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Houston Rockets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Rockets

By Phil Watson

Apr 21, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; General view inside Toyota Center before game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; General view inside Toyota Center before game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 1977: Guard Mike Newlin of the Houston Rockets goes airborne between guards Randy Smith (L) and Ernie DiGregorio #15 of the Buffalo Braves as teammate Kevin Kunnert #44 watches during a National Basketball Association game at the Memorial Auditorium in March 1977 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – MARCH 1977: Guard Mike Newlin of the Houston Rockets goes airborne between guards Randy Smith (L) and Ernie DiGregorio #15 of the Buffalo Braves as teammate Kevin Kunnert #44 watches during a National Basketball Association game at the Memorial Auditorium in March 1977 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

169. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 2nd round pick from Utah, 1971 NBA Draft.. SG. 1971-79. Mike Newlin. 23. player

Outside the glare of the national spotlight, Mike Newlin put together three very good seasons at Utah, finishing his three-year varsity career with averages of 23.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

The San Diego Rockets, who would move to Houston three months later, selected Newlin in the second round of the 1971 NBA Draft.

HOU_23_NEWLIN
HOU_23_NEWLIN /

He became a starter at shooting guard in his second season and remained in that role for most of his time with the Rockets.

Newlin was a terrific foul shooter, finishing third in the NBA in free-throw shooting in 1972-73 and fourth in both 1976-77 and 1977-78.

Newlin was part of the Houston club that reached the conference finals for the first time in franchise history in 1977, as well.

In October 1979, the Rockets traded Newlin to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for a 1980 second-round pick.

In eight seasons in Houston, Newlin averaged 14.0 points, 4.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 29.2 minutes per game, shooting 46.1 percent from the floor and 86.4 percent at the line.

Newlin continued his dead-eye routine at the stripe with the Nets, finishing third in free-throw shooting in 1980-81 after a fifth-place spot in 1979-80.

He was traded to the New York Knicks in June 1981 and retired after being waived by the Knicks in October 1982.

Newlin is 27th in NBA history with a free-throw percentage of .870.

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