Houston Rockets

Lore & Background

The Rockets won only 15 games in their debut season as a franchise in 1967. In the 1968 NBA draft, the Rockets were awarded the first overall pick and selected power forward Elvin Hayes, who would lead the team to its first playoff appearance in his rookie season. The Rockets did not finish a season with a winning record for almost a decade until the 1976–77 season, when they traded for All-Star center Moses Malone from the American Basketball Association (ABA). Malone led Houston to the Eastern Conference finals in his first year with the team. During the 1980–81 season, the Rockets finished the regular season with a 40–42 record but still made the playoffs. Led by Malone, the Rockets reached their first NBA Finals in 1981, losing in six games to the Boston Celtics. In the 1984 NBA draft, once again with the first overall pick, the Rockets drafted center Hakeem Olajuwon, who would become the cornerstone of the most successful period in franchise history. Paired with 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) Ralph Sampson, they formed one of the tallest front courts in the NBA. Nicknamed the 'Twin Towers', they led the team to the 1986 NBA Finals where Houston was again defeated by the Boston Celtics. The Rockets continued to reach the playoffs throughout the 1980s, but failed to advance past the first round for several years following 1987. Rudy Tomjanovich took over as head coach midway through the 1991–92 season, ushering in the most successful period in franchise history. Led by Olajuwon, the Rockets dominated the 1993–94 season, setting a then-franchise record 58 wins and went to the 1994 NBA Finals and won the franchise's first championship against the New York Knicks. During the following season, reinforced by another All-Star, Clyde Drexler, the Rockets repeated as champions with a four-game sweep of the Orlando Magic. The Rockets acquired all-star power forward Charles Barkley in 1996, but were unable to advance past the Western Conference finals. Each one of the aging trio of Olajuwon, Drexler, and Barkley had left the team by 2001. The Rockets of the early 2000s, led by superstars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, followed the trend of consistent regular season respectability followed by playoff underachievement as both players struggled with injuries. After Yao's early retirement in 2011, the Rockets entered a period of rebuilding, completely dismantling and retooling th

In Their Own Story

From Chicago, Bill Hazen provided the television commentary for Houston Rockets games, acting as the primary play-by-play voice for the franchise. His broadcast duties were part of a broader portfolio that included calling games for the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers. The scope of his work in professional sports also encompassed Major League Baseball and NFL football, demonstrating his versatility across different leagues. Hazen’s time covering the Rockets occurred while he was a graduate of Butler University and established as a sportscaster based in Illinois. His career trajectory shows a progression from these major league assignments to his current position as a broadcaster with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League, where he continues to call games.

Reader's Guide

The Rockets were founded in 1967 in San Diego by Robert Breitbard. The team was named 'Rockets' as it paid homage to San Diego's theme of 'a city in motion' and the local arm of General Dynamics developing the Atlas missile and booster rocket program. In 1971, the Rockets relocated to Houston after being sold to a Houston-based investment group. The Rockets have won two NBA championships (1994 and 1995) and four Western Conference titles. Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, and James Harden have been named the NBA's MVPs while playing for the Rockets, for a total of four MVP awards. The Rockets, when piloted by Morey, were renowned for popularizing the use of advanced statistical analytics in player acquisitions and style of play.

Did You Know?

• The Rockets won only 15 games in their debut season as a franchise in 1967.
• The Rockets reached their first NBA Finals in 1981, losing in six games to the Boston Celtics.
• Hakeem Olajuwon led the Rockets to their first NBA championship in 1994 against the New York Knicks.
• The Rockets repeated as champions in 1995 with a sweep of the Orlando Magic.
• Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, and James Harden have won a total of four MVP awards while playing for the Rockets.