Yao Ming is one of the most polarizing figures in NBA history. Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner David Stern (front) gets a hug from … During his eight healthy years with the Rockets, Ming scored 19 points and pulled down 9.2 rebounds per game. Player. He started just one game during those two years, coming off the bench and making an impact when point guard Kenny Smith needed a breather. He failed to deliver a championship, but he did deliver a scoring average of 22.4 points during his five-plus seasons in red. He played his entire 13-year career with the Rockets and is recognized accordingly as one of the best in franchise history. He came over to Houston after leading the league in scoring in back-to-back years with the Orlando Magic, and the world was expected of him with his new team. in NBA since 1967 | current roster. Elvin Hayes was drafted first overall by the San Diego Rockets in 1968, and, along with several other players on this list, ushered in the Rockets' existence in Houston. As a No. The Golden State Warriors dealt him to the Rockets in a package deal that netted Golden State Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson, and that is, perhaps, what makes Floyd famous in Houston. 1 overall pick, a player who played three separate stints for Houston and a player who had a world of talent, the injury-ridden Lucas easily cracks the top 20. He's ahead of Sam Cassell, a player with two championships with the Rockets, because of his longevity with the team. Not many can say they have that type of resumé. Luis Scola was a beast for the Rockets from 2007-2012, and many members of the fan base were upset after he was waived by the team and allowed to sign with the Phoenix Suns. Cuttino Mobley, like Shane Battier and Robert Horry, is one of the best three-point shooters in team history. Do I need to explain his presence on this list any further? He was a member of both championship teams of the 90s and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008 after averaging 25.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game in Houston. The No. He played six years in Houston, scoring 12.5 points and dishing out 5.2 assists per game. While most people know Malone for his stint in Philly (where he won his only title), it was in Houston … Fans usually think of Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Yao Ming, Charles Barkley, Tracy McGrady, and James Harden when someone brings up the Rockets. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990 and played seven full seasons with the Rockets. All-Time Greats: A. Iverson, J. It's amazing that there are actually two players ranked ahead of him, but both are deserving of such an honor. Whether or not the player was a No. It's a move that could continue to haunt general manager Daryl Morey for the rest of his tenure in Houston if the team doesn't win a championship. He averaged over 20 points per game 11 times in his NBA career and averaged 23.7 points in six seasons with the Rockets. He was the heart and soul of a team that didn't see much success during his tenure. He was an important member of the core group that helped the team transition to Houston during the following season. But it is with the Rockets where he had arguably the best individual seasons of … Olajuwon is one of the best players of all time and is—by far—the best player in Rockets history. He may very well be the best pure scorer in team history, and that's why he makes the top 10. Moses Malone. His final season in Houston (1994-95) was both his career high in points per game (12.0) and the last time he ever averaged double digits. Houston is perhaps best known for having one of the best collection of big men in NBA history. Hakeem Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets … He was a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1970-71, but that represents the only real hardware Murphy earned outside of his enshrinement in the hall. That type of efficiency led to a scoring average of 15.5 per game in Houston. Maxwell often gets overlooked when talking about the best players in Rockets history, but his importance to the franchise should make him a lock on any "best of" list. At his very best, Tracy McGrady was an outstanding player, reaching lofty heights very few have ever touched, but the teams around him were never as good as he was. He was a player who could truly do it all on the floor. 3. Robert Reid was a member of the Rockets from 1977-1988, though he missed the entire 1982-83 season. Mobely is one of the best three-point shooters in team history. During his rookie season in 1998-99, he averaged 9.9 points. Other than his shooting, though, his numbers weren't great across the board. Moses Malone spent six seasons with the Rockets. 25. Sampson played in the NBA for just nine seasons, but he was so dominant, while active, he deserved a spot in the hall. Houston Rockets All-Time Leaders Information about the Rockets players that lead the franchise in total and average stats including points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, in … The team has had few poor seasons and they have, it's been to the Rockets benefit. I have included YouTube videos to showcase the players… Heck, he even had an offensive move named after him. It’s another theme week here at SB Nation, and we’re focusing on teamwork — specifically, the best sets of Houston Rockets teammates of all time. You can stand in awe of his career stat line of 27.11 points (fourth all time), 7.4 rebounds and 7.3 assists per ... Read more The Best NBA Players Of All Time He services were put to use, but they weren't used in the same way they have been over the past two seasons with the Miami Heat. Unfortunately, he was but a stepping stone to the players on those teams. The team's most recent title was won 26 years ago when it defeated the Orlando Magic led by Hakeem Olajuwon back in 1995. Players who also posted strong statistical lines in their careers with the Rockets were also considered. James Harden has only played one season in Houston, but his role as team leader and responsibility of speeding up what figured to be a long and strenuous rebuild automatically rank him amongst some of the best players in team history. Lantz put together a solid line, scoring 15.4 points, grabbing 3.9 boards and racking up 3.3 assists per game. Ming increased the NBA's popularity in China and made him one of the most popular athletes in all of sports. For now, he's sitting pretty at No. Olajuwon is not only known for his exceptional footwork on the low-block but also his elite defensive ability. For much of its history, the Houston Rockets have been one of the most consistent teams in the NBA. Calvin Murphy played all of his 13 seasons in Houston, and is the Rockets' career leader in assists The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston , Texas . Given Reid's lack of hardware during his tenure in Houston, he comes in pretty low on this list. After he failed to deliver championships, though, the relationship began to go sour. Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo (b. June 25, 1966) is a center for the Houston Rockets, and is generally regarded as one of the greatest block and defensive players of all time, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times. 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