From San Diego Rockets to Houston Rockets
After being purchased by Robert Breitbard for $1.75 million, the San Diego Rockets were formed in the year 1967. Subsequently they played the 1967-68 season of the NBA. The ‘Rockets’ became the nickname of the franchise due to the local Atlas missile and booster rocket program developments taking place in the area. The team’s first coach was Jack McMahon.
After going through a considerably low performance period during the late 60s, the Rockets were unable to make it to the playoffs in any of the seasons of the era. Eventually Breitbard decided to sell off the team. It was bought by Texas Sports Investments led by the banker Billy Goldberg and real estate broker Wayne Duddleston. The ‘Rockets’ nickname was however maintained because of the strong association and following that the team had garnered.
The Years as the Champions
The Rockets embarked upon their 1993-94 season by meeting an NBA record start of 15-0. Led by the Defensive Player of the Year, Olajuwon, the team made a 58 game franchise record. Olajuwon went on to receive the award for the Finals MVP. After nearly twenty five years with the Rockets, coach Rudy Tomjanovich led the team to win a championship trophy.
The following season (1994-95), the Rockets struggled in the initial half, winning 47 games, which were 11 games less than the total of their previous year’s record. However they picked momentum following a draft pick through which they acquired guard Clyde Drexler. The Rockets entered the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Western Conference, but still managed to defeat Utah Jazz by a score of 60-22 in the first round. They lagged behind 3-1 to the 59-23 Phoenix Suns in the second round but then walked away with three back to back wins, thus becoming the first championship team in the history of NBA to overcome a 2-0 and 3-1 loss in the first seven games of the series.
The Latest Happenings
In February of 2013, the Rockets tied the NBA team record for scoring the most 3-point field goals of 23 against the Golden State Warriors. Also, in the same match, the team set a home game record for the maximum points made at the Toyota Center by clinching a 140-109 win.
Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When the rivals, Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder came face to face with each other at the former’s home ground, the Toyota Center in February of 2013, it was all celebrations for the city as the Rockets won by a score of 122-119.
This time the venue is Oklahoma City Arena, the home ground of the Thunders. Fans are rushing to book in time for the upcoming match. Let’s see if the Rockets can beat the Thunder on the latter’s home ground or will it be a match winning treat for the host city.