Houston Rockets • 2003-2004 Media Guide - NBA Media Central

When Leslie Alexander purchased the Rockets on
July 30, 1993, he made it clear that he wanted the
best franchise in professional sports — both on
and off the court. His mission was simple: to win
championships for Houston and to help
Houstonians in need. He has succeeded
repeatedly on both fronts, but constantly searches
for ways to take his mission to a higher level.
“I’ve always believed that sports teams are in the
unique position to make a real difference in their
communities,” Alexander said. “When I bought
the Rockets, that was my dream. I hoped to make
a difference for the people of Houston, both
emotionally and financially.”
Since 1993, Alexander has dedicated himself to
building the Rockets franchise in every area. His
tireless efforts to construct a downtown arena
became a reality this year with the opening of
Toyota Center.
“I want to do the most we can every year to win the
championship,” he said. “That’s always our goal,
and it has been thrilling to see what we've
accomplished over the last ten years.”
Alexander has continually proven his commitment
to success. He has engineered numerous moves
to enable the Rockets to improve the team:
In 1995, Alexander orchestrated a deal with
Portland to bring Houston native Clyde Drexler to
the Rockets. This trade served as a springboard to
Houston’s second-consecutive championship just
four months later.
In 1996, Alexander signed Hakeem Olajuwon
to a long-term contract extension.
In 1996, Alexander acquired NBA All-Star
Charles Barkley from Phoenix.
In 1997, Alexander gave a multi-year contract
extension to Head Coach Rudy Tomjanovich.
In 1999, the Rockets traded with Chicago for
six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen.
In 1999, Alexander acquired Steve Francis,
giving Houston, at that time, its highest-drafted
player since Olajuwon joined the team in 1984.
In 2002, Alexander and the Rockets made
history with the first overall pick of the 2002 NBA
Draft by selecting Yao Ming, making him the firstever
player from an international league to be
drafted number one.
In 2003, Alexander hired Jeff Van Gundy as
the 10th head coach in franchise history. Van
Gundy comes to Houston after posting a winning
record in each of his seven seasons with New York.
Alexander spearheaded the team’s search for a
new coach. Among the highly qualified candidates
interviewed, Alexander decided that Van Gundy
most possessed the personal qualities and coaching
experience to develop Houston’s talent and lead
the Rockets to postseason success.
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While Alexander’s teams have been most
successful on the basketball court, unique to the
Rockets organization is its off-the-court
commitment to the community. Building a better
quality of life for Houstonians is a driving force for
Alexander and the Rockets. A decade of active
community involvement has resulted in more
than $5 million in donations to local charities and
allowed the Rockets to impact tens of thousands
of Houstonians each year.
“It’s so important to me that the Houston Rockets
find a way to thank the fans for their overwhelming
devotion to our team. One way we try to do that
is by reaching out to young people through our
community programs and fundraising initiatives,”
Alexander said.
In 1995, Alexander established the Clutch City
Foundation with the goal of providing help, hope
and inspiration to those who might otherwise be
forgotten. Through the Clutch City Foundation,
the Rockets are involved in several community
service and charity fundraising programs.
The Clutch City Foundation funds and operates
comprehensive programs benefiting thousands
of children each Rockets season. In 1998, the
Rockets were awarded the “Leadership Houston”
Leadership in Action award for outstanding
community service to education, one year after
winning the same award for outstanding
community service to youth.
Alexander and the Rockets received the 1997 Pro
Team Community Award, given by the World
Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. This award
recognizes one professional team each year that
exemplifies community service. In accepting the
award, Alexander said, “The Rockets are honored
to represent our great fans in bringing this special
recognition to our community. It is our privilege
and responsibility to help make a difference in the
lives of Houstonians in need.”
Through the Clutch City Foundation, the Rockets
organization will continue to make a difference
in the lives of Houstonians for years to come.
When the NBA Board of Governors decided to
create the Women’s National Basketball
Association, Alexander saw an opportunity to
bring a new and exciting brand of professional
basketball to Houston. Houston was granted a
franchise and Alexander, who knew firsthand of
the city’s love for professional basketball,
immediately set out to build another champion.
As with the Rockets, Alexander again had the
magic touch. In the first four years of the WNBA,
the Houston Comets claimed four consecutive
league championships.
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