HOUSTON (AP) -- Ray Patterson, who presided over one NBA title and four conference titles as president of the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets, has died at the age of 89. Patterson's son, former Rockets general manager Steve Patterson, says his father died Wednesday evening at home in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land after a long battle with heart and lung diseases. Funeral arrangements are pending. KRIV-TV of Houston first reported Patterson's death. Patterson was the first president of the expansion Milwaukee Bucks, who won the 1971 NBA title in their third year after formation. The Houston Rockets hired him as their president and general manager after their first season in Houston in 1971-72. The Rockets went to the NBA finals twice under his management and hosted the 1989 All-Star game. http://www.nba.com/2011/news/08/03/ray-patterson.ap/index.html Too young to have ever heard of him.
He drafted Hakeem Olajuwon, thats all we need to know to give respects. And he did it by old school tanking.
RIP Mr Patterson, you drafted many career backups but 1 HOFer. May you draft no career backups in the great beyond, only all stars.
For those who never heard of Ray Patterson, this is all you need to know - - he brought the Rox to Houston. He kept the Rox in Houston through some funky arenas and very rough times. The man is the patron saint of Houston professional basketball. Ray was a giant, the best. Thank you, Mr Patterson, for all you did for Houston basketball. You will always be remembered as a very good person.
Despite that McCray over Drexler stuff and willingness to keep Ralph in that negotiations with Portland for the second overall pick [Michael Jordan], he created the face of this franchise. If there was no Hakeem, there were no clutchfans probably
The man was way before my time, but no doubt he laid much of the foundation for Houston NBA basketball. Rest in peace.
Here's a good article on Patterson http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/fran_blinebury/08/04/ray-patterson/index.html
I remember seeing Patterson at Hofheinz Pavilion when the Rockets first moved to Houston. The Arena would only be about half full, and Patterson would be sitting all by himself about ten rows from the top. Patterson played a pivotal role for the Rockets in those early years.
Funny it's coming a time when we're discussing Leslie & Tilman, sounds like this is the guy we all want and deserve. R.I.P.
Very surprised, pleasantly, to find this bumped. Mr Patterson should be remembered, always. He is the history chapter that starts the tome of The Houston Rockets. He should have a statue. A jersey should be hung from the rafters w/'RP#1' on it.
