In 2010-11, the Houston Rockets were riding through a tumultuous season, unaware they were sitting on something of a gold mine.
Yao Ming only played in five games that season, his last in the NBA before injuries forced his retirement. The Rockets won 43 games, missed the playoffs and fired Rick Adelman.
Kyle Lowry was their starting point guard, and they had Goran Dragic backing him up. The franchise was going through transition, not winning immediately, and funnelling players through their roster, with an eye on James Harden.
Dragic eventually overtook Lowry as the team’s starter, and Lowry was traded to the Toronto Raptors.