1990–91 Houston Rockets season

1990–91 Houston Rockets season
Head coachDon Chaney
General managerSteve Patterson
OwnerCharlie Thomas
ArenaThe Summit
Results
Record52–30 (.634)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Midwest)
Conference: 6th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Lakers 0–3)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionKTXH
Home Sports Entertainment
RadioKTRH

The 1990–91 Houston Rockets season was the 24th season for the Houston Rockets in the National Basketball Association, and their 20th season in Houston, Texas.[1] During the off-season, the Rockets acquired Kenny Smith from the Atlanta Hawks,[2][3][4] and signed free agent David Wood.

With the addition of Kenny Smith, the Rockets got off to an 8–7 start to the regular season. The team continued to play around .500 in winning percentage, as Hakeem Olajuwon missed 25 games due to a bone fracture in his right eye.[5][6][7] However, the Rockets held a 27–21 record at the All-Star break,[8] and posted a 14–1 record in March, which included a 13-game winning streak.[9] The Rockets finished in third place in the Midwest Division with a 52–30 record, and earned the sixth seed in the Western Conference.[10] Head coach Don Chaney was named the NBA Coach of the Year, after leading his team to an 11-game improvement over the previous season.[11][12][13]

Olajuwon averaged 21.2 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 3.9 blocks per game in 56 games, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. In addition, Kenny Smith averaged 17.7 points, 7.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game, while Otis Thorpe provided the team with 17.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, and Vernon Maxwell contributed 17.0 points and 1.5 steals per game, and led the league with 172 three-point field goals. Meanwhile, Buck Johnson provided with 13.6 points per game, while off the bench, Sleepy Floyd played a sixth man role, averaging 12.3 points, 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game, Wood contributed 5.3 points per game, and defensive forward Larry Smith averaged 3.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.[14]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, Kenny Smith participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the second consecutive year;[15][16] due to his eye injury, Olajuwon was not selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game.[17] Kenny Smith finished in 17th place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Olajuwon finished in 18th place;[18] Olajuwon also finished tied in fifth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,[18] while Kenny Smith finished in third place in Most Improved Player voting, with Larry Smith finishing tied in eighth place,[19][18] and Larry Smith also finished tied in sixth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[18]

In the Western Conference First Round of the 1991 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, the Rockets faced off against the 3rd–seeded Los Angeles Lakers, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Magic Johnson, All-Star forward James Worthy, and Byron Scott. The Rockets lost the first two games to the Lakers on the road at the Great Western Forum, before losing Game 3 at home, 94–90 at The Summit, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep; it was the second consecutive year that the Rockets had their season ended by the Lakers.[20][21][22] The Lakers would lose in five games to the Chicago Bulls in the 1991 NBA Finals.[23][24][25]

The Rockets finished 16th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 613,230 at The Summit during the regular season.[14][26] Following the season, Wood was released to free agency.

Draft picks

Main article: 1990 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School or club team
1 12 Alec Kessler PF  United States Georgia

Roster

1990–91 Houston Rockets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
F 50 Matt Bullard 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1967–06–05 Iowa
F 44 Adrian Caldwell 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1966–07–04 Lamar
C 5 Dave Feitl 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1962–06–08 UTEP
G 21 Sleepy Floyd 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1960–03–06 Georgetown
G 32 Dave Jamerson 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1967–08–13 Ohio
F 1 Buck Johnson 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1964–01–03 Alabama
G 11 Vernon Maxwell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1965–09–12 Florida
C 34 Hakeem Olajuwon 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1963–01–21 Houston
G 30 Kenny Smith 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1965–03–08 North Carolina
F 13 Larry Smith 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1958–01–18 Alcorn State
F 33 Otis Thorpe 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1962–08–05 Providence
F 20 Kennard Winchester 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1966–09–03 Averett
F 10 David Wood 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 227 lb (103 kg) 1964–11–30 Nevada
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: December 6, 1990

Regular season

Season standings

Midwest Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-San Antonio Spurs 55 27 .671 — 33–8 22–19 20–8
x-Utah Jazz 54 28 .659 1 36–5 18–23 21-7
x-Houston Rockets 52 30 .634 3 31-10 21–20 20-8
Orlando Magic 31 51 .378 24 24-17 7–34 13–15
Minnesota Timberwolves 29 53 .354 26 21-20 8-33 9-19
Dallas Mavericks 28 54 .341 27 20-21 8–33 7-21
Denver Nuggets 20 62 .244 35 17-24 3-38 8–20
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Portland Trail Blazers 63 19 .768 –
2 y-San Antonio Spurs 55 27 .671 8
3 x-Los Angeles Lakers 58 24 .707 5
4 x-Phoenix Suns 55 27 .671 8
5 x-Utah Jazz 54 28 .659 9
6 x-Houston Rockets 52 30 .634 11
7 x-Golden State Warriors 44 38 .537 19
8 x-Seattle SuperSonics 41 41 .500 22
9 Orlando Magic 31 51 .378 32
10 Los Angeles Clippers 31 51 .378 32
11 Minnesota Timberwolves 29 53 .354 34
12 Dallas Mavericks 28 54 .341 35
13 Sacramento Kings 25 57 .305 38
14 Denver Nuggets 20 62 .244 43
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

Regular season

1990–91 game log
Total: 52–30 (home: 31–10; road: 21–20)
November: 8–7 (home: 6–1; road: 2–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 November 2 @ Portland L 89–90 Memorial Coliseum 0–1
2 November 3 @ Seattle L 106–108 Seattle Center Coliseum 0–2
3 November 6 Denver W 145–135 The Summit 1–2
4 November 8 Orlando W 103–99 The Summit 2–2
5 November 10 @ San Antonio L 110–111 HemisFair Arena 2–3
6 November 11 Utah W 110–90 The Summit 3–3
7 November 13 Minnesota W 90–88 The Summit 4–3
8 November 15 L.A. Lakers L 103–108 (OT) The Summit 4–4
9 November 17 Miami W 117–100 The Summit 5–4
10 November 20 @ New York W 115–88 Madison Square Garden 6–4
11 November 21 @ Boston L 95–108 Boston Garden 6–5
12 November 23 @ Indiana L 111–112 Market Square Arena 6–6
13 November 25 @ Minnesota W 107–91 Target Center 7–6
14 November 27 L.A. Clippers W 107–102 The Summit 8–6
15 November 28 @ Utah L 92–103 Salt Palace 8–7
December: 8–6 (home: 4–3; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
16 December 1 Sacramento W 117–93 The Summit 9–7
17 December 4 Atlanta L 110–113 The Summit 9–8
18 December 6 Charlotte W 116–110 The Summit 10–8
19 December 8 @ Dallas W 113–107 Reunion Arena 11–8
20 December 10 Boston L 95–107 The Summit 11–9
21 December 12 @ Philadelphia W 108–100 The Spectrum 12–9
22 December 14 @ Washington L 93–106 Capital Centre 12–10
23 December 15 @ Charlotte W 100–97 Charlotte Coliseum 13–10
24 December 18 San Antonio L 95–96 The Summit 13–11
25 December 20 Orlando W 128–126 (OT) The Summit 14–11
26 December 22 Phoenix W 122–102 The Summit 15–11
27 December 26 @ Orlando L 103–109 Orlando Arena 15–12
28 December 28 @ New Jersey W 101–99 Brendan Byrne Arena 16–12
29 December 29 @ Detroit L 84–99 The Palace of Auburn Hills 16–13
January: 7–8 (home: 6–3; road: 1–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
30 January 3 Chicago W 114–92 The Summit 17–13
31 January 5 Indiana W 112–99 The Summit 18–13
32 January 8 Portland L 97–123 The Summit 18–14
33 January 10 @ Denver W 156–133 McNichols Sports Arena 19–14
34 January 11 @ Phoenix L 110–114 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 19–15
35 January 13 @ L.A. Lakers L 97–116 Great Western Forum 19–16
36 January 14 @ L.A. Clippers L 126–130 (OT) Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 19–17
37 January 17 Detroit L 91–97 (OT) The Summit 19–18
38 January 19 L.A. Clippers W 107–96 The Summit 20–18
39 January 21 @ Sacramento L 94–97 ARCO Arena 20–19
40 January 22 @ Golden State L 116–123 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 20–20
41 January 24 Minnesota W 118–94 The Summit 21–20
42 January 26 Cleveland W 103–97 The Summit 22–20
43 January 29 San Antonio W 91–89 The Summit 23–20
44 January 31 Seattle L 94–97 The Summit 23–21
February: 9–3 (home: 4–1; road: 5–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
45 February 2 @ San Antonio W 100–94 (OT) HemisFair Arena 24–21
46 February 3 Golden State W 143–135 (2OT) The Summit 25–21
47 February 6 @ Milwaukee W 111–109 Bradley Center 26–21
48 February 7 @ Cleveland W 96–92 Richfield Coliseum 27–21
49 February 12 @ Utah L 92–113 Salt Palace 27–22
50 February 14 Washington W 129–117 The Summit 28–22
51 February 16 Phoenix W 100–91 The Summit 29–22
52 February 19 L.A. Lakers L 103–112 The Summit 29–23
53 February 21 Milwaukee W 92–90 The Summit 30–23
54 February 24 @ Minnesota W 100–91 Target Center 30–24
55 February 26 @ Denver W 129–99 McNichols Sports Arena 32–23
56 February 28 @ L.A. Clippers L 80–83 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 32–24
March: 14–1 (home: 8–0; road: 6–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
57 March 3 @ L.A. Lakers W 104–95 Great Western Forum 33–24
58 March 5 New Jersey W 112–100 The Summit 34–24
59 March 7 Dallas W 122–90 The Summit 35–24
60 March 9 Philadelphia W 97–80 The Summit 36–24
61 March 12 Seattle W 93–91 The Summit 37–24
62 March 14 Orlando W 119–95 The Summit 38–24
63 March 15 @ Phoenix W 135–128 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 39–24
64 March 17 Golden State W 123–119 The Summit 40–24
65 March 19 @ Minnesota W 98–85 Target Center 41–24
66 March 21 Sacramento W 98–87 The Summit 42–24
67 March 23 New York W 111–98 The Summit 43–24
68 March 25 @ Chicago W 100–90 Chicago Stadium 44–24
69 March 28 @ Atlanta W 112–111 The Omni 45–24
70 March 30 @ Orlando L 82–114 Orlando Arena 45–25
71 March 31 @ Miami W 123–103 Miami Arena 46–25
April: 6–5 (home: 3–2; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
72 April 3 Dallas W 102–86 The Summit 47–25
73 April 5 @ Denver W 126–120 McNichols Sports Arena 48–25
74 April 6 Utah W 97–88 The Summit 49–25
75 April 9 Portland L 93–103 The Summit 49–26
76 April 11 @ Golden State L 99–111 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena 49–27
77 April 13 @ Sacramento W 95–94 ARCO Arena 50–27
78 April 15 @ Seattle W 97–93 Seattle Center Coliseum 51–27
79 April 16 @ Portland L 96–115 Memorial Coliseum 51–28
80 April 18 San Antonio L 95–102 The Summit 51–29
81 April 19 @ Dallas L 107–113 Reunion Arena 51–30
82 April 21 Denver W 131–125 The Summit 52–30
1990–91 schedule

Playoffs

1991 playoff game log
First Round: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 25 @ L.A. Lakers L 92–94 Hakeem Olajuwon (22) Hakeem Olajuwon (16) Maxwell, K. Smith (5) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–1
2 April 27 @ L.A. Lakers L 98–109 Vernon Maxwell (31) Hakeem Olajuwon (11) Kenny Smith (7) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–2
3 April 30 L.A. Lakers L 90–94 Thorpe, Olajuwon (21) Hakeem Olajuwon (17) Kenny Smith (12) The Summit
16,611 		0–3
1991 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Matt Bullard 18 0 3.5 .452 .000 .647 .8 .1 .2 .0 2.2
Adrian Caldwell 42 0 8.2 .422 .000 .412 2.4 .2 .5 .2 1.8
Dave Feitl 52 2 7.2 .371 .000 .750 1.9 .2 .1 .2 2.6
Sleepy Floyd 82 4 22.6 .411 .273 .752 1.9 3.9 1.2 .2 12.3
Dave Jamerson 37 0 5.5 .381 .263 .815 .8 .7 .2 .0 3.1
Buck Johnson 73 70 31.2 .477 .133 .727 4.5 1.9 1.1 .6 13.6
Vernon Maxwell 82 79 35.0 .404 .337 .733 2.9 3.7 1.5 .2 17.0
Hakeem Olajuwon 56 50 36.8 .508 .000 .769 13.8 2.3 2.2 3.9 21.2
Kenny Smith 78 78 34.6 .520 .363 .844 2.1 7.1 1.4 .1 17.7
Larry Smith 81 28 23.7 .487 .240 8.8 1.1 1.0 .3 3.3
Otis Thorpe 82 82 37.1 .556 .429 .696 10.3 2.4 .9 .2 17.5
Kennard Winchester 64 1 9.5 .400 .400 .778 1.0 .4 .3 .2 3.7
David Wood 82 13 17.3 .424 .311 .812 3.0 1.1 .7 .2 5.3
Mike Woodson† 11 3 11.4 .389 .167 .833 1.0 .9 .5 .4 4.8

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Sleepy Floyd 3 0 13.7 .333 .000 .7 2.3 .7 .3 5.3
Dave Jamerson 2 0 10.5 .385 .000 1.000 1.5 2.0 .5 .0 8.0
Buck Johnson 3 3 28.7 .357 1.000 4.7 2.7 .7 .3 8.0
Vernon Maxwell 3 3 37.7 .411 .333 .500 2.7 3.0 .7 .3 18.7
Hakeem Olajuwon 3 3 43.0 .578 .000 .824 14.7 2.0 1.3 2.7 22.0
Kenny Smith 3 3 37.7 .474 .500 .889 2.7 8.0 1.3 .3 15.3
Larry Smith 3 0 19.0 .250 .000 .000 4.3 1.3 .3 .3 .7
Otis Thorpe 3 3 38.7 .579 .500 8.3 2.7 .7 .0 15.7
David Wood 3 0 14.7 .667 1.000 .500 1.7 1.0 1.0 .0 2.3

Player statistics citation:[14]

Awards and records

References

  1. ^ 1990-91 Houston Rockets
  2. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Rockets Obtain Smith". The New York Times. September 28, 1990. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  3. ^ "Rockets Trade Lucas, Get 2 Hawks". Los Angeles Times. September 28, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  4. ^ "Rockets, Hawks Work Deal". Deseret News. September 28, 1990. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  5. ^ Luna, Richard (January 4, 1991). "Olajuwon Suffers Broken Facial Bone". United Press International. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "Olajuwon Out for Month with Fracture Behind Eye". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 5, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  7. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Olajuwon Returns". The New York Times. March 1, 1991. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  8. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  9. ^ "Houston Rockets at Atlanta Hawks Box Score, March 28, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  10. ^ "1990–91 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  11. ^ "Chaney Gets Coaching Award, New Contract". United Press International. May 23, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  12. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Chaney Selected as Top N.B.A. Coach". The New York Times. May 24, 1991. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  13. ^ "NBA & ABA Coach of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c "1990–91 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  15. ^ "All-Star Saturday Participants". The Hour. Associated Press. February 9, 1991. p. 22. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  16. ^ "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  17. ^ Smith, Sam (January 30, 1991). "Pippen Bypassed for All-Star Team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c d "1990–91 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  19. ^ Cooper, Barry (May 3, 1991). "It's No Dream - Skiles Is Named Most Improved". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  20. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 1, 1991). "Scott Has What It Takes at the Finish". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  21. ^ "76ers, Lakers Post Sweeps". The Washington Post. May 1, 1991. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  22. ^ "1991 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  23. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 13, 1991). "Jordan Crowns Career and Bulls Reign in N.B.A." The New York Times. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  24. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 13, 1991). "NBA FINALS: LAKERS vs. CHICAGO BULLS: Bulls' Decree: Jordan Rules: Game 5: Chicago Wins First Championship by Sweeping at Forum, 108-101, But Depleted Lakers Go Down Fighting". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  25. ^ "1991 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  26. ^ "1990–91 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 24, 2026.

See also

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