NBA: All-Time Starting 5 of the Houston Rockets

The Rockets started as an expansion team in 1967 with San Diego serving as their home. However, the team lasted just four seasons in California as they relocated in Houston starting in the 1971-72 NBA season. With the duo of Calvin Murphy and Rudy Tomjanovich, the Rockets made the playoffs for the first time in Houston in 1975.

Moses Malone arrived a year later and he led the Rockets to five postseason appearances including a trip to the 1981 NBA Finals. The Rockets fell short against the Boston Celtics, losing in six games. The team moved on from Malone and drafted Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984.

Olajuwon became one of the greatest players ever as he helped the Rockets win back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. After a few tough years following the departure of “The Dream,” the Rockets drafted another franchise big man in 2002, Yao Ming.

Currently, the Rockets are led by James Harden and they are one of the best offensive teams in the NBA today. Houston has produced a lot of great players so it is difficult to narrow it down to just five players. Here are the five players who made the Rockets’ all-time starting five.

Forward – Rudy Tomjanovich

Rudy Tomjanovich

One of the first star players for the Rockets, Rudy Tomjanovich formed a great partnership with point guard Calvin Murphy. In 11 seasons with the Rockets, Tomjanovich was a five-time All-Star. He also helped the Rockets make the playoffs five times during his career.

“Rudy-T” ranks third in the Rockets’ all-time scoring list. He also sits fourth in rebounds and his No. 45 jersey was retired by the team. His career was cut short due to an incident in 1977 when Kermit Washington punched him the face, breaking his face and jaw. He recovered five months later but he was never the same player and retired in 1981. He went on to coach the Rockets to their first two NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.

Honorable Mention: Forward – Tracy McGrady

Tracy McGrady spent six seasons with the Rockets, helping the team make the playoffs three times. His career in Houston was marred by injuries but he still put up big numbers. McGrady was also a three-time All-Star with the Rockets, as well as a three-time All-NBA Teamer.

Forward – Moses Malone

Moses Malone

Moses Malone might be one of the greatest centers in NBA history but he played forward while he was a member of the Houston Rockets from 1976 to 1982. Malone led the Rockets to the postseason five times including an NBA Finals appearance in 1981. He also won the NBA MVP Award twice with the Rockets in 1979 and 1982.

Malone was a four-time All-Star while with the Rockets and won the rebounding title three times. He ranks sixth in the team’s all-time scoring list, third in rebounds, and third in blocks. Malone was also known as a gentleman of the sport and his death in 2015 was a big loss to the entire NBA family.

Honorable Mention: Elvin Hayes

The first star for the Rockets franchise, Elvin Hayes spent four seasons with the team in San Diego and Houston from 1968 to 1972. He was a three-time All-Star for the Rockets, winning the scoring title in 1969 and the rebounding title in 1970. Murphy also has ties with the city, playing college basketball for the University of Houston.

Guard – Calvin Murphy

One of the best small guards to ever play the game, Calvin Murphy is the shortest NBA player in the Basketball Hall of Fame at 5’9”. He spent his entire 13-year career with the Rockets, helping the team reach the playoffs six times. Those six trips to the postseason include an NBA Finals appearance in 1981 against the Boston Celtics.

Murphy ranks second in the Rockets’ all-time scoring list with 17,949 points, just behind Hakeem Olajuwon. He also leads the franchise in assists and he is second in all-time steals. He only made an All-Star team once in his career in 1979 but his No. 23 jersey hangs from the rafters of the Toyota Center.

Honorable Mention: Kenny Smith

A vital part of the Rockets’ first two NBA championships, Kenny Smith was acquired in 1990 and lasted six seasons in Houston. His most memorable game as a Rocket came in Game 1 of the 1995 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. Smith hit the game-tying three-point shot in regulation while also tying a then-Finals record for most three-points made in a game with seven.

Guard – James Harden

James Harden

In just his seventh season with the Rockets, James Harden has already solidified himself as one of the greatest players in franchise history. Acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, Harden blossomed into one of the best scorers in the NBA and under Mike D’Antoni, unlocked his full offensive arsenal.

Harden won the 2018 NBA MVP Award to go with six All-Star appearances, which could reach double digits when his career ends. He also has a scoring and assist title to his credit and many more awards to come. “The Beard” is just entering his prime and he still has time to deliver a championship to the city of Houston.

Honorable Mention: Clyde Drexler

Clyde “The Glide” Drexler was the missing piece the Rockets needed to win their second NBA championship in 1995. Acquired from the Trail Blazers, Drexler formed a great partnership with Hakeem Olajuwon. He spent three and a half seasons in Houston before retiring in 1998.

Center – Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon

The greatest Rockets player in history, Hakeem Olajuwon was drafted first overall in 1984. He became the savior of the franchise, helping the team make the playoffs 14 times during his 17-year stint in Houston. Olajuwon also delivered two NBA championships to the city following his legendary career with the University of Houston.

“The Dream” also won the NBA MVP once in 1994, and he is a 12-time All-Star. He also earned All-NBA First Team honors six times, All-NBA Second Team and Third Team three times each. Olajuwon ranks first in minutes played, points, rebounds, steals, and blocks in the Rockets’ all-time leaderboard. He also sits fourth in assists and his No. 34 jersey has been retired by the team.

Honorable Mention: Yao Ming

Yao Ming was a polarizing figure in the NBA with his presence helping the league become a global brand. He spent 11 years with the Rockets but only played in eight seasons due to various leg and foot injuries. Yao retired in 2011 sitting seventh in the team’s all-time scoring list, sixth in rebounds, and second in blocks.