1983–84 Houston Rockets season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1983–84 Houston Rockets season featured the NBA debut of Ralph Sampson , whom the Rockets had selected as the first pick of the 1983 NBA draft . Under head coach Bill Fitch , the team finished with a 29–53 record, although Sampson won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award .
The team has been cited as an example of a "tanking ", by deciding to play more bench players after starting the season with a 20–26 record, in order to fall in the standings and get higher in the draft order for the following season.[ 1] The Rockets finished last in the Western Conference and later won a coin flip that gave them the first section in the 1984 NBA draft , with which they selected Hakeem Olajuwon .
Draft picks
Roster
1983–84 Houston Rockets roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
PF
2
Bailey, James
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1957–05–21
Rutgers
SG
3
Ehlo, Craig
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1961–08–11
Washington State
PG
1
Ford, Phil
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1956–06–02
North Carolina
PF
44
Hayes, Elvin
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
1945–11–17
Houston
C
27
Jones, Caldwell
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
217 lb (98 kg)
1950–08–04
Albany State
PF
11
Jones, Major
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1953–07–09
Albany State
PG
30
Leavell, Allen
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1957–05–27
Oklahoma City
SG
32
Lloyd, Lewis
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1959–02–22
Drake
SF
22
McCray, Rodney
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1961–08–29
Louisville
SF
33
Reid, Robert
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1955–08–30
Saint Mary's
C
50
Sampson, Ralph
7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
228 lb (103 kg)
1960–07–07
Virginia
SG
20
Teagle, Terry
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1960–04–10
Baylor
SF
42
Walker, Wally
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1954–07–18
Virginia
Head coach
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
1983-84 NBA Records
Team
ATL
BOS
CHI
CLE
DAL
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
KCK
LAL
MIL
NJN
NYK
PHI
PHO
POR
SAS
SDC
SEA
UTA
WAS
Atlanta
—
0–5
4–2
3–3
1–1
0–2
2–4
1–1
1–1
4–2
0–2
0–2
3–3
3–3
4–1
5–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–2
Boston
5–0
—
5–0
6–0
2–0
2–0
4–2
2–0
1–1
5–1
2–0
0–2
5–1
4–2
3–3
2–4
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
4–2
Chicago
2–4
0–5
—
2–4
1–1
0–2
1–5
2–0
0–2
3–3
1–1
0–2
2–4
2–4
2–4
2–3
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–4
Cleveland
3–3
0–6
4–2
—
1–1
0–2
1–5
1–1
1–1
2–4
0–2
0–2
1–5
2–3
1–5
2–4
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
4–1
Dallas
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
—
4–2
0–2
4–1
4–2
2–0
3–3
3–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–2
2–3
4–2
4–1
1–4
4–2
0–2
Denver
2–0
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–4
—
1–1
2–3
4–2
0–2
4–2
1–4
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–3
1–4
3–3
3–2
2–3
3–3
0–2
Detroit
4–2
2–4
5–1
5–1
2–0
1–1
—
1–1
1–1
4–2
1–1
1–1
3–2
1–4
4–2
3–3
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
3–3
Golden State
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–4
3–2
1–1
—
2–3
2–0
4–1
3–3
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–5
2–4
3–2
3–3
4–2
1–4
2–0
Houston
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–4
2–4
1–1
3–2
—
1–1
2–4
1–4
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–3
1–4
2–4
2–3
3–2
1–5
0–2
Indiana
2–4
1–5
3–3
4–2
0–2
2–0
2–4
0–2
1–1
—
0–2
1–1
1–5
1–5
2–4
0–5
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–4
Kansas City
2–0
0–2
1–1
2–0
3–3
2–4
1–1
1–4
4–2
2–0
—
0–5
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
2–3
2–3
5–1
3–2
1–4
3–3
2–0
Los Angeles
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–0
2–3
4–1
1–1
3–3
4–1
1–1
5–0
—
2–0
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–3
5–1
2–3
4–2
3–3
4–1
1–1
Milwaukee
3–3
1–5
4–2
5–1
2–0
1–1
2–3
2–0
1–1
5–1
2–0
0–2
—
4–2
4–1
2–4
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
5–1
New Jersey
3–3
2–4
4–2
3–2
1–1
1–1
4–1
1–1
2–0
5–1
0–2
1–1
2–4
—
3–3
3–3
2–0
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
4–2
New York
1–4
3–3
4–1
5–1
2–0
1–1
2–4
1–1
2–0
4–2
2–0
2–0
1–4
3–3
—
2–4
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
4–2
Philadelphia
1–5
4–2
3–2
4–2
1–1
1–1
3–3
1–1
2–0
5–0
2–0
1–1
4–2
3–3
4–2
—
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
4–2
Phoenix
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–3
3–2
0–2
5–1
3–2
1–1
3–2
3–3
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
—
2–4
5–0
4–2
2–4
1–4
2–0
Portland
2–0
0–2
0–2
1–1
3–2
4–1
1–1
4–2
4–1
1–1
3–2
1–5
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
4–2
—
4–1
4–2
4–2
1–4
1–1
San Antonio
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
2–4
3–3
1–1
2–3
4–2
2–0
1–5
3–2
1–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
0–5
1–4
—
4–1
2–3
4–2
1–1
San Diego
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–4
2–3
0–2
3–3
3–2
1–1
2–3
2–4
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–4
2–4
1–4
—
3–3
2–3
1–1
Seattle
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
4–1
3–2
1–1
2–4
2–3
1–1
4–1
3–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–2
2–4
3–2
3–3
—
1–4
1–1
Utah
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–4
3–3
1–1
4–1
5–1
1–1
3–3
1–4
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
4–1
4–1
2–4
3–2
4–1
—
1–1
Washington
2–4
2–4
4–2
1–4
2–0
2–0
3–3
0–2
2–0
4–1
0–2
1–1
1–5
2–4
2–4
2–4
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
—
Game log
Regular season
1983–84 game log Total: 29–53 (Home: 21–20; Road: 8–33)
October: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
November: 5–10 (home: 4–4; road: 1–6)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
4
November 4, 1983
@ Detroit
W 113–108
Pontiac Silverdome
2–2
5
November 5, 1983
@ Kansas City
L 106–123
Kemper Arena
2–3
6
November 8, 1983
Portland
L 104–122
The Summit
2–4
7
November 10, 1983
Utah
L 109–118
The Summit
2–5
8
November 12, 1983
Dallas
W 100–98
The Summit
3–5
9
November 15, 1983
New Jersey
L 86–104
The Summit
3–6
10
November 18, 1983
@ Denver
L 127–134
McNichols Sports Arena
3–7
12
November 22, 1983
Phoenix
W 118–96
The Summit
5–7
13
November 25, 1983
Philadelphia
L 101–115
The Summit
5–8
14
November 26, 1983
@ Atlanta
L 109–115
The Omni
5–9
16
November 30, 1983
@ Dallas
L 102–113
Reunion Arena
6–10
December: 6–9 (home: 4–3; road: 2–6)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
17
December 2, 1983
Seattle
W 125–102
The Summit
7–10
18
December 3, 1983
@ New York
L 101–117
Madison Square Garden
7–11
19
December 6, 1983
Washington
L 109–113
The Summit
7–12
20
December 7, 1983
@ Milwaukee
L 101–103
MECCA Arena
7–13
22
December 10, 1983
Utah
L 121–128
The Summit
8–14
23
December 13, 1983
Phoenix
W 129–110
The Summit
9–14
24
December 15, 1983
@ Utah
L 111–138
Salt Palace Acord Arena
9–15
27
December 22, 1983
@ Seattle
W 116–112
Kingdome
11–16
28
December 23, 1983
@ Portland
L 84–97
Memorial Coliseum
11–17
30
December 29, 1983
Boston
W 107–94
The Summit
12–18
31
December 30, 1983
@ Phoenix
L 110–121
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12–19
January: 7–7 (home: 5–3; road: 2–4)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
32
January 3, 1984
Dallas
L 117–119
The Summit
12–20
33
January 4, 1984
@ Utah (at Las Vegas, Nevada )
L 111–116
Thomas & Mack Center
12–21
34
January 6, 1984
@ Seattle
W 116–112
Kingdome
12–22
35
January 8, 1984
@ Los Angeles
W 129–118
The Forum
13–22
36
January 10, 1984
Los Angeles
L 132–136 (OT)
The Summit
13–23
37
January 12, 1984
Portland
L 117–120
The Summit
13–24
39
January 14, 1984
Kansas City
W 109–104
The Summit
15–24
40
January 17, 1984
Denver
W 124–115
The Summit
16–24
42
January 21, 1984
Utah
W 115–105
The Summit
18–24
44
January 26, 1984
@ Los Angeles
L 102–131
The Forum
18–26
All-Star Break
45
January 31, 1984
@ Kansas City
W 122–107
Kemper Arena
19–26
February: 4–9 (home: 3–4; road: 1–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
46
February 2, 1984
Dallas
W 123–107
The Summit
20–26
47
February 4, 1984
New York
L 95–103
The Summit
20–27
48
February 7, 1984
@ Washington
L 92–95
Capital Centre
20–28
49
February 8, 1984
@ Philadelphia
L 107–118
The Spectrum
20–29
50
February 10, 1984
@ Boston
L 101–114
Boston Garden
20–30
51
February 12, 1984
@ New Jersey
L 103–107
Brendan Byrne Arena
20–31
52
February 14, 1984
Detroit
L 119–126
The Summit
20–32
54
February 18, 1984
Phoenix
L 102–126
The Summit
21–33
55
February 21, 1984
Milwaukee
W 119–102
The Summit
22–33
56
February 22, 1984
@ Dallas
L 106–112
Reunion Arena
22–34
58
February 28, 1984
Seattle
W 111–105
The Summit
23–35
March: 5–11 (home: 4–4; road: 1–7)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
59
March 1, 1984
Kansas City
L 101–108
The Summit
23–36
61
March 6, 1984
@ Denver
L 128–130
McNichols Sports Arena
24–37
62
March 7, 1984
@ Phoenix
L 110–123
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
24–38
67
March 17, 1984
Los Angeles
L 111–123
The Summit
26–41
68
March 20, 1984
Kansas City
L 102–115
The Summit
26–42
69
March 21, 1984
@ Denver
L 125–134
McNichols Sports Arena
26–43
70
March 23, 1984
@ Dallas
L 104–116
Reunion Arena
26–44
71
March 24, 1984
Atlanta
W 103–102
The Summit
27–44
72
March 27, 1984
Denver
W 140–137
The Summit
28–44
73
March 29, 1984
@ Los Angeles
L 109–115
The Forum
28–45
74
March 31, 1984
Portland
L 102–106
The Summit
28–46
April: 1–7 (home: 0–2; road: 1–5)
1983–84 schedule
Player statistics
Season
Player
GP
GS
MPG
FG%
3FG%
FT%
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
Awards and records
Awards
Records
Transactions
Trades
Free agents
Additions
Player
Signed
Former team
Subtractions
See also
References
Franchise Arenas Personnel G League affiliate Retired numbers NBA championships Rivalries Culture and lore
1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s