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NBA: Best player and coach pairing from each team’s history

By Tony Pesta

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - MARCH 2: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs talks with head coach Gregg Popovich during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 2, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Spurs won 106-78. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best coach/player pairing in Houston Rockets history: Rudy Tomjonavich & Hakeeem Olajuwon

When Michael Jordan suddenly announced his retirement from the NBA after the 1992-93 season, a window was opened up for the rest of the league. The Chicago Bulls had dominated for three straight seasons. Without Jordan to block the road, other NBA teams had a chance to finally win a title.

Ready to take full advantage of this opportunity were the Houston Rockets. With a prime Hakeem Olajuwon and a second-year head coach in Rudy Tomjonavich, the Rockets set their aims high. In the 1993-94 season, Olajuwon won the MVP Award by posting 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game.

Battling the New York Knicks in a seven-game series, the Rockets emerged victorious in 1994 with their first championship in franchise history. The entire team rallied together to accomplish this feat, but they weren’t finished yet.

Behind 32.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game in the 1995 NBA Finals, Olajuwon bested Shaquille O’Neal and delivered on back-to-back titles for Houston. Houston became the first sixth-seed to win a title while Olajuwon won the Finals MVP in both years.

Tomjonavich played a pivotal role in helping this group of underdogs earn the name of “Clutch City”. His guidance and leadership kept them on top despite being counted out multiple times. The Rockets never gave up and as a result, they won back-to-back titles.