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1992–93 Houston Rockets season

NBA professional basketball team season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 1992–93 Houston Rockets season was the 26th season for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association, and their 22nd season in Houston, Texas.[1]

Head coachRudy Tomjanovich
General managerSteve Patterson
OwnerCharlie Thomas
ArenaThe Summit
Quick facts Houston Rockets season, Head coach ...
1992–93 Houston Rockets season
Division champions
Head coachRudy Tomjanovich
General managerSteve Patterson
OwnerCharlie Thomas
ArenaThe Summit
Results
Record55–27 (.671)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Midwest)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to the Seattle SuperSonics 3–4)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKTXH
Home Sports Entertainment
RadioKTRH
< 1991–92 1993–94 >
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Season summary

Off-season

After missing the NBA playoffs the previous year, the Rockets received the eleventh overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, and selected power forward Robert Horry from the University of Alabama.[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team acquired Scott Brooks from the Minnesota Timberwolves.[5][6]

Regular season

Early into the regular season, the Rockets traveled overseas to Yokohama, Japan to play their first two games against the Seattle SuperSonics at the Yokohama Arena.[7] In the first game on November 6, 1992, the Rockets were the home team, and lost to the SuperSonics by a score of 111–94; Hakeem Olajuwon led the team with 21 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks, while Kenny Smith finished with 21 points and 9 assists, and Vernon Maxwell also added 21 points.[8][9][10] In the second game on November 7, the Rockets were the road team and lost to the SuperSonics by a score of 89–85; Olajuwon finished with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 3 steals and 5 blocks.[11][12][13] Both games had an attendance of 14,544 fans at the Yokohama Arena.[10][13]

With the addition of Horry and Brooks, the Rockets got off to a 14–9 start to the regular season, but then struggled posting a seven-game losing streak between December and January. However, the team posted an eight-game winning streak in January afterwards, and later on held a 30–21 record at the All-Star break.[14] The Rockets went 25–6 for the remainder of the season, posting a 15-game winning streak between February and March,[15][16] and then posting an 11-game winning streak in April, as the team signed free agent Terry Teagle, who played in the final two games of the regular season.[17][18] The Rockets finished in first place in the Midwest Division with a 55–27 record, earned the second seed in the Western Conference, and returned to the NBA playoffs after a one-year absence.[19]

Olajuwon averaged 26.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 4.2 blocks per game, and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year;[20][21][22] he was also named to the All-NBA First Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. In addition, Maxwell averaged 13.8 points and 4.2 assists per game, and led the Rockets with 120 three-point field goals, while Smith contributed 13.0 points and 5.4 assists per game, Otis Thorpe provided the team with 12.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, and Horry averaged 10.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Off the bench, second-year forward Carl Herrera averaged 7.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while three-point specialist Matt Bullard contributed 7.3 points per game, Sleepy Floyd contributed 6.6 points and 2.5 assists per game, and Brooks provided with 6.3 points and 3.0 assists per game.[23]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Olajuwon was selected for the 1993 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team.[24][25][26] Meanwhile, Smith participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the third time, and also participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout.[27][28] Olajuwon also finished in second place in Most Valuable Player voting, behind Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns,[29][30] while head coach Rudy Tomjanovich finished in second place in Coach of the Year voting, behind Pat Riley of the New York Knicks.[31][30]

The Rockets finished 22nd in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 554,210 at The Summit during the regular season.[23][32]

NBA playoffs

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1993 NBA playoffs, the Rockets faced off against the 7th–seeded Los Angeles Clippers, a team that featured All-Star forward Danny Manning, Ron Harper and Mark Jackson. The Rockets took a 2–1 series lead before losing Game 4 to the Clippers on the road, 93–90 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.[33][34][35] With the series tied at 2–2, the Rockets won Game 5 over the Clippers at home, 84–80 at The Summit to win in a hard-fought five-game series.[36][37][38]

In the Western Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 3rd–seeded Seattle SuperSonics, who were led by All-Star forward Shawn Kemp, Ricky Pierce and Gary Payton. The Rockets lost the first two games to the SuperSonics on the road at the Seattle Center Coliseum, but managed to win the next two games at The Summit. After losing Game 5 at the Seattle Center Coliseum, 120–95,[39] the Rockets won Game 6 over the SuperSonics at The Summit, 103–90 to even the series.[40][41][42] However, the Rockets lost Game 7 to the SuperSonics at the Seattle Center Coliseum in overtime, 103–100, thus losing in a hard-fought seven-game series.[43][44][45]

Notable highlights

A notable note about the Rockets' playoff run that year was the final game of the regular season; the Rockets were playing against the San Antonio Spurs at the HemisFair Arena on April 25, 1993, with the Rockets leading by two points in the final seconds, until Spurs All-Star center David Robinson tip-dunked a missed shot after time expired; it was ruled good, and the Rockets went on to lose in overtime, 119–117, tying their record with Seattle, and losing home-court advantage due to their match-up tie-breaker against the SuperSonics in the second round.[46][47][48]

Aftermath

Following the season, Floyd signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs,[49][50] and Teagle was released to free agency.

Draft picks

Main article: 1992 NBA draft
More information Round, Pick ...
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School or club team
111Robert HorrySF/PF United StatesAlabama
241Popeye JonesPF United StatesMurray State
253Curtis BlairPG United StatesRichmond
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Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...
1992–93 Houston Rockets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 1 Scott Brooks 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1965–07–31 UC Irvine
F 50 Matt Bullard 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1967–06–05 Iowa
G 21 Sleepy Floyd 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1960–03–06 Georgetown
G 22 Winston Garland 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1964–12–19 Missouri State
F 7 Carl Herrera 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1966–12–14 Houston
F 25 Robert Horry 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1970–08–25 Alabama
G 11 Vernon Maxwell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–09–12 Florida
C 34 Hakeem Olajuwon 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1963–01–21 Houston
C 15 Tree Rollins 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1955–06–16 Clemson
G 30 Kenny Smith 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1965–03–08 North Carolina
G 10 Terry Teagle 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1960–04–10 Baylor
F 33 Otis Thorpe 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1962–08–05 Providence
F 20 Kennard Winchester 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966–09–03 Averett
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Updated: April 22, 1993

Close

Regular season

Season standings

More information W, L ...
Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Houston Rockets5527.671—31–1024–1719–7
x-San Antonio Spurs4933.598631–1018–2317–9
x-Utah Jazz4735.573828–1319–2216–10
Denver Nuggets3646.4391928–138–3313–13
Minnesota Timberwolves1963.2323611–308–3310–16
Dallas Mavericks1171.134447–344–373–23
Close
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
More information #, Team ...
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Phoenix Suns6220.756–
2 y-Houston Rockets5527.6717
3 x-Seattle SuperSonics5527.6717
4 x-Portland Trail Blazers5131.62211
5 x-San Antonio Spurs4933.59813
6 x-Utah Jazz4735.57315
7 x-Los Angeles Clippers4141.50021
8 x-Los Angeles Lakers3943.47623
9 Denver Nuggets3646.43926
10 Golden State Warriors3448.41528
11 Sacramento Kings2557.30537
12 Minnesota Timberwolves1963.23243
13 Dallas Mavericks1171.13451
Close
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

Regular season

More information 1992–93 game log Total: 55–27 (home: 31–10; road: 24–17), Game ...
1992–93 game log
Total: 55–27 (home: 31–10; road: 24–17)
November: 7–4 (home: 5–2; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 November 6, 1992 Seattle
(at Yokohama, Japan)		 L 94–111 Tokyo Dome 0–1
2 November 7, 1992 @ Seattle
(at Yokohama, Japan)		 L 85–89 Tokyo Dome 0–2
3 November 11, 1992 Atlanta W 101–82 The Summit 1–2
4 November 14, 1992 @ San Antonio W 93–87 HemisFair Arena 2–2
5 November 17, 1992 Sacramento W 116–109 The Summit 3–2
6 November 19, 1992 Cleveland W 99–92 The Summit 4–2
7 November 21, 1992 San Antonio W 103–100 The Summit 5–2
8 November 24, 1992 L.A. Clippers W 88–83 The Summit 6–2
9 November 25, 1992 @ Orlando L 94–107 Orlando Arena 6–3
10 November 27, 1992 @ Miami W 101–93 Miami Arena 7–3
11 November 28, 1992 Utah L 99–108 The Summit 7–4
December: 7–7 (home: 4–2; road: 3–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
12 December 1, 1992 @ Denver L 105–112 McNichols Sports Arena 7–5
13 December 3, 1992 L.A. Lakers L 89–95 The Summit 7–6
14 December 5, 1992 @ Dallas W 117–96 Reunion Arena 8–6
15 December 8, 1992 Minnesota W 102–94 The Summit 9–6
16 December 11, 1992
7:30 p.m. CST		 @ Chicago W 110–96 Olajuwon (28) Olajuwon (13) Olajuwon,
Smith (7)		 Chicago Stadium
18,147		 10–6
17 December 12, 1992 @ Minnesota W 104–87 Target Center 11–6
18 December 15, 1992 @ Cleveland L 97–124 Richfield Coliseum 11–7
19 December 17, 1992 San Antonio W 121–109 The Summit 12–7
20 December 19, 1992 Dallas W 112–93 The Summit 13–7
21 December 22, 1992 @ Detroit L 84–98 The Palace of Auburn Hills 13–8
22 December 23, 1992 @ Boston L 94–98 Boston Garden 13–9
23 December 26, 1992 Denver W 90–82 The Summit 14–9
24 December 29, 1992 Golden State L 112–132 The Summit 14–10
25 December 30, 1992
8:30 p.m. CST		 @ Phoenix L 110–133 Olajuwon (24) Olajuwon (9) Olajuwon (5) America West Arena
19,023		 14–11
January: 10–7 (home: 6–2; road: 4–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
26 January 2, 1993 @ Golden State L 107–113 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 14–12
27 January 3, 1993 @ Portland L 101–103 (OT) Memorial Coliseum 14–13
28 January 5, 1993
7:30 p.m. CST		 Phoenix L 104–106 Olajuwon (29) Olajuwon (13) Smith (10) The Summit
13,755		 14–14
29 January 7, 1993 Portland L 91–113 The Summit 14–15
30 January 8, 1993 @ Denver L 90–115 McNichols Sports Arena 14–16
31 January 10, 1993 Utah W 97–90 The Summit 15–16
32 January 12, 1993 @ L.A. Clippers W 113–103 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 16–16
33 January 14, 1993 Charlotte W 114–102 The Summit 17–16
34 January 16, 1993 New York W 104–102 The Summit 18–16
35 January 18, 1993 @ L.A. Lakers W 110–90 Great Western Forum 19–16
36 January 19, 1993 @ Sacramento W 102–96 ARCO Arena 20–16
37 January 21, 1993 Detroit W 126–120 The Summit 21–16
38 January 23, 1993 @ Indiana W 113–100 Market Square Arena 22–16
39 January 24, 1993 @ New Jersey L 83–100 Brendan Byrne Arena 22–17
40 January 26, 1993 @ Milwaukee L 86–100 Bradley Center 22–18
41 January 28, 1993
7:30 p.m. CST		 Chicago W 94–83 Maxwell,
Olajuwon (18)		 Olajuwon (15) Smith,
Thorpe (5)		 The Summit
16,611		 23–18
42 January 30, 1993 New Jersey W 108–105 The Summit 24–18
February: 9–3 (home: 5–2; road: 4–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
43 February 2, 1993 Indiana W 115–104 The Summit 25–18
44 February 3, 1993 @ Dallas W 119–102 Reunion Arena 26–18
45 February 5, 1993 Minnesota L 105–112 The Summit 26–19
46 February 8, 1993 Washington L 100–106 The Summit 26–20
47 February 10, 1993 @ Philadelphia W 98–90 The Spectrum 27–20
48 February 11, 1993 @ New York L 95–125 Madison Square Garden 27–21
49 February 13, 1993 @ Minnesota W 97–88 Target Center 28–21
50 February 16, 1993 Philadelphia W 149–111 The Summit 29–21
51 February 18, 1993 Boston W 119–84 The Summit 30–21
All-Star Break
52 February 23, 1993 @ Utah W 105–78 Delta Center 31–21
53 February 25, 1993
7:30 p.m. CST		 Phoenix W 131–104 Olajuwon (32) Thorpe (15) Olajuwon,
Thorpe (6)		 The Summit
16,611		 32–21
54 February 27, 1993 Denver W 107–102 The Summit 33–21
March: 11–4 (home: 5–1; road: 6–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
55 March 2, 1993 @ L.A. Clippers W 99–83 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 34–21
56 March 3, 1993 @ Sacramento W 89–86 ARCO Arena 35–21
57 March 5, 1993 @ Dallas W 105–86 Reunion Arena 36–21
58 March 6, 1993 Sacramento W 119–102 The Summit 37–21
59 March 9, 1993 Miami W 104–94 The Summit 38–21
60 March 11, 1993 Portland W 104–91 The Summit 39–21
61 March 13, 1993 Utah W 104–95 The Summit 40–21
62 March 16, 1993 Orlando W 94–93 The Summit 41–21
63 March 18, 1993 @ Golden State W 98–85 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 42–21
64 March 19, 1993 @ Portland L 98–106 (OT) Memorial Coliseum 42–22
65 March 21, 1993 Seattle L 89–100 The Summit 42–23
66 March 23, 1993 @ Charlotte W 111–103 Charlotte Coliseum 43–23
67 March 25, 1993 @ Atlanta L 96–106 The Omni 43–24
68 March 26, 1993 @ Washington W 90–69 Capital Centre 44–24
69 March 28, 1993 @ Minnesota L 100–101 Target Center 44–25
April: 11–2 (home: 6–1; road: 5–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
70 April 1, 1993 Milwaukee W 121–115 The Summit 45–25
71 April 3, 1993 Golden State W 118–111 The Summit 46–25
72 April 6, 1993 L.A. Clippers W 114–101 The Summit 47–25
73 April 8, 1993 @ Utah W 95–90 Delta Center 48–25
74 April 10, 1993 San Antonio W 98–88 The Summit 49–25
75 April 13, 1993 L.A. Lakers W 126–107 The Summit 50–25
76 April 14, 1993 @ Denver W 107–96 McNichols Sports Arena 51–25
77 April 16, 1993 @ L.A. Lakers W 100–84 Great Western Forum 52–25
78 April 17, 1993 @ Seattle W 86–81 Seattle Center Coliseum 53–25
79 April 19, 1993
9:30 p.m. CDT		 @ Phoenix W 111–97 Olajuwon (30) Olajuwon (14) Smith (12) America West Arena
19,023		 54–25
80 April 22, 1993 Minnesota W 112–110 (OT) The Summit 55–25
81 April 24, 1993 Dallas L 123–128 The Summit 55–26
82 April 25, 1993 @ San Antonio L 117–119 (OT) HemisFair Arena 55–27
1992–93 schedule
Close

Playoffs

More information 1993 playoff game log, Game ...
1993 playoff game log
First Round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 29, 1993 L.A. Clippers W 117–94 Hakeem Olajuwon (28) Hakeem Olajuwon (11) Winston Garland (9) The Summit
16,611		 1–0
2 May 1, 1993 L.A. Clippers L 83–95 Hakeem Olajuwon (30) Hakeem Olajuwon (14) three players tied (4) The Summit
16,611		 1–1
3 May 3, 1993 @ L.A. Clippers W 111–99 Hakeem Olajuwon (32) Hakeem Olajuwon (12) Kenny Smith (7) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
12,628		 2–1
4 May 5, 1993 @ L.A. Clippers L 90–93 Hakeem Olajuwon (25) Hakeem Olajuwon (18) Hakeem Olajuwon (9) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
14,710		 2–2
5 May 8, 1993 L.A. Clippers W 84–80 Hakeem Olajuwon (31) Hakeem Olajuwon (21) Kenny Smith (6) The Summit
16,611		 3–2
Conference semifinals: 3–4 (home: 3–0; road: 0–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 10, 1993 @ Seattle L 90–99 Hakeem Olajuwon (26) Hakeem Olajuwon (16) Smith, Horry (5) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,252		 0–1
2 May 12, 1993 @ Seattle L 100–111 Hakeem Olajuwon (28) Hakeem Olajuwon (13) Vernon Maxwell (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,732		 0–2
3 May 15, 1993 Seattle W 97–79 Otis Thorpe (28) Otis Thorpe (14) Kenny Smith (6) The Summit
16,611		 1–2
4 May 16, 1993 Seattle W 103–92 Hakeem Olajuwon (24) Hakeem Olajuwon (12) Scott Brooks (7) The Summit
16,611		 2–2
5 May 18, 1993 @ Seattle L 95–120 Hakeem Olajuwon (25) Hakeem Olajuwon (14) Hakeem Olajuwon (5) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,433		 2–3
6 May 20, 1993 Seattle W 103–90 Kenny Smith (30) Olajuwon, Thorpe (10) Robert Horry (7) The Summit
16,611		 3–3
7 May 22, 1993 @ Seattle L 100–103 (OT) Hakeem Olajuwon (23) Hakeem Olajuwon (17) Hakeem Olajuwon (9) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,812		 3–4
1993 schedule
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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

Season

More information Player, GP ...
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Acres† 603.8.222.500.5001.0.0.0.01.0
Scott Brooks 82018.5.475.414.8301.23.01.0.06.3
Matt Bullard 79417.2.431.374.7842.81.4.4.17.3
Sleepy Floyd 521016.7.407.286.7941.72.5.6.16.6
Winston Garland 66415.2.443.462.9101.62.1.6.15.9
Carl Herrera 811222.2.541.000.7105.6.8.6.47.5
Robert Horry 797929.5.474.255.7155.02.41.01.110.1
Vernon Maxwell 716831.7.407.332.7193.14.21.2.113.8
Hakeem Olajuwon 828239.5.529.000.77913.03.51.84.226.1
Tree Rollins 4205.9.268.000.7501.4.2.1.4.7
Kenny Smith 828229.5.520.438.8782.05.41.0.113.0
Terry Teagle 2012.5.286.5001.51.0.0.02.5
Otis Thorpe 726932.7.558.000.5988.22.5.6.312.8
Kennard Winchester 3908.7.439.211.7731.3.3.3.33.7
Close

Playoffs

More information Player, GP ...
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Scott Brooks 12016.4.381.385.769.82.6.8.03.9
Matt Bullard 12014.1.476.5361.0001.91.1.3.45.1
Sleepy Floyd 708.6.316.333.700.61.1.3.02.9
Winston Garland 12520.5.405.0001.0002.82.61.3.06.4
Carl Herrera 12016.3.386.000.6003.8.6.3.24.7
Robert Horry 121231.2.465.300.7415.23.21.51.310.3
Vernon Maxwell 9734.2.402.239.8752.43.61.2.214.0
Hakeem Olajuwon 121243.2.517.000.82714.04.81.84.925.7
Tree Rollins 602.7.000.000.7.0.3.0.0
Kenny Smith 121232.6.492.500.7782.04.2.8.114.8
Terry Teagle 502.4.400.000.0.0.0.0.8
Otis Thorpe 121234.9.635.6518.62.6.5.114.5
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Player statistics citation:[23]

Awards and records

See also

References

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