8 16.4 17.4 24 12 7
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 36 16 9.6 2.1 44 14-30 36 0% 45.8% 61.6% 2.3 9.6 2.1 1.4 2.6 2.5 3.1 16 19.6 31 15 7
Kelvin Cato 2m12 25 13.2 9 0.6 65 28-37 36 0% 53.7% 64.9% 2.4 9 0.6 0.8 1.7 2.9 4.1 13.2 18.8 27 15 3
Kenny Thomas 2m04 22 12.1 8.9 2.3 72 33-39 36 26.2% 39.9% 66% 3 8.9 2.3 1.1 2.3 0.4 3.4 12.1 14.7 22 22 6
Carlos Rogers 2m12 28 14.1 9.2 1.4 53 16-37 36 7.1% 52.5% 59.1% 3.3 9.2 1.4 0.5 2.1 1.1 2.6 14.1 17.2 28 14 4
Moochie Norris 1m86 26 15.4 5 7 30 13-17 36 41.4% 43.4% 78.1% 1.2 5 7 1.7 2.2 0.1 2.4 15.4 19.1 19 6 10
Matt Bullard 2m09 32 13.8 5 2.3 56 26-30 36 44.6% 40.9% 83.3% 0.5 5 2.3 0.7 1.3 0.5 3.1 13.8 13.5 24 8 5
Bryce Drew 1m91 25 12 2.9 4.6 72 28-44 36 36.2% 38.3% 84.9% 0.7 2.9 4.6 1.2 1.9 0 2.3 12 11.4 20 6 10
Tony Massenburg 2m07 32 16.1 9.4 1 10 2-8 36 - 44.4% 87.5% 2.4 9.4 1 0.7 3.1 1.7 4.5 16.1 18.2 8 6 1
Thomas Hamilton 2m19 24 11.3 12.4 2.1 22 6-16 36 - 44.3% 52.2% 4.3 12.4 2.1 0.5 3.8 1.9 3.4 11.3 16.8 12 13 4
Anthony Miller 2m07 28 10.2 12.8 1.2 35 19-16 36 - 53.6% 51% 3.8 12.8 1.2 0.9 1.5 0.8 5.3 10.2 18.9 19 13 2
Bill Curley 2m07 27 9.2 6.1 0 4 3-1 36 - 54.5% - 3.1 6.1 0 1.5 3.1 0 7.7 9.2 10 8 5 0
Devin Gray 1m99 27 15.3 7.8 1.6 21 7-14 36 - 40.5% 65.5% 3.4 7.8 1.6 1.6 1.3 0.9 6.9 15.3 16 6 4 2
Total 15.1 6.7 3.3 82 34-48 36 35.8% 45% 73.3% 1.9 6.7 3.3 1.1 2.5 0.8 3.1 15.1 16.6
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
Steve Francis 1m91 22 20.3 6 7.4 77 31-46 40 34.5% 44.5% 78.6% 2.2 6 7.4 1.7 4.5 0.4 3.4 20.3 21.1 34 17 14
Cuttino Mobley 1m94 24 20.8 4.7 3.4 81 34-47 40 35.6% 43% 84.7% 1 4.7 3.4 1.4 3 0.5 2.8 20.8 17.4 35 9 11
Charles Barkley 1m99 36 19 13.7 4.1 20 6-14 40 23.1% 47.7% 64.5% 4.7 13.7 4.1 0.9 2.9 0.3 3.2 19 25 26 24 7
Shandon Anderson 1m99 26 15.1 5.8 3.6 82 34-48 40 35.1% 47.3% 76.7% 1.4 5.8 3.6 1.4 2.9 0.5 2.7 15.1 16.5 35 13 8
Walt Williams 2m04 29 18.2 6.7 3.5 76 34-42 40 39.1% 45.8% 82.1% 1.5 6.7 3.5 1.1 2.5 1 4.2 18.2 19.3 24 12 7
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 36 17.8 10.7 2.4 44 14-30 40 0% 45.8% 61.6% 2.5 10.7 2.4 1.6 2.9 2.7 3.4 17.8 21.8 31 15 7
Kelvin Cato 2m12 25 14.7 10.1 0.7 65 28-37 40 0% 53.7% 64.9% 2.6 10.1 0.7 0.9 1.8 3.2 4.5 14.7 20.9 27 15 3
Kenny Thomas 2m04 22 13.5 9.9 2.6 72 33-39 40 26.2% 39.9% 66% 3.3 9.9 2.6 1.2 2.5 0.5 3.8 13.5 16.3 22 22 6
Carlos Rogers 2m12 28 15.7 10.2 1.6 53 16-37 40 7.1% 52.5% 59.1% 3.6 10.2 1.6 0.5 2.3 1.3 2.9 15.7 19.1 28 14 4
Moochie Norris 1m86 26 17.1 5.6 7.8 30 13-17 40 41.4% 43.4% 78.1% 1.3 5.6 7.8 1.9 2.5 0.1 2.6 17.1 21.2 19 6 10
Matt Bullard 2m09 32 15.3 5.5 2.5 56 26-30 40 44.6% 40.9% 83.3% 0.5 5.5 2.5 0.8 1.4 0.5 3.4 15.3 14.9 24 8 5
Bryce Drew 1m91 25 13.4 3.3 5.2 72 28-44 40 36.2% 38.3% 84.9% 0.7 3.3 5.2 1.3 2.1 0 2.5 13.4 12.7 20 6 10
Tony Massenburg 2m07 32 17.9 10.5 1.2 10 2-8 40 - 44.4% 87.5% 2.7 10.5 1.2 0.8 3.5 1.9 5 17.9 20.2 8 6 1
Thomas Hamilton 2m19 24 12.5 13.7 2.3 22 6-16 40 - 44.3% 52.2% 4.7 13.7 2.3 0.6 4.3 2.1 3.8 12.5 18.6 12 13 4
Anthony Miller 2m07 28 11.3 14.2 1.4 35 19-16 40 - 53.6% 51% 4.3 14.2 1.4 1 1.6 0.9 5.9 11.3 21 19 13 2
Bill Curley 2m07 27 10.2 6.8 0 4 3-1 40 - 54.5% - 3.4 6.8 0 1.7 3.4 0 8.5 10.2 11.1 8 5 0
Devin Gray 1m99 27 17 8.7 1.7 21 7-14 40 - 40.5% 65.5% 3.8 8.7 1.7 1.7 1.4 1 7.7 17 17.7 6 4 2
Total 16.8 7.4 3.7 82 34-48 40 35.8% 45% 73.3% 2.1 7.4 3.7 1.3 2.8 0.9 3.4 16.8 18.5
Player Height Age USG% PACE PIE PER GMSCR AST% TO% AST/TO OREB% DREB% REB%
Steve Francis 1m91 22 25.1% 20,6 9,0 18,3 16,1 24% 19% 12.7 5% 8% 13%
Cuttino Mobley 1m94 24 23.9% 16,8 6,0 15,9 11,9 13% 14% 1.6 2% 8% 10%
Charles Barkley 1m99 36 22.4% 15,7 2,0 19,9 14,4 17% 14% 6 3% 5% 7%
Shandon Anderson 1m99 26 17.6% 13,2 6,0 13,7 11,0 18% 18% 4.2 3% 10% 13%
Walt Williams 2m04 29 20.2% 11,2 5,0 15,7 9,7 16% 13% 5.2 3% 11% 14%
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 36 23% 12,4 3,0 16,9 9,6 10% 13% -2.2 3% 10% 13%
Kelvin Cato 2m12 25 15.8% 8,7 4,0 16,2 9,8 4% 13% -8 5% 13% 18%
Kenny Thomas 2m04 22 18.1% 10,2 4,0 12,0 7,9 13% 15% 0.1 7% 13% 19%
Carlos Rogers 2m12 28 18% 8,4 3,0 15,4 7,5 9% 14% -4.7 5% 10% 15%
Moochie Norris 1m86 26 19.8% 7,4 2,0 18,8 7,2 30% 14% 28.9 1% 4% 5%
Matt Bullard 2m09 32 16.9% 7,0 2,0 11,9 5,6 14% 9% 6.9 1% 8% 8%
Bryce Drew 1m91 25 17.3% 7,0 2,0 10,8 4,9 24% 13% 19.1 1% 5% 6%
Tony Massenburg 2m07 32 21.9% 5,2 0 14,3 4,1 5% 17% -11.5 1% 2% 3%
Thomas Hamilton 2m19 24 19.4% 5,3 1,0 11,7 3,7 11% 24% -11.1 3% 5% 8%
Anthony Miller 2m07 28 13% 4,0 1,0 13,8 5,1 10% 14% -2.2 4% 10% 14%
Bill Curley 2m07 27 13.8% 3,8 0 5,4 3,2 0% 27% -26.7 0% 0% 1%
Devin Gray 1m99 27 20.3% 2,6 0 15,0 2,5 9% 7% 1.9 2% 3% 5%
Player Height Age eFG% TS% 3PAr FTr %FGA/2PTm %FGA/3PTm %FGA/FTm %PTS/2PTm %PTS/3PTm %PTS/FTm PTS/2PTm PTS/3PTm
Steve Francis 1m91 22 57,3% 54,3% 27,8% 32,7% 54,5% 20,9% 24,6% 56,2% 23,1% 20,7% 0.97 1.04
Cuttino Mobley 1m94 24 57,7% 54,5% 28,7% 34,7% 52,9% 21,3% 25,8% 52,2% 24,4% 23,4% 0.92 1.07
Charles Barkley 1m99 36 63,7% 53,4% 11,7% 49,5% 59,0% 7,8% 33,1% 69,2% 6,2% 24,6% 1.02 0.69
Shandon Anderson 1m99 26 59,8% 56,7% 28,9% 32,5% 53,6% 21,8% 24,5% 57,3% 23,5% 19,2% 1.05 1.05
Walt Williams 2m04 29 53,2% 56,2% 38,3% 18,1% 52,2% 32,5% 15,3% 50,8% 37,0% 12,2% 1 1.17
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 36 54,0% 48,4% 0,5% 26,6% 78,6% 0,4% 21,0% 84,8% 0% 15,2% 0.92 0
Kelvin Cato 2m12 25 70,5% 57,4% 1,0% 51,7% 65,2% 0,7% 34,1% 76,2% 0% 23,8% 1.09 0
Kenny Thomas 2m04 22 52,9% 47,7% 23,0% 39,4% 55,3% 16,5% 28,2% 60,6% 16,2% 23,2% 0.88 0.79
Carlos Rogers 2m12 28 65,0% 54,9% 4,3% 42,3% 67,2% 3,0% 29,7% 80,1% 0,7% 19,2% 1.09 0.21
Moochie Norris 1m86 26 61,3% 54,2% 18,2% 45,9% 56,0% 12,5% 31,5% 55,1% 17,4% 27,5% 0.88 1.24
Matt Bullard 2m09 32 44,6% 54,1% 52,1% 8,8% 44,1% 47,8% 8,1% 31,4% 62,0% 6,5% 0.74 1.34
Bryce Drew 1m91 25 43,7% 48,1% 39,5% 12,8% 53,6% 35,0% 11,4% 47,1% 42,1% 10,7% 0.79 1.09
Tony Massenburg 2m07 32 63,9% 53,4% 0% 44,4% 69,2% 0% 30,8% 69,6% 0% 30,4% 0.89 0
Thomas Hamilton 2m19 24 51,9% 46,0% 0% 29,1% 77,5% 0% 22,5% 85,4% 0% 14,6% 0.89 0
Anthony Miller 2m07 28 67,0% 54,4% 0% 52,6% 65,5% 0% 34,5% 80,0% 0% 20,0% 1.07 0
Bill Curley 2m07 27 54,5% 54,5% 0% 0% 100,0% 0% 0% 100,0% 0% 0% 1.09 0
Devin Gray 1m99 27 66,2% 49,2% 0% 78,4% 56,1% 0% 43,9% 61,2% 0% 38,8% 0.81 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
Steve Francis 1m91 22 89% 18% 18% 18% 17% 17% 20% 20% 19% 18% 16% 11% 12% 30% 24% 20% 7% - 15% - 47% 17%
Cuttino Mobley 1m94 24 76% 16% 15% 15% 14% 15% 18% 18% 19% 17% 6% 9% 8% 12% 14% 14% 7% - 10% - 15% 12%
Charles Barkley 1m99 36 76% 15% 14% 14% 17% 16% 4% 7% 19% 21% 29% 22% 24% 15% 13% 9% 4% - 12% - 7% 17%
Shandon Anderson 1m99 26 81% 12% 12% 12% 12% 11% 14% 14% 12% 12% 9% 11% 11% 13% 14% 16% 7% - 11% - 26% 12%
Walt Williams 2m04 29 60% 11% 11% 11% 9% 9% 19% 17% 7% 6% 7% 10% 9% 10% 9% 9% 11% - 12% - -17% 11%
Hakeem Olajuwon 2m14 36 58% 10% 12% 12% 15% 15% 0% 0% 8% 10% 12% 15% 14% 6% 10% 12% 30% - 10% - 20% 12%
Kelvin Cato 2m12 25 60% 9% 9% 8% 11% 10% 0% 0% 11% 12% 13% 14% 14% 2% 7% 7% 36% - 13% - 3% 11%
Kenny Thomas 2m04 22 61% 8% 8% 9% 8% 9% 6% 9% 10% 11% 17% 13% 14% 7% 9% 10% 6% - 11% - -17% 9%
Carlos Rogers 2m12 28 51% 8% 9% 8% 11% 10% 0% 1% 8% 10% 15% 11% 12% 4% 7% 4% 12% - 7% - 92% 9%
Moochie Norris 1m86 26 40% 7% 6% 7% 6% 7% 6% 5% 10% 9% 4% 5% 5% 14% 6% 10% 1% - 5% - -52% 8%
Matt Bullard 2m09 32 45% 7% 7% 7% 4% 5% 20% 16% 2% 2% 2% 7% 6% 5% 4% 5% 4% - 7% - 9% 6%
Bryce Drew 1m91 25 44% 6% 6% 7% 5% 6% 12% 11% 3% 3% 3% 4% 3% 10% 6% 8% 0% - 5% - -18% 5%
Tony Massenburg 2m07 32 26% 5% 4% 4% 5% 6% 0% 0% 7% 6% 6% 6% 6% 1% 5% 3% 9% - 6% - 30% 5%
Thomas Hamilton 2m19 24 30% 4% 4% 4% 5% 6% 0% 0% 3% 4% 11% 9% 9% 3% 8% 2% 12% - 6% - 38% 5%
Anthony Miller 2m07 28 33% 4% 4% 3% 5% 5% 0% 0% 4% 6% 11% 10% 11% 2% 3% 4% 5% - 10% - -46% 6%
Bill Curley 2m07 27 29% 3% 4% 3% 5% 4% 0% 0% 0% 0% 8% 3% 5% 0% 6% 7% 0% - 12% - 52% 3%
Devin Gray 1m99 27 14% 2% 2% 2% 2% 3% 0% 0% 5% 5% 4% 2% 3% 1% 1% 3% 3% - 5% - 11% 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.