2003–04 Houston Rockets season

The 2003–04 NBA season was the Rockets' 37th season in the NBA and its 33rd season in the city of Houston. The season saw the Rockets move their home games from Compaq Center to the new Toyota Center. During the offseason, the Rockets hired head coach Jeff Van Gundy, who is best known for his tenure with the New York Knicks and signed free agent Jim Jackson. The Rockets finished fifth in the Midwest Division with a 45–37 record, and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1999 as the number 7 seed in the Western Conference. However, the Rockets did not make it out of the first round this time as they were outmatched by a Los Angeles Lakers squad that featured Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton, losing the series in five games. Following the season, Stev

2003–04 Houston Rockets season

The 2003–04 NBA season was the Rockets' 37th season in the NBA and its 33rd season in the city of Houston. The season saw the Rockets move their home games from Compaq Center to the new Toyota Center. During the offseason, the Rockets hired head coach Jeff Van Gundy, who is best known for his tenure with the New York Knicks and signed free agent Jim Jackson. The Rockets finished fifth in the Midwest Division with a 45–37 record, and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1999 as the number 7 seed in the Western Conference. However, the Rockets did not make it out of the first round this time as they were outmatched by a Los Angeles Lakers squad that featured Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton, losing the series in five games. Following the season, Stev