Editing Houston Rockets (section)

===1984–2001: The Hakeem Olajuwon era===
====1984–1987: The "Twin Towers"====
[[File:Hakeemsigningautocropped.jpg|thumb|Hakeem Olajuwon won Finals MVP for both of the Houston Rockets' championship seasons in 1994 and 1995]]
In [[1984–85 NBA season|his first season]], Olajuwon finished second to [[Michael Jordan]] in NBA Rookie of the Year balloting,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/olajuwon_bio.html|title=NBA.com: Hakeem Olajuwon Player Info |work=NBA.com |access-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref> and the Rockets record improved by 19 games, good enough for a return to the playoffs as the third best team in the West, where they were upset by the sixth-seeded [[Utah Jazz]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1985.html |title=1984–85 Houston Rockets Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref> The duo of Olajuwon and Sampson earned much praise, and was nicknamed "Twin Towers".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html#13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229020548/http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html |archive-date=December 29, 2007 |title=Rockets History&nbsp;– 1983–85: How Do You Stop Two 7-Footers? |work=NBA.com |access-date=February 18, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In the [[1985–86 NBA season|following season]], Houston won the Midwest Division title with a 51–31 record. The subsequent playoffs had the Rockets sweeping the [[Sacramento Kings]], having a hard-fought six-game series with [[Alex English]]'s [[Denver Nuggets]], and then facing defending champion Lakers, losing the first game but eventually managing to win the series – the only Western Playoffs defeat of the [[Showtime Lakers]] – to get to the franchise's second Finals appearance.<ref name=finals86>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/lookingback_86finals.html|title=1986: Tough to the Finish|first=Dave|last=Winder|publisher=Houston Rockets official website|access-date=June 3, 2015}}</ref> The [[1986 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]] once again matched the Rockets up against the Celtics, a contrast to Houston's young front challenging the playoff-hardened Celtics front court of Larry Bird, [[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]] and [[Robert Parish]]. The Celtics won the first two games in Boston, gave the Rockets their only home playoff defeat that season in game 4, and clinched the title as Bird scored a [[triple-double]] on Game 6.<ref name=finals86/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19851986.html|title=1986 NBA Finals: Boston 4, Houston 2|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629214853/http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19851986.html|archive-date=June 29, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:1987 NBA Western Conference Semifinals - Game 2 - Seattle SuperSonics at Houston Rockets 1987-05-05 (ticket).jpg|thumb|right|125px|A ticket for Game 2 of the [[1987 NBA playoffs|1987 Western Conference Semifinals]] between the Rockets and the Seattle SuperSonics]]

After the Finals, Boston coach [[K. C. Jones]] called the Rockets "the new monsters on the block" feeling they had a bright future. But the team had a poor start to the [[1986–87 NBA season|following season]], followed by nearly a decade of underachievement and failure, amidst players getting injured or suspended for cocaine usage, and during the playoffs were defeated in the second round by the Seattle SuperSonics in six games, with the final game being a double-overtime classic that saw Olajuwon notching 49 points, 25 rebounds and 6 blocks in defeat. Early in the 1987–88 season, Sampson, who had signed a new contract, was traded to the Golden State Warriors, bringing the Twin Towers era to an end just 18 months after their Finals appearance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grantland.com/features/an-oral-history-hakeem-olajuwon-ralph-sampson-1980s-houston-rockets/|title=The Greatest Team That Never Was|publisher=Grantland|author=Abrams, Jonathan|date=November 8, 2012|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> Sampson's once-promising career was shortened due to chronic knee injuries, which forced his retirement in 1991. Jones' prophecy of a Rockets dynasty never materialized until the early 1990s.<ref>Howerton, Darryl. [http://www.nba.com/hoop/kingdom__kevin_2012_06_14.html "Budding Dynasty"], NBA.com, June 14, 2012.</ref>

====1987–1992: Lean years====
In the next five seasons, the Rockets either failed to qualify for the playoffs or were eliminated in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1988.html |title=1988 NBA Playoff Summary |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 19, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1989.html |title=1989 NBA Playoff Summary |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 19, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1990.html |title=1990 NBA Playoff Summary |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 19, 2009}}</ref> The first elimination in 1988 led to Fitch's dismissal, with [[Don Chaney]] replacing him as head coach.<ref name="chaneybio">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/coachfile/don_chaney/ |title=Don Chaney Coach Info |work=NBA.com |access-date=February 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013212239/http://www.nba.com/coachfile/don_chaney/ |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Chaney, like Olajuwon, also played for the [[University of Houston|Houston Cougars]] under [[Guy Lewis]], having played along [[Elvin Hayes]] in the late 1960s. Chaney had his best season during [[1990–91 NBA season|1990–91]], where he was named the [[NBA Coach of the Year Award|Coach of the Year]] after leading the Rockets to a 52–30 record despite Olajuwon's absence due to injury for 25 games.<ref name="chaneybio" /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RrADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|title=Houston's Don Chaney NBA Coach of the Year|date=June 17, 1991 |access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> Despite Olajuwon's usual strong numbers, the underwhelming roster could not be lifted out of mediocrity. However, the attempts to rebuild the team nucleus incorporated players that would later make an impact in the years to come, such as [[Kenny Smith]], [[Vernon Maxwell]], [[Robert Horry]], [[Mario Elie]], [[Sam Cassell]] and [[Otis Thorpe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html#17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229020548/http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html |archive-date=December 29, 2007 |title=Rockets History&nbsp;– 1990–92: Houston Struggles Without Hakeem |work=NBA.com |access-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Rudy T Space and Missile Center Feb 26, 2009.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Rudy Tomjanovich]] spent all his playing career with the Rockets, and after becoming the team's head coach in 1992 led Houston to two straight championships.]]
Midway through the [[1991–92 NBA season|1991–92 season]], with the Rockets' record only 26–26, Chaney was fired and replaced by his assistant [[Rudy Tomjanovich]], a former Houston player himself.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/19/sports/sports-people-basketball-chaney-out-in-houston-rudy-t-takes-over.html|title=Sports People: Basketball – Chaney Out in Houston; Rudy T. Takes Over|work=The New York Times|date=February 19, 1992|access-date=February 19, 2009}}</ref> While the Rockets did not make the playoffs,<ref name="92year">{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1992.html |title=1991–92 Houston Rockets Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 19, 2009}}</ref> Tomjanovich's arrival was considered a step forward. In the next year, the Rockets improved their record by 13 games, getting the Midwest Division title, and winning their first playoff series in 6 years by defeating the [[Los Angeles Clippers]], before an elimination by the SuperSonics in a closely contested Game 7 overtime loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html#18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229020548/http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html |archive-date=December 29, 2007 |title=Rockets History&nbsp;– 1992-93: "Rudy T" Sees Season End In OT |work=NBA.com |access-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====1993–1995: Back-to-back championships for Clutch City====
On July 30, 1993, [[Leslie Alexander (businessman)|Leslie Alexander]] purchased the Rockets for $85&nbsp;million.<ref name="alexanderpurchase">{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1993_1144426 |title=Rockets sale |last=Truex |first=Alan |date=July 31, 1993 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012170716/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1993_1144426 |archive-date=October 12, 2012}}</ref> The next season, in Tomjanovich's second full year as head coach, the Rockets began the [[1993–94 NBA season|1993–94 season]] by tying an NBA record with a start of 15–0.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-15-0-start-to-1993-94-season-rooted-in-5025033.php|title=Rockets' 15-0 start to 1993-94 season rooted in previous failures|last=Feigen|first=Jonathan|work=Houston Chronicle|date=November 30, 2013|access-date=July 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1993_1169776 |title=Rockets fans disappointed with loss but liked the ride |last=Asin |first=Stefanie |date=December 4, 1993 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012170726/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1993_1169776 |archive-date=October 12, 2012}}</ref> Their first loss of the season came on December 3, 1993, as the Hawks, led by Dominique Wilkins' 27 points, defeated the Rockets, 133–111.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199312030ATL.html|title=Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, December 3, 1993|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=July 29, 2019}}</ref> The next game, the Rockets stormed a comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers as they won by a single point, 99–98, on the road. The Rockets now had won their first 16 out of 17 games of the season, tying the 1948–49 Capitols for the best 17-game start in a season, at that time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199312050CLE.html|title=Houston Rockets at Cleveland Cavaliers Box Score, December 5, 1993|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=July 29, 2019}}</ref> On December 9, Olajuwon recorded 28 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks as the Rockets cruised past the visiting Heat in overtime to win their 18th game of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199312090HOU.html|title=Miami Heat at Houston Rockets Box Score, December 9, 1993|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref> Led by Olajuwon, who was named the MVP and [[NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award|Defensive Player of the Year]],<ref name="hakeemaward">{{cite news |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1994_1210154|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012170747/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1994_1210154|archive-date=October 12, 2012 |title=Olajuwon caps year of honors |last=Blount |first=Terry |date=June 24, 1994 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 21, 2009}}</ref> the Rockets won 58 games, a franchise record at the time.<ref name="houstonindex">{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ |title=Houston Rockets |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=May 14, 2008}}</ref><ref name="94year">{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1994.html |title=1993–94 Houston Rockets Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 21, 2009}}</ref> After quickly dispatching the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] (who had made the finals just two years prior) in 4 games, they then faced the defending Western Conference champion [[Phoenix Suns]], led by the previous year's MVP [[Charles Barkley]]. The series opened up in Houston, which saw the Rockets open up a big lead going into the fourth quarter. In both games, however, the Rockets inexplicably collapsed to allow the Suns a 2–0 lead going back to Phoenix. Following recent heart-breaking playoff losses by the [[Houston Oilers]], it appeared as though the Rockets were doomed. Local newspapers labeled Houston as "Choke City", which the Rockets took to heart and ultimately came back to win the series in seven games. As "Choke City" became "Clutch City", the name permanently became a part of Houston folklore. The Rockets then soon defeated [[John Stockton]] and [[Karl Malone]]'s [[Utah Jazz]] in five in the Conference Finals to advance to their third [[1994 NBA Finals|finals]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html#19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229020548/http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html |archive-date=December 29, 2007 |title=Rockets History&nbsp;– 1993–94: Rockets Shoot To NBA Title |work=NBA.com |access-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[New York Knicks]] opened a 3–2 advantage, but the Rockets won the last two games on their home court and claimed their first championship in franchise history.<ref name="houstonindex" /> Olajuwon was awarded the [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP]], after averaging 27 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots a game.<ref name="hakeemaward" />

The Rockets initially struggled in the first half of the [[1994–95 NBA season|1994–95 season]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html#20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229020548/http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html |archive-date=December 29, 2007 |title=Rockets History&nbsp;– 1994–95: "Clutch City"&nbsp;– Rockets Repeat |work=NBA.com |access-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> which they fixed by sending Otis Thorpe to the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] in exchange for Olajuwon's former college teammate [[Clyde Drexler]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1995_1256819 |title=Reunion with fraternity mate a thrill for Olajuwon |last=Sefko |first=Eddie |date=February 15, 1995 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012170753/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1995_1256819 |archive-date=October 12, 2012}}</ref> With only 47 wins, the Rockets entered the [[1995 NBA playoffs|playoffs]] as the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Still, a strong playoff run that earned Houston the nickname "[[Clutch City]]" had the Rockets defeating the West's top three seeds – the Jazz, Suns and Spurs – to reach back-to-back finals, this time against the [[Orlando Magic]], led by [[Shaquille O'Neal]] and [[Penny Hardaway]]. When Houston swept the [[1995 NBA Finals|Finals' series]] in four games,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/clutch-city-an-oral-history-of-the-houston-rockets-miracle-playoff-run-7373022|title=Clutch City: An Oral History of the Houston Rockets Miracle Playoff Run|last=Pendergast|first=Sean|date=April 21, 2015|work=Houston Press|access-date=February 21, 2016}}</ref> they became the first team in NBA history to win the championship as a sixth seed, and the first to beat four 50-win teams in a single postseason en route to the championship.<ref name="longroad">{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1995_1281360 |title=Rockets overcome countless obstacles en route to repeat |last=Stickney|first=W.H. Jr. |date=June 18, 1995 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012170840/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1995_1281360 |archive-date=October 12, 2012}}</ref> Olajuwon was again the Finals MVP, only the second player after Michael Jordan to win the award two years in a row.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1995_1281348|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629170554/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1995_1281348|archive-date=June 29, 2011 |title=Rockets' remarkable run is a story worth repeating |last=Sefko |first=Eddie |date=June 18, 1995 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 21, 2009}}</ref> It was on the floor of [[The Summit (Houston)|The Summit]] after they captured their second title that head coach Rudy Tomjanovich proclaimed, "Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion!"<ref>{{cite news |last=Short|first=Mike|date=December 19, 2019|title=Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion'|url=https://www.morningread.com/feature/2019-12-19/dont-ever-underestimate-the-heart-of-a-champion|work=Morning Read|location= |access-date=}}</ref>

====1995–2002: Post-championship and rebuilding====
During the off-season, the Rockets went for a change of visual identity, making navy blue and silver the new primary colors while adopting a new cartoon-inspired logo and pinstriped jerseys.<ref name="Barron, David">{{cite news|title=Out with the old, In with the new|author=Barron, David|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=June 29, 1995}}</ref> The Rockets won 48 games in the [[1995–96 NBA season|1995–96 season]],<ref name="96year">{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1996.html |title=1995–96 Houston Rockets Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 22, 2009}}</ref> in which Olajuwon became the NBA's all-time leader in [[Block (basketball)|blocked shots]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html#21 |title=Rockets History&nbsp;– 1995–96: Bid For Three Swept Away |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229020548/http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html |archive-date=December 29, 2007 |work=NBA.com |access-date=February 22, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[1996 NBA playoffs|playoffs]] had the Rockets beating the Lakers before a sweep by the SuperSonics.<ref name="96year" />

Before the start of the succeeding season, the Rockets sent four players to Phoenix in exchange for [[Charles Barkley]].<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012171057/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1996_1360369|archive-date=October 12, 2012|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1996_1360369 |title=Rockets finally get Barkley |last=Sefko |first=Eddie |date=August 19, 1996 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 22, 2009}}</ref> The resulting "Big Three" of Olajuwon, Drexler, and Barkley had a strong debut season with a 57–25 record,<ref name="97year">{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1997.html |title=1996–97 Houston Rockets Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 22, 2009}}</ref> going all the way to the Western Conference finals before losing to the Utah Jazz 4–2 on a dramatic last-second shot by [[John Stockton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html#23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229020548/http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html |archive-date=December 29, 2007 |title=Rockets History&nbsp;– 1996–97: Barkley Rockets Fly High |work=NBA.com |access-date=February 22, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[1997–98 NBA season|following season]] was marked by injuries, and Houston finished 41–41 and the 8th seed, leading to another elimination by the top-seeded Jazz.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html#23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229020548/http://www.nba.com/rockets/history/history.html |archive-date=December 29, 2007 |title=Rockets History&nbsp;– 1997–98: High on Heart |work=NBA.com |access-date=February 22, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Drexler retired after the season,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1998_3041724 |title=Drexler plans to glide to UH as head coach |last=Wizig |first=Jerry |author2=Murphy, Michael |author3=Solomon, Jerome |date=March 18, 1998 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012171149/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1998_3041724 |archive-date=October 12, 2012}}</ref> and the Rockets traded to bring in [[Scottie Pippen]] to take his place.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1999_3111941 |title=Rockets work deal for Pippen |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |author2=Murphy, Michael |date=January 19, 1999 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012171154/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1999_3111941 |archive-date=October 12, 2012}}</ref> In the lockout-shortened [[1998–99 NBA season|1998–99 season]], the Rockets lost to the Lakers in the first round of the [[1999 NBA playoffs|playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1999.html |title=1998–99 Houston Rockets Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 22, 2009}}</ref> After the [[1999 NBA draft|1999 draft]], the Rockets traded for the second overall pick [[Steve Francis]] from the [[Vancouver Grizzlies]], in exchange for four players and a first-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1999_3160938 |title=Rockets complete Francis deal |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |date=August 28, 1999 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012171208/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1999_3160938 |archive-date=October 12, 2012}}</ref> However, after Houston traded a discontented Pippen to Portland,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1999_3168650|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012171213/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1999_3168650|archive-date=October 12, 2012 |title=Rockets unload Pippen to Blazers |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |author2=Murphy, Michael |date=October 2, 1999 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 22, 2009}}</ref> and Barkley suffered a career-ending injury,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1999_3182568 |title=Torn tendon ends Sir Charles' career|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629170658/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1999_3182568|archive-date=June 29, 2011 |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |date=December 9, 1999 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 22, 2009}}</ref> the rebuilt Rockets went 34–48 and missed the playoffs,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2000.html |title=1999–00 Houston Rockets Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 22, 2009}}</ref> for only the second time in 15 years.<ref name="houstonindex" /> Francis was named  Co-Rookie of the Year.

In the [[2000–01 NBA season|2000–01 season]], the Rockets worked their way to a 45–37 record. However, in a competitive Western Conference where seven teams won 50 games, this left the Rockets two games out of the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2001.html |title=2000–01 Houston Rockets Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 23, 2009}}</ref> In the following off-season, a 38-year-old Olajuwon requested a trade, and, despite stating their desire to keep him, the Rockets reached a [[sign-and-trade]] agreement, sending him to the [[Toronto Raptors]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2001_3324010 |title=Rockets collect themselves after hard blow |last=Feigen |first=Jonathan |date=August 3, 2001 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=February 23, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012171224/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2001_3324010 |archive-date=October 12, 2012}}</ref> The ensuing [[2001–02 NBA season|2001–02 season]]—the first without Hakeem in two decades—was unremarkable, and the Rockets finished with only 28 wins led by first time All-Star Francis.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2002.html |title=2001–02 Houston Rockets Roster and Statistics |publisher=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 23, 2009}}</ref>