1983–84 Houston Rockets 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. 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.

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * November 4, 1983
 * @ Detroit
 * W 113–108
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * November 5, 1983
 * @ Kansas City
 * L 106–123
 * Kemper Arena
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * November 8, 1983
 * Portland
 * L 104–122
 * The Summit
 * 2–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * November 10, 1983
 * Utah
 * L 109–118
 * The Summit
 * 2–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 8
 * November 12, 1983
 * Dallas
 * W 100–98
 * The Summit
 * 3–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * November 15, 1983
 * New Jersey
 * L 86–104
 * The Summit
 * 3–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 10
 * November 18, 1983
 * @ Denver
 * L 127–134
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 3–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * November 22, 1983
 * Phoenix
 * W 118–96
 * The Summit
 * 5–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * November 25, 1983
 * Philadelphia
 * L 101–115
 * The Summit
 * 5–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * November 26, 1983
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 109–115
 * The Omni
 * 5–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * November 30, 1983
 * @ Dallas
 * L 102–113
 * Reunion Arena
 * 6–10
 * The Summit
 * 5–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 13
 * November 25, 1983
 * Philadelphia
 * L 101–115
 * The Summit
 * 5–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 14
 * November 26, 1983
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 109–115
 * The Omni
 * 5–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * November 30, 1983
 * @ Dallas
 * L 102–113
 * Reunion Arena
 * 6–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * November 30, 1983
 * @ Dallas
 * L 102–113
 * Reunion Arena
 * 6–10
 * Reunion Arena
 * 6–10
 * 6–10


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * December 2, 1983
 * Seattle
 * W 125–102
 * The Summit
 * 7–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 18
 * December 3, 1983
 * @ New York
 * L 101–117
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 7–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 19
 * December 6, 1983
 * Washington
 * L 109–113
 * The Summit
 * 7–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 20
 * December 7, 1983
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 101–103
 * MECCA Arena
 * 7–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 22
 * December 10, 1983
 * Utah
 * L 121–128
 * The Summit
 * 8–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * December 13, 1983
 * Phoenix
 * W 129–110
 * The Summit
 * 9–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 15, 1983
 * @ Utah
 * L 111–138
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 9–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 27
 * December 22, 1983
 * @ Seattle
 * W 116–112
 * Kingdome
 * 11–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 28
 * December 23, 1983
 * @ Portland
 * L 84–97
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 11–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 30
 * December 29, 1983
 * Boston
 * W 107–94
 * The Summit
 * 12–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * December 30, 1983
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 110–121
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 12–19
 * Kingdome
 * 11–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 28
 * December 23, 1983
 * @ Portland
 * L 84–97
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 11–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 30
 * December 29, 1983
 * Boston
 * W 107–94
 * The Summit
 * 12–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * December 30, 1983
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 110–121
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 12–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * December 30, 1983
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 110–121
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 12–19
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 12–19
 * 12–19


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 32
 * January 3, 1984
 * Dallas
 * L 117–119
 * The Summit
 * 12–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 33
 * January 4, 1984
 * @ Utah (at Las Vegas, Nevada)
 * L 111–116
 * Thomas & Mack Center
 * 12–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 34
 * January 6, 1984
 * @ Seattle
 * W 116–112
 * Kingdome
 * 12–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 35
 * January 8, 1984
 * @ Los Angeles
 * W 129–118
 * The Forum
 * 13–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 36
 * January 10, 1984
 * Los Angeles
 * L 132–136 (OT)
 * The Summit
 * 13–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 37
 * January 12, 1984
 * Portland
 * L 117–120
 * The Summit
 * 13–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 14, 1984
 * Kansas City
 * W 109–104
 * The Summit
 * 15–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 40
 * January 17, 1984
 * Denver
 * W 124–115
 * The Summit
 * 16–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * January 21, 1984
 * Utah
 * W 115–105
 * The Summit
 * 18–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 44
 * January 26, 1984
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 102–131
 * The Forum
 * 18–26
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 45
 * January 31, 1984
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 122–107
 * Kemper Arena
 * 19–26
 * 42
 * January 21, 1984
 * Utah
 * W 115–105
 * The Summit
 * 18–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 44
 * January 26, 1984
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 102–131
 * The Forum
 * 18–26
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 45
 * January 31, 1984
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 122–107
 * Kemper Arena
 * 19–26
 * 45
 * January 31, 1984
 * @ Kansas City
 * W 122–107
 * Kemper Arena
 * 19–26
 * Kemper Arena
 * 19–26
 * 19–26


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 46
 * February 2, 1984
 * Dallas
 * W 123–107
 * The Summit
 * 20–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * February 4, 1984
 * New York
 * L 95–103
 * The Summit
 * 20–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 48
 * February 7, 1984
 * @ Washington
 * L 92–95
 * Capital Centre
 * 20–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * February 8, 1984
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 107–118
 * The Spectrum
 * 20–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 50
 * February 10, 1984
 * @ Boston
 * L 101–114
 * Boston Garden
 * 20–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 51
 * February 12, 1984
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 103–107
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 20–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 52
 * February 14, 1984
 * Detroit
 * L 119–126
 * The Summit
 * 20–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 54
 * February 18, 1984
 * Phoenix
 * L 102–126
 * The Summit
 * 21–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 21, 1984
 * Milwaukee
 * W 119–102
 * The Summit
 * 22–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * February 22, 1984
 * @ Dallas
 * L 106–112
 * Reunion Arena
 * 22–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * February 28, 1984
 * Seattle
 * W 111–105
 * The Summit
 * 23–35
 * The Summit
 * 21–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 55
 * February 21, 1984
 * Milwaukee
 * W 119–102
 * The Summit
 * 22–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 56
 * February 22, 1984
 * @ Dallas
 * L 106–112
 * Reunion Arena
 * 22–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * February 28, 1984
 * Seattle
 * W 111–105
 * The Summit
 * 23–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 58
 * February 28, 1984
 * Seattle
 * W 111–105
 * The Summit
 * 23–35
 * The Summit
 * 23–35
 * 23–35


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 59
 * March 1, 1984
 * Kansas City
 * L 101–108
 * The Summit
 * 23–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 61
 * March 6, 1984
 * @ Denver
 * L 128–130
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 24–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 62
 * March 7, 1984
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 110–123
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 24–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 67
 * March 17, 1984
 * Los Angeles
 * L 111–123
 * The Summit
 * 26–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * March 20, 1984
 * Kansas City
 * L 102–115
 * The Summit
 * 26–42
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69
 * March 21, 1984
 * @ Denver
 * L 125–134
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 26–43
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 70
 * March 23, 1984
 * @ Dallas
 * L 104–116
 * Reunion Arena
 * 26–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * March 24, 1984
 * Atlanta
 * W 103–102
 * The Summit
 * 27–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * March 27, 1984
 * Denver
 * W 140–137
 * The Summit
 * 28–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 73
 * March 29, 1984
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 109–115
 * The Forum
 * 28–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * March 31, 1984
 * Portland
 * L 102–106
 * The Summit
 * 28–46
 * The Summit
 * 27–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * March 27, 1984
 * Denver
 * W 140–137
 * The Summit
 * 28–44
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 73
 * March 29, 1984
 * @ Los Angeles
 * L 109–115
 * The Forum
 * 28–45
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * March 31, 1984
 * Portland
 * L 102–106
 * The Summit
 * 28–46
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * March 31, 1984
 * Portland
 * L 102–106
 * The Summit
 * 28–46
 * The Summit
 * 28–46
 * 28–46


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 75
 * April 2, 1984
 * @ Utah
 * L 100–111
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 28–47
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 77
 * April 5, 1984
 * @ Portland
 * W 129–114
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 29–48
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 78
 * April 8, 1984
 * @ Seattle (at Tacoma, Washington)
 * L 107–120
 * Tacoma Dome
 * 29–49
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 80
 * April 11, 1984
 * Denver
 * L 110–130
 * The Summit
 * 29–51
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 14, 1984
 * @ Kansas City
 * L 96–108
 * Kemper Arena
 * 29–53
 * The Summit
 * 29–51
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 82
 * April 14, 1984
 * @ Kansas City
 * L 96–108
 * Kemper Arena
 * 29–53
 * L 96–108
 * Kemper Arena
 * 29–53
 * Kemper Arena
 * 29–53
 * 29–53

Awards

 * Ralph Sampson, NBA Rookie of the Year Award
 * Ralph Sampson, All-NBA Second Team
 * Ralph Sampson, NBA All-Rookie Team 1st Team