The Dayton Air Strikers are an American minor league basketball team based out of Dayton, Ohio . The team plays throughout North America between the United States and Canada. They currently compete in the Midwest Basketball League based out of Minnesota.
119-755: Established in 2010, the Air Strikers started as an expansion franchise of the Premier Basketball League in the 2011 season, before competing in the International Basketball League as a "branding team" in the spring of 2011. They subsequently resumed play in the PBL for the 2012 season. In 2013, they played in the Central Basketball League for one season (playing 6 games and did not return to
238-553: A basketball team in Ohio is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Premier Basketball League The Premier Basketball League , often abbreviated to the PBL , is an American professional men's basketball minor league that began play in January 2008. The league folded after the 2017 season. It was announced that the league would be revived under new management for
357-606: A 17–55 record, the worst in the league despite with many injuries and trades. In the 2021 NBA draft , the team selected Jalen Green with the second overall pick out of the NBA G League Ignite , pairing him alongside Kevin Porter Jr. , who was acquired via trade the season prior for a top-55 protected second round pick. Because of their additions in the draft, including first round selections in Alperen Şengün and Josh Christopher ,
476-672: A 3–2 advantage, but the Rockets won the last two games on their home court and claimed their first championship in franchise history. Olajuwon was awarded the Finals MVP , after averaging 27 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots a game. The Rockets initially struggled in the first half of the 1994–95 season , which they fixed by sending Otis Thorpe to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Olajuwon's former college teammate Clyde Drexler . With only 47 wins,
595-470: A bad start where the team only won 4 of its first 11 games, and assistant J. B. Bickerstaff took over coaching duties. Inconsistent play led to the Rockets struggling to remain in the playoff qualifying zone, and surrounded by trade rumors. Houston only clinched its 2016 playoffs spot by winning its last game, finishing the season 41–41 to earn an eight seed and a match-up against the Warriors. Like in
714-553: A comeback by Golden State. The Rockets had one draft pick entering the off-season, and they used it to select De'Anthony Melton , packaging him in a trade with the Phoenix Suns alongside Ryan Anderson to receive Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss . In free agency, they signed James Ennis III , Michael Carter-Williams , and Carmelo Anthony . They started the season with a 1–4 record, and after 13 games where they went 6–7, Houston and Anthony mutually agreed to part ways, who
833-480: A competitive Western Conference where seven teams won 50 games, this left the Rockets two games out of the playoffs. In the following off-season, a 38-year-old Olajuwon requested a trade, and, despite stating their desire to keep him, the Rockets reached a sign-and-trade agreement, sending him to the Toronto Raptors . The ensuing 2001–02 season —the first without Hakeem in two decades—was unremarkable, and
952-544: A controlling interest to remove the entire board of directors. Newman then refused to reschedule a weather-delayed playoff game between the Rochester RazorSharks and Wilmington Sea Dawgs although the two teams agreed to a make up date, wanting instead to force Rochester to accept a forfeit. It was on the heels of these two incidents that the Nighthawks and RazorSharks ownership groups decided to found
1071-462: A division title and a playoff berth for a seventh straight appearance. After defeating the Utah Jazz in five games, Houston faced Golden State for the fourth time in five years. The series began with a tight Game 1 decided by four points along with officiating that received scrutiny. With both teams winning their home games, putting the series at 2–2, Golden State won the next two games to eliminate
1190-530: A draft. The Rochester RazorSharks won the league championship. The league approved expansion teams in Chicago and Scranton, Pennsylvania for the 2012 PBL season. Also, Chattanooga, Tennessee , Hershey, Pennsylvania , and Madison, Wisconsin were named as cities pending approval for expansion teams. On 18 July 2011, the PBL announced the Dayton Air Strikers were returning to the league for
1309-620: A financial loss at this time. On January 26, 1970, during an emotional press conference on the floor of the Sports Arena, Breitbard addressed the San Diego fans regarding his dire finances and the state of his Rockets basketball and Gulls hockey teams. "...We have been served an eviction notice..." Breitbard announced. "I've tried to work quietly, to iron this out. But, at the moment it appears impossible. I don't want to sell. I'm not interested in selling outside of San Diego. It seems to me
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#17327832441141428-584: A four-game sweep of the Orlando Magic , which was led by a young Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway . Houston, which finished the season with a 47–35 record and was seeded sixth in the Western Conference during the 1995 playoffs, became the lowest-seeded team in NBA history to win the title. The Rockets acquired all-star power forward Charles Barkley in 1996, but the presence of three of
1547-660: A lottery-protected first-round pick. In January 2021, Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team trade. In return, the Rockets received Victor Oladipo from the Indiana Pacers, Rodions Kurucs from the Brooklyn Nets, Dante Exum from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Four 1st-round picks and Five 1st-round picks swap. The Rockets began the season with an 11–10 start but ended up with
1666-462: A season-ending injury seven games into the 2010–11 season and deciding to retire during the 2011 off-season. Said off-season, which saw the NBA going through a lockout , had Adelman dismissed, and general manager Daryl Morey deciding to start a revamp of the Rockets based on advanced statistical analytics (similar to sabermetrics in baseball) in player acquisitions and style of play. Kevin McHale
1785-478: A sweep by the SuperSonics. Before the start of the succeeding season, the Rockets sent four players to Phoenix in exchange for Charles Barkley . The resulting "Big Three" of Olajuwon, Drexler, and Barkley had a strong debut season with a 57–25 record, going all the way to the Western Conference finals before losing to the Utah Jazz 4–2 on a dramatic last-second shot by John Stockton . The following season
1904-460: The 1967 NBA draft , where San Diego's first ever draft pick was Pat Riley . In their first two games of the season, the Rockets were up against the St. Louis Hawks , and lost both of those games. Their first win in franchise history came the very next game which occurred three days after against the SuperSonics. The Rockets won on the road, 121–114. Johnny Green recorded 30 points and 25 rebounds for
2023-648: The 2020 NBA draft . Stone then traded Ariza, the rights to Stewart, a second round pick, and cash considerations to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Christian Wood , a first-round pick, and a second round pick. A few days later, the Rockets signed former All-Star DeMarcus Cousins in a one-year deal. A week later, Westbrook was traded to the Washington Wizards in December 2020 in an exchange for Cousins former Kentucky teammate John Wall and
2142-677: The American Basketball Association (ABA). Malone went on to win the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award twice while playing with the Rockets and 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 , becoming only
2261-698: The Augusta Groove , joined the league, but from the Continental Basketball Association . On June 23, the Halifax Rainmen , an ABA team the previous year, announced they were also joining the PBL. The first International Basketball League defection came on July 31 when the Battle Creek Knights joined the league. The Rochester RazorSharks went on to win their second straight PBL title after beating
2380-599: The Buffalo Stampede , citing a failure by the team to adhere to league standards. The Maryland GreenHawks were also dropped from the league. The Bluegrass Stallions , another ABA team located in Kentucky, joined. The league also added the expansion Dayton Air Strikers . In January, the Vermont Frost Heaves abruptly announced the cessation of operations and their players were dispersed via
2499-638: The Houston Cougars under Guy Lewis , having played along Elvin Hayes in the late 1960s. Chaney had his best season during 1990–91 , where he was named the Coach of the Year after leading the Rockets to a 52–30 record despite Olajuwon's absence due to injury for 25 games. Despite Olajuwon's usual strong numbers, the underwhelming roster could not be lifted out of mediocrity. However, the attempts to rebuild
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#17327832441142618-612: The Houston Oilers , it appeared as though the Rockets were doomed. Local newspapers labeled Houston as "Choke City", which the Rockets took to heart and ultimately came back to win the series in seven games. As "Choke City" became "Clutch City", the name permanently became a part of Houston folklore. The Rockets then soon defeated John Stockton and Karl Malone 's Utah Jazz in five in the Conference Finals to advance to their third finals . The New York Knicks opened
2737-539: The NBA's 50 greatest players of all-time (Olajuwon, Drexler, and Barkley) was not enough to propel Houston past the Western Conference Finals. Each one of the aging trio 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,
2856-887: The National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference . The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center , located in Downtown Houston . Throughout its history, Houston has won two NBA championships and four Western Conference titles. It was established in 1967 as the San Diego Rockets , an expansion team originally based in San Diego . In 1971,
2975-583: The Portland Trail Blazers (who had made the finals just two years prior) in 4 games, they then faced the defending Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns , led by the previous year's MVP Charles Barkley . The series opened up in Houston, which saw the Rockets open up a big lead going into the fourth quarter. In both games, however, the Rockets inexplicably collapsed to allow the Suns a 2–0 lead going back to Phoenix. Following recent heart-breaking playoff losses by
3094-493: The Vancouver Grizzlies , in exchange for four players and a first-round draft pick. However, after Houston traded a discontented Pippen to Portland, and Barkley suffered a career-ending injury, the rebuilt Rockets went 34–48 and missed the playoffs, for only the second time in 15 years. Francis was named Co-Rookie of the Year. In the 2000–01 season , the Rockets worked their way to a 45–37 record. However, in
3213-616: The Western United States and chose San Diego based on the city's strong economic and population growth, along with the local success of an ice hockey team owned by Breitbard, the San Diego Gulls of the Western Hockey League . The San Diego International Sports Center , which opened the previous year and was also owned by Breitbard, would serve as home to the new franchise. A local contest to name
3332-532: The $ 750,000 down payment on the $ 3.7 million entrance fee required before the league's college player draft . Before the start of the season, Hannum left for the Denver Rockets of the American Basketball Association – later renamed Denver Nuggets , who joined the NBA in 1976 – and Tex Winter was hired in his place. In the first six games of the 1971–72 season in Winter's first head coaching season,
3451-571: The 17th overall picks. The Rockets made some adjustments by sending forward Christian Wood to the Dallas Mavericks in an exchange for Boban Marjanović , Sterling Brown , Trey Burke and Marquese Chriss and traded all of them to the Oklahoma City Thunder during the off-season to develop their young core while keeping Marjanović. During the off-season, the Rockets bought out John Wall 's contract, who had been demanding
3570-720: The 1976 playoffs, Tom Nissalke was hired as a coach, and pressed the team to add a play-making guard in college standout John Lucas and a rebounding center through Moses Malone , who he had coached in the ABA. The additions had an immediate impact, with the 1976–77 Rockets winning the Central Division and going all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to the Julius Erving 's Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2. The following season had
3689-466: The 1979 MVP Award , but the team was swept 2–0 by Atlanta in the first round. Nissalke was let go, and assistant Del Harris was promoted to head coach. In 1979, George Maloof , a businessperson from Albuquerque, New Mexico , bought the Rockets for $ 9 million. He died the following year, and while the Maloof family expressed interest in selling the team, George's 24-year-old son Gavin took over
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3808-570: The 2007 elimination, Van Gundy was fired, and the Rockets hired Rick Adelman to replace him. For the 2008–09 season, the Rockets signed forward Ron Artest . While McGrady wound up playing only half the games before enduring a season-ending microfracture surgery , the Rockets ended the season 53–29, enough for the Western Conference's fifth seed. During the playoffs, the Rockets beat the Portland Trail Blazers four games to two, winning their first playoff round since 1997. During
3927-638: The 2012 season. In addition, the Northwestern Illinois -based Sauk Valley Predators began their inaugural season in the PBL for 2012. On August 22, 2011, it was announced the Charleston Gunners would be the PBL's sixth team for the 2012 season. On September 15, 2011, it was announced the Northwest Indiana Stars were leaving the ABA to be the PBL's seventh team for the 2012 season. On 21 September 2011 it
4046-432: The 2013 off-season. He officially signed with the Rockets on July 13, 2013. Led by the new inside-out combination of Howard and James Harden, and with a strong supporting cast including Chandler Parsons , Jeremy Lin , and Ömer Aşık , the Rockets were expected to jump into title contention in the upcoming season. However, that postseason , the Rockets were defeated in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers , losing
4165-568: The 2015 PBL Championship, winning the first two games in a best-of three series against the Lake Michigan Admirals. Championship Series (Best 2 of 3) Lake Michigan Admirals (2) vs Rochester RazorSharks (1) Rochester wins PBL Championship series 2 games to 0 Many new franchise additions occurred in the 2015 off-season including the Jamestown Jackals, Kentucky Mavericks , Western New York Thundersnow , and
4284-632: The 2017 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for Lou Williams to enhance the team's offense. When the season ended, the Rockets were third in both the Western Conference and overall rankings, a major improvement from the season before. D'Antoni was named the NBA Coach of the Year , Eric Gordon the Sixth Man of the Year , and Harden finished second in MVP voting to Russell Westbrook. In
4403-420: The 2020 season. The league announced due coronavirus outbreak the season would be put on hold. The PBL was formed after a number of disagreements between several former member teams of the modern American Basketball Association (ABA) and ABA CEO Joe Newman . Eight of the initial ten PBL teams either played in or were slated to play in the ABA. In early 2007, Newman was voted out of his position as CEO of
4522-642: The 3rd longest winning streak in NBA history . Still, the duo was plagued with injuries – of the 463 regular season games for which they were teammates, Yao missed 146 and McGrady 160 – and did not win any playoff series, despite gathering leads over the Dallas Mavericks in 2005 and the Jazz in 2007 . Despite this, Yao was selected to carry his home country's Five-star Red Flag at the Summer Olympics opening ceremony held at home in 2008 . After
4641-451: The ABA by the board of directors, which included Maryland Nighthawks owner and then-ABA COO Tom Doyle (who was later a commissioner of the PBL), citing dissatisfaction with how Newman executed his duties as CEO, the large number of ABA teams that did not have the funds to operate, and high number of games when an ABA team did not show up. Newman responded by using his and other shares that formed
4760-793: The Battle Creek Knights. The Battle Creek Knights, the Wilmington Sea Dawgs and the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry would not return for the 2010 season. The Maryland Nighthawks changed the name of their franchise to the Maryland GreenHawks . The Puerto Rico Capitanes joined the league, performing concurrently in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional . At the end of the season, the league officially severed ties with
4879-538: The Eastern Conference. Prior to the 1980–81 season , the arrival of the Dallas Mavericks led to an NBA realignment that sent the Rockets back to the Western Conference . Houston qualified for the playoffs only in the final game of the season with a 40–42 record. The postseason had the Rockets beat the Lakers, in-state rivals San Antonio Spurs , and the equally underdog Kansas City Kings to become only
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4998-755: The IBA-PBL. Prior to the start of the season, the defending champions, the Central Illinois Drive, ceased operations, but were then rebooted as the Bloomington Flex . On 24 May 2013, the six PBL teams announced that the two leagues would cease interleague play, and that the leagues would hold separate playoffs. In the first round of the PBL playoffs, the Bloomington Flex beat the Indiana Diesels two games to none, and
5117-407: The Kings, and Aaron Brooks , who would eventually be chosen as the Most Improved Player of the season, 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. The Rockets would also finish ninth in the Western Conference for the following two seasons, with Yao Ming getting
5236-646: The PBL. Championship Series (Best 2 of 3) Indiana Diesels (2) vs Rochester RazorSharks (1) Rochester wins PBL Championship series 2 games to 1 Several games in the 2015 season had to be postponed due to winter weather, leading to a rescheduling of games in March to ascertain that every team in the league would have played at least 15 games before the playoffs. The best-of-three finals-only playoffs between Midwest Division Champions Lake Michigan Admirals and East Division Champions Rochester RazorSharks opened on March 21 in Waterlivet, Michigan, with game two set for March 28 in Rochester. The Rochester RazorSharks won
5355-455: The PBL. Dr. Sev Hrywnak, owner of the Rochester RazorSharks, invested close to $ 2 million to start the PBL. The business model was structured so that teams entering the initial season did not have to pay an entrance fee of $ 100,000 and that all travel would be covered by the League. This would allow new teams the opportunity to have financial success from the start. Former Houston Rockets point guard and current NBA on TNT analyst Kenny Smith
5474-412: The Rochester RazorSharks beat the Sauk Valley Predators two games to none. In the finals, the Flex beat the RazorSharks two games to none to win their second consecutive title. On 21 September 2013, the PBL announced the first of what is expected to be up to six expansion teams, with the Lima Express signing to play for the 2014 season, which will begin in January. On 12 November 2013, the PBL announced
5593-475: The Rockets relocated to Houston. 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
5712-440: The Rockets all lost those games with an average of around 15 points per game. Their first win of the season came on October 26, 1971, with a 104–103 win over the home team, Detroit Pistons. Their second win of the season came five days later, a 102–87 win over the Buffalo Braves. After that game, the Rockets lost their next 8 games, against the Knicks, Trail Blazers, Bullets (twice), Warriors, Celtics, Bucks and Bulls. Their next win
5831-452: The Rockets and Gulls are part of this town. This arena, the Gulls, the Rockets, are a part of me, and our fans have been wonderful to us." Over the next nearly year and a half, numerous fans circulated petitions and lobbied local officials to help keep the Rockets and Gulls afloat and in San Diego. Several proposals surrounded providing financial aid or payment relief to Breitbard, or having the City and/or County of San Diego take ownership of
5950-412: The Rockets began the 1993–94 season by tying an NBA record with a start of 15–0. Their first loss of the season came on December 3, 1993, as the Hawks, led by Dominique Wilkins' 27 points, defeated the Rockets, 133–111. The next game, the Rockets stormed a comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers as they won by a single point, 99–98, on the road. The Rockets now had won their first 16 out of 17 games of
6069-440: The Rockets dominated the 1993–94 season, setting a then-franchise record 58 wins and went to the 1994 NBA Finals —the third NBA Finals appearance in franchise history—and won the franchise's first championship against Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks . During the following season , reinforced by another All-Star, Clyde Drexler , the Rockets—in their fourth NBA Finals appearance in franchise history—repeated as champions with
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#17327832441146188-473: The Rockets entered a period of rebuilding, completely dismantling and retooling their roster. The acquisition of franchise player James Harden in 2012 launched the Rockets back into perennial championship contention throughout the rest of the 2010s, with no losing seasons in Harden's nine-season tenure with the team. Harden broke countless franchise and NBA records while on the team, winning three consecutive scoring titles between 2018 and 2020 , and leading
6307-423: The Rockets entered the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Still, a strong playoff run that earned Houston the nickname " Clutch City " had the Rockets defeating the West's top three seeds – the Jazz, Suns and Spurs – to reach back-to-back finals, this time against the Orlando Magic , led by Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway . When Houston swept the Finals' series in four games, they became
6426-419: The Rockets finished with only 28 wins led by first time All-Star Francis. After Houston was awarded the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft , they selected Yao Ming , a 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) Chinese center. The Rockets missed the 2003 playoffs by one game, improving their record by 15 victories led by All-Star starters Steve Francis and Rookie Yao Ming. The 2003–04 season marked
6545-401: The Rockets for the second year in a row along with the fourth time in five years. During the 2019 off-season, Morey 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 . Nearing
6664-407: The Rockets lost in the semi-finals of the Western Division to the Atlanta Hawks , four games to two. The Rockets limped to a 27 – 55 finish in the 1969–70 season , before missing the playoffs by just one game in the 1970–71 season . Off the court, Breitbard was facing serious financial losses due to a controversial ongoing tax-assessment issue that had plagued his San Diego Sports Arena since it
6783-426: The Rockets traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers for Caldwell Jones , as a declining regional economy made the Rockets unable to pay Malone's salary. When the Rockets finished a league worst 14–68, Celtics coach Bill Fitch was hired to replace outgoing Del Harris, and the team won the first pick of the 1983 NBA draft , used to select Ralph Sampson from the University of Virginia . Sampson had good numbers and
6902-450: The Rockets went 10–2, being in the top percentile in win percentage, offensive rating, and point differential. In February, the month they made the trade, the double-MVP backcourt of Harden and Westbrook became the first teammates in NBA history to average 30+ points and 5+ assists per game. By the end of the season, Harden and Westbrook scored a combined 61.5 points per game, breaking Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal's previous record for
7021-410: The Rockets' arrival to a new arena, the Toyota Center , a redesign of their uniforms and logo, and their first season without Rudy Tomjanovich, who resigned as head coach after being diagnosed with bladder cancer . Led by former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy , the Rockets finished the regular season with a record of 45–37, earning their first playoff berth since 1999, again losing to the Lakers in
7140-455: 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 (similar to sabermetrics in baseball) in player acquisitions and style of play. The Rockets were founded in 1967 in San Diego by Robert Breitbard , who paid an entry fee of US$ 1.75 million to join the NBA as an expansion team for the 1967–68 season . The NBA wanted to add more teams in
7259-455: The Rockets. The following game, the SuperSonics held a 15-point lead for most of the first half, before the Rockets mounted a comeback to force overtime. The SuperSonics eventually pulled away and won the game, 117–110, though Art Williams recorded the first ever triple-double in franchise history, as he recorded 17 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists for the Rockets. The expansion Rockets ultimately lost 67 games in their inaugural season, which
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#17327832441147378-436: The Rockets. A buyer was eventually found in 1982 as businessman Charlie Thomas and Sidney Shlenker purchased the franchise for $ 11 million; the Maloofs would later own the Sacramento Kings from 1998 to 2013. The Maloof period of ownership marked the first dominant period of the Rockets, highlighted by the team's first Western Conference Championship and NBA Finals appearance in 1981, their first year after being moved from
7497-404: The Year James Harden , who Morey called a "foundational" player expected to be Houston's featured player after a supporting role in the Oklahoma City Thunder . Harden caused an immediate impact as part of the starting lineup for the Rockets, with 37 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and a block in the season opener against the Detroit Pistons, and an average of 25.9 points a game through
7616-428: The addition of the Pee Dee Vipers , an expansion team based in Florence, South Carolina. Three days later, the league announced that the Lake Michigan Admirals would return for 2014. On November 25, the PBL announced the addition of the Buffalo 716ers and the Erie Hurricane . In late November the Chicago Tide joined the league. On 6 February 2014, it was announced that the newly formed Grand Rapids Cyclones would join
7735-419: The arena were discussed, but Breitbard was running out of time. At least 14 private offers for the Rockets were made to Breitbard, though all would have resulted in the team being relocated out of San Diego, which Breitbard was adamantly opposed to. The tax-assessment situation surrounding the Sports Arena (which was the only large arena in the region) ultimately made the prospect of another local owner purchasing
7854-443: The end of the 1994–95 season. Winter left soon after, being fired in January 1973 following a ten-game losing streak, and was replaced by Johnny Egan . Egan led the Rockets back to the playoffs in 1975 , where the franchise also won their first round against the New York Knicks , subsequently losing to the veteran Boston Celtics in 5 games. At that time the Rockets gained popularity in Houston, selling out several home games during
7973-495: The entire season, James Harden took it upon himself to keep the Rockets near the top of the conference, turning him into an MVP front-runner. He became the first Rocket to score 50 points in a game since Hakeem Olajuwon , as well as the only player in franchise history to record multiple 50 point games in a season. On April 15, 2015, the Rockets beat the Jazz to claim their first-ever Southwest Division title and first Division crown since 1994 , and by completing 56 wins finished with
8092-399: The first game but eventually managing to win the series – the only Western Playoffs defeat of the Showtime Lakers – to get to the franchise's second Finals appearance. The NBA Finals once again matched the Rockets up against the Celtics, a contrast to Houston's young front challenging the playoff-hardened Celtics front court of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish . The Celtics won
8211-407: 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 —the second NBA Finals appearance in franchise history—where Houston
8330-400: The first round. In the off-season, Houston saw major changes in the roster as the Rockets acquired Tracy McGrady in a seven-player deal with the Orlando Magic Including three time Rockets All-Star Steve Francis. The scoring champion McGrady and the strong rebounder Yao formed a well-regarded pair that helped the Rockets win 22 consecutive games in the 2007–08 season , which was at the time
8449-427: 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 en route to the championship. Olajuwon was again the Finals MVP, only the second player after Michael Jordan to win the award two years in a row. It was on the floor of The Summit after they captured their second title that head coach Rudy Tomjanovich proclaimed, "Don't ever underestimate
8568-600: The first two games in Boston, gave the Rockets their only home playoff defeat that season in game 4, and clinched the title as Bird scored a triple-double on Game 6. After the Finals, Boston coach K. C. Jones called the Rockets "the new monsters on the block" feeling they had a bright future. But the team had a poor start to the following season , followed by nearly a decade of underachievement and failure, amidst players getting injured or suspended for cocaine usage, and during
8687-756: The franchise chose the name "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 . Breitbard brought in Jack McMahon , then-coach of the Cincinnati Royals , to serve as the Rockets' coach and general manager. The team, which would join the league along with the Seattle SuperSonics , then built its roster with both veteran players at an expansion draft , and college players from
8806-400: The heart of a champion!" During the off-season, 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. The Rockets won 48 games in the 1995–96 season , in which Olajuwon became the NBA's all-time leader in blocked shots . The playoffs had the Rockets beating the Lakers before
8925-582: The highest-scoring basketball duo since the ABA-NBA merger. Following the suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season , the Rockets were one of the 22 teams invited to the NBA Bubble to participate in the final eight games of the regular season. After the Rockets were eliminated in the playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers, D'Antoni and Morey informed the Rockets that they would both not return to
9044-884: The league the following season due to irreconcilable differences. During 2014–2015 the team remained active on the Pro-Am circuit playing professional and club teams in the Great Lakes Summer League, and the Ohio Pro Development Basketball Organization hosting and traveling to teams located around Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. The team announced its full return as a member of the Midwest Basketball League that started in April 2016. The Dayton Air Strikers went undefeated on its home court going 7-0 holding
9163-714: The playoffs as the third best team in the West, where they were upset by the sixth-seeded Utah Jazz . The duo of Olajuwon and Sampson earned much praise, and was nicknamed "Twin Towers". In the following season , Houston won the Midwest Division title with a 51–31 record. The subsequent playoffs had the Rockets sweeping the Sacramento Kings , having a hard-fought six-game series with Alex English 's Denver Nuggets , and then facing defending champion Lakers, losing
9282-645: The playoffs were defeated in the second round by the Seattle SuperSonics in six games, with the final game being a double-overtime classic that saw Olajuwon notching 49 points, 25 rebounds and 6 blocks in defeat. Early in the 1987–88 season, Sampson, who had signed a new contract, was traded to the Golden State Warriors, bringing the Twin Towers era to an end just 18 months after their Finals appearance. Sampson's once-promising career
9401-627: The playoffs, Tomjanovich's arrival was considered a step forward. In the next year, the Rockets improved their record by 13 games, getting the Midwest Division title, and winning their first playoff series in 6 years by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers , before an elimination by the SuperSonics in a closely contested Game 7 overtime loss. On July 30, 1993, Leslie Alexander purchased the Rockets for $ 85 million. The next season, in Tomjanovich's second full year as head coach,
9520-527: The playoffs, the Rockets faced the sixth seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in a battle of the MVP frontrunners, as the winner was not announced until after the finals. The Rockets won the series 4–1 including Nene Hilario 's perfect 12–12 in field goals in Game 4. In the following round, Houston opened with a dominating 27 points win over the San Antonio Spurs , lost the following two games and then tied
9639-560: The previous year, the Rockets were once again defeated by Golden State in five games. During the 2016 off-season, Mike D'Antoni was named as the Rockets' new head coach, and Dwight Howard opted out of his contract's final year, becoming a free agent. In the following free-agency period, the Rockets looked to embrace the play styles of both coach D'Antoni and Harden through the signings of Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon , two predominately perimeter players and good fits in Houston's up-tempo offense style. Morey signed Nenê Hilario to succor
9758-493: The record for the longest winning streak. In July 2016 the team became the MBL East Division champions ending the regular season with a record of 12–1. Since inception the Dayton Air Strikers have helped launch the careers of over 20 players, recruiting players from well known colleges such as University of Dayton , Ohio State , Penn State , Wright State University , and Xavier University . Leaving directly from
9877-416: The record for the price to purchase an American professional sports team. The team also acquired 8-time All-NBA player and 9-time All-Star Chris Paul in a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers , in exchange for seven players, cash considerations, and a top three protected 2018 first round draft pick. Even if Paul missed many games due to a knee injury, he was a key addition to the Rockets. The team finished
9996-480: The regular season as the Rockets battled for a playoff spot and then selling out all of their home playoff games. In the 1975–76 season the Rockets finally had a permanent home in Houston as they moved into The Summit , which they would call home for the next 29 years. During the period, the franchise was owned by Kenneth Schnitzer, developer of the Greenway Plaza which included The Summit. After missing
10115-1084: The return of the Danville Riverhawks. Mavericks owner Jerry Nelson also become an equity partner in the PBL. In addition, the PBL gained a new Southeast Conference which includes six members of the Tobacco Road Basketball League : Cary Invasion , Charlotte Elite, Durham Legacy , Huntersville HoopForLyfe, Raleigh Revolt, and the Wilmington Sea Dawgs . Championship Series (Best 2 of 3) Lake Michigan Admirals (3) vs Rochester RazorSharks (1) Rochester wins PBL Championship series 2 games to 0 Championship Series (Best 2 of 3) Kentucky Mavericks (2) vs Rochester RazorSharks (1) Rochester wins PBL Championship series 2 games to 1 Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston . The Rockets compete in
10234-413: The roster defense and a backup behind Clint Capela and Ryan Anderson after Dwight Howard and Donatas Motiejūnas left the team during free agency. When the 2016–17 season started, Harden was off to a great start and was widely considered a top MVP runner along with Kawhi Leonard , alongside former teammate Russell Westbrook . To gain more firepower from the bench, Morey traded Corey Brewer and
10353-551: The season 42–15, winning 20 of their last 25 games and finishing fourth in the Western Conference after losing the final two games of the season, which would have potentially given them the second or third seed. After what was determined to be poor fits of the acquisitions made in free agency, on top of injuries, Daryl Morey traded the players acquired in the off-season at the trade deadline and replaced them with Austin Rivers , Kenneth Faried , Danuel House , and Iman Shumpert during
10472-550: The season with 65 wins, a record both league-leading and the best in franchise history. During the playoffs, Houston beat the Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz in five games before another confrontation with the Golden State Warriors. In Game 5 of the Conference Finals, the Rockets took a 3–2 lead in the series, but they saw Paul leave with an injured hamstring. His absence was felt in the two remaining games, where Houston led by halftime in Game 7 only to suffer
10591-421: The season, tying the 1948–49 Capitols for the best 17-game start in a season, at that time. On December 9, Olajuwon recorded 28 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks as the Rockets cruised past the visiting Heat in overtime to win their 18th game of the season. Led by Olajuwon, who was named the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year , the Rockets won 58 games, a franchise record at the time. After quickly dispatching
10710-528: The season. Combining Harden's performance and McHale's up-tempo offense, the Rockets became one of the highest-scoring offenses in the NBA, leading the league in scoring for the majority of the season. In the postseason , the Rockets fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, losing the series 4–2. Eager to add another franchise player to their team, the Rockets heavily pursued and then acquired free agent center Dwight Howard in
10829-562: The season. On April 7, 2019, against the Phoenix Suns, Houston became the first team in NBA history to make 25+ two-pointers and 25+ three-pointers in the same game, outscoring their last four opponents by 117 points, second-best in a four-game span in franchise history (127+ in February 1993). They beat their own record for most three-pointers made by one team in a single game in NBA history two times with 26 and 27. The Rockets clinched
10948-681: The second team in NBA history (after the 1959 Minneapolis Lakers ) to have advanced to the Finals after achieving a losing record in the regular season. In the NBA Finals facing Larry Bird 's Boston Celtics , the Rockets blew a late lead in Game 1 and won Game 2 at the Boston Garden . However, afterwards the team failed to capitalize on the early success against the favored Celtics, and eventually lost in six games. While new owner Charlie Thomas expressed interest in renewing with Moses Malone, who had been again chosen as MVP in 1981–82 ,
11067-462: The second team in NBA history to do so with a losing record. They would lose in six games to the 62–20 Boston Celtics , led by Larry Bird , Robert Parish , and future Rockets head coach Kevin McHale . As of 2023 , the 1980–81 Rockets are the last team since the 1958–59 Minneapolis Lakers to make it all the way to the NBA Finals with a losing record. In the 1984 NBA draft , once again with
11186-420: The series 4–2. Still, in the 2014–15 season , without Lin and Parsons but reinforced by Trevor Ariza , the Rockets started the season well, winning the first four games of the season for the first time since 1996–97, and winning each of their first six games by 10 points or more, the first team to accomplish this feat since the 1985–86 Denver Nuggets. Though the Rockets had many key players miss time throughout
11305-483: The series again. The fifth game went into overtime and had both Manu Ginobili blocking James Harden's game tying three point attempt at the final second, and Nene injuring himself out of the postseason. Without Nene, the Rockets could not guard LaMarcus Aldridge , who scored 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the series-closing match. During the 2017 off-season, the Rockets were purchased by Houston restaurant billionaire Tilman Fertitta for $ 2.2 billion, breaking
11424-551: The series, Dikembe Mutombo injured his knee, which forced him to retire after 18 seasons in the NBA. However, the second round against the Lakers had the Rockets losing 4–3 and Yao Ming suffering yet another season-ending injury, this time a hairline fracture in his left foot. During the 2009–10 season , the Rockets saw the departures of Artest in the off-season and McGrady, Joey Dorsey and Carl Landry during mid-season trades. Despite great play by Kevin Martin , who arrived from
11543-610: The team began focusing on developing and rebuilding around their young core, which resulted in John Wall being benched for the entire season. In the 2021–22 season , the Rockets were once again bottom of the league, with a 20–62 record. Jalen Green was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team with averages of 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. In the 2022 NBA draft , the Rockets selected Jabari Smith Jr. with third overall pick and Tari Eason with
11662-417: The team for the 2020–21 season. Rafael Stone was hired as the general manager after serving in general counsel and as an assistant general manager. Stephen Silas was hired as the Rockets' head coach. Stone traded Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for former Houston veteran Trevor Ariza , a first-round pick, and the rights to Isaiah Stewart , who was the 16th overall pick in
11781-594: The team infeasible. On January 12, 1971, the Rockets hosted the 1971 NBA All-Star Game at the San Diego Sports Arena, a close contest in which the West beat the East 108–107 in front of a packed house of 14,378 fans. On June 23, 1971, the San Diego Rockets were abruptly sold by Breitbard to a Houston–based investment group. The NBA hurriedly approved the sale, believing the franchise was on
11900-404: The team nucleus incorporated players that would later make an impact in the years to come, such as Kenny Smith , Vernon Maxwell , Robert Horry , Mario Elie , Sam Cassell and Otis Thorpe . Midway through the 1991–92 season , with the Rockets' record only 26–26, Chaney was fired and replaced by his assistant Rudy Tomjanovich , a former Houston player himself. While the Rockets did not make
12019-504: The team regressing to just 28 wins due to an injury to captain Tomjanovich, who got numerous facial fractures after being punched by Kermit Washington of the Los Angeles Lakers and wound up spending five months in rehabilitation. After trading Lucas to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Rick Barry , the Rockets returned to the playoffs in 1978–79 , with "The Chairman Of The Boards" Moses Malone receiving
12138-545: The team to Houston before the start of the 1971–72 season . The franchise became the first NBA team in Texas, and the nickname "Rockets" took on even greater relevance after the move, given Houston's long connection to the space industry. Houston previously was awarded an NBA expansion franchise along with Buffalo , Cleveland and Portland on February 6, 1970, but the new entry folded six weeks later on March 20 when its investment group led by Alan Rothenberg failed to make
12257-858: The team to play internationally in Germany, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Spain, Japan, Puerto Rico, Iceland, and Saudi Arabia. Players also have gone on to playing for the NBA D-League and the Harlem Globetrotters . In 2012 four players were drafted internationally to play in the NBL Canada including two players selected in the top seven of the draft. Mark Gomillia (2012) - Oshawa Power William Harris (2012) - Oshawa Power Brandon Hassell (2012) - Summerside Storm Avery Smith (2012) - Summerside Storm Joe Thomasson (2016) - BC Dinamo București This article about
12376-428: The team to two Western Conference Finals appearances (both times losing to the Golden State Warriors ). Prior to the 2020–21 season , head coach Mike D'Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey left the organization, prompting Harden to seek a trade. He was traded to the Brooklyn Nets which started a rebuilding period. Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, and James Harden have been named the NBA's MVPs while playing for
12495-549: The third-best regular season record in franchise history. During the playoffs, the Rockets beat the Mavericks 4–1 in the first round, and overcame a 3–1 deficit against the Los Angeles Clippers to win the Western semifinals and return to the Conference Finals for the first time in 18 years. In the Conference Finals, the Rockets were defeated by the Golden State Warriors 4–1. The 2015–16 season saw Kevin McHale fired after
12614-533: The trade deadline of the 2019–20 season, the Rockets were involved in a blockbuster, four-team trade which was centered around bringing Robert Covington back to the Rockets and sending centers Clint Capela and Nenê to the Atlanta Hawks . The trade cemented the Rockets' total commitment to a small ball , 5-out offense , a style of play which was considered revolutionary for its time. In their first twelve games since going 6'7" or shorter in their lineups,
12733-399: The verge of folding. News of the sale broke before the coaches, players, and team employees and executives could even be notified. Local officials in San Diego were also caught by surprise. In their fourth and final season in existence, the San Diego Rockets missed the playoffs by just one game in the standings. Texas Sports Investments bought the franchise for $ 5.6 million and moved
12852-482: Was again defeated by Larry Bird and the 67-win Boston Celtics. The Rockets continued to reach the playoffs throughout the 1980s, but failed to advance past the first round for several years following a second-round defeat to the Seattle SuperSonics in 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,
12971-528: Was an NBA record for losses in a season at the time. In 1968, after the Rockets won a coin toss against the Baltimore Bullets to determine who would have the first overall pick in the 1968 NBA draft , they selected Elvin Hayes from the University of Houston . Hayes improved the Rockets' record to 37 wins and 45 losses, enough for the franchise's first ever playoff appearance in 1969, but
13090-623: Was announced that the St. Louis Pioneers were also leaving the ABA to join the PBL, changing their name to the St. Louis Phoenix. The Central Illinois Drive won the PBL championship for 2012, defeating the Rochester RazorSharks, 101-80. The Drive was 18-1 in regular season and 22-1 total. During the off season the league announced it would be merging with the Independent Basketball Association to form
13209-712: Was announced the Lake Michigan Admirals were also leaving the ABA to be the PBL's eighth team for the 2012 season. On 23 September 2011 it was announced that the PBL's ninth team for the 2012 season would be the Central Illinois Drive based in Bloomington, Illinois . On October 12, 2011, it was announced that the Indiana Diesels were also leaving the ABA to be the PBL's tenth team for the 2012 season. On October 14, 2011, it
13328-520: Was awarded the NBA Rookie of the Year award, but the Rockets still finished last overall, again getting the top pick at the upcoming 1984 NBA draft , used to select Hakeem Olajuwon from the University of Houston . In his first season , Olajuwon finished second to Michael Jordan in NBA Rookie of the Year balloting, and the Rockets record improved by 19 games, good enough for a return to
13447-472: Was built. He was also still on the hook for paying off the NBA expansion fee for the Rockets, in addition to construction-related bonds on the arena, which he had built with private funding. To make matters worse, the American professional sports economy had begun to plummet in the late 1960s, and professional basketball was being hit particularly hard with nearly all franchises in the NBA and ABA operating at
13566-471: Was eventually traded to the Chicago Bulls and subsequently waived. After falling to the 14th seed in the Western Conference, James Harden went on a 32-game streak scoring at least 30 points per game—the second-longest in NBA history—with Harden averaging 41.1 points per game in that run. He drove the Rockets through a 21–11 push in that streak; and after beginning the season 11–14, the Rockets finished
13685-501: Was marked by injuries, and Houston finished 41–41 and the 8th seed, leading to another elimination by the top-seeded Jazz. Drexler retired after the season, and the Rockets traded to bring in Scottie Pippen to take his place. In the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season , the Rockets lost to the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs . After the 1999 draft , the Rockets traded for the second overall pick Steve Francis from
13804-403: Was named head coach, and the roster saw significant changes. After the roster moves made by Morey during the 2012 NBA off-season, only four players were left from the 2011–12 Rockets roster: Chandler Parsons , Greg Smith , Marcus Morris , and Patrick Patterson , with the latter two leaving through trades during the 2012–13 season . The most important acquisition was reigning Sixth Man of
13923-409: Was on November 17 on the road against the 76ers . However, Winter's clashes with Hayes, due to a system that contrasted with the offensive style to which Hayes was accustomed, made Hayes ask for a trade, leaving for the Baltimore Bullets at the end of the 1971–72 season. It was also around this time that the Rockets would unveil their classic yellow and red logo and accompanying uniforms used until
14042-427: Was shortened due to chronic knee injuries, which forced his retirement in 1991. Jones' prophecy of a Rockets dynasty never materialized until the early 1990s. In the next five seasons, the Rockets either failed to qualify for the playoffs or were eliminated in the first round. The first elimination in 1988 led to Fitch's dismissal, with Don Chaney replacing him as head coach. Chaney, like Olajuwon, also played for
14161-540: Was the league's first commissioner. During the 2008 off season, six more former ABA teams decided to move to the PBL. First, on May 9, the Manchester Millrats and the 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 ABA champion Vermont Frost Heaves moved. Then on May 20, the inactive Detroit Panthers re-activated and joined the league. And on May 21, the Quebec Kebs joined. On June 5 another team with an ABA history,
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