History of the San Diego Rockets

The San Diego Rockets were one of the NBA's early expansion franchises, entering the league in 1967 alongside the Seattle SuperSonics. Although the team spent only four seasons in Southern California before relocating to Houston, the San Diego Rockets laid the foundation for what would eventually become one of the NBA's most successful franchises.

Expansion Comes to San Diego

In 1967, the NBA expanded from nine to eleven teams by awarding franchises to San Diego and Seattle. San Diego was an attractive market because of its growing population, booming economy, and strong aerospace industry.

Local businessman Robert Breitbard was awarded the expansion franchise. The nickname "Rockets" reflected San Diego's ties to the aerospace and defense industries. Companies such as General Dynamics, Convair, and Ryan Aeronautical were major employers in the region, making the name a natural fit.

The Rockets played their home games at the San Diego Sports Arena, which opened in 1966 and became the home of professional basketball in the city.

Early Struggles

Like most expansion teams, the Rockets struggled during their inaugural 1967-68 season. Under head coach Jack McMahon, San Diego finished with a 15-67 record, the worst in the NBA. Despite the disappointing season, the poor record earned the franchise the first overall pick in the 1968 NBA Draft.

Veterans such as Don Kojis, Jon McGlocklin, and Johnny Green provided leadership, but the roster lacked the talent necessary to compete with the league's established teams.

The Arrival of Elvin Hayes

Everything changed in the 1968 NBA Draft when the Rockets selected Elvin Hayes from the University of Houston with the first overall pick.

Hayes immediately became one of the NBA's biggest stars. Nicknamed "The Big E," he averaged over 28 points and 17 rebounds per game during his rookie season, earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors.

Behind Hayes' dominant play, San Diego improved dramatically to 37-45 during the 1968-69 season. Although they narrowly missed the playoffs, optimism surrounded the franchise for the first time.

Continued Improvement

The Rockets continued building around Hayes during the next two seasons. Contributors such as Don Kojis, John Block, Art Williams, and future Hall of Famer Pat Riley helped improve the club.

San Diego finished 27-55 during the 1969-70 season before posting its best record in franchise history at 40-42 in 1970-71. Unfortunately, the improvement still wasn't enough to qualify for the NBA playoffs.

Financial Challenges

Despite progress on the court, the Rockets struggled financially. Attendance remained inconsistent, and owner Robert Breitbard found it difficult to operate successfully in the relatively small San Diego market.

The NBA itself faced financial uncertainty during the late 1960s and early 1970s while competing with the rival American Basketball Association (ABA), placing additional pressure on several franchises.

In 1971, Breitbard sold the team to Texas businessman Wayne Duddleston, who quickly announced plans to relocate the franchise.

Relocation to Houston

Prior to the 1971-72 NBA season, the franchise officially relocated to Houston, Texas, becoming the Houston Rockets.

The move proved fitting because Houston had become internationally known as the home of NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center). The "Rockets" nickname became even more appropriate thanks to Houston's close connection to America's space program.

Elvin Hayes played one season in Houston before being traded to the Baltimore Bullets in 1972, ending the first chapter of the franchise's history.

Legacy

Although the San Diego Rockets existed for only four seasons, they occupy an important place in NBA history. The franchise brought NBA basketball to San Diego, developed one of the league's greatest stars in Elvin Hayes, and established the foundation for what would become one of the NBA's premier organizations.

The franchise never reached the playoffs during its San Diego years, but after moving to Houston, the Rockets evolved into one of the league's most successful teams.

San Diego Rockets at a Glance

Notable Players

• Elvin Hayes
• Don Kojis
• John Block
• Art Williams
• Pat Riley
• Johnny Green
• Jon McGlocklin

Conclusion

While the San Diego Rockets were short-lived, they represent an important chapter in NBA history. Their four seasons in Southern California introduced the city to NBA basketball and launched a franchise that would eventually capture multiple NBA championships after relocating to Houston. The San Diego years remain a fascinating "what if" in league history, marking the humble beginnings of one of basketball's most recognizable organizations.