Houston Rockets · Franchise era 2 of 8
Moses and the first Finals: the Houston Rockets story
Franchise era
1976–77—1982–83
Moses and the first Finals
Houston Rockets
The story in one sentence
Moses Malone became the league's most punishing rebounder and carried a 40-win Houston team through the West to the 1981 NBA Finals.
Rebounding, force and an unexpected 1981 run
Moses Malone, Calvin Murphy and Rudy Tomjanovich gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for the twin towers—and dream takes over.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1976–77
What came before
The Rockets began in San Diego, moved to Houston in 1971 and built their first lasting identity around Hayes, Murphy and Tomjanovich.
1981
Western Conference Semifinals: Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs
1981
Western Conference Finals: Houston Rockets vs Kansas City Kings
1981
NBA Finals: Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics
After 1982–83
What came next
Houston paired Sampson with Olajuwon, reached the 1986 Finals and then reorganized around Hakeem as injuries dissolved the original Twin Towers plan.
The core