Houston Rockets Team Profile

The Houston Rockets are a National Basketball Association team based in Houston , Texas . The franchise entered the NBA in 1967 along with another expansion team, the Seattle Supersonics. The Rockets are one of seven teams in the Midwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Rockets play in the Compaq Center in Houston , Texas and wear jerseys of blue, red, and white. Houston Rockets reached the NBA Finals in 1981 and 1986 but lost to the Boston Celtics both times. The franchise won its first NBA title in 1994 led by center Hakeem Olajuwon becoming the first professional team from Houston to win a major sports championship. With the addition of veteran guard Clyde Drexler, the Rockets won a second NBA championship in 1995. In additional to two championships the Rockets have been in four NBA Finals, and have twenty two Playoff Appearances. Houston has also won four Conference titles and four Division titles. In its debut season San Diego compiled a 15-67 win-loss record to set an NBA record for losses. The Rockets' record entitled them to the first selection in the league's collegiate draft, and they chose Elvin Hayes from University of Houston . Hayes led the league in scoring with an average of 28.4 points per game and helped the Rockets earn their first trip to the playoffs in 1969. The Rockets were originally located in San Diego , California .

After failing to win much fan support in four seasons in San Diego , the club relocated to Houston for the 1971-72 season. The losing season of 2001-2002 brought dishonor and a total loss of faith in the Rockets nationally and locally. The Rockets got number one pick in the NBHouston RocketsA Draft lottery. They selected Chinese giant Yao Ming, a 7 foot and 6 inch Chinese center, who played for Shanghai Sharks. The 2002-2003 basketball seasons marked a return to winning for the Rockets, with the trio of Yao Ming, Steve Francis, and Cuttino Mobley. Francis and Mobley and other familiar faces were traded to the Orlando Magic in return there was Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard and many others. McGrady and Yao led the Rockets to their best record in 10 years, finishing the year at 51-31 and seeded 5 th in the Western Conference Playoffs. During the 2005 offseason the Rockets obtained Stromile Swift and Derek Anderson. They have also traded Mike James to the Toronto Raptors for Rafer Alston. Some of basketball Hall of Fame members to play for the Rockets includes Rick Barry, Elvis Hayes, Moses Malone, Calvin Murphy, and Clyde Drexler.

Houston Rockets Team Roster

NO.	PLAYER	POS.	HT.	WT.	BORN	COLLEGE	'07 SALARY
12	Rafer Alston	PG	6-2	175	07/24/76	Fresno State	$4,200,000
31	Shane Battier	SF	6-8	220	09/09/78	Duke	$5,393,300
0	Aaron Brooks	G	6-0	160	01/14/85	Oregon
45	Jackie Butler	FC	6-10	260	03/10/85		$2,200,000
3	Steve Francis	PG	6-3	195	02/21/77	Maryland	$15,070,000
29	Mike Harris	F	6-6	240	06/15/83	Rice
44	Chuck Hayes	F	6-6	238	06/11/83	Kentucky	$664,209
2	Luther Head	G	6-3	185	11/26/82	Illinois	$1,048,800
7	Mike James	PG	6-2	195	06/23/75	Duquesne	$5,215,000
14	Carl Landry	F	6-7	245	09/19/83	Purdue
15	John Lucas	PG	5-11	165	11/21/82	Oklahoma State	$700,000
1	Tracy McGrady	GF	6-8	223	05/24/79		$16,901,500
11	Yao Ming	C	7-6	310	09/12/80		$12,455,000
21	Brad Newley	G	6-7	201	02/18/85
20	Steve Novak	F	6-10	220	06/13/84	Marquette	$600,000
9	Justin Reed	SF	6-8	238	01/16/82	Mississippi	$1,529,873
4	Luis Scola	F	6-9	230	04/30/80
13	Kirk Syder	SG	6-6	225	06/05/83	Nevada	$1,537,440
3	Bob Sura	G	6-5	200	03/25/73	Florida State	$3,840,000
6	Bonzi Wells	SG	6-5	210	09/28/76	Ball State	$2,115,000