Houston Rockets

Injured Reserve. Instead, they hired Louisiana State University coach Nick Saban. Bench. Despite this, the Dolphins decided not to hire Bates for the permanent coaching position. Starters. He was replaced on an interim basis by defensive coordinator Jim Bates. Under Bates, the Dolphins fared much better, winning three of their final seven games, including a 29-28 upset victory over the defending champion Patriots on December 20. Their season ended in the first round of the playoffs as they lost to their in-state rival, the Dallas Mavericks 4-3 in the Western First Round. After a 1-8 start, Wannstedt resigned on November 9, 2004.

McGrady and Yao let their team to their best record in 10 years, finishing the year at 51-31 and seeded 5th in the Western Conference Playoffs. This led to them being dead-last in the NFL as well as the subject to nicknames like "Stinky Fish" and, to fans, "We Stink". Then during the offseason the Rockets trio ended as Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley and other familar teamates were traded to the Orlando Magic, but in return was Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, and many others. These predictions proved right; the Dolphins dropped their first six games of the 2004 year, marking the worst start in franchise history. The next 2003-2004 season was totally similar season, with another familiar record of 45-37, but the only difference was that they finally made their 21st Century playoff debut, however they were eliminated in a similar fate as their preceeding teams, being knocked out with a 4-1 record in the first round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers. Many experts predicted a disastrous season for the Dolphins. However the season ended in a familar record of 41-38. Tight end Randy McMichael was arrested for domestic violence and wide receiver David Boston (signed from San Diego) suffered an injury in training camp and will miss the season (Boston also failed a drug test for steroids later in the season). But the biggest shock came when Ricky Williams retired under mysterious circumstances, probably related to drug use.

The 2002-2003 basketball season was a big clean up and a definite return of a winning team reputation which was lost during the turn of the century and a new "Rockets trio" (Yao Ming, Steve Francis, and Cuttino Mobley). The 2004 offseason was terrible for the Dolphins. People conidered him as the "New Hakeem" due to his height and the ability to shoot the ball easily, and his tough blocking defense. At the end of the season it was announced that Dan Marino would return to the team as its president, but quit after a month. But then Yao Ming a tall 7 foot and 6 inches Chinese basketball player from the Shanghai Sharks decided to participate in the NBA draft of 2002, eventually he was picked and was ready for the job. Miami finished 10-6, but it was still short of a playoff spot. The losing season of 2001-2002 brought dishonor and a total loss of faith of the Rockets nationally and locally in Houston. In 2003 the Dolphins again started strong (4-1) but finished weak, with devastating mid-season losses to the Patriots, Colts and Titans submarining them.

The first "Hakeem-less" season in almost 20 years was tied up at a disspointing record at 28-54. Fans wanted Wannstedt's firing, but he was kept on for the 2003 season. Then the aged Hakeem Olajuwon was traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2001 which only leaves Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley as their successors in being the head stars in the team, but the following 2001-2002 season was no success, as their team was moslty made up of young Rookies and bench players which made Steve and Cuttino's job of making the team a winning one more difficult. Due to a tiebreaker, both the Dolphins and Patriots lost out on the playoffs as the Jets took the AFC East title. The Rockets during the this era were a total blowout, and in return brought loss of national respect they once had, the Rockets however in the year 2000 brought a 45-37, but it still didn't cut them into the playoffs. The Dolphins started the season 5-1 before Fiedler got injured and was replaced by Ray Lucas, who lost three straight. Because the competition in the division was so close, the Dolphins still had a chance to win the division in the final week against the Patriots, but blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and lost in overtime. They got into the playoffs in 1999 with a record of 45-37 on a 7th place seed, but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round with a series of 4-1, this ended the Rockets winning years as the the years ahead would bring a series of losses and a bad reputation. Miami revitalized its running game in time for the 2002 season by signing running back Ricky Williams from the New Orleans Saints.

Then in 1999 brought the fall of the winning team reputation they had, as Charles Barkley was injured and planned to retire after the injury, but the fall also brought some once thought new hope, Scottie Pippen was traded from the Bulls after Micheal Jordans 2nd retirement, and Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley arrived into the team that year. Miami had to settle for a wild card, and lost 20-3 to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round. They were good, but the Utah Jazz eliminated them from the Western Conference Finals in 1997 and in the Western Conference Semifinals in 1998, dimished any chances of holding an NBA title again. That honor went to Super Bowl champion New England. Some of the role players like Sam Cassell and Robert Horrywere traded for Charles Barkley from the Phoenix Suns and Matt Maloney drafted into the team in 1996. In the 2001 season the Dolphins lost two games to the New York Jets, which cost them the division title. The post championship years declined the team as Hakeem Olajuwon was aging. The 2000 season notwithstanding, late-season collapses have been the norm in Miami since the late 1990s.

Like his old friend Olajuwon did the previous year, Drexler experiences the joy of winning an NBA championship at last. Miami won a tough overtime game over the Indianapolis Colts on a Lamar Smith touchdown in the wild card round, but were shut out by the Oakland Raiders in the divisional playoff. However, Houston comes back to win the last three games of the series, and then gets past the Spurs to reach the Finals, where they are matched up with the Orlando Magic. With Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, the Magic is expected to win the championship, but Houston sweeps the series in four straight games. Despite the obviously lowered expectations, the defense broke through with Jason Taylor and Trace Armstrong both getting 10 sacks, and four players (Sam Madison, Brian Walker, Brock Marion and Patrick Surtain) getting at least five interceptions. In addition, Lamar Smith rushed for over 1000 yards and Miami finished atop the AFC East with an 11-5 record. In fact, the Suns lead the second-round series 3 games to 1 (just as they did in the same round the year before). Dave Wannstedt, formerly of the Chicago Bears, became the new coach; and Jay Fiedler became the new quarterback for the 2000 season. They are not expected to defeat the Utah Jazz in the first round, the Phoenix Suns in the second round, or the San Antonio Spurs in the conference finals. After the season, Jimmy Johnson left the team and Marino retired.

Houston struggles in the regular season, and they enter the playoffs as a sixth seed in the Western Conference. After a close win over Seattle in the wild card round, they suffered one the worst playoff losses in NFL history against the Jacksonville Jaguars: 62-7. In a midseason trade with Portland, the Rockets obtain star guard Clyde Drexler, who had played alongside Olajuwon at the University of Houston. Miami went 2-6 in their last eight games, but still backed into the playoffs at 9-7. After being down 3 games to 2 in the NBA Finals, the Rockets win the last two games on their home court, thanks to the misfortunes of New York's best shooter: Knicks guard John Starks misses what would have been a series-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in Game 6 after the shot was blocked by Olajuwon, and he shoots a cold 2-for-18 from the field in Game 7, missing all six of his 3-point shot attempts. In Marino's first game back, he would have the worst game of his career, on Thanksgiving in Dallas, throwing 5 interceptions and having a passer rating of 0.0. With Hakeem Olajuwon as their center, the Rockets defeat the New York Knicks in seven games. In 1999 Marino would be injured in a game where backup Damon Huard led a comeback.

The Celtics defeated the Rockets again in the 1986 NBA Finals. The Dolphins beat the Bills in the wild card round, but lost to the eventual champion Denver Broncos (who lost only one of two games that season to Miami) in the divisional playoff. Unfortunately, the Celtics with Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Cedric Maxwell, and Kevin McHale were too strong. McDuffie, but it was not enough to get past the New York Jets into first place in the division. The championship series with Boston was fought to six games. Miami had a solid 10-6 season in 1998 with a career season for receiver O.J. The Houston Rockets finally made it to finals, the first time a team from Houston played for a championship in basketball, football, or baseball. In 1997 Miami stumbled late and backed into the playoffs with a 9-7 season, losing to the New England Patriots in the wild card round.

The Kings, led by Otis Birdsong, Scott Wedman, and Phil Ford fell to the Rockets in five games. In 1996 Miami finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs, with rookie Karim Abdul-Jabbar's 1000-yard rushing season one of the lone bright spots. This set up an unlikely conference finals matchup with Kansas City. Jimmy Johnson, who had won a collegiate national championship at the University of Miami and two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, was named as Shula’s replacement. The Rockets upset Los Angeles, two games to one, then got past the Spurs and George Gervin, four games to three, in the western conference semifinals. Following the 1995 season Don Shula became an executive in the Dolphins’ front office. Houston playoff run began by drawing the defending NBA-champion Lakers and Magic Johnson in the first round. In 1995 Marino broke the career passing records formerly held by Fran Tarkenton for yards (48,841), touchdowns (352), and completions (3,913). The Dolphins finished 9-7, second in the AFC East, but still made the playoffs as a wild card; losing to Buffalo in the first round.

Houston tied with Kansas City for second place in the Midwest behind San Antonio with regular season at 40-42. After beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild card round, they suffered a heart-breaking last-second loss to the San Diego Chargers in the divisional playoff. Other members of the 80-81 team were Rudy Tomjanovich, Robert Reid, Mike Dunleavy, Sr., Allen Leavell, Billy Paultz, Bill Willoughby, Calvin Garrett, Tom Henderson, and Major Jones. With Marino back for the 1994 season they won the AFC East again with a 10-6 record. Murphy, the shortest player in the league, sets two NBA records, sinking 78 consecutive free throws to break Rick Barry's mark of 60 set in 1976 achieving a free-throw percentage of .958 breaking Rick Barry's record set with the Rockets in 1979. Both Marino and backup Scott Mitchell suffered season-ending injuries, and Miami lost its final 5 games to miss the playoffs at 9-7. Malone carries the Rockets to NBA finals. 1993 turned into a disastrous year for the Dolphins.

The arrival of a third NBA team in Texas, the Dallas Mavericks, caused a reshuffling in 1980-81 that sent Houston to the Midwest Division of the Western Conference, which also included San Antonio, Kansas City, Denver, Utah, and Dallas. They beat the Chargers in the divisional playoff, but were stunned by the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship. After beating the Spurs, two games to one, in the first-round playoff series, they were swept by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Dolphins finished 11-5 in 1992, capturing the AFC East title in Mark Higgs' best season as a running back and Keith Jackson (newly acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles) leading the team in receiving. The Rockets finished the year at 41-41, tying the San Antonio Spurs for second place in the Central Division. They beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild card round, but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the divisional playoff. The team struggled with defensive injuries in 1991, and narrowly missed the playoffs on an overtime loss to the New York Jets the final week of the season. Del Harris replaced Nissalke at the helm for the 1979-80 campaign. By 1990 the Dolphins had finally shaped up on defense, and finished with a 11-5 record, second in the AFC East.

The Rockets went 47-35 in 1978-79, Nissalke's last season as coach, finshing second in the Central Division losing two straight to Atlanta in a best-of-three first-round series. Miami had their first losing season in years in 1988, and were back to 8-8 in 1989. He would play one more year for the Rockets before retiring in 1980. The problems continued in 1987, with an 8-7 record in a strike-shortened year; their first at new Joe Robbie Stadium. He did set a new NBA record, however, by posting a .947 free-throw percentage for the season. In 1986 the Dolphins, hampered by defensive struggles, stumbled to 8-8, out of the playoff picture. The future Hall of Famer, now in the twilight of his career, averaged a modest 13.5 points. New England forced 6 turnovers on the way to a 31-14 win - the Patriots' first in Miami since 1969.

Rick Barry also joined the team that year as a free agent, with the Rockets sending John Lucas to Golden State Warriors as compensation. The cinderella New England Patriots, the Dolphins' opponents in the AFC Championship, had different plans. Malone, Murphy, and Tomjanovich (who had returned to average 19.0 points) all played in the 1979 NBA All-Star Game. After beating the Cleveland Browns in the divisional playoffs, many people were looking forward to a rematch with Chicago in Super Bowl XX. Malone, not exceptionally big or quick, used subtle moves, perfect positioning, and bulldog determination to become a superb center. In 1985 Miami went 12-4 and was the only team that beat the Chicago Bears all year. Malone receives the league's MVP Award. It would be Marino's only Super Bowl appearance.

Tomjanovich, displaying the "heart of a champion", spent the next five months in rehab returning to play as an NBA all-star. In the title game, however, Miami lost to the San Francisco 49ers 38-16. That shocking scene became the defining moment of not only the Rockets' 1977-78 season (a conference finals team the previous year, collapsed into last place with a 28-54 record) but also of two basketball players' professional careers. Miami beat the Seahawks and Steelers in the playoffs to get to Super Bowl XIX. The powerful blow landed squarely on the face of a running Tomjanovich, causing massive jaw, eye, and cheek injuries; Tomjanovich's skull was also fractured when his head hit the floor. Marino, in his first full season, was voted MVP as he threw for over 5000 yards and 48 touchdowns. As Tomjanovich ran over to the two, Washington turned and blindly swung his fist. In 1984, the Dolphins won their first 11 games en route to a 14-2 season.

In a December 9 game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Kunnert got into a fight with the Lakers' Kermit Washington. Defensive End Doug Betters was the Defensive Player of the Year. The Rockets' hopes ended against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals on a controversial charging call against Lucas in the final moments of Game 6. Seldom sacked by defenders, Marino was protected by an outstanding offensive line as he passed to receivers such as Mark Clayton and Mark Duper. Despite the regular season success (the Dolphins went 12-4, the only team in the AFC East with a winning record), they were upset in the divisional playoff by the Seattle Seahawks. Malone, then a novice 21-year old, outbattled Wes Unseld and Hayes to help the Rockets to a playoff victory in six games against the Washington Bullets. During the mid-1980s Marino produced the most impressive set of passing statistics in NFL history, setting single-season records for most yards (5,084), touchdown passes (48), and completions (362) during the 1984 season. The Rockets, now led by Tomjanovich, Murphy, Newlin, Malone, Kevin Kunnert, and rookie guard John Lucas, took the Central Division title. During the third game of the 1983 season, Shula replaced quarterback David Woodley with rookie Dan Marino, who went on to win the AFC passing championship and rookie of the year award.

At the insistence of new coach Tom Nissalke, a trade was completed with the Buffalo Braves to acquire Moses Malone, who as a high school star made the unprecedented decision of bypassing college basketball to sign on as a professional with the Utah Stars of the ABA in 1974. Ironically after enjoying success rooted in a defense-first philosophy, and employing a ball control offense to take pressure off of lacklustre quarterbacks, the next 17 seasons would be marked by an average rushing game and defense that limited a great quarterback. The rockets defeated the New York Knicks (with Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe, Bill Bradley, and Jerry Lucas) in the first round and advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals before losing to the Boston Celtics. After shutting out the New York Jets in the AFC championship, they lost Super Bowl XVII to Washington 27-17. With Coach John Egan's guidance and Tomjanovich, Murphy, and Mike Newlin leading the way, the Rockets made their first appearance in the playoffs since arriving in Houston. In the second round against San Diego the Dolphins got revenge for their loss the previous year, winning even more handily. The lack of winning did little to capture the city's attention. In the first round in Miami, they met again, with the Dolphins winning easily.

After trading Hayes to the Baltimore Bullets for Jack Marin, the Rockets went into a rebuilding mode for the next two seasons. Late in the season in a snowy game against the New England Patriots, a convicted felon on work release cleared a path for Patriots kicker John Smith to score the game-winning field goal. Despite this, the team played well, acquiring two promising young players in Calvin Murphy and Rudy Tomjanovich. During the first two rounds of the playoffs they got revenge for previous losses. A local legend has it that some days the local churches in Waco drew more people than the Rockets. In the strike-shortened season of 1982, the Dolphins, led by the "Killer B's" defense (Baumhower, Bill Barnett, Lyle Blackwood, Kim Bokamper and Bob Brudzinski), held five of their nine opponents to 14 or fewer points en route to their fourth Super Bowl appearance. The Rockets began playing at the Astrodome and AstroHall, both in Houston, the HemisFair Arena, in San Antonio, the Hofheinz Pavilion, on the University of Houston campus, and at Waco. However, fan support was also scarce in the football-dominated city, and the Rockets averaged less than 5000 fans per game the first season. Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow, under exhaustion, blocked Uwe von Schummann's field goal try on the last play of regulation, and Rolf Benirschke kicked the game-winner for San Diego in overtime.

In 1971, real estate broker Wayne Duddleston and banker Billy Goldberg bought the franchise for $5.6 million and relocated the team from San Diego, where there was a lack of fan support, to Houston, Texas, the home town of Hayes. After being down 24-0, Miami tied it at 24. After taking the lead, San Diego tied it up 38-38 late. Hayes led the team to the franchise's first ever playoff appearance in 1969. The Dolphins were back on top of the AFC East in the 1981 season, with an 11-4-1 record. They reached the divisional playoff against the San Diego Chargers, regarded by some as one of the most memorable games in NFL history. The Rockets won the coin toss versus the Baltimore Bullets, earning them the number one pick in the NBA Draft, selecting Elvin "the Big E" Hayes from the University of Houston. The Dolphins finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs. They selected Pat Riley with their first draft pick in 1967, and proceeded to a then-NBA record 67-loss season. In 1980 the late David Woodley took over at quarterback and Griese retired after the season.

The San Diego Rockets entered the NBA in 1967 as an expansion team in the same year the Seattle SuperSonics entered. After winning the division with a 10-6 record, the Dolphins lost the divisional playoff to the eventual champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Toyota Center was eventually built after the team pressured the city for a new arena. Csonka returned to the Dolphins in time for the 1979 season. The team's former home was the Compaq Center, originally called The Summit. They made the playoffs as a wild card in 1978, but lost in the first round to the Houston Oilers. The Houston Rockets are a National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas. The Dolphins went 10-4 again in 1977, but again lost the division title (and playoff spot) to the Colts.

45 Rudy Tomjanovich. Duhe and linemen Bob Baumhower and Doug Betters. 34 Hakeem Olajuwon. J. 24 Moses Malone. Shula built a solid defense around a new set of stars, including linebacker A. 23 Calvin Murphy. Miami rebounded from a losing record in 1976 by winning ten or more games in four of the next five seasons.

22 Clyde Drexler. After the disappointing defeat, several players, including Csonka, Warfield, and running back Jim Kiick, joined the short-lived World Football League. The Dolphins managed to win ten games in 1975, aided by Griese’s consistency and the fine play of wide receiver Nat Moore. They did not make the playoffs however, losing on a tiebreaker to the Baltimore Colts. Bill Willoughby. Miami reached the playoffs again in 1974 but lost in the first round to the Oakland Raiders. Walt Williams. The Dolphins won 12 games during the 1973 season and repeated as Super Bowl VIII champions, routing the Minnesota Vikings 24-7. Jimmy Walker. It was led by linebacker Nick Buoniconti, end Bill Stanfill, and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott.

Otis Thorpe. The 1972 Dolphins defensive unit, called the No-Name Defense because Miami’s impressive offense received much more publicity, was the league’s best that year. Kenny Smith. The offensive line included future Hall of Fame members Jim Langer and Larry Little. Purvis Short. During this season, Griese and veteran quarterback Earl Morrall shared the passing duties, and running backs Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris became the first teammates to rush for more than 1,000 yards each. Ralph Sampson. (This is sometimes called the "Perfect Season".) Miami went on to win two playoff games and then Super Bowl VII, defeating the Washington Redskins 14-7.

Glen Rice. In 1972 the Dolphins accomplished an amazing feat, becoming the first NFL team to finish a season undefeated (the 1948 Cleveland Browns had accomplished the feat, but as members of the All-America Football Conference). Robert Reid. In Super Bowl VI, however, Miami lost to the Dallas Cowboys 24-3. Brent Price. The AFC Divisional Playoff Game, in which the Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, was the longest contest in NFL history (82 minutes 40 seconds). Scottie Pippen. The Dolphins were a successful team during the early 1970s, capturing the AFC championship in 1971 behind quarterback Bob Griese and wide receiver Paul Warfield.

Moochie Norris. Miami joined the NFL in 1970 when the NFL and AFL completed their merger. Mike Newlin. The Dolphins began play in 1966, and after four consecutive losing seasons, Don Shula replaced George Wilson as head coach. Cuttino Mobley. Miami joined the American Football League (AFL) when an expansion team franchise was awarded to lawyer Joseph Robbie and actor Danny Thomas in 1965. Rodney McCray. He piloted the Dolphins to numerous playoff appearances and one Super Bowl, and he holds numerous NFL career passing records.

Vernon Maxwell. During the 1980s and 1990s quarterback Dan Marino became the most prolific passer in NFL history. Matt Maloney. Five future Hall of Fame members played for Miami during the 1970s, including running back Larry Csonka and quarterback Bob Griese. Sam Mack. In 1972 the Dolphins became the first and only NFL team to complete a 14-game regular season (and the entire postseason) without a loss. John Lucas. His Dolphins teams posted losing records in only 2 of his 26 seasons with the club.

Lewis Lloyd. For most of their history, the Dolphins were coached by Don Shula, the winningest head coach in professional football history. Allen Leavell. The team is named for the dolphins that inhabit the coastal waters of Florida. Kevin Kunnert. Miami Dolphins, professional football team and one of the four teams in the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) of the National Football League (NFL). Don Kojis. The Miami Dolphins are a National Football League team based in Miami, Florida.

Toby Kimball. Jimmy Johnson (coach). Buck Johnson. Garo Yepremian. Robert Horry. Ricky Williams. Carl Herrera. Paul Warfield.

Steve Harris. John Stofa. Othella Harrington. Dwight Stephenson. Eddie Griffin. Jake Scott. Dave Gambee. Mercury Morris.

Steve Francis. Nat Moore. Eric Floyd. Gene Mingo. Mario Elie. Wahoo McDaniel. Pete Chilcutt. Larry Little.

Kelvin Cato. Jim Kiick. Sam Cassell. Cookie Gilchrist. Matt Bullard. Mark Duper. Chucky Brown. Mark Clayton.

Scott Brooks. Keith Byars. Rick Barry. Nick Buoniconti. Charles Barkley. Dick Anderson. PG - #17 Charlie Ward (Florida State). Larry Csonka 39.

F - #5 Juwan Howard (Michigan). Dan Marino 13. SG - #7 David Wesley (Baylor). Bob Griese12. F - #30 Clarence Weatherspoon (Southern Miss). Zach Thomas. PG - #23 Moochie Norris (West Florida). Jason Taylor.

C - #55 Dikembe Mutombo (Georgetown). Junior Seau. PG - #13 Mike James (Duquesne). Randy McMichael. SG - #20 Jon Barry (Georgia Tech). Sam Madison. F/C - #42 Vin Baker (Hartford). Sammy Knight.

C - #11 Yao Ming (姚明) (China). Jeno James. SF - #40 Ryan Bowen (Iowa). Gus Frerotte. PF - #35 Scott Padgett (Kentucky). Chris Chambers. PG - #3 Bob Sura (Florida State). Tim Bowens.

Zion Christian Academy, Rocky Mount, North Carolina). Marty Booker. SG - #1 Tracy McGrady (Mt. Paul Warfield. Clyde Drexler. Dwight Stephenson. Calvin Murphy. Don Shula.

Moses Malone. Dan Marino. Elvin Hayes. Larry Little. Jim Langer. Bob Griese.

Larry Csonka. Nick Buoniconti.