National Basketball Association
Houston Rockets
Western Conference/Southwest Division
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History of the Rockets
The Houston Rockets arrived from San Diego in the 1971/72 season and managed a 34-48 record while averaging fewer than 5,000 tickets per game. The Rockets would not have to wait to long to begin making a dent in the NBA as they began making appearances in the playoffs beginning in the 1974-1975 season led by Calvin Murphy and Rudy Tomjanovich under the tutelage of Coach John Egan.
Over the next 25 years, the Rockets would make the playoffs 24 times and the players who suited up for the team would include such Hall of Fame All Stars as Charles Barkley (1996/97 – 1999/2000), Rick Berry (1978/79 – 1979/80), Clyde Drexler (1994/95 – 1997/98), Elvin Hayes (1971/72 – 1983/84), Moses Malone (1976/77 – 1981/82), Calvin Murphy (1971/72 – 1982/83) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1983/84 - 2001).
The Rockets made it into the NBA Finals in 1981 led by Moses Malone who averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds a game as they eliminated the LA Lakers, the Spurs and the Kansas City Kings before bowing out to the Boston Celtics who won in 6 games.
The Rockets made it to the finals again in 1986 with the “Twin Towers” of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. While both averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds a game, the young upstarts were eliminated by the Boston Celtics yet again in 6 games.
In 1994, the Rockets, riding behind All Star Center Hakeem Olajuwon, again made it to the finals going through the Blazers, the Suns, and the Jazz to finally beat the Eastern Conference Champion New York Knicks in 7 games.
The 1994/95 season was another fast starter for the returning champions as they began the season with a 9 game winning streak. The Rockets also upgraded with the acquisition of Clyde “the glide” Drexler from the Portland Trailblazers. With the team now sporting Drexler and Mario Ellie alongside Hakeem and Robert Horry, the Rockets would eliminate the Jazz, the Suns and the Spurs to face the Eastern Conference’s Orlando Magic which the Rockets swept in 4 games to again take the title.
The Rockets have won numerous awards over the years including two Coach of the Year Awards (1977, 1991), two Rookie of the Year Awards (1984 – Ralph Sampson and 2000 – Steve Francis), two Defensive Player of the Year Awards both going to Hakeem Olajuwon in 1993 and 1994. The Rockets have also produced three NBA MVP winners with Moses Malone (1979, 1982) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1994).
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Toyota Center
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NBA Basketball
Eastern Conference
| Atlantic Division | Central Division | Southeast Division |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | Chicago Bulls | Atlanta Hawks |
| Brooklyn Nets | Cleveland Cavaliers | Charlotte Bobcats |
| New York Knicks | Detroit Pistons | Miami Heat |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Orlando Magic |
| Toronto Raptors | Milwaukee Bucks | Washington Wizards |
