Houston Rockets History Online Information and NBA Betting Odds at WagerWeb Sportsbook

NBA Houston Rockets History betting odds at WagerWeb Sportsbook

NBA Houston Rockets History 21st century In 2001, the Rockets worked their way to a 45-37 record and swept every Central Division team, but still did not make the playoffs. An older, waning Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2001 which left Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley to fill leadership roles. The following season was unremarkable, as the team was mostly made up of rookies and journeymen. Injuries to star player Steve Francis forced him to miss many games. The first season without Hakeem in almost 20 years was a disappointing 28-54. The abysmal 2002 season had its silver lining, as the Rockets were awarded the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.

The Rockets selected Yao Ming, a 7 foot and 6 inch Chinese center, who played for the Shanghai Sharks. The 2002-03 basketball season saw marked improvement for the Rockets, with the trio of Yao, Francis, and Mobley leading the team to a 43-39 record.

2003-2004

With a 2003-04 regular season record of 45-37, the Rockets earned their first playoff berth since their first round exit to the Lakers in 1999. However, the Lakers again handed the Rockets a loss in the first round. The offseason saw major changes in the roster and dynamic of the team as Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato were traded to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines.

2004-2005

McGrady and Yao led the Rockets to their best record in 10 years, finishing at 51-31 and seeded 5th in the Western Conference Playoffs. Their season ended in the first round of the playoffs as they lost to their in-state rival, the Dallas Mavericks four games to three. During the 2005 offseason the Rockets obtained Stromile Swift and Derek Anderson. They also traded Mike James to the Toronto Raptors for Rafer Alston.

2005-2006

Injuries plagued the 2005-06 season. Bob Sura had surgery on his knee the summer prior, Tracy McGrady fought an injured back throughout the season, Yao Ming required surgery to treat an infection in his toe, and David Wesley even fractured a rib falling into a courtside cameraman near the end of the season. With Yao and McGrady rarely on the court at the same time, the Rockets floundered. The team was much more successful during the few portions of the season when its players were relatively healthy. However Jeff Van Gundy and his team frequently expressed the need to play beyond injuries and to not use bad luck as an excuse for losing. By the end of the season, the Rockets led the league in most games missed by players on the roster. The team finished with a 34-48 record.

2006-2007

The Rockets drafted Rudy Gay of the University of Connecticut with the 8th pick of the first round in the 2006 NBA Draft. Gay was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies along with Stromile Swift in exchange for Shane Battier. Many fans were upset at losing the young prospect in Gay. The Rockets also acquired Kirk Snyder from the New Orleans Hornets for cash consideration, and an exchange of 2nd round draft picks. They also signed Vassilis Spanoulis, a 2004 draft pick from Greece; Steve Novak a 2006 second-round draft pick from Marquette University; and summer league stand-out John Lucas III. Near the end of the offseason, the Rockets made their biggest offseason acquisition and signed Bonzi Wells for a 2-year, $5 million deal with the second year being a player option.

In the 2006-07 NBA season, the Rockets suffered familiar injuries to both superstars: an injured back for McGrady and a fractured right tibia bone for Yao. Fortunately for the Rockets though, McGrady returned just after Yao was injured and had six consecutive games of at least 30 points. Yao missed 32 games but returned to action March 6 with the Rockets in solid playoff position. On March 26, the Rockets officially qualified for the first round of the NBA playoffs with a win against the Milwaukee Bucks. On April 16th, The Rockets defeated the Phoenix Suns 120-117 and clinched homecourt advantage for their first-round series with the Utah Jazz. The tandem of Yao and McGrady one-upped its previous regular season best, finishing 52-30 on the year. However, once again, the Houston Rockets were unable to pull out of the first round, losing in Game 7 to Utah 103-99. Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy was fired on May 18th, 2007.

2007-2008

Houston will begin the 2007-08 season with recently hired Rick Adelman as the team's 11th head coach.

On June 14, the Rockets traded Juwan Howard to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Mike James and Justin Reed.

In the 2007 NBA Draft, with the 26th pick, the Houston Rockets selected PG Aaron Brooks (basketball), from Oregon, traded with the SuperSonics and selected PF Carl Landry from Purdue with the 31st pick, and with the 54th overall pick selected SG Brad Newley from Australia.

On July 12 guard Vassilis Spanoulis was traded to the San Antonio Spurs along with the rights for the 2009 second-round draft pick, for center Jackie Butler and the rights to Luis Scola a 2002 second-round draft pick, yet to play in the NBA. 24 Hours after this deal was made, Scola came to a "Basic Agreement" which could see him playing for the Rockets next season. Less than a week later, Scola signed with the Rockets. On July 20 guard Steve Francis signed a 2 year deal with the Rockets, after he accepted a buyout of the last two seasons of his contract, worth roughly $30 million from the Portland Trail Blazers. He is expected to compete for a starting job with Mike James and Rafer Alston.

Season-by-season records

Season	W	L	%	Playoffs	Results
1990-91	52	30	.634	Lost First Round	LA Lakers 3, Houston 1
1991-92	42	40	.512
1992-93	55	27	.671	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Houston 3, LA Clippers 2 Seattle 4, Houston 3
1993-94	58	24	.707	Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Won Conference Finals Won NBA Finals	Houston 3, Portland 1 Houston 4, Phoenix 3 Houston 4, Utah 1 Houston 4, New York 3
1994-95	47	35	.573	Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Won Conference Finals Won NBA Finals	Houston 3, Utah 2 Houston 4, Phoenix 3 Houston 4, San Antonio 2 Houston 4, Orlando 0
1995-96	48	34	.585	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Houston 3, LA Lakers 1 Seattle 4, Houston 0
1996-97	57	25	.695	Won First Round Won Conference Semifinals Lost Conference Finals	Houston 3, Minnesota 0 Houston 4, Seattle 3 Utah 4, Houston 2
1997-98	41	41	.500	Lost First Round	Utah 3, Houston 2
1998-99	31	19	.620	Lost First Round	LA Lakers 3, Houston 1
1999-2000	34	48	.415
2000-01	45	37	.550
2001-02	28	54	.341
2002-03	43	39	.524
2003-04	45	37	.550	Lost First Round	LA Lakers 4, Houston 1
2004-05	51	31	.622	Lost First Round	Dallas 4, Houston 3
2005-06	34	48	.415
2006-07	52	30	.634	Lost First Round	Utah 4, Houston 3
2007-08	0	0	0
Totals	1629	1619	.502
Playoffs	107	111	.491	2 Championships

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