Arguably the most productive association between player and team in Houston sports history came to an end 15 years ago today.
Aug. 2, 2001, marked the end of the Hakeem Olajuwon era in Houston, with the Rockets trading their star center to the Toronto Raptors. For the greatest player in franchise history, the Rockets received a first-round pick in 2002 (used on Bostjan Nachbar), a second-round pick that year (used on Tito Maddox) and a trade exception.
"It's like falling over a cliff in a way," Rockets owner Leslie Alexander told the Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen. "Dream's been a part of this team since I've owned it.