The Houston Rockets are a professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1967, the Rockets have won two NBA championships and have appeared in four NBA Finals.
1. The Early Years: The Rockets were founded in 1967 as the San Diego Rockets. They moved to Houston in 1971 and changed their name to the Houston Rockets.
2. The Championship Years: Led by superstars Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, the Rockets won back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.
3. The Yao Ming Era: In 2002, the Rockets drafted Chinese superstar Yao Ming. Yao helped the Rockets reach the playoffs multiple times and was a fan favorite in Houston.
4. The James Harden Era: In 2012, the Rockets traded for James Harden, who has since become one of the NBA's best players. Harden has led the Rockets to the playoffs every year since joining the team.
5. Star Players: The Rockets are led by James Harden, who is a seven-time NBA All-Star and the 2018 NBA MVP. The team also features All-Star guard Russell Westbrook and forward P.J. Tucker.
6. Playing Style: The Rockets are known for their \"small ball\" playing style, which emphasizes speed, three-point shooting, and ball movement. They also play aggressive defense and are among the league leaders in steals and blocks.
7. 2019-2020 Season: The Rockets have had a successful season so far, with a record of 40-24 before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They are currently in sixth place in the Western Conference and are expected to make a deep playoff run when the season resumes.