The All-Time Houston Rockets Squad Begins With "The Dream"

He held the franchise record for points scored until Olajuwon surpassed the mark in 1994. He was also an incredible analyst alongside Bill Worrell. It has always upset me that the Rockets organization did not rehire him as the color guy after a jury acquitted him of bogus molestation and abuse charges. It's hard to call the move racist, considering the team hired Clyde Drexler to fill the role.

PF/C: Elvin Hayes (1971-1972; 1981-1984)

Hayes owes a spot on the team as much for his UH tenure as Drexler does. He threw up career averages of 21 points and 12.5 rebounds a game. He averaged 17 rebounds as a rookie in San Diego—can you say disgusting?

Hayes retired before I was born, but I have studied many a film of his play. He spent only four pro seasons in Houston but they were great years.

C: Hakeem Olajuwon (1981-2004)

See gushing review of his career above.

C: Yao Ming (2001-?)

Go ahead and bash this selection all you want. It's my list, I want him in my starting five, and I put him there. His career has been lined with injuries and first-round exits, but that is never the bottom line with a player this dedicated.

I love Yao because he cares more than most athletes do. He spent two days roaming the Toyota Center in February, apologizing to everyone he saw for a foot injury that he could do nothing about.

When his teammates sat silently as he announced he would miss the rest of the season and playoffs, they were not just mourning what his absence would mean for the team's playoff hopes. They know how much playing and winning means to Yao.

If you think the Chinese superstar is satisfied averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds on a first-round doormat, try watching him as I do. He has earned the praise of all three coaches for whom he has played and every teammate who has ever shared the court with him. Chronic injury may mar his career, but he will compete and care every minute that he does it. That's good enough for me.

The Bench

PG: Sam Cassell (1993-1996)

He was cockier than I remember, now that I watch games from those championship seasons, but perhaps that is why he sank those clutch looks so calmly, including a three that buried the Knicks in a critical finals game.

I would never pick him to teach young children about great shot selection, but I will always reserve a spot for him on any all-time Rockets list.

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