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Houston Rockets: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

By Simon Smith

Dec 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets former players Calvin Murphy (left) and Rudy Tomjanovich (right) talk during a game against the New Orleans Pelicansat Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets former players Calvin Murphy (left) and Rudy Tomjanovich (right) talk during a game against the New Orleans Pelicansat Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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7. Robert Horry (SF/PF) — No. 11 pick in the 1992 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Rockets):  295 GP, 10.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 1.2 TOV, 44.7 FG%, 35.6 3P%, 74.2 FT%

Although he lasted just four seasons in Houston, Robert Horry’s influence was profound nonetheless. Due to missing out on the 1992 NBA Playoffs with a 42-40 season, the Rockets were able to land the 6’10” Horry to form a frontline alongside Hakeem Olajuwon and Otis Thorpe.

It was in just Horry’s second season in the league that the Rockets, and the league as a whole, witnessed a sign of things to come. That is, coming up huge in clutch moments. Horry was a key ingredient in helping the Rockets win their first ever title in 1994 against the New York Knicks.

At just 23 years of age, Horry averaged 37.9 minutes per game for the series, providing the athleticism and versatility that became synonymous throughout his career. This was even more impressive that it came up against such an experienced Knicks’ frontline featuring Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and Charles Smith.

The following year, Horry raised things to another level as the Rockets won back-to-back titles with a 4-0 whitewash of the Orlando Magic. It was during this series that Horry’s reputation simply went through the roof. For the Finals, Horry averaged 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. If it weren’t for Olajuwon, Horry would have made a very compelling case for Finals MVP.

But unfortunately for Horry and the Rockets, the versatile forward had somewhat stagnated by the end of the following season. And as a result, he was dealt to the Phoenix Suns in a package primarily in exchange for All-Star Charles Barkley.

In hindsight, it appears quite apparent that the Rockets gave up on Horry far too early. He would win another three championships in his seven seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, and then finish his career with the San Antonio Spurs by nabbing an additional two titles.

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