[Rockets History] How Hakeem Olajuwon led to James Harden

I remember each and every one of these transactions as it happened real time. @tinman, @Clutch, and other old timers can relate. Who knew Hakeem's irregular heart beat in 1997 would lead to the next three Rockets franchise players. Hakeem was, and still is, a gift that keeps on giving.

During the 1997-98 season, the injury riddled Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets led to a disappointing 41-41 record. Which eventually led to the 14th pick in the 1998 draft.

June 24, 1998: Michael Dickerson drafted by the Houston Rockets in the 1st round (14th pick) of the 1998 NBA Draft.

Here it's where it gets interesting. Dickerson was then shipped off the following year for a young stud who refused to play for Vancouver. Some cat named Steve Francis.

August 27, 1999: As part of a 3-team trade, traded by the Houston Rockets with Antoine Carr, Othella Harrington, Brent Price and a 2003 1st round draft pick (Marcus Banks was later selected) to the Vancouver Grizzlies; the Orlando Magic traded Don MacLean and a 2001 1st round draft pick (Jason Collins was later selected) to the Houston Rockets; the Orlando Magic traded a 2002 2nd round draft pick (Matt Barnes was later selected) to the Vancouver Grizzlies; the Vancouver Grizzlies traded Steve Francis and Tony Massenburg to the Houston Rockets; and the Vancouver Grizzlies traded Lee Mayberry, Makhtar N'Diaye, Rodrick Rhodes and Michael Smith to the Orlando Magic.

Francis and his iso ball had outstayed his welcome in Houston. A much change was much needed to pair Yao with another dominant player. Enter Tracy McGrady.

June 29, 2004: Traded by the Houston Rockets with Kelvin Cato and Cuttino Mobley to the Orlando Magic for Reece Gaines, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Tracy McGrady.

Though McGrady and Yao led the team to several winning seasons, the Rockets were not able to take it to the next level. Then came the infamous McGrady "quitting game" in Toronto. It was time again for another change. This time in a volume shooter by the name of Kevin Martin.

February 18, 2010: As part of a 3-team trade, traded by the Houston Rockets to the New York Knicks; the Houston Rockets traded Joey Dorsey and Carl Landry to the Sacramento Kings; the New York Knicks traded Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries and a 2012 1st round draft pick (Royce White was later selected) to the Houston Rockets; the New York Knicks traded Larry Hughes to the Sacramento Kings; the Sacramento Kings traded Hilton Armstrong and Kevin Martin to the Houston Rockets; and the Sacramento Kings traded Sergio Rodríguez to the New York Knicks. Houston had the option to swap 1st round draft picks with New York in 2011 but did not do so.

Oklahoma City had payroll issues, and they knew they could not afford James Harden, Durant, and Westbrook. It was time for them to ship off their 6th man to Houston.

October 27, 2012: Traded by the Houston Rockets with Jeremy Lamb, a 2013 1st round draft pick (Steven Adams was later selected), a 2013 2nd round draft pick (Álex Abrines was later selected) and a 2014 1st round draft pick (Mitch McGary was later selected) to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook, James Harden and Lazar Hayward.

This COVID stuff has gotten me nostalgic, and thinking of the old days of Rockets basketball. It's fascinating how history has played itself out over the years. I still vividly remember when Hakeem went down in 1997 with an irregular heart beat. Who knew Hakeem would still be in command of this franchise almost 25 years later. Thanks, Dream.

 

For those of you too young to remember

https://apnews.com/50f6fb052c14df8d49d27efd3678c731

 

Thanks again, Dream.

 

Can't wait to see what Harden leads to now

 

What are the chances Harden trade leads us to another franchise player? Terrible trade by Stone and Tillman