The team was originally established as the San Diego Rockets in 1967 before moving to Houston in 1971.1)
The “Rockets” name was inspired by San Diego’s aerospace industry; it conveniently fit Houston, home to NASA.2)
Houston's nickname “Space City” made the Rockets a perfect thematic match when the team relocated.3)
The team had a rough start, finishing their inaugural 1967–68 season with just 15 wins.4)
In 1968, the Rockets drafted future Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes with the No. 1 overall pick.5)
Elvin Hayes led the league in scoring his rookie season with 28.4 PPG.6)
Their first playoff series win came in 1975 against the New York Knicks.7)
Moses Malone won two MVP awards (1979, 1982) while playing for the Rockets.8)
As a 40–42 team, the Rockets reached the 1981 NBA Finals—a rare feat for a sub-.500 team.9)
The 1980s Rockets featured the “Twin Towers” — Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson.10)
In 1984, the Rockets drafted Hakeem Olajuwon with the No. 1 pick—passing on Michael Jordan.11)
The term “Clutch City” was born after the Rockets came back from multiple playoff deficits in 1994.12)
The Rockets won NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, the only titles in franchise history so far.13)
Hakeem Olajuwon is the only player in NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season (1994).14)
Hakeem reunited with former University of Houston teammate Clyde Drexler in 1995, helping secure the second title.15)