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What is in a name? The origins of some NBA teams’ names have a history. For instance, did the Houston Rockets get their name due to Houston, Texas being NASA’s headquarters? In fact, the Rockets originated in San Diego. The franchise chose “Rockets” in a “name-the-team” contest. It based this choice on the motto of San Diego, “A City in Motion.”

Indeed, the Rockets have been flying towards the NBA finals since the Rockets joined the NBA during the 1971-1972. Prior to the season’s start, the team relocated from San Diego, California; to Houston, Texas. The name “Rockets” was ideal, as Houston was NASA’s headquarters. Unfortunately, the Rockets ended the season with a 34-48 record.

The Rockets’ climb to the top of the NBA totem pole would take over two decades. About a decade later, they took their first step in the 1980-1981 season. Though they earned a losing record of 40-42, the Rockets crept into the playoffs. They first shocked the world champion Los Angeles Lakers. Then they defeated the San Antonio Spurs (4-3) and the Kansas City Kings (4-1), but lost in the NBA Finals to the mighty Boston Celtics (4-2).

During the 1985-1986 season, the Rockets returned to prominence, thanks primarily to the play of Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon. They finished the regular season at 43-31. The Rockets then blasted their way to the NBA finals, fairly easily. They beat the Sacramento Kings (3-0), Denver Nuggets (4-2), and Los Angeles Lakers (4-2). However, the Celtics simply overpowered the Rockets in the NBA Finals (4-2).

In the 1993-1994 season, the Rockets soared to success. After becoming victors in the first 15 games of the season, they eventually earned a 58-24 record. Hakeen Olajuawon and a solid supporting cast marched into the playoffs. They defeated the Portland Trailblazers (3-2), Phoenix Suns (4-3), and Utah Jazz (4-1). In the NBA Finals, the Rockets faced the New York Knicks. Olajuwon blocked John Starks’ final shot at the buzzer, securing a Rockets victory. They would win Game 7 and their first NBA Championship.

In the following season, the Rockets would defend their NBA crown. They completed the regular season with a marginally good 47-35 record. Their road through the playoffs included series victories over the Utah Jazz (3-2,), the Phoenix Suns (4-3), and San Antonio Spurs (4-2). In the first two series, the Rockets had to battle back from 2-1 and 3-1 deficits, respectively. The Rockets completed an amazing season by sweeping the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals.

The Houston Rockets have retired the jersey numbers of five players, through their franchise’s history:

Clyde Drexler - #22 (Forward) 1994-1998

Moses Malone - #24 (Center) 1976-1982

Calvin Murphy - #32 (Guard) 1970-1983

Hakeem Olajuwon #34 (Center) 1984-2001

Rudy Tomjanovich #45 (Forward) 1970-1981

Throughout the Houston Rockets’ history, the sky has been the limit. Though they have experienced challenging games, series, and seasons, they have constantly moved onwards and upwards. Use Houston Rockets merchandise to cheer on the Rockets as they blast towards another NBA championship!


Rick Grantham is an avid sports fan. Most of Rick’s articles focus on houston rockets merchandise. Many articles are related to nba collectible and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village

The NBA’s impact on the world could be considered minimal, if it were not for the advanced technology of global television and the personal outreach both to and from the team members. This is exemplified by the NBA China experience. Chinese citizens are extremely knowledgeable about the players and the game itself and enjoy watching it on television. It is also considered a gesture of friendship that team members are participating on a global scale with other sports minded people. China is just one country that is being reached out to by the NBA Events and Promotions Department.

Even in countries where basketball is behind soccer as a popular sport, the interest shown in the game and the activities surrounding the game are an important commercial message from the United States. Yet, the connection between the international fans and the team members was anything but commercial. The fans knew the team members and their playing style; they knew the colors and jersey numbers of favorite players, and they were enthusiastic in their support both for the team members and for the game.

Perhaps more than any other single factor in the global impact of the NBA is the presence of 7′6″ center Yao Ming from China. Ming currently plays for the Houston Rockets and was their first round draft choice in 2002. Previously he played for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association. The tallest player in the NBA, he is also the first draft choice in the NBA to be selected with no American playing experience. Even to allow Yao Ming to play for the NBA required extensive negotiations and agreements about the details of his playing experience. The cooperation between countries is another impact that the NBA has provided globally.

The NBA program known as Basketball Without Borders is another global awareness program. Basketball Without Borders is a program that uses basketball as a method to implement social change. Dozens of present and former NBA team personnel and players act as camp coaches in the program. Young people from many economic, national and cultural backgrounds are united each year on four continents to learn together through playing basketball. The program teaches basketball, but includes a forum for social issues and emphasizes the awareness of healthy living and education.

To date, the program has been presented in nine countries on five continents. More than 250 different NBA team personnel, coaches and players from 30 different NBA teams serve as camp coaches for 1200 youngsters from 100 countries or territories. The volunteers and the campers have racked up more than 85 million travel miles and donated more than one million hours of community service.

Additional people have been reached through the community relations outreach efforts wherever the camps are held. In addition, 37 NBA Cares Legacy Project sites have been created in communities outside the United States and Canada. These sites are places where children and families can come to grow, play and learn. For example, a Learn & Play Center in the desperately poor township of Soweto, South Africa was built in 2003. In 2004, at a Reading and Learning Center, held at Vila Olimpica de Jornalista Ary de Carvalho, the crew held Basketball and Books clinics and conducted Read to Achieve events.

Other events and facilities include those in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Beijing, China, Shanghai, China, Vilnius, Lithuania, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Paris, France. The NBA program has built dormitories, basketball courts, clinics, laundry facility and guest house, library and computer center for a school, dining halls, and Habitat for Humanity Homes. In addition to the basketball clinics, the Basketball Without Walls program offers educational and awareness programs such as literacy, HIV/AIDS awareness, Special Olympics clinic, Skills for Life in a Box, Healthy Lifestyle Clinic, Fitness Clinic, and numerous visits to schools, hospitals, clinics and medical facilities.

With this type of personal interaction all over the world it is hardly surprising that the NBA truly has a global impact. The mobilization of money, talent and materials toward specific projects not only means high visibility for the sports organization, but the one-on-one contact with the young people involved in the project is a personal outreach that cannot be matched elsewhere.

In addition to the group projects through the NBA, other projects are being funded directly by NBA players. Given this personal contact, it is not surprising that there are fans of NBA teams all over the world, and widespread support for the principles espoused and demonstrated by the organization.

Grant Eckert is a freelance writer who writes about sports and leisure activities, similar to what consumers read in SLAM Magazine

Where have all the cowboys gone? Well, where else could they be. They are only in Texas. Great men live in this place and it is one of the states, wherein you can find the best athletes in the United States. Their track record speaks for this. Therefore, if you want to find out 3 of the best athletes that played for this state, then check out their bests below:

1. Chuck Howley- This is one of the legends in National Football league. Although born in West Virginia, this football star began his professional Career with the Chicago Team. After attending West Virginia University, where he had a flourishing collegiate career, he was drafted to play for the Bears. He was one of the all-stars, who gave up his career in football due to a serious knee-injury during a 28-21 loss to Los Angeles Rams in 1959. He had been pumping gas for a living back at this hometown in West Virginia. With future unclear, 2 years after, he recuperated from the injury he made a comeback playing. This time around, he was no longer with the Bears but he was drafted for the Dallas Cowboys. He helped the team win four games. He made a mark when he was awarded the most valuable player in Super Bowl. He was given the title because of the intercepts he made on the passes. He made a mark by being the first defensive player aired as MVP despite on the losing team. His comeback was big until he injured his other knee. After playing 14 amazing seasons with his new team, he retired in 1973.

2. Hakeem Olajuwon- This person is a native of Nigeria who came to America to play for University of Houston. This 7-feet tall guy, was drafted to play for the Houston Rockets in 1984. With his towering height, he made a big contribution to the success of Houston Rockets as a team where he played as Center. According to wikipedia, he was the only NBA player who grabbed all three important awards in one season (MVP, Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year). This beloved athlete is now inducted as a Hall of fame for basketball this year. As a man of faith in Muslim practice, made a better mark in basketball through imbibing the Quran to his daily life.

3. Alex Rodriguez- Although a native of New York, this major league baseball star, played for the Texas Rangers after becoming a free agent. He had a great contract with them, garnering 252 million dollars for a 10-year contract with the new team. This is where he greatly improved his performance in baseball. He won a lot of awards during his years with Texas. Among them are American League MVP award in 2003 and Gold Glove award in 2002.

From all of these, Texas have what it takes to make the best athletes in the world. From Houston Rockets basketball team to Dallas cowboys Football team, you name it, they are the most competent players you can find all over America.


Freddie Brister is a huge fan of the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys. Check out his Dallas Cowboys Merchandise

Do you believe in magic? Though only about two decades old, the Orlando Magic have already made 10 appearances in the NBA playoffs, won three division crowns, a pair of trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, and one trip to the NBA Finals. Next on the team’s wish list is their franchise’s first NBA Championship.

What is magical about Orlando’s name? After a “name the team” contest, the three finalists were:

• The Juice

• The Magic

• The Tropics

The franchise chose “The Magic,” which alludes to Orlando’s top attraction: The Walt Disney World Resort. As the largest and most visited resort on Earth, it is indeed magical for both the children and adults who visit it.

After a four-year grassroots effort, the Orlando Magic began an NBA expansion team during the 1989-1990 season. Unfortunately, their first season in the league was less than magical. The New Jersey Nets trapped the Magic in a 118-110 loss, during the franchise opener. Unfortunately, the Magic’s first NBA season was also disappointing, at 18-64.

However, the Magic had a magical year just five years after the entering the NBA. They had added Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal (Center), and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway (Guard) to their roster, making them true contenders in the NBA. In fact, Orlando finished the 1994-1995 season with an outstanding record of 57-25.

In their mere second trip to the playoffs, the Magic made opponents disappear into thin air. They would crush the Boston Celtics (3-1), outplay Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls (4-2), and nip the Indiana Pacers (4-3). Nevertheless, in the NBA Finals the Orlando seemed to run out of magic. In Game 1, the Houston Rockets knotted up the score with a buzzer-beater shot, and eventually won in overtime. They won the NBA Championship by sweeping the Orlando Magic (4-0).

During the next season (1995-1996), the Orlando Magic earned a spectacular 60-22 regular season record, heading into the playoffs. Orlando steamrolled the Detroit Pistons (3-0), and then the Atlanta Hawks (4-1). However, Michael Jordan and the Bulls would avenge their Eastern Conference Championship loss to the Magic, during the previous year. This time, they trampled the Magic (4-0).

In about two decades, the Orlando Magic’s rosters have included some of the biggest all-stars in the NBA, including:

Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway

Hardaway has been in four All-Star games and on three All-NBA teams.

Grant Hill (2000-2007)

Hill was the 1995 NBA co-”Rookie of the Year,” and has been in seven NBA All-Star games.

Dwight Howard

Howard has played in two NBA All-Star games, and was the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Champion.

Tracy McGrady

Grady has been in seven NBA All-Star games and has earned two NBA scoring titles

Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal

Shaq has won four NBA Championships, and has been in 14 All-Star games.

Although they are one of the youngest teams in the NBA, the Orlando Magic has already advanced deep into the NBA finals. Use Orlando Magic merchandise to cheer on the team as it strives to make an NBA Finals trophy appear!


Rick Grantham is an avid sports fan. Most of Rick’s articles focus on Orlando Magic merchandise. Many articles are related to NBA team store and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village

Round 1

Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. Portland Trailblazers (8): The Lakers are built to win a championship and are probably in their prime as a team. The Blazers could certainly win a championship, but a couple of years from now, not this season. The Greg Oden-Andrew Bynum matchup should be a great one between two of the best young centers in the game, but the series as a whole should be pretty one-sided. (Result: Lakers in four.)

New Orleans Hornets (2) vs. Dallas Mavericks (7): Three years ago, most people would have laughed at this matchup, saying the Hornets are no match for the Mavericks. Well, some people may laugh at it now, but for the exact opposite reason. Chris Paul has turned this team around and New Orleans finds itself as a real contender for the conference title. Dallas’ window seems to have closed, an occurrence that was not helped by last season’s Jason Kidd trade. (Result: Hornets in five.)

Houston Rockets (3) vs. Phoenix Suns (6): This is the year that Tracy McGrady will finally get out of the first round, but it will have more to do with Ron Artest’s presence on the court than his own. McGrady is wearing down physically and Artest is a beast. Phoenix has some life left in them, but not enough to win this matchup. I see this as the best series of the first round. (Result: Rockets in seven.)

4. Utah Jazz (4) vs. San Antonio Spurs (5): The Spurs will struggle somewhat without Manu Ginobili for the first couple of months of the season, but they’ll be rounding into form come playoff time. The Jazz are a really good team, and in the Eastern Conference they’d be a major threat. But I can’t see them beating the experience and know-how of this Spurs team, even if the San Antonio bench is shallower than a kiddy pool. (Result: Spurs in seven.)

Conference Semifinals

Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. San Antonio Spurs (5): In a rematch of last season’s conference finals, the edge has to go to the Lakers once again. The Spurs are much less deep than they were during last season’s playoff run, while the Lakers were without blossoming center Andrew Bynum. Duncan, Parker and Ginobili can make this series competitive on their own, but they can’t win it on their own. (Result: Lakers in six.)

New Orleans Hornets (2) vs. Houston Rockets (3): Coming off what should be a tough series with Phoenix, the Rockets just won’t have enough steam to keep up with CP3 and company. The Rockets are capable of winning this series, but the physical and mental toll of a seven gamer will play a factor. Chris Paul just won’t let his team lose and will lead them to the conference finals. (Result: Hornets in six)

Conference Finals

Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs. New Orleans Hornets (2): Kobe vs. CP3, now those are NBA tickets that I’d love to get my hands on. Kobe took Paul’s MVP award last season, and now he’ll take the conference title. The Lakers are the best team in the conference and should go all the way to the NBA Finals this season. (Result: Lakers in six.)

Find your NBA tickets and more at http://www.stubhub.com/nba-tickets/.


Morgan C. Dunn wrote this article in association with StubHub. If you are looking for NBA tickets, sports tickets, theatre tickets, concert tickets, or any other kinds of tickets, StubHub.com is one of the best places to find them.

The Western Conference matches has always been tough and competitive, especially where Rockets shoot against rivals like Mavericks and Spurs. The fire burners in Rockets this season are stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. No fan can afford to miss Rockets tickets at this moment. Before you capture your seats at Toyota Center and help them get a home advantage, let’s know more about them.

They took off in 1967, as San Diego Rockets, but fans lost interest in them in four seasons itself. They relocated to Houston in 1971, only to find that city crowd was mad about football. The Rockets, now named Houston Rockets, gained their popularity slowly. The first season was witnessed only by 4966 fans per game, on an average. It took four years to reach the playoffs; Calvin Murphy and Rudy Tomjanovich were their key players. Next year they adopted Moses Malone directly from high school. This was a fair decision as it led to their Central Division win in 1977.

Going steady they reached NBA Finals in 1986, but lost. Losing much of that team to injuries, Rockets started on their downfall. Come 1990s and they had Olajuwon and Tomjanovich (coach) to lead the team to 15 consecutive wins. Clyde Drexler also joined the team and Rockets won the championship title back-to-back in 1994-95. In these finals Rockets were matched against tough New York Knicks and Orlando Magic respectively, but the Hakeem Olajuwon’s fire gutted them all and he won NBA Finals MVP both seasons.

Recently the Rockets tickets have been going low as last season didn’t bring much excitement and win. They lost in the first round itself. But things look more promising coming season, as the team is being fuelled by Coach Rick Adelman and the Rockets are ready to burn off with Mike James, Steve Francis, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Luis Scola and Bonzi Wells. Fans can hold on to their Rockets tickets and hope to see their newly crafted offence; the team is already known to have the best defense in the whole Conference.

Not only the team but their mascot, “Clutch”, the bear, is very popular too. It was spotted in the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006, after being nominated the 5th-most recognizable mascot by USA Today, last year. They have played at various arenas previously as Hofheinz Pavilion, HemisFair Arena and The Summit. Currently the Rockets are housed in the Toyota Center, Houston, Texas. This is a leading venue in NBA and spectators just love it, as it is also called “fan-friendly’. So go on and cheer Rockets to win in their home ground.

The season tickets are already open and you can buy them online, from an authorized Rockets tickets broker. These sites give full information on the seating plan of the venue, upcoming games and their highlights. You can also catch the latest gossip and news about Rockets on Rockets tickets sites. The tickets are shipped straight to your home.

So what are you waiting for? Blast off with the Rockets and enjoy the trip.

For more great sports information and Rockets Tickets resources visit the author’s website which is loaded with team and venue history , as well as more Rockets tickets articles.