YouTube Gold: The History Of The Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been iconic from the beginning
In the 1960’s, the NBA wasn’t anywhere near what is is today. Cities like Chicago, Phoenix Seattle and Houston got expansion teams, although the Rockets were originally in San Diego before moving to Texas.
This documentary looks at how the Rockets developed. The Rockets have an interesting history. Elvin Hayes was an early star but he was traded to Washington in 1972.
After the NBA-ABA merger brought four new teams to the league, Houston got Moses Malone in a convoluted process that ultimately worked out great for the Rockets.
The team has had some real ups and downs. John Lucas was on the team with Malone but his drug addiction was out of control and his career suffered. The Kermit Washington/Rudy Tomjanovich situation had huge effect on the team.
Malone signed with Philly in 1982 and Houston would have to wait a few years before Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon would come along and form the Twin Towers.
Anyway, it’s just a cool history of what has become an iconic franchise. This team has had stars from the beginning and it’s played at the very highest levels. Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady played there. So did Clyde Drexler and, for a time, Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley.
The Rockets had some interesting history from the beginning and this documentary sums it up nicely.