1999–2000 Houston Rockets season

The 1999-2000 NBA season was the Rockets' 33rd season in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and 29th season in the city of Houston.^[1] The 1999–00 Rockets season ended with a record of 34–48. Houston's first game was at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 2, 1999. The Rockets lost 93–98. This led to a five-game losing streak. Houston's first win was against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 12, 1999. The game's score was 97-81. The Rockets last game was at home against the Vancouver Grizzlies (now known as the Memphis Grizzlies), on April 19, 2000. Houston lost 92–96. Houston didn't make the playoffs after finishing 6th in the NBA Midwest Division.

After he already announced in the off-season that the upcoming season would be his last, Charles Barkley suffered a knee injury in December, which forced an early end to his career. After months of rehabilitation, Barkley returned on April 19, 2000, against Vancouver, his final NBA game. He came off the bench and scored on a put-back, scoring his final career points, after which he received a standing ovation. After the game, Barkley retired, ending his 16-year NBA career.

This season is when the Rockets acquired rookie and future three-time All-Star Steve Francis in a trade from Vancouver, who drafted him with the 2nd pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. He would later participate in the Rookie Game and the Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend. Francis finished second in the Dunk Contest to Vince Carter of Toronto. Francis shared Rookie of the Year honors with Chicago's Elton Brand.

Off-season

Draft picks

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	22	Kenny Thomas	PF/SF	United States	New Mexico
2	40	Tyrone Washington	C	United States	Mississippi State
2	50	Venson Hamilton	C	United States	Nebraska

Roster

Houston Rockets roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From 2.0 !SG 40 USA ! Anderson, Shandon 7000198120000000000♠6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 208 lb (94 kg) Georgia 4.5 !PF 4 USA ! Barkley, Charles 7000198120000000000♠6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 252 lb (114 kg) Auburn 3.0 !SF 50 USA ! Bullard, Matt 7000208279999999999♠6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Iowa 6.0 !C 13 USA ! Cato, Kelvin 7000210820000000000♠6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 255 lb (116 kg) Iowa State 1.0 !PG 11 USA ! Drew, Bryce 7000187960000000000♠6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Valparaiso 1.0 !PG 3 USA ! Francis, Steve 7000190500000000000♠6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Maryland 4.5 !PF 9 USA ! Gray, Devin 7000200659999999999♠6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Clemson 4.5 !PF 44 USA ! Massenburg, Tony 7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Maryland 4.5 !PF 2 USA ! Miller, Anthony 7000205740000000000♠6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Michigan State 2.0 !SG 5 USA ! Mobley, Cuttino 7000193040000000000♠6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Rhode Island 1.0 !PG 12 USA ! Norris, Moochie 7000185420000000000♠6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) West Florida 6.0 !C 34 USA ! Olajuwon, Hakeem 7000213360000000000♠7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 255 lb (116 kg) Houston 6.0 !C 6 USA ! Rogers, Carlos 7000210820000000000♠6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Tennessee State 4.5 !PF 21 USA ! Thomas, Kenny 7000200659999999999♠6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 261 lb (118 kg) New Mexico 3.0 !SF 42 USA ! Williams, Walt 7000203200000000000♠6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 219 lb (99 kg) Maryland	Head coach Rudy Tomjanovich (Michigan) Assistant coach(es) Jim Boylen (Maine) Larry Smith (Alcorn State) Mike Wells (Mt. Vernon Nazarene) Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured

Roster notes

• Hakeem Olajuwon also holds Nigerian citizenship.

Regular season

Season standings

z - clinched division title

y - clinched division title

x - clinched playoff spot

Player statistics

Awards and records

• Steve Francis, NBA Rookie of the Year Award
• Steve Francis, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team

References