Head coach Rudy Tomjanovich Record 45–37 (.549) | Arena Compaq Center Playoff finish DNQ | |
Place Division: 5th (Midwest)
Conference: 9th (Western) Television Fox Sports Net Southwest, KTXH | ||
The 2000–01 NBA season was the Rockets' 34th season in the NBA and 30th season in the city of Houston. After the retirement of Charles Barkley, second-year star Steve Francis continued to emerge as the new star of the Rockets averaging 19.9 points per game. Meanwhile in an effort to shore up their front line, the Rockets signed free agent Maurice Taylor. The Rockets got off to a 13–9 start, but went on a six-game losing streak afterwards. They would play above .500 for the rest of the season. However, the Rockets missed the playoffs despite finishing fifth in the Midwest Division with a winning record of 45–37. This was also Hakeem Olajuwon's 17th and final season with the Rockets, as he was traded to the Toronto Raptors following the season. Also following the season, Shandon Anderson was traded to the New York Knicks.