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The Houston Rockets is one of the most popular franchises in the NBA today. Led by their All-Star guard, James Harden, the Rockets are a force to reckon with and are one of the strongest teams in the NBA today.
The Houston Rockets have won two championships after being to the finals four times. Last season, they finished with the best record with the NBA and annihilated the league with their red-hot shooting over the entire season. However, their season came to an end when they lost to the Golden State Warriors in seven games. In this article, let us take a look at the players who won the MVP award wearing the Rockets jersey.
#1 Moses Malone - 2
MVP seasons with the Houston Rockets: (1978-79, 1981-82)
Moses Malone is one of the greatest players to ever play for the Rockets. He spent six seasons with the franchise and led them to five post-season appearances. The closest the Rockets ever came to winning it all during Moses Malone's time with the Rockets was during the 1980-81 season when they lost to the Celtics 2-4 in the finals.
The 12-time NBA All-Star won the MVP award thrice in his career and two of those have come during his time with the Rockets. He won the MVP award for the first time when he averaged 24.8 points, 17.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game over the 1978-79 season. The Rockets' season ended when they lost to the Hawks in the East First Round 0-2.
After averaging insane numbers of career-high 31.1 points, 14.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game during the 1981-82 season, he subsequently took home his second MVP trophy. However, the Rockets lost in West First Round to the Supersonics, 1-2.
#2 Hakeem Olajuwon - 1
MVP season with the Houston Rockets: (1993-94)
Hakeem Olajuwon spent the entire career, excluding his final season, with the Houston Rockets. He is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest centers to ever play the game of basketball and led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships (1994-95). He was named the Finals MVP on these occasions.
He won the MVP trophy once in his career and that was during the season when he led the Rockets to the title for the first (1993-94) of their back-to-back titles. He averaged 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.7 blocks per game and stuffed the stat sheet over the entire season.
The 12-time All-Star became the second Houston Rockets player to ever win the MVP trophy donning the franchise's jersey. The franchise also retired his jersey number 34 and 'The Dream' was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
#3 James Harden - 1
MVP season with the Houston Rockets: (2017-18)
James Harden is one of the most electrifying players in the NBA today. With his dribbling and speed, he is a nightmare to guard even for the best of the defenders. Harden is known for his patented step-back three-pointer that finds the hoop on most occasions. He is currently third on the all-time scoring list for the Rockets.
After being the MVP runner-up twice in his career, Harden finally won the MVP award for his impressive performances throughout the 2017-18 season. He averaged career-high 30.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game over the season and the Rockets finished with the best record (65-17) in the NBA.
'The Beard' carried the team on his shoulders, every single night and the Rockets were very impressive. However, after being 3-2 up against the Golden State Warriors in the Conference Finals, the Rockets lost the series in seven games.
