The Rockets got off to a 9–6 start, and played .500 basketball for the remainder of the season, holding a 26–22 record at the All-Star break.[9] With Yao teamed up with captain Steve Francis, they gelled their first season together, being named as starters for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game.[10] On January 17, 2003, Francis gained national media attention, scoring a career-high 44 points in a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers.[11][12][13] The Rockets finished the season fifth in the Midwest Division with a 43–39 record without clinching a playoff spot,[14] finishing just one game behind the 8th-seeded Phoenix Suns, although they improved on last season, where they won just 28 games. Yao averaged 13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting,[15][16][17] while Francis averaged 21.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and Cuttino Mobley provided the team with 17.5 points per game. In addition, Glen Rice contributed 9.0 points per game, while second-year forward Eddie Griffin provided with 8.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, and Maurice Taylor averaged 8.4 points per game off the bench.[18]
This season was also head coach Rudy Tomjanovich's last as he would step down following the season due to health issues,[19][20] though he would return in 2004 to coach the Lakers. Also following the season, Posey signed as a free agent with the Memphis Grizzlies,[21][22] while Griffin was released to free agency, and Rice was traded to the Utah Jazz,[23] but was released and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Offseason
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2010)
^Broussard, Chris (May 20, 2002). "PRO BASKETBALL; Rockets Win Lottery with a Francis Assist". The New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
^Passan, Jeff (June 27, 2002). "Rockets Select Yao No. 1 Overall in Draft". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
^Povtak, Tim (June 27, 2002). "Foreign Players Make Move". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^"Rockets Make Yao Ming First Overall Pick". ESPN. June 26, 2002. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
^"2002 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
^"Posey Involved in Three-Team Trade". United Press International. December 18, 2002. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
^"Nuggets, Rockets, 76ers Agree to 3-Way Trade". Arizona Daily Sun. December 18, 2002. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
^"NBA Games Played on February 6, 2003". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
^"2003 NBA All-Star Game: West 155, East 145 (2OT)". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
^Brown, Tim (January 18, 2003). "Rockets Take Center Stage". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
^"Houston 108, L.A. Lakers 104 (OT)". United Press International. January 18, 2003. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^Nichols, Rachel (January 19, 2003). "Francis on Centers' Stage". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^"2002–03 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
^"PLUS: N.B.A.; Stoudemire Named Rookie of the Year". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 25, 2003. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
^"Stoudemire Is Rookie of Year". Deseret News. April 25, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
^"2002–03 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
^"2002–03 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
^"Rockets' Tomjanovich Resigns". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 24, 2003. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^"Grateful Tomjanovich Says He's Cancer-Free". Los Angeles Times. October 14, 2003. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^"Sprewell Is Part of 4-Team Trade". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. July 24, 2003. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
^"Posey Signs Offer Sheet". United Press International. July 23, 2003. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
^"SPORTS BRIEFING: PRO BASKETBALL; Rockets Trade Rice to Jazz for Amaechi". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 1, 2003. Retrieved November 27, 2022.