Houston Rockets · Franchise era 3 of 8
The Twin Towers—and Dream takes over: the Houston Rockets story
Franchise era
1983–84—1992–93
The Twin Towers—and Dream takes over
Houston Rockets
The story in one sentence
Houston paired Sampson with Olajuwon, reached the 1986 Finals and then reorganized around Hakeem as injuries dissolved the original Twin Towers plan.
Ralph Sampson and Hakeem reshape the franchise
Hakeem Olajuwon, Ralph Sampson and Robert Reid gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for clutch city.
Timeline
How it unfolded
Before 1983–84
What came before
Moses Malone became the league's most punishing rebounder and carried a 40-win Houston team through the West to the 1981 NBA Finals.
1986
Western Conference Finals: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers
1986
NBA Finals: Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics
1993
Western Conference Semifinals: Houston Rockets vs Seattle SuperSonics
After 1992–93
What came next
Olajuwon became the league's defining two-way center. Houston survived elimination games, won back-to-back titles and added Drexler for the second run.
The core