Top 5 Houston Rockets in History

The Rockets who started in San Diego in 1967 and later moved to Houston in 1971 are one of the most storied NBA teams.

The Rockets have had seven members of their teams elected into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame and have retired six numbers in their history.

They have won two NBA titles and appeared in the NBA Finals 4 times. This is a list of the greatest of the great Houston Rockets in the history of the franchise.

5. Rudy Tomjanovich

Tomjanovich was not only the Rockets coach from 1991 to 2003 but he also spent 11 seasons with the Rockets as a player.

He was a five-time All-Star who averaged 17.4 points and 8.1 rebounds is quite possibly the most influential Rocket ever.

As a player Tomjanovich was most remembered for nearly being killed by a Kermit Washington punch, but he managed to put together a solid career as a Houston Rocket as a player and coach.

4. Calvin Murphy

The 5' 9" Murphy was drafted by the Rockets in 1970 and then retired as a Rocket after the 1983 season.

Murphy was heralded as one of the quickest in the league at time and also had a great jump shot.

Murphy had career averages of 17.9 points and 4.4 assists per game as a Rocket and is second all-time in scoring for the Rockets behind only Hakeem Olajuwon.

Murphy was on the All Rookie Team in 1971 and later in 1979 appeared in his one and only All Star game. Murphy was also selected into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1993.

Number 3: Yao Ming

The 7' 6" Center out of Shanghai, China came into the NBA t the start of the 2002-2003 season. He wasted no time asserting his dominance and was a All Rookie First Team Selection. Ming has continued to impress making 7 all star games from 2003 to 2009. Although Ming's career so far has been somewhat injury plagued he has managed to average 19.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Yao has not only been great on the court for Houston but he brought with him a whole new fan base in the country of China.

Number 2: Moses Malone

Malone, who only played 6 seasons with the Rockets still had an incredible impact on the Franchise. As a Rocket he went to five All Star games and won two MVP awards. Malone who averaged 13 rebounds a game over his career managed to lead the NBA in offensive rebounds every year that he wore a Houston jersey. Malone who was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001 is also on the list of the NBA's 50 greatest players to ever play. Malone who averaged a double double for his career 21.5 points to go along with 13 rebounds is an NBA and Houston Rockets legend.

Number 1: Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon is the most decorated player in Houston Rocket's history. He like Malone was selected in 1996 as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA History. Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points and 11.1 rebounds while carrying the Rockets to back to back championships in the mid 1990's. Olajuwon was a twelve time all star along with two NBA Finals MVP awards and one MVP award in the 1993-1994 season.Olajuwon also won Defensive player of the year honors in 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 seasons, while being selected to All Defensive first team 4 times. To continue Olajuwon's list of accomplishments he was selected to 6 All NBA First teams, and won a Gold Medal in the 1996 Olympics. Hakeem Olajuwon is the greatest player to ever wear a Rocket's jersey.