History of the Houston Rockets
The
In the Rockets' debut season, they won 15 games. After drafting
Two years after advancing to the finals, the Rockets traded Malone and had two losing seasons, with the first having a franchise-low 14 victories. This gave Houston two straight first overall picks, used to bring future
During the next decade, the Rockets rehauled their roster and were again contenders for the NBA title. In the 2014–15 NBA season, led by head coach Kevin McHale and guard James Harden, the Rockets won their first division title in 21 years, and reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1997.
1967–1971: San Diego Rockets
Once
In 1968, after the Rockets won a coin toss against the
Despite being coached by Hall of Fame coach
1971–1976: Improving in Houston with Murphy & Rudy-T
Upon their arrival, many were in disbelief that the Rockets could thrive in Houston. They were coming to a city that, at the time, had not shown much interest in professional basketball.
Before the start of the
With a 41–41 record, the Rockets would earn their first NBA Playoff berth in the
1976–1982: The Moses Malone era
Due to Egan's failure to qualify for the playoffs, as soon as the season ended he was replaced by coach
Early into 1977–78 season, at a game on December 9, 1977, Kevin Kunnert got into a fight with Kermit Washington of the Los Angeles Lakers. As Tomjanovich approached the altercation, Washington turned and punched Tomjanovich squarely in the face, causing numerous fractures in his face.[34] Tomjanovich spent the next five months in rehabilitation and returned to appear in the 1978 All-Star Game, but his averages significantly declined after the injury,[35] and Houston finished with just 28 wins in the season.[36]
In the
In 1979
In the
1984–2001: The Hakeem Olajuwon era
1984–1987: The Twin Towers era
Houston was again given the first pick of the 1984 NBA draft, and they used it to select Hakeem Olajuwon from the University of Houston.[53] In his first season, Olajuwon finished second to Michael Jordan in NBA Rookie of the Year balloting,[54] and the Rockets record improved by 19 games, although they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.[55]
In the
In the
While Sampson signed a new deal prior to the 1987–88 NBA season,[66] he was traded early in the season to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Joe Barry Carroll and Sleepy Floyd.[67] Sampson only learned of the trade once he arrived in Houston after a road game.[68] The Twin Towers were split just 18 months after their finals appearance.[66]
1987–1992: Lean Years
During the next three seasons, the Rockets were eliminated three straight times in the first round of the playoffs,[69][70][71] with the first of those in 1988, the Dallas Mavericks defeating the Rockets in four games, leading to Fitch's dismissal. Don Chaney was hired to replace him and lead the Rockets to the playoffs in his first season in Houston, losing to the Seattle SuperSonics in four games thanks to a buzzer-beater that ended the Rockets season.[72][73]
Chaney was named the Coach of the Year for the 1990–91 season, after leading the Rockets to a 52–30 record despite Olajuwon's absence due to injury for 25 games.[72][74] The Rockets were once again eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, 3–0 to the Lakers.[75] Midway through the next season, with the Rockets' record only 26–26, Chaney was fired and replaced by one of his assistants, former Houston player Tomjanovich.[76][77] Although the Rockets did not make the playoffs,[77] in the next year, the Rockets won-loss record improved by 13 games, as they won 55 games.[78] Olajuwon won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, and the Rockets clinched the Midwest title. The playoffs started with Houston's first series victory in 5 years by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers, before an elimination by the SuperSonics during a game 7 overtime loss in one of the classic postseason series in NBA History.[79]
1993–1995: Back to Back Championships
On July 30, 1993,
The Rockets initially struggled in the first half of the
During the offseason, the Rockets went for a change of visual identity, making navy blue and silver the new primary colors while adopting a new cartoon-inspired logo and pinstriped jerseys.
1996–1999: The Big Three era
Before the start of the succeeding season, the Rockets made a dramatic trade that sent four players to Phoenix in exchange for
The
The End of The Big Three era
After the
2002–2011: The Yao Ming era
With the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft, the Rockets selected Yao Ming, a 7-foot 6-inch Chinese center.[111] The Rockets' record improved by 15 games,[112] but they missed the playoffs by one game.[113]
In the
2004–2010: Yao and McGrady duo
In the offseason, Houston saw major changes in the roster as the Rockets acquired
The
In the next off-season, the Rockets acquired
On September 23, 2009, the Rockets unveiled new alternate uniforms, which were inspired by the 1994–95 championship uniforms and featured similar colors.[137] On February 18, 2010, hours before the trade deadline, the Rockets acquired Kevin Martin, Jordan Hill, Hilton Armstrong, and Jared Jeffries in a three-team trade that sent Tracy McGrady to the New York Knicks, and Joey Dorsey and Carl Landry to the Sacramento Kings.[138] Despite the stellar play of Martin and Aaron Brooks, with the latter being named the NBA Most Improved Player, the Rockets could not make it to the playoffs, finishing 42–40, 3rd in the Southwest Division. At that time, the Rockets set an NBA record for best record by a team with no All-Stars.[139][140]
The Rockets drafted
The 2010–11 NBA season started badly for the Rockets, who lost the first five games.[142] In the seventh, Yao Ming injured his left ankle in what was just his fifth game that season.[143] After being examined, what was thought to be a mild sprain turned out to be a stress fracture which kept Yao off of the court for another season.[144] In July 2011, Yao, only 30, retired after a series of unfortunate injuries cut his career short.[145]
By the All-Star break in February 2011, the Rockets were 26–31.[142] On February 24, 2011, the Rockets traded Shane Battier to the Memphis Grizzlies for Hasheem Thabeet and a first-round pick. They also traded Aaron Brooks to the Phoenix Suns for Goran Dragić and a first-round pick. Afterwards the team won 15 games out of 20, reaching a winning record and contending for a playoff spot.[142] The team entered April with chances of qualifying for the postseason, but for the second straight season the Rockets failed to make the playoffs after losing to the New Orleans Hornets in Louisiana with three games remaining.[146] The team still finished the year with a 43-39 winning record.[147] Head coach Rick Adelman left the Rockets right after the season.[148]
2011–2012: Rebuilding
On June 1, 2011, the Rockets named
Nearing the trade deadline on March 15, 2012, the Rockets traded Hasheem Thabeet and Jonny Flynn to the Portland Trail Blazers for Marcus Camby. The Rockets also sent Jordan Hill to the Lakers in return for Derek Fisher (who was waived shortly after and signed with the Thunder) and a first-round pick in the 2012 NBA draft. During the strike-shortened 2011–12 season, the Rockets were eliminated from playoff contention during the season's penultimate game against eventual champions Miami Heat.[152]
Before the 2012 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks traded the 12th overall pick, Shaun Livingston, Jon Brockman, and Jon Leuer to the Rockets for the 14th overall pick and Samuel Dalembert.[153] The Minnesota Timberwolves also traded the 18th pick in the draft to Houston for Chase Budinger.[154] In the 2012 NBA Draft, Houston drafted Jeremy Lamb of Connecticut, Royce White of Iowa State, and Terrence Jones of Kentucky with the 12th, 16th, and 18th picks, respectively.
2012–2021: The James Harden era
2012–2013: Return to the playoffs
During the 2012 NBA offseason, the Rockets made significant changes to their roster. Early in July, they traded Kyle Lowry to the Toronto Raptors,[155] let Goran Dragić return to the Phoenix Suns via free agency,[156] and saw the arrival of 2011 pick Donatas Motiejūnas from Lithuania, who was signed to a multiyear deal.[157] On July 13, the Rockets released veteran forward Luis Scola using their one-time amnesty clause.[158] On July 18, The Rockets signed Jeremy Lin, a restricted free agent, to a three-year, $25.1 million contract after the New York Knicks decided not to match the Rockets' offer sheet.[159] Lin achieved worldwide fame with a 25-game stretch of high performance basketball play known as "Linsanity", where he stepped up in place of the Knicks' injured players. On July 20, Ömer Aşık, a restricted free agent from the Chicago Bulls, signed a three-year, $25.1 million offer sheet with the Rockets. The Bulls decided to not match the offer, and on July 24, Asik officially joined the Rockets.[160] On October 27, 2012, the Rockets traded Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and two future first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for reigning sixth man of the year James Harden, along with Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook, and Lazar Hayward.[161] Harden stepped out of his previous sixth man role and into the starting lineup for the Rockets. He had 37 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and a block in his debut as a Rocket, while Jeremy Lin had 12 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals.[162] Harden also signed a 5-year contract extension with the Rockets worth approximately $80 million a few days after the trade was completed.[163] Harden scored a then career-high 45 points in his second game with the Rockets against the Atlanta Hawks. Jeremy Lin tied a career-high of 38 points in an overtime loss to the Spurs while Harden sat out with an ankle sprain.[164] Harden was selected to the 2013 NBA All-Star Game, which was held in Houston.[165] On February 5, 2013, the Houston Rockets made 23 3-point field goals in a game against the Golden State Warriors, equaling the NBA team record. In this game, the Rockets also achieved a home game record for most points scored at the Toyota Center with a 140–109 victory.[166]
On February 20, 2013, the Rockets acquired
2013–2016: Harden and Howard duo
Eager to add another franchise player to their team, the Rockets heavily pursued free agent
Following a season of ups-and-downs with injury and form, Jeremy Lin was traded to the Lakers on July 13, 2014.
With double-digit wins against the Lakers, Utah, Boston and Philadelphia to start the 2014–15 NBA season, the Rockets recorded a 4–0 start for the first time since they won their first six games of the 1996–97 season.[180] By recording double-digit wins against Miami and San Antonio in their next two games, the Rockets won each of their first six games by 10 points or more, and became the first team to accomplish the feat since the 1985–86 Denver Nuggets.[181] In December, the Rockets acquired Corey Brewer[182] and Josh Smith,[183] two veterans who added depth to the roster. While the Rockets had many key players miss time throughout the entire season, James Harden took it upon himself to keep the Rockets near the top of the conference, which turned him into an MVP front-runner. On March 20, 2015, Harden scored a career-high 50 points in a 118–108 victory over the Nuggets.[184] Harden became the first Rocket to score 50 points since Hakeem Olajuwon scored 51 against the Celtics in 1996.[185] On April 1, Harden scored 51 points in a 115–111 win over the Sacramento Kings, becoming the first player in franchise history to record multiple 50 point games in a season.[186] On April 15, 2015, the Rockets won their 56th game of the season and finished with the third-best regular season record in franchise history. On that same night, the Rockets claimed their first ever Southwest Division title and first Division crown since 1994.[187] In the playoffs, the Rockets beat the Mavericks 4–1 in the first round. In the Conference Semifinals, the Los Angeles Clippers built a 3–1 lead over the Rockets, before the Rockets won the last three games in the series to return to the Conference Finals for the first time in 18 years, this time against the Golden State Warriors.[188] With their win over the Clippers, the Rockets became just the ninth team in NBA history to win a playoff series in which they faced a 3–1 deficit.[189] In the Conference Finals, the Warriors won the first three games before Harden scored 45 points to win Game 4 at the Toyota Center. The Warriors then finished the series in Game 5, winning 4–1.[190]
Prior to the
After a disappointing season, the Rockets had to make some significant changes to their roster. Howard wasn't happy with his role and the team overall still lacked an identity. On June 1, 2016, the Rockets named Mike D'Antoni as their new head coach.[199] Howard opted out of the final year of his contract later in June,[200] and signed with the Atlanta Hawks in July.[201] With Howard gone, Harden was now the undisputed franchise player. Harden reaffirmed his commitment to the franchise when he signed a four-year, $118.1 million contract extension in July.[202] The Rockets also signed Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon,[203] two perimeter players who complemented Harden and fit D'Antoni's style of play.
2017–2019: Mike D'Antoni and Chris Paul
When the 2016–17 season started, Harden was off to a great start and was widely considered a top MVP runner along with
On June 28, 2017, 8 time All-NBA player and 9 time All-Star Chris Paul was acquired in a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, in exchange for Sam Dekker, Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, DeAndre Liggins, Darrun Hilliard, Kyle Wiltjer, Montrezl Harrell, cash considerations, and a top three protected 2018 first round draft pick.[205][206] It was reported on 5 September 2017, that Houston restaurant billionaire Tilman Fertitta had reached an agreement with Rockets owner Leslie Alexander to purchase the team, pending league approval.[207] The $2.2 billion sale price breaks the record for the price to purchase an American professional sports team, breaking the $2 billion record jointly held by the sale prices of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 and the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014.[208] The sale was closed on October 5.[209]
The Rockets went on a
2019–2020: Harden and Westbrook duo
During the 2019 off-season, the Rockets sought out to once again retool the roster. As part of a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Rockets traded Chris Paul, two future first-round picks, and two future first-round pick swaps in exchange for James Harden's former Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook.[215] Nearing the trade deadline of the 2019–20 season, the Rockets were involved in a blockbuster, three-team trade which was centered around bringing Robert Covington back to the Rockets and sending centers Clint Capela and Nenê to the Atlanta Hawks.[216] The trade was in an effort to fully invest on a small ball, 5-out offense.[217] In their first 12 games since going 6'7" or shorter in their lineups, the Rockets went 10–2, being in the top percentile in win percentage, offensive rating, and point differential.[218] In February, the month they made the trade, the MVP backcourt of Westbrook and Harden became the first teammates in NBA history to average 30+ points and 5+ assists per game.[219]
2021-present: Post-Harden and start of rebuild
During the off-season, Mike D'Antoni and Daryl Morey left the team. In December, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards for John Wall. Under new head coach Stephen Silas, James Harden reportedly arrived to training camp late. On January 14, 2021, it was the end of the James Harden era in Houston as he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team deal involving the Indiana Pacers. On March 2, 2021, the Rockets announced that they will retire Harden's No. 13 when he retires.
With Harden gone, the Rockets quickly fell apart. The best player they got back in the deal, Victor Oladipo, only played 20 games with the Rockets before getting traded to Miami. John Wall, coming back from injury, was one of the least efficient players in the league. Longtime Rocket P.J. Tucker asked for a trade and was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Around that time, they lost 20 straight games from early February to mid March, one of the longest losing streaks in NBA history and the longest in Rockets history. After February 4, they won one road game for the rest of the season, against a equally-porous Minnesota Timberwolves team. They had to play a league-record 30 players. Things got so bad, after all star break, veteran role player Kelly Olynyk was often the #1 option for most of the remaining games as they struggled to suit up 8 or 9 player most nights. At the end of it all, they finished with a 17-55 record, the worst in the league, one year after making the playoffs. 2 players from the 2019-2020 team was on the Rockets end-of-season roster.
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