Hakeem Olajuwon Center #34
Height: 7'0" Weight: 255 Years pro: 14 Age: 35
The coach says: How much does he have left after coming back from a knee operation? Is having a bad year by his normal standards. Can he still make the strong move to the middle with the jump hook or the pass off the dribble to an open 3-point shooter? Most think he has slipped, but don't write him off in a short series. Also has great pride.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 23 34.8 16.4 29.4 .470 .790 - 10.0 3.0 1.8 2.1 2.3
Road 24 34.7 16.5 29.1 .497 .723 .000 9.5 3.1 1.8 2. 3.0
November 10 35.9 15.3 26.8 .480 .786 - 9.3 2.2 2.1 2.8 2.5
February 12 31.7 15.6 27.1 .521 .795 .000 8.4 3.1 1.2 1.5 2.5
March 15 35.5 18.1 31.6 .455 .712 - 10.5 2.9 1.9 1.7 2.9
April 9 36.2 16.7 32.0 .500 .755 .000 11.1 4.2 2.0 2.4 2.7
In wins 26 34.7 17.0 31.0 .507 .774 .000 10.6 3.4 2.0 2.3 2.5
In losses 21 34.9 15.8 27.1 .455 .732 .000 8.8 2.6 1.5 1.7 3.0
As Starter 45 35.3 16.5 29.6 .480 .755 .000 10.0 3.1 1.8 2.1 2.7
Off Bench 2 22.5 14.5 22.0 .591 .750 .000 5.5 2.0 1.0 1.0 1.5
vs. Utah 1 38.0 18.0 33.0 .368 .667 - 11.0 4.0 2.0 2.0 3.0
Charles Barkley Power forward #4
Height: 6'6" Weight: 252 Years pro: 14 Age:35
The coach says: Groin injury may limit him. Averages 33 minutes coming off the bench as a sixth man. Is no longer a major force. dominates the ball in the low post, waiting for the double team. Will shoot the three but with limited success. Doesn't have size to guard Malone. Can have a huge game on the boards but is coming to the end of a great run.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 32 33.3 14.4 30.1 .478 .742 .083 12.0 3.7 0.8 0.4 2.3
Road 36 32.8 16.0 30.1 .491 .749 .267 11.4 2.8 1.2 0.4 2.0
November 9 34.6 17.2 33.2 .478 .786 .429 13.8 2.2 1.0 0.0 3.2
December 13 38.3 16.8 35.8 .468 .764 .188 14.2 4.9 1.4 0.7 2.2
January 1S 33.9 16.1 30.8 .459 .748 .200 11.1 3.6 1.2 0.7 2.1
February 13 32.4 16.7 30.4 .534 .700 .227 11.5 2.2 0.8 0.2 1.9
March 12 29.3 12.4 24.6 .510 .804 .182 9.3 2.8 0.8 0.3 1.8
April 5 26.0 9.8 23.2 .447 .667 .125 10.2 3.2 1.0 0.2 1.6
In wins 36 32.4 15.5 31.6 .530 .730 .206 12.6 3.5 1.2 0.5 2.3
In losses 32 33.6 15.0 28.5 .442 .766 .220 10.6 2.9 0.8 0.3 2.0
vs. Utah 3 37.7 10.3 21.3 .323 .688 .000 8.0 3.0 0.7 0.0 2.0
Clyde Drexler Shooting guard #22
Height: 6'7" Weight: 222 Years pro: 15 Age: 34
The coach says: Will retire to coach at the University of Houston. Is having a pretty good season, averaging 18 points a game. Has never been a great shooter, but is a great scorer. He can still go coast-to-coast with the best. Will try to post up the Jazz guards. He can be effective on the pick and roll, when Houston uses it. Picked the right time to pack it in.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 34 35.4 19.2 30.4 .456 .810 .337 5.3 5.8 1.7 0.6 2.7
Road 36 35.3 17.6 27.3 .400 .791 .298 4.6 5.1 1.9 0.6 2.7
November 12 34.6 19.9 29.7 .430 .775 .293 5.1 4.7 1.7 0.2 2.0
December 13 34.5 17.3 28.2 .429 .869 .286 4.5 6.4 1.6 0.5 2.4
January 11 36.3 19.3 29.8 .438 .712 .318 4.8 5.7 2.1 1.4 3.0
February 13 36.6 16.5 26.1 .383 .815 .224 4.6 5.0 2.0 0.5 2.5
March 11 36.0 20.3 30.4 .479 .829 .420 4.5 5.5 1.4 0.5 3.2
April 9 33.8 17.4 28.7 .404 .813 .339 6.2 5.0 2.2 0.6 3.0
In wins 39 34.4 19.3 30.1 .448 .835 .326 4.9 5.8 1.9 0.6 2.8
In losses 31 36.5 17.2 27.2 .401 .750 .307 4.9 5.1 1.7 0.6 2.6
vs. Utah 3 38.7 18.3 28.7 .447 .636 .400 3.7 6.7 2.3 0.0 1.7
Kevin Willis Center/forward #32
Height: 7'3" Weight: 245 Years pro: 14 Age: 35
The coach says: Has a rep as a non-passer and non-team player but has done a nice job this season, especially when Olajuwon was out. Shoots a great jump hook coming off the left low block. Capable of having a big scoring night. Malone will probably start on him and vice versa. Is featured in the low post when Hakeem is out. One of strongest players in the NBA.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 41 31.4 16.9 26.7 .512 .788 .000 8.8 1.1 0.8 0.5 2.1
Road 40 31.0 15.3 24.2 .507 .798 .333 8.0 0.9 0.6 0.5 2.1
November 12 29.3 14.7 25.1 .511 .717 .000 9.1 1.3 0.6 0.2 2.4
December 13 33.5 21.2 30.6 .549 .833 .000 8.5 0.8 0.6 0.2 2.2
January 17 34.7 17.9 28.8 .477 .821 .333 9.5 1.4 1.0 0.6 2.4
February 13 29.8 14.3 22.7 .462 .840 .000 7.8 0.6 0.3 0.3 1.8
March 15 28.6 13.3 22.1 .509 .733 - 8.1 0.7 0.9 0.7 1.9
April 10 30.5 14.4 21.7 .550 .800 .000 6.6 0.7 0.5 0.7 1.6
In wins 41 30.7 16.4 26.4 .529 .775 .000 8.9 1.0 0.8 0.6 1.9
In losses 40 31.7 15.8 24.5 .490 .810 .250 7.9 0.9 0.6 0.3 2.3
vs. Utah 3 33.7 18.3 26.3 .538 .929 - 7.3 0.7 0.3 0.0 2.3
Matt Maloney Point guard #12
Height: 6'3" Weight: 200 Years pro: 2 Age: 26
The coach says: Is not a typical "point" guard, but has done a pretty good job running a veteran team. Plays hard, does what he can in directing the ball to the scorers and hitting the open shot when left alone. Has below-average speed and quickness and will have trouble dealing with Stockton and Eisley. Relies on smarts and toughness.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 39 27.7 8.71 3.8 .430 .816 .389 2.0 3.1 0.6 0.0 1.1
Road 39 29.2 8.41 2.6 .387 .850 .341 1.7 2.5 1.0 0.1 1.6
November 12 25.5 8.01 1.3 .364 .870 .370 1.3 2.1 0.8 0.0 1.2
December 13 22.5 6.51 0.1 .386 .250 .392 1.6 1.9 0.6 0.0 0.5
January 14 28.7 10.61 5.5 .479 .923 .382 2.2 2.6 0.9 0.1 1.9
February 12 35.0 10.31 6.5 .384 .800 .373 2.4 3.8 1.2 0.0 1.6
March 16 30.0 7.91 3.5 .395 1.000 .358 2.0 3.6 0.6 0.1 1.6
April 10 29.2 8.01 1.5 .411 .667 .298 1.0 2.5 0.5 0.1 1.5
In wins 39 29.2 9.41 4.7 .408 .814 .380 2.1 3.1 0.8 0.1 1.2
In losses 39 27.7 7.71 1.7 .408 .857 .344 1.5 2.5 0.7 0.1 1.6
vs. Utah 3 30.0 11.01 6.0 .524 .833 .545 1.7 3.3 0.3 0.0 0.3
Mario Elie Small forward #17
Height: 6'5" Weight: 210 Years pro: 8 Age: 34
The coach says: A very emotional-type player. Very unhappy about the "almost" trade to Toronto for Stoudamire. Has been a clutch 3-point shooter over the years. Is a dogged defender. Great free-throw shooter, especially late. Have liked him as a solid pro since seeing him in the WBL during the summer of 1990. Probably getting close to the end.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 37 28.5 8.9 14.5 .440 .865 .304 2.4 3.1 1.4 0.1 1.5
Road 36 26.0 7.8 12.6 .466 .800 .276 1.9 2.9 0.8 0.1 1.3
November 12 27.8 9.0 13.8 .434 .778 .235 1.5 3.3 1.3 0.2 1.3
December 12 28.9 10.4 14.8 .506 .862 .333 2.5 1.9 1.6 0.1 1.5
January 15 25.7 7.4 12.0 .433 .879 .121 2.0 2.6 1.1 0.1 1.4
February 9 19.8 5.3 9.7 .484 .800 .400 1.4 2.9 0.7 0.0 0.7
March 14 27.1 7.3 13.5 .419 .875 .364 2.8 3.4 0.8 0.0 1.4
April 10 33.6 11.4 18.5 .455 .778 .351 2.6 4.5 1.1 0.2 1.7
In wins 35 27.9 9.9 15.1 .482 .865 .330 2.1 3.1 1.4 0.1 1.5
In losses 38 26.7 7.0 12.1 .422 .778 .253 2.1 2.9 0.8 0.1 1.3
vs. Utah 3 29.7 12.0 18.0 .481 .750 .364 3.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 1.7
Eddie Johnson Shooting guard #8
Height: 6'7" Weight: 215 Years pro: 16 Age: 38
The coach says: Is in great shape at age 38. Not a rebounder, defender or passer but is a great shooter! Hit the big winner in Game 4 against the Jazz last year. Also scored 37 in Rockets' last visit to Delta Center. Will play about 15 to 25 minutes. Has always played well against Utah. Is shooting an unusually low 41 percent, but don't leave him open.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 36 18.5 8.5 11.6 .438 .845 .374 2.0 1.1 0.5 0.1 1.0
Road 39 21.2 8.4 11.7 .399 .821 .293 2.1 1.2 0.4 0.0 0.7
November 9 16.3 7.6 10.1 .344 .889 .320 1.9 0.7 0.6 0.0 0.9
December 13 19.5 8.1 11.2 .394 .900 .351 2.0 1.1 0.3 0.1 1.1
January 13 20.5 9.0 11.8 .451 .917 .382 1.9 0.9 0.6 0.0 0.8
February 13 21.5 9.3 12.8 .433 .815 .357 1.8 1.7 0.5 0.1 0.4
March 16 21.1 8.9 12.8 .455 .870 .268 2.8 1.1 0.4 0.1 1.0
April 10 19.3 7.0 10.2 .371 .650 .278 1.5 1.7 0.3 0.0 0.9
In wins 37 19.4 8.3 11.6 .426 .833 .416 2.2 1.1 0.4 0.1 0.7
In losses 38 20.3 8.6 11.7 .409 .829 .266 1.9 1.2 0.4 0.0 0.9
vs. Utah 4 25.3 14.5 17.8 .541 1.000 .385 2.0 1.3 1.5 0.0 2.0
Matt Bullard Small forward #50
Height: 6'10" Weight: 235 Years pro: 7 Age: 30
The coach says: Not a great player by any stretch, but is smart, knows his strengths and plays to them. Will not drive or rebound much. Loves to spot up and look for the trey. Has not been the consistent shooter over the years I thought he would be. Never shoots any free throws (20-of-27). Has been a sometimes starter, but only because of injuries.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 35 19.3 7.7 11.1 .450 .714 .398 2.3 1.1 0.4 0.4 0.7
Road 32 16.1 6.2 8.8 .450 .769 .439 2.0 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.4
November 10 12.3 4.4 6.4 .348 .500 .367 1.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.1
December 13 19.2 8.2 12.2 .425 .833 .411 3.0 0.9 0.3 0.5 0.8
January 15 19.3 7.8 10.8 .489 .667 .472 2.2 0.8 0.6 0.3 0.7
February 10 18.6 7.3 10.3 .529 .667 .531 2.0 1.0 0.8 0.3 0.6
March 15 18.7 7.1 10.3 .483 .500 .404 2.1 1.1 0.2 0.4 0.4
April 3 18.0 5.3 8.3 .304 1.000 .000 2.0 1.0 1.3 0.0 1.0
In wins 34 17.3 7.3 10.5 .472 .778 .452 2.3 0.9 0.4 0.4 0.6
In losses 33 18.2 6.6 9.5 .427 .722 .374 2.1 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.6
vs. Utah 4 19.8 5.8 9.5 .364 .750 .308 2.5 1.3 0.5 0.5 0.8
Brent Price Point guard #20
Height: 6'1" Weight: 185 Years pro: 5 Age: 29
The coach says: Didn't play in the Rockets' last game. Will he be on the playoff roster? Can shoot the trey if open but has no real point guard skills. Plays hard, but injuries have hurt his career up to now. Averages about 18 minutes per game.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 34 19.0 6.2 10.2 .404 .759 .396 1.5 2.6 0.8 0.0 1.8
Road 38 18.1 5.2 9.4 .422 .825 .384 1.5 2.8 0.7 0.1 1.3
November 10 20.9 5.8 11.0 .452 .714 .435 2.0 3.2 0.9 0.0 1.5
December 8 16.4 6.6 10.3 .436 .615 .393 1.4 2.3 1.0 0.0 1.9
January 17 18.2 5.2 10.6 .439 .737 .432 2.4 3.1 0.8 0.1 1.4
February 11 16.8 5.1 8.4 .429 .800 .400 0.9 2.4 1.1 0.0 1.4
March 16 19.1 5.8 8.9 .354 .880 .318 0.8 2.4 0.4 0.0 1.9
April 9 18.8 5.7 9.1 .432 1.000 .435 1.1 2.3 0.2 0.2 1.2
In wins 35 19.7 6.3 11.0 .412 .810 .368 1.7 3.0 0.9 0.1 1.5
In losses 37 17.4 5.0 8.6 .414 .743 .413 1.3 2.4 0.6 0.1 1.5
vs. Utah 4 19.3 6.8 11.3 .450 .750 .667 1.0 3.5 0.8 0.0 1.0
Charles Jones Power forward #27
Height: 6'9" Weight: 215 Years pro: 15 Age: 41
The coach says: Has been a solid person and a solid professional, but his career has long been over. Comes from a great basketball family. Four sons have played pro basketball. Probably will play little if any.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 14 5.9 0.7 2.1 .714 - - 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.1
Road 10 4.4 0.5 1.5 .667 .500 - 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.3
1 Days Rest 5 6.2 0.4 2.2 .500 - - 1.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.8
2 Days Rest 5 3.0 0.6 1.2 .333 .500 - 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0
December 5 6.0 1.4 2.6 1.000 .500 - 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.0
January 10 7.1 0.6 2.0 .750 - - 1.2 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.4
February 6 2.5 0.0 0.2 .000 - 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0
April 3 3.7 0.7 3.3 1.000 - 2.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0
In wins 10 5.3 0.6 1.6 .750 - - 0.7 0.3 0.0 0.4 0.2
In losses 14 5.3 0.6 2.0 .667 .500 - 1.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
vs. Utah 1 9.0 0.0 2.0 .000 - - 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0
Othella Harrington Power forward #32
Height: 6'9" Weight: 235 Years pro: 2 Age: 24
The coach says: Averages about 15 minutes per game. Has looked good at times. Likes to work on the low right block. Doubt he will be a factor in this series. A pretty good prospect.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 29 15.9 6.2 10.4 .516 .706 - 3.9 0.4 0.1 0.7 0.8
Road 29 15.2 5.9 9.6 .457 .815 .000 3.3 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.8
November 7 8.1 3.4 6.0 .435 .667 - 2.4 0.1 0.0 0.6 0.1
December 10 10.1 4.1 7.3 .516 .750 - 3.0 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.5
January 16 23.3 8.4 14.1 .482 .844 .000 5.0 0.6 0.3 0.7 0.8
February 7 7.0 3.4 5.6 .647 .667 - 2.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 1.4
March 9 19.4 8.6 13.2 .500 .719 - 4.3 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.8
April 9 16.6 5.4 9.2 .379 .730 - 3.0 0.8 0.2 0.3 1.2
In wins 27 12.4 5.2 8.4 .538 .725 .000 2.9 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.7
In losses 31 18.4 6.7 11.5 .451 .768 - 4.2 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.9
vs. Utah 2 33.5 12.0 23.5 .556 .571 - 10.0 1.5 0.5 1.0 1.5
Rodrick Rhodes Guard/forward #1
Height: 6'6" Weight: 225 Years pro: R Age: 24
The coach says: A first-round pick of the Rockets. Has had his moments, but will not be a factor in this series unless the Rockets have more injury problems.
1997-98 stats
Per-gm avg g min pts par fg% ft% 3p% trb ast stl blk to
Home 27 19.1 5.3 8.7 .301 .573 .200 1.3 2.1 0.9 0.1 1.8
Road 31 17.8 6.3 9.1 .436 .653 .333 1.1 1.7 1.3 0.2 1.6
November 12 16.0 4.5 8.1 .314 .677 .333 1.2 2.4 1.3 0.2 1.6
December 5 16.8 7.4 10.2 .370 .630 .000 1.4 1.4 0.8 0.2 1.4
January 17 25.0 8.4 12.6 .407 .622 .000 1.9 2.3 1.5 0.2 2.3
February 10 16.2 4.7 6.7 .362 .765 .000 0.4 1.6 0.8 0.1 1.2
March 12 12.9 3.3 5.3 .400 .444 - 0.9 1.1 0.8 0.3 1.1
April 1 31.0 10.0 13.0 .200 .375 1.000 1.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 4.0
In wins 29 15.7 5.3 7.8 .388 .657 .000 0.9 1.6 0.8 0.2 1.2
In losses 29 21.2 6.3 10.0 .349 .591 .667 1.5 2.2 1.3 0.2 2.1
vs. Utah 2 22.5 3.5 5.0 .286 .375 - 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.0 2.0