2000–01 Houston Rockets season

March 2026 August 2023 Houston Rockets 2001 45 37 Midwest 5 9 Rudy Tomjanovich Compaq Center KTBUFox Sports Net Southwest KTRH Did not qualify HOU The 2000–01 Houston Rockets season was the 34th season for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association, and their 30th season in Houston, Texas. Houston Rockets Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Rockets received the ninth overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft, and selected center Joel Przybilla from the University of Minnesota; however, the team soon traded Przybilla to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for rookie center, and first-round draft pick Jason Collier out of Georgia Tech University on draft day. Associated Press NBA Draft 2000: Nets Make Martin the Pick of the Litter ESPN June 29, 2000 https://www.espn.com/nba/draft00/s/2000/0628/608939.html November 8, 2024 Wise Mike Clippers Go to High School and Select Miles The New York Times June 29, 2000 https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/sports/basketball/062900bkn-draft.html July 24, 2021 2000 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2000.html December 1, 2022 In an effort to shore up their front line, the Rockets signed free agent Maurice Taylor during the off-season. ESPN.com News Services NBA: Rockets Find Replacement for Barkley ESPN August 25, 2000 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2000/0825/704036.html November 8, 2024 White Lonnie Rockets Sign Mo Taylor Los Angeles Times August 26, 2000 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-26-sp-10768-story.html?_amp=true January 11, 2022 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: West Side Story, the Sequel The New York Times October 30, 2000 https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/30/sports/pro-basketball-west-side-story-the-sequel.html July 16, 2022 Regular season With the addition of Taylor, and after the retirement of All-Star forward Charles Barkley, the Rockets got off to a 13–9 start to the regular season, but then went on a six-game losing streak afterwards. The team held a 25–25 record at the All-Star break, NBA Games Played on February 8, 2001 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=8&year=2001 September 12, 2022 and then played above .500 basketball for the remainder of the season. However, the Rockets failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs despite finishing in fifth place in the Midwest Division with a winning record of 45–37, which was two games behind the 8th–seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. 2000–01 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2001_games.html June 26, 2021 Second-year star Steve Francis averaged 19.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game, and led the Rockets with 133 three-point field goals, while Cuttino Mobley averaged 19.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and Taylor provided the team with 13.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. In addition, Hakeem Olajuwon contributed 11.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, but only played 58 games due to a blood condition in his left leg, Associated Press N.B.A.: Roundup: Blood Disease May End Olajuwon's Career The New York Times March 14, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/14/sports/nba-roundup-blood-disease-may-end-olajuwon-s-career.html November 26, 2022 Blood Disorder Sidelines Olajuwon Los Angeles Times March 14, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-mar-14-sp-37599-story.html July 16, 2022 Olajuwon Has Blood Disorder Associated Press March 13, 2001 https://apnews.com/article/a605340d03912f713ef8f16a1ea82e85 October 25, 2022 while Shandon Anderson provided with 8.7 points per game, Walt Williams contributed 8.3 points per game, and second-year forward Kenny Thomas averaged 7.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. 2000–01 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2001.html June 26, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., Francis was selected for the NBA Rookie Challenge Game, as a member of the Sophomores team, Liao Henry Rookies Game Lineup Known Philippine Daily Inquirer January 15, 2001 A22 https://books.google.com/books?id=OH42AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA22&dq=2001+NBA+rookie+sophomore+jason+terry&article_id=567,33422707&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjPwZWE8J-QAxXm5skDHcPRLjoQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=2001%20NBA%20rookie%20sophomore%20jason%20terry&f=false October 16, 2025 2001 NBA Rising Stars: Sophomores 121, Rookies 113 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2001_rookie.html October 16, 2025 while Mobley participated in the NBA 2Ball Competition, along with Sheryl Swoopes of the WNBA's Houston Comets. NBA All-Star Weekend Telegraph Herald February 11, 2001 6C https://books.google.com/books?id=dYleAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA42&dq=2001+NBA+slam+dunk+contest+baron+davis&article_id=3025,2122344&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUl_Cip5-QAxU25MkDHe-UFVg4ChDoAXoECA0QAw#v=onepage&q=2001%20NBA%20slam%20dunk%20contest%20baron%20davis&f=false October 16, 2025 Bender Patricia 2001 All-Star Weekend - at Washington: February 9-11 Eskimo.com https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/all-star01.txt October 16, 2025 The Rockets finished last in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 518,555 at the Compaq Center during the regular season, which was 29th in the league. 2000–01 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2001.html January 25, 2026 Aftermath This season also marked an end of an era as Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors following the season, after seventeen seasons with the Rockets. Broussard Chris Pro Basketball: Carter Agrees to Contract; Olajuwon to Join Raptors The New York Times August 2, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/02/sports/pro-basketball-carter-agrees-to-contract-olajuwon-to-join-raptors.html March 14, 2017 Associated Press Carter Is Staying, Olajuwon Coming Los Angeles Times August 2, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-aug-02-sp-29714-story.html June 3, 2022 ESPN.com News Services NBA: Olajuwon: "I Feel Like a Rookie Again" ESPN August 13, 2001 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/0731/1233602.html October 25, 2024 Meanwhile, Anderson was traded to the New York Knicks, Associated Press NBA: Rice Will Go to Rockets, Anderson to Knicks ESPN August 11, 2001 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/0810/1237668.html November 7, 2024 Gardner Kris Glen Rice Heads to Houston The Houston Roundball Review August 10, 2001 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'01-'02/2001_off-season/0810Rice_to_Houston.html November 7, 2024 Robbins Liz Pro Basketball: Looking for Balance, the Knicks Trade Rice The New York Times August 11, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/11/sports/pro-basketball-looking-for-balance-the-knicks-trade-rice.html January 11, 2022 while Carlos Rogers signed as a free agent with the Indiana Pacers, Pacers Sign Carlos Rogers United Press International September 6, 2001 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/09/06/Pacers-sign-Carlos-Rogers/4436999748800/ June 23, 2022 Marot Michael Missing Pacers Forward Suspended Associated Press February 12, 2002 https://apnews.com/article/12669941f4371b2b93290cffd9ed0a29 November 26, 2022 and three-point specialist Matt Bullard signed with the Charlotte Hornets. Hornets Nab Matt Bullard United Press International August 13, 2001 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/08/13/Hornets-nab-Matt-Bullard/6223997675200/ June 23, 2022 Brown Goes to Miami Orlando Sentinel August 14, 2001 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2001/08/14/brown-goes-to-miami-2/ November 8, 2024 Draft picks 2000 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 9 Joel Przybilla C United States Minnesota 2 38 Eduardo Nájera PF/SF Mexico Oklahoma Roster Houston Rockets 2000-01 #1D2951 #FFFFFF #B50000 #FFFFFF 40 Shandon Anderson G/F 6 6 208 1973–12–31 Georgia 50 Matt Bullard F 6 10 215 1967–06–05 Iowa 13 Kelvin Cato F/C 6 11 255 1974–08–26 Iowa State 52 Jason Collier C 7 0 260 1977–09–08 Georgia Tech yes 20 Sean Colson G 6 0 175 1975–07–01 Charlotte 3 Steve Francis G 6 3 195 1977–02–21 Maryland 14 Dan Langhi F 6 11 220 1977–11–28 Vanderbilt 5 Cuttino Mobley G/F 6 4 190 1975–09–01 Rhode Island 12 Moochie Norris G 6 1 175 1973–07–27 West Florida 34 Hakeem Olajuwon C 7 0 255 1963–01–21 Houston 6 Carlos Rogers basketball F/C 6 11 220 1971–02–06 Tennessee State 2 Maurice Taylor F/C 6 9 260 1976–10–30 Michigan yes 21 Kenny Thomas basketball F 6 7 261 1977–07–25 New Mexico 42 Walt Williams basketball F 6 8 219 1970–04–16 Maryland Rudy Tomjanovich Jim Boylen Larry Smith Mike Wells https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2001.html Regular season Season standings HOU HOU z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log Regular season Houston Rockets 2001 #1D2951 #B50000 Total: 45–37 (Home: 24–17; Road: 21–20) Houston Rockets October yes #B50000 #1D2951 0 1 0 0 Houston Rockets November #B50000 #1D2951 6 1 3 5 |- style="background:#cfc" | 2 | November 2, 2000 | Milwaukee | 0020000023 115 93 | | | | Compaq Center | 1–1 |- style="background:#cfc" | 5 | November 7, 2000 | L.A. Lakers | 0020000058 84 74 | | | | Compaq Center | 2–3 |- style="background:#fcc" | 8 | November 12, 2000 | @ L.A. Lakers | 0020000098 99 105 | | | | Staples Center | 3–5 |- style="background:#cfc" | 10 | November 16, 2000 | Charlotte | 0020000121 84 80 | | | | Compaq Center | 5–5 |- style="background:#fcc" | 15 | November 28, 2000 | Sacramento | 0020000205 81 88 | | | | Compaq Center | 8–7 Houston Rockets December #B50000 #1D2951 1 6 4 2 |- style="background:#cfc" | 18 | December 5, 2000 | Dallas | 0020000256 109 102 | | | | Compaq Center | 10–8 |- style="background:#fcc" | 19 | December 8, 2000 | @ Sacramento | 0020000282 98 111 | | | | ARCO Arena | 10–9 |- style="background:#fcc" | 24 | December 19, 2000 | San Antonio | 0020000356 79 86 | | | | Compaq Center | 13–11 |- style="background:#fcc" | 25 | December 21, 2000 | L.A. Lakers | 0020000373 94 99 | | | | Compaq Center | 13–12 |- style="background:#fcc" | 27 | December 26, 2000 | @ San Antonio | 0020000404 95 103 | | | | Alamodome | 13–14 |- style="background:#cfc" | 29 | December 30, 2000 | @ Dallas | 0020000431 114 99 | | | | Reunion Arena | 14–15 Houston Rockets January #B50000 #1D2951 3 4 5 4 |- style="background:#cfc" | 34 | January 9, 2001 | @ Toronto | 0020000496 110 91 | | | | Air Canada Centre | 17–17 |- style="background:#fcc" | 36 | January 13, 2001 | Sacramento | 0020000528 81 88 | | | | Compaq Center | 18–18 |- style="background:#cfc" | 38 | January 16, 2001 | Toronto | 0020000549 114 99 | | | | Compaq Center | 19–19 |- style="background:#fcc" | 40 | January 19, 2001 | @ L.A. Lakers | 0020000571 101 114 | | | | Staples Center | 20–20 |- style="background:#fcc" | 42 | January 24, 2001 | Philadelphia | 0020000604 84 85 1 | | | | Compaq Center | 20–22 |- style="background:#cfc" | 44 | January 27, 2001 | @ Charlotte | 0020000620 110 97 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 22–22 Houston Rockets February #B50000 #1D2951 5 2 4 2 |- style="background:#fcc" | 47 | February 3, 2001 | @ San Antonio | 0020000674 88 90 | | | | Alamodome | 22–25 |- style="background:#cfc" | 49 | February 7, 2001 | @ Philadelphia | 0020000698 112 87 | | | | First Union Center | 24–25 Houston Rockets March #B50000 #1D2951 6 1 3 5 |- style="background:#cfc" | 59 | March 1, 2001 | @ Milwaukee | 0020000834 108 91 | | | | Bradley Center | 32–27 |- style="background:#fcc" | 60 | March 3, 2001 | @ Dallas | 0020000848 95 100 | | | | Reunion Arena | 32–28 |- style="background:#cfc" | 67 | March 17, 2001 | San Antonio | 0020000957 103 99 | | | | Compaq Center | 38–29 |- style="background:#fcc" | 68 | March 20, 2001 | @ Sacramento | 0020000976 109 125 | | | | ARCO Arena | 38–30 Houston Rockets April #B50000 #1D2951 3 2 2 2 |- style="background:#fcc" | 75 | April 3, 2001 | Dallas | 0020001069 97 109 | | | | Compaq Center | 40–35 HOU 2001 Player statistics Season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPGPPGShandon Anderson 82 82 29.2 .446 .271 .734 4.1 2.3 1.0 .5 8.7Matt Bullard 61 5 16.4 .423 .404 .714 2.1 .7 .2 .1 5.8Kelvin Cato 35 13 17.8 .577 .649 4.0 .3 .4 .9 4.7Jason Collier 23 0 9.7 .380 .000 .708 1.6 .3 .1 .1 3.1Sean Colson† 10 0 3.0 .316 .250 .500 .3 .7 .1 .0 1.5Steve Francis 80 79 39.9 .451 .396 .817 6.9 6.5 1.8 .4 19.9Dan Langhi 33 0 7.3 .374 .000 .552 1.2 .1 .2 .0 2.7Anthony Miller basketball† 1 0 3.0 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0Cuttino Mobley 79 49 38.0 .434 .357 .831 5.0 2.5 1.1 .3 19.5Moochie Norris 82 6 20.2 .446 .281 .778 2.4 3.5 .8 .0 6.6Hakeem Olajuwon 58 55 26.6 .498 .000 .621 7.4 1.2 1.2 1.5 11.9Carlos Rogers basketball 39 0 13.9 .682 .000 .558 3.6 .2 .3 .5 4.6Maurice Taylor 69 69 28.6 .489 .000 .735 5.5 1.5 .4 .6 13.0Kenny Thomas basketball 74 21 24.6 .443 .272 .722 5.6 1.0 .5 .6 7.1Walt Williams basketball 72 31 22.0 .394 .395 .770 3.4 1.3 .4 .4 8.3 Player statistics citation: Transactions List of 2000–01 NBA season transactions References See also 2000–01 NBA season Category:Houston Rockets seasons Houston Category:2000 in sports in Texas Category:2001 in sports in Texas Category:2000 in Houston Category:2001 in Houston