1994–95_Houston_Rockets_season

1994–95 Houston Rockets season

1994–95 Houston Rockets season

American professional basketball team season

The 1994–95 NBA season was the Rockets' 28th season in the National Basketball Association, and 24th season in Houston.[1] After winning their first championship, the Rockets went on to win their first nine games of the season. However, with increased competition in the West, management felt a change was needed to win another title. On February 14, 1995, the Rockets traded Otis Thorpe to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for All-Star guard Clyde Drexler, and three-point specialist Tracy Murray; Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon were both teammates at the University of Houston in the early 1980s.[2][3][4][5][6] The team also signed free agent Chucky Brown midway through the season,[7][8] and later on signed 38-year old veteran Charles Jones to a 10-day contract in April, where he played in the final three games of the regular season.[9][10] However, after holding a 29–17 record at the All-Star break,[11] the Rockets played .500 basketball in the second half of the season, posting an 18–18 record on their way to finishing third in the Midwest Division with a 47–35 record.[12]

Quick Facts Houston Rockets season, Head coach ...

Olajuwon averaged 27.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 3.4 blocks per game, and was selected for the 1995 NBA All-Star Game,[13][14][15][16] while Drexler averaged 21.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game in 35 games with the Rockets after the trade. Olajuwon and Drexler were both named to the All-NBA Third Team. In addition, Vernon Maxwell provided the team with 13.3 points per game, while Kenny Smith contributed 10.4 points per game, and Robert Horry averaged 10.2 points per game. Off the bench, second-year guard Sam Cassell provided with 9.5 points and 4.9 assists per game, while Mario Elie contributed 8.8 points per game, and Carl Herrera averaged 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.[17] Olajuwon also finished in fifth place in Most Valuable Player voting,[18] and in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[19][20][21] According to Horry, when David Robinson was given his MVP trophy before a game in the San Antonio-Houston Western Conference Finals, Olajuwon leaned over to him and snarled "That's MY trophy", leading Horry to silently say "Uh-oh" in accurate expectation of the hell Olajuwon was about to unleash on the Spurs.[22][23]

In the playoffs, the Rockets faced the 3rd–seeded Utah Jazz in the Western Conference First Round. The Jazz would take a 2–1 series lead,[24][25][26] but the Rockets went on to win the series in five games.[27][28][29][30] In the Western Conference Semi-finals, they faced the Phoenix Suns for the second consecutive year. After trailing 3–1,[31][32][33] the Rockets managed to defeat the 2nd-seeded Suns in seven games to advance to the Western Conference Finals.[34][35][36][37] In the all Texas Western Conference Finals, they faced the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs. Both teams lacked home court advantage in the series, only winning on the road until the Rockets won Game 6 at The Summit and advanced to the NBA Finals.[38][39][40][41] In the Finals, they swept the Orlando Magic in four straight games, and won their second consecutive championship, with Olajuwon being named Finals MVP for the second straight year.[42][43][44][45][46] As the 6th seed in the 1995 playoffs, the 1994–95 Rockets to date are the lowest seeded team in league history to win an NBA championship.[47]

Following the season, Maxwell signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers;[48][49][50] Maxwell had a controversial season, which involved him punching a fan during a road game against the Trail Blazers on February 6, 1995, which cost him a ten-game suspension,[51][52][53][54] and leaving the team during the playoffs after being replaced with Drexler as the team's starting shooting guard.[55][56] Meanwhile, Murray signed with the newly expansion Toronto Raptors, Herrera signed with the San Antonio Spurs,[57][58] and Croatian rookie center Žan Tabak was left unprotected in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft, where he was selected by the Raptors.[59][60][61][62][63]

NBA draft

Main article: 1994 NBA draft
More information Round, Pick ...

Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...

Regular season

Season standings

More information W, L ...
More information #, Team ...

Record vs. opponents

More information Team, ATL ...

Game log

Regular season

More information 1994–95 game log Total: 47–35 (Home: 25–16; Road: 22–19), Game ...


Playoffs

More information 1995 playoff game log, Game ...

Player stats

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

Regular season

More information Player, GP ...

Playoffs

More information Player, GP ...

Playoffs

West First Round

(3) Utah Jazz vs. (6) Houston Rockets: Rockets win series 3-2

  • Game 1 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (April 27): Utah 102, Houston 100
  • Game 2 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (April 29): Houston 140, Utah 126
  • Game 3 @ The Summit, Houston (May 3): Utah 95, Houston 82
  • Game 4 @ The Summit, Houston (May 5): Houston 123, Utah 106
  • Game 5 @ Delta Center, Salt Lake City (May 7): Houston 95, Utah 91

Last Playoff Meeting: 1994 Western Conference Finals (Houston won 4–1)

West Conference semifinals

(2) Phoenix Suns vs. (6) Houston Rockets: Rockets win series 4-3

Last Playoff Meeting: 1994 Western Conference Semifinals (Houston won 4–3)

West Conference finals

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Houston Rockets: Rockets win series 4-2

  • Game 1 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 22): Houston 94, San Antonio 93
  • Game 2 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 24): Houston 106, San Antonio 96
  • Game 3 @ The Summit, Houston (May 26): San Antonio 107, Houston 102
  • Game 4 @ The Summit, Houston (May 28): San Antonio 103, Houston 81
  • Game 5 @ Alamodome, San Antonio (May 30): Houston 111, San Antonio 90
  • Game 6 @ The Summit, Houston (June 1): Houston 100, San Antonio 95

Last Playoff Meeting: 1981 Western Conference Semifinals (Houston won 4–3)

NBA Finals

1995 NBA Finals Roster

Head Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich
Hakeem Olajuwon | Clyde Drexler | Kenny Smith | Robert Horry | Sam Cassell | Mario Elie | Carl Herrera | Vernon Maxwell | Chucky Brown | Pete Chilcutt | Tracy Murray | Tim Breaux | Žan Tabak | Charles Jones | Adrian Caldwell |

Olajuwon vs. O'Neal

Although both centers played well, Olajuwon is generally considered to have outplayed O'Neal. Olajuwon outscored O'Neal in every game of the series and became one of the few players in NBA history to score at least 30 points in every game of an NBA Finals series:[64][65]

More information 1995 NBA Finals, Gm 1 ...

By winning his second straight NBA Finals MVP award, Hakeem Olajuwon became the sixth player to do so on multiple occasions, joining Willis Reed, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan. Olajuwon also joined Jordan as the only two players to win the award consecutively as of that time.

Series Summary

Main article: 1995 NBA Finals
More information Game, Date ...

Rockets win series 4–0

Award winners

  • Hakeem Olajuwon – NBA Finals Most Valuable Player
  • Hakeem Olajuwon – All-NBA Third Team

Transactions

References

  1. [1]
    1994-95 Houston Rockets
  2. [2]
    "PRO BASKETBALL; Drexler Traded for Otis Thorpe". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 15, 1995. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  3. [3]
    Heisler, Mark (February 15, 1995). "Portland Trades Drexler to Rockets: Pro Basketball: Trail Blazers Escape $9.75-Million Balloon Payment Due Next Season, Get Thorpe and a No. 1 Pick". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  4. [4]
    "Roundup". The Washington Post. February 15, 1995. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  5. [5]
    "Drexler to Rockets; Blazers Deal Disgruntled Star, Murray for Thorpe, Pick". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. February 15, 1995. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  6. [6]
    "Rockets Deal for Drexler". Tampa Bay Times. February 15, 1995. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  7. [7]
    "Rockets Place Herrera on Injured List". United Press International. February 2, 1995. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  8. [8]
    Heisler, Mark (June 7, 1995). "NBA FINALS: Both Teams Destined for Greatness: Analysis: It Seems Too Early for the Magic to Win It All. But for These Rockets, It's Never Too Late". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  9. [9]
    "It's Tough to Keep Up with These Joneses". Orlando Sentinel. June 11, 1995. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  10. [10]
    Bembry, Jerry (June 13, 1995). "From Fringe to Finals for Jones". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  11. [11]
    "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1995". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  12. [12]
    "1994–95 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  13. [13]
    Landman, Brian (February 11, 1995). "Will Shaq's Return Bring Double Trouble?". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  14. [14]
    Cotton, Anthony (February 12, 1995). "New-Age NBA Reaches for the Stars". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  15. [15]
    "1995 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  16. [16]
    "1995 NBA All-Star Game: West 139, East 112". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  17. [17]
    "1994–95 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  18. [18]
    Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 24, 1995). "It's a Slam Dunk: Robinson Wins MVP: Pro Basketball: Spurs' Center Receives 73 First-Place Votes to 12 for Magic's O'Neal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  19. [19]
    "1994–95 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  20. [20]
    "Mutombo Named NBA Defensive Player of the Year". United Press International. May 1, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  21. [21]
    "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Mutombo Honored". The New York Times. May 2, 1995. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  22. [22]
    Athreya, Arjun (April 23, 2020). ""You Could See the Steam Coming Out His Ears": When Hakeem Olajuwon Was Denied the 1995 NBA MVP Award". Essentially Sports. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  23. [23]
    Cline, Kenneth (April 23, 2020). "Houston Rockets: Olajuwon vs. Robinson: Reminiscing the Duel of the West". House of Houston. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  24. [24]
    "Malone Gives Jazz Victory Ride". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. May 4, 1995. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  25. [25]
    "Jazz 95, Rockets 82". United Press International. May 4, 1995. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  26. [26]
    "1995 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 3: Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets Box Score, May 3, 1995". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  27. [27]
    Friend, Tom (May 8, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Olajuwon Leads Charge as Rockets Oust Jazz". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  28. [28]
    "Backs to the Wall, Rockets Come Back: NBA Playoffs: Houston Plays Like a Champion to Beat Utah, 95–91, in Decisive Fifth Game". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 8, 1995. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  29. [29]
    "Rockets Leave Jazz with Same Old Tune". The Washington Post. May 8, 1995. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  30. [30]
    "1995 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. Jazz". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  31. [31]
    "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Johnson and Suns Rise as the Rockets Cling". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 15, 1995. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  32. [32]
    "Rockets No Match for Johnson's Magic: NBA Playoffs: He Scores 43 as Suns Rally for 114-110 Victory and 3-1 Lead in Series". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 15, 1995. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  33. [33]
    Justice, Richard (May 15, 1995). "Johnson's 43 Defuse Rockets". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  34. [34]
    Friend, Tom (May 21, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Rockets Retire Suns, and Maybe Barkley". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  35. [35]
    Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 21, 1995). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Rockets Still Know How to Survive: Western Conference: Elie's Shot Beats Suns, 115–114, and Completes Comeback from 3–1 Deficit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  36. [36]
    "Rocket Science Sets Suns; Houston Proves Comeback Formula Again, Shocking Barkley Into More Retirement Talk". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. May 21, 1995. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  37. [37]
    "1995 NBA Western Conference Semifinals: Rockets vs. Suns". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  38. [38]
    Brown, Clifton (June 2, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Rockets Do Homework and Return to Finals". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  39. [39]
    Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 2, 1995). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Rockets Still Have Dream of Repeating in the Finals: Western Conference: Olajuwon Leads Houston to 100–95 Victory over San Antonio to clinch series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  40. [40]
    "Goliath Rejects David, Spurs Olajuwon Tops Robinson; Horry Helps Rockets Roll". The Spokesman-Review. June 2, 1995. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  41. [41]
    "1995 NBA Western Conference Finals: Rockets vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  42. [42]
    Brown, Clifton (June 15, 1995). "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Rockets Sweep to 2d Straight Championship". The New York Times. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  43. [43]
    Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 15, 1995). "NBA FINALS: Two-Ring Circus Hits Houston: Pro Basketball: Olajuwon (who else?) Is MVP Again After Leading Rockets to Sweep of Magic". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  44. [44]
    Justice, Richard (June 15, 1995). "Rockets' Sweep Finishes Magic Season". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  45. [45]
    Guest, Larry (June 15, 1995). "Magic Are the Main Entree at This Friendly Texas Barbecue". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  46. [46]
    "1995 NBA Finals: Rockets vs. Magic". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  47. [47]
    MacKay, David (February 14, 2019). "Today in Rockets History: 1995, Houston Acquires Clyde Drexler for Title Run". USA Today. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  48. [48]
    "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Lucas and 76ers Give Maxwell a Shot". The New York Times. September 27, 1995. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  49. [49]
    "'Mad Max' Is Gone, Now It's Good Old Maxwell". Deseret News. Associated Press. September 27, 1995. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  50. [50]
    Long, Ernie (September 27, 1995). "Sixers Sign Another Project in Maxwell; Ex-Rocket Will Play Point Guard". The Morning Call. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  51. [51]
    "NBA ROUNDUP: Maxwell Allegedly Strikes Fan in Loss to Portland". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 7, 1995. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  52. [52]
    "Houston's Max Stays Forever Mad". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. February 7, 1995. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  53. [53]
    "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; It's Not Nice to Hit a Fan". The New York Times. February 8, 1995. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  54. [54]
    "PRO BASKETBALL; Maxwell Suspended and Is Fined $20,000". The New York Times. Associated Press. February 9, 1995. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  55. [55]
    "Disgruntled Maxwell Out for Year: Pro Basketball: Slighted by Backup Role, Rocket Guard Put on Indefinite Leave of Absence and Won't Return for Playoffs". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 3, 1995. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  56. [56]
    Rhoden, William C. (September 28, 1995). "Sports of the Times; Clean Slate for Maxwell in Philly". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  57. [57]
    Winderman, Ira (September 29, 1995). "Free Agent Herrera to Sign with Spurs". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  58. [58]
    "San Antonio Spurs Sign Five; Dennis Rodman Still in Limbo". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. September 30, 1995. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  59. [59]
    Wise, Mike (June 25, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Anthony Is No. 2 of the Secaucus 27". The New York Times. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  60. [60]
    Heisler, Mark (June 25, 1995). "Armstrong Becomes Top Expansion Pick: NBA: Raptors Take Guard from Bulls. Massenburg Also Headed to Toronto, While Lakers Lose Harvey to Vancouver". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  61. [61]
    Smith, Sam (June 25, 1995). "Toronto Picks Armstrong; May Not Trade Him". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  62. [62]
    "NBA Expansion Draft -- Point Guards Are Top Priority for Young Raptors, Grizzlies". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. June 25, 1995. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  63. [63]
    "1995 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  64. [64]
    History of the NBA Finals: Hakeem Olajuwon: The NBA’s Best In The Mid ’90s, hollywoodsportsbook.com, accessed February 16, 2007.
  65. [65]
    NBA Finals Records Archived 2007-10-13 at the Wayback Machine, Basketball.com, accessed February 16, 2007.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 1994–95_Houston_Rockets_season, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.