1995–96 Houston Rockets season

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Rockets' 29th season in the National Basketball Association, and 25th season in Houston.[1] In the off-season, the Rockets signed free agents Mark Bryant and Eldridge Recasner.[2][3] After two straight NBA championships, the team changed their primary logo, which showed a light blue rocket flying past a red basketball with the team name "Rockets",[4] and added new pinstripe uniforms adding dark navy blue to their color scheme.[5][6] The Rockets got off to a fast start winning ten of their first eleven games. However, injuries would be an issue all year, with Clyde Drexler only playing 52 games due to knee and ankle injuries,[7][8][9][10] Sam Cassell only playing 61 games due to elbow and foot injuries,[11][12] and Mario Elie only playing just 45 games due to wrist and arm injuries.[13][11] At midseason, the Rockets signed free agent Sam Mack, who previously played in the Continental Basketball Association,[14] as the team held a 31–18 record at the All-Star break.[15] Despite the injuries and a 7-game losing streak in March, the Rockets finished third in the Midwest Division with a 48–34 record.[16]

1995–96 Houston Rockets season
Head coachRudy Tomjanovich
General managerBob Weinhauer
Owner(s)Leslie Alexander
ArenaThe Summit
Results
Record48–34 (.585)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Midwest)
Conference: 5th (Western)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to SuperSonics 0–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioKTRH

Hakeem Olajuwon averaged 26.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.9 blocks per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Drexler averaged 19.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Olajuwon and Drexler were both selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game.[17][18][19][20] In addition, Cassell played a sixth man role, averaging 14.5 points and 4.6 assists per game off the bench, while Robert Horry provided the team with 12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, Elie provided with 11.1 points per game, and Mack contributed 10.8 points per game. Chucky Brown averaged 8.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while Bryant provided with 8.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game off the bench, three-point specialist Kenny Smith contributed 8.5 points and 3.6 assists per game, and Recasner contributed 6.9 points and 2.7 assists per game.[21] Olajuwon also finished in fourth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[22] and in fifth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Cassell finished in fourth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting,[23][24] and head coach Rudy Tomjanovich finished in fifth place in Coach of the Year voting.[25][26]

In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Rockets defeated the 4th-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in four games;[27][28][29][30] All-Star guard Magic Johnson had come out of his retirement midway through the season, and would retire again after the Lakers' loss to the Rockets.[31][32][33][34][35] However, the Rockets would be swept in the Western Conference Semi-finals by the Seattle SuperSonics in four straight games.[36][37][38][39] The Sonics would reach the NBA Finals, but eventually fell in six games to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls.[40][41][42][43][44]

Following the season, Cassell, Horry, Brown and Bryant were all traded to the Phoenix Suns,[45][46][47][48] while Smith signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons,[49][50][51] and Recasner signed with the Atlanta Hawks.[52] The Rockets' new primary logo and uniforms both remained in use until 2003.

Offseason

Draft picks
Main article: 1995 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 41 Erik Meek Center  United States Duke

Roster
1995–96 Houston Rockets roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 9 Booker, Melvin 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1972–08–20 Missouri
F 15 Breaux, Tim Injured 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1970–09–19 Wyoming
F 52 Brown, Chucky 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 1968–02–29 NC State
F 2 Bryant, Mark 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1965–04–25 Seton Hall
G 10 Cassell, Sam 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1969–11–18 Florida State
F 32 Chilcutt, Pete 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1968–09–14 North Carolina
G 22 Drexler, Clyde (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–06–22 Houston
G/F 17 Elie, Mario 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1963–11–26 American International
F 25 Horry, Robert 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1970–08–25 Alabama
F/C 27 Jones, Charles 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1957–04–03 Albany State
F 4 Mack, Sam 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1970–05–26 Houston
G 20 Moore, Tracy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1965–12–28 Tulsa
C 34 Olajuwon, Hakeem (C) 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1963–01–21 Houston
G 3 Recasner, Eldridge 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1967–12–14 Washington
G 30 Smith, Kenny 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1965–03–08 North Carolina
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: {{{access-date}}}

Regular season

Season standings
Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs5923.720–33–826–1519–5
x-Utah Jazz5527.671434–721–2014–10
x-Houston Rockets4834.5851127–1421–2015–9
Denver Nuggets3547.4272424–1711–3013–11
Minnesota Timberwolves2656.3173317–249–3210–14
Dallas Mavericks2656.3173316–2510–3110–14
Vancouver Grizzlies1567.1834410–315–363–21
Western Conference
# Team W L PCT GB GP
1 c-Seattle SuperSonics *6418.780–82
2 y-San Antonio Spurs *5923.720582
3 x-Utah Jazz5527.671982
4 x-Los Angeles Lakers5329.6461182
5 x-Houston Rockets4834.5851682
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers4438.5372082
7 x-Phoenix Suns4141.5002382
8 x-Sacramento Kings3943.4762582
9 Golden State Warriors3646.4392882
10 Denver Nuggets3547.4272982
11 Los Angeles Clippers2953.3543582
12 Minnesota Timberwolves2656.3173882
13 Dallas Mavericks2656.3173882
14 Vancouver Grizzlies1567.1834982
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents
1995-96 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta —4–03–10–43–11–11–12–21–11–11–32–00–22–22–21–14–02–12–22–10–22–02–00–20–24–01–12–01–3
Boston 0–4—2–20–31–30–21–12–10–21–10–42–00–23–13–12–02–20–41–34–01–10–22–00–20–23–10–21–12–2
Charlotte 1–32–2—1–33–12–02–01–30–20–21–31–12–02–23–11–10–33–00–43–12–01–11–10–20–23–11–12–03–1
Chicago 4–03–03–1—4–02–01–14–02–02–02–22–02–03–14–02–03–03–13–14–01–12–02–02–01–13–12–02–04–0
Cleveland 1–33–11–30–4—2–01–12–22–01–12–22–02–01–34–02–01–23–11–24–02–01–11–10–20–23–10–22–03–1
Dallas 1–12–00–20–20–2—2–20–22–21–30–22–20–40–21–10–41–10–21–10–21–30–42–22–22–21–11–34–00–2
Denver 1–11–10–21–11–12–2—1–12–21–30–21–32–20–21–14–00–21–11–12–03–10–40–40–41–32–03–13–11–1
Detroit 2–21–23–10–42–22–01–1—2–01–12–22–00–21–32–21–14–00–41–34–02–02–01–12–01–14–00–22–01–2
Golden State 1–12–02–00–20–22–22–20–2—2–21–13–11–31–11–13–12–00–20–22–01–31–31–31–30–41–11–34–01–1
Houston 1–11–12–00–21–13–13–11–12–2—2–04–03–10–22–02–22–00–20–22–03–12–22–21–30–42–02–24–01–1
Indiana 3–14–03–12–22–22–02–02–21–10–2—2–01–13–03–11–11–31–32–23–11–11–10–21–12–04–00–22–03–0
L.A. Clippers 0–20–21–10–20–22–23–10–21–30–40–2—0–41–11–13–11–11–10–22–03–12–22–21–30–40–21–33–11–1
L.A. Lakers 2–02–00–20–20–24–02–22–03–11–31–14–0—2–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–12–23–11–32–22–02–24–01–1
Miami 2–21–32–21–33–12–02–03–11–12–00–31–10–2—3–01–15–01–31–33–11–10–21–11–10–22–10–21–12–2
Milwaukee 2–21–31–30–40–41–11–12–21–10–21–31–10–20–3—1–11–32–21–32–10–22–00–21–10–22–20–21–11–3
Minnesota 1–10–21–10–20–24–00–41–11–32–21–11–31–31–11–1—1–10–20–21–11–30–43–11–30–41–11–32–20–2
New Jersey 0–42–23–00–32–11–12–00–40–20–23–11–10–20–53–11–1—2–20–42–20–21–11–10–20–22–20–22–02–2
New York 1–24–00–31–31–32–01–14–02–02–03–11–11–13–12–22–02–2—1–33–10–20–20–21–11–14–01–11–13–1
Orlando 2–23–14–01–32–11–11–13–12–02–02–22–01–13–13–12–04–03–1—4–02–01–11–11–11–12–11–12–04–0
Philadelphia 1–20–41–30–40–42–00–20–40–20–21–30–21–11–31–21–12–21–30–4—0–20–20–20–20–23–11–11–11–3
Phoenix 2–01–10–21–10–23–11–30–23–11–31–11–31–31–12–03–12–02–00–22–0—2–22–21–30–42–01–34–02–0
Portland 0–22–01–10–21–14–04–00–23–12–21–12–22–22–00–24–01–12–01–12–02–2—1–31–31–32–01–32–20–2
Sacramento 0–20–21–10–21–12–24–01–13–12–22–02–21–31–12–01–31–12–01–12–02–23–1—1–30–42–00–42–20–2
San Antonio 2–02–02–00–22–02–24–00–23–13–11–13–13–11–11–13–12–01–11–12–03–13–13–1—2–22–03–14–01–1
Seattle 2–02–02–01–12–02–23–11–14–04–00–24–02–22–02–04–02–01–11–12–04–03–14–02–2—1–13–13–11–1
Toronto 0–41–31–31–31–31–10–20–41–10–20–42–00–21–22–21–12–20–41–21–30–20–20–20–21–1—0–21–13–1
Utah 1–12–01–10–22–03–11–32–03–12–22–03–12–22–02–03–12–01–11–11–13–13–14–01–31–32–0—4–01–1
Vancouver 0–21–10–20–20–20–41–30–20–40–40–21–30–41–11–12–20–21–10–21–10–42–22–20–41–31–10–4—0–2
Washington 3–12–21–30–41–32–01–12–11–11–10–31–11–12–23–12–02–21–30–43–10–22–02–01–11–11–31–12–0—

Playoffs
1996 playoff game log
First Round: 3–1 (home: 2–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 25 @ L.A. Lakers W 87–83 Hakeem Olajuwon (33) Horry, Olajuwon (7) Drexler, Smith (4) Great Western Forum
17,505		 1–0
2 April 27 @ L.A. Lakers L 94–104 Sam Cassell (22) Horry, Olajuwon (8) Sam Cassell (8) Great Western Forum
17,505		 1–1
3 April 30 L.A. Lakers W 104–98 Hakeem Olajuwon (30) Robert Horry (10) Clyde Drexler (11) The Summit
16,285		 2–1
4 May 2 L.A. Lakers W 102–94 Hakeem Olajuwon (25) Hakeem Olajuwon (11) Olajuwon, Drexler (7) The Summit
16,285		 3–1
Conference semifinals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 4 @ Seattle L 75–108 Robert Horry (18) Clyde Drexler (9) Kenny Smith (5) KeyArena
17,072		 0–1
2 May 6 @ Seattle L 101–105 Clyde Drexler (19) Hakeem Olajuwon (16) Kenny Smith (7) KeyArena
17,072		 0–2
3 May 10 Seattle L 112–115 Clyde Drexler (28) Hakeem Olajuwon (13) Kenny Smith (11) The Summit
16,285		 0–3
4 May 12 Seattle L 107–114 (OT) Hakeem Olajuwon (26) Clyde Drexler (15) Drexler, Cassell (6) The Summit
16,611		 0–4
1996 schedule

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.

Season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Melvin Booker
Tim Breaux
Chucky Brown
Mark Bryant
Sam Cassell
Pete Chilcutt
Clyde Drexler
Mario Elie
Alvin Heggs
Robert Horry
Jaren Jackson
Henry James
Charles Jones
Sam Mack
Tracy Moore
Hakeem Olajuwon
Eldridge Recasner
Kenny Smith

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Chucky Brown
Mark Bryant
Sam Cassell
Pete Chilcutt
Clyde Drexler
Mario Elie
Robert Horry
Charles Jones
Sam Mack
Hakeem Olajuwon
Eldridge Recasner
Kenny Smith

Awards and records

Awards

Transactions

Free agents

See also

References
  1. 1995-96 Houston Rockets
  2. Winderman, Ira (September 29, 1995). "Free Agent Herrera to Sign with Spurs". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  3. "Blazers, Pistons Cut Deal". The Spokesman-Review. September 21, 1995. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  4. "Houston Rockets Logo". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  5. "Houston Rockets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  6. "Houston Rockets Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  7. "Rockets' Drexler to Have Knee Surgery". Chicago Tribune. February 25, 1996. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  8. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Drexler Will Miss Five to Six Weeks". The New York Times. February 27, 1996. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  9. Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 30, 1996). "Drexler Ankle Better Than His Attitude". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  10. MacMullan, Jack (May 6, 1996). "Up in the Air, Both Teams Struggled as the Harrumphing Lakers Tried to Put an Early End to the Hobbling Rockets' Hopes of Three-Peating". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  11. Globster, Rob (April 6, 1996). "Drexler and Elie Back, But Rockets Still Reeling". Associated Press. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  12. Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 23, 1996). "Peeler May Be Missing for Game 1". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  13. "Olajuwon Scores 51 in a Losing Effort". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 19, 1996. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  14. "Transactions". The New York Times. February 24, 1996. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  15. "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
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  17. Bembry, Jerry (January 31, 1996). "NBA Coaches Recognize Howard's Star Quality; Bullets' 2nd-Year Player Named Eastern Reserve". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  18. Heisler, Mark (February 11, 1996). "NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
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  26. Isaacson, Melissa (May 8, 1996). "Better Late Than Never: Jackson Selected Coach of the Year". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  27. Friend, Tom (May 3, 1996). "NBA PLAYOFFS; Rockets Move On. Magic Might, Too". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  28. Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 3, 1996). "Show's Over". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  29. Cotton, Anthony (May 3, 1996). "In Houston, No Magic Moment". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
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  31. "Online Document: Magic Johnson Retires Again". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 14, 1996. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  32. Brown, Clifton (May 15, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Leaving on His Terms, Johnson Retires Again". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  33. Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 15, 1996). "Pooof!: Johnson Retires on His Terms This Time". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  34. Adande, J.A. (May 15, 1996). "Magic Retires from Lakers". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  35. Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 16, 1996). "Magic: This Is for Good". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  36. Friend, Tom (May 13, 1996). "N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Rockets' Furious Rally Makes Sweep Interesting". The New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  37. "Fired-Up Rockets Go Out with Bang". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 13, 1996. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  38. Graczyk, Michael (May 13, 1996). "Rockets Are Dethroned by SuperSonics in OT". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
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  40. Brown, Clifton (June 17, 1996). "N.B.A. FINALS; After a Few Anxious Days, Jordan and Bulls Get Their Title". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  41. "Bulls Drown Out SuperSonics, 87-75". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 17, 1996. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  42. Hirsley, Michael (June 17, 1996). "Game 6 Telecast Brings Happy Ending Home". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  43. Judd, Ron C. (June 17, 1996). "Not This Time -- Sonic Hopes End 87-75 as Bulls Win Fourth Title". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
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  48. Sharpio, Mark (August 19, 1996). "Rockets to Trade 4 for Barkley". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  49. "Pistons Get a Bargain in Smith". The New York Times. September 18, 1996. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  50. "Stockton Will Stay in Utah for 'Only' $5 Million a Year". Los Angeles Times. September 18, 1996. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  51. Thompson, Jack (September 18, 1996). "Stockton Agrees on Deal; Pistons Land Kenny Smith". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  52. Johnson, K.C. (May 6, 1997). "Team of Cohesive Elements Pours from Hawks' Beaker". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
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