The Chronology of the Four: A Narrative of Change within the Houston Rockets Franchise

 The Chronology of the Four: A Narrative of Change within the Houston Rockets Franchise

The history of a professional sports organization is rarely just a collection of wins and losses recorded in a dusty ledger; rather, it is a living, breathing narrative told through the individuals who wear the colors of the city. In the storied chronicles of the Houston Rockets, certain jersey numbers carry a weight that transcends the fabric from which they are made. The number four is one such digit. It has served as a silent witness to the franchise’s most transformative periods, moving from the hands of foundational role players in the early seventies to the rugged, international masters of the mid-2000s, and finally to the explosive, high-flying architects of the modern era. 

To trace the history of this number is to trace the evolution of the Houston Rockets themselves, reflecting the shifting tides of the National Basketball Association over more than fifty years of competition.

The journey began in a much different landscape of professional athletics, shortly after the franchise made its move from San Diego to the heat of Texas. In 1972, the Rockets were still an organization attempting to carve out an identity in a sports market that was traditionally dominated by football. It was during the 1972-73 campaign that Paul McCracken first donned the number four jersey for the team. 

In those days, basketball was a game defined by its physical limitations and regional reach. McCracken, a forward who brought a level of quiet professionalism to the hardwood, represented the prototypical player of that era. He operated in a league that was far less specialized than today’s version, playing in arenas like the Hofheinz Pavilion where the proximity of the fans and the intensity of the play created a gritty, intimate atmosphere. Although his time in the number four was a brief chapter in the grander scheme of the franchise, McCracken’s presence was vital. He was part of the generation that laid the bricks for the foundation of Houston basketball, ensuring the sport took root in a city that would eventually become a global hub for the game.

As the decades turned and the Rockets climbed to the mountain top of the NBA with championships in the nineties, the number four saw various occupants. However, it was not until the late 2000s that the number found a new, defining face in the form of Luis Scola. When Scola arrived in Houston in 2007, the franchise was at a fascinating crossroads. The team was built around the towering presence of Yao Ming and the scoring brilliance of Tracy McGrady, but it needed a specific type of interior toughness to truly contend in an elite Western Conference. Scola, an Argentine veteran with a decorated international career, provided exactly that. He brought a style of play that was as intellectual as it was physical, instantly becoming a fan favorite for his unrelenting motor and his mastery of the fundamental aspects of the game.

From 2007 through 2012, the number four became a symbol of reliability and tactical brilliance. Scola was famously dubbed "The Ice Man" or simply "Luifa" by those who appreciated his craft. He did not rely on the verticality that defines the highlights of the current era; instead, he used a sophisticated series of pivots, ball fakes, and scoop shots to dismantle defenders who were often younger and more athletic. 

Scola’s tenure was defined by his role in the legendary 22-game winning streak in 2008, a period where the Rockets seemed invincible despite facing significant roster setbacks. For five seasons, the number four was a constant presence in the starting lineup, a testament to a player who rarely missed a game and who gave his blood and sweat to the Houston floor. Scola’s departure in 2012 marked the end of a specific type of basketball in Houston—one that prioritized the technical mastery of the low post and the mid-range game.

Following a decade of further evolution, which saw the Rockets lead the league’s analytical revolution, the number four found its way to a new custodian who represented the absolute antithesis of the traditional power forward. 

In 2021, the Rockets selected Jalen Green with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft, signaling the beginning of a complete organizational rebirth. Green, a product of the modern basketball ecosystem, chose the number four as he stepped onto the stage as the new face of the franchise. This transition marked a seismic shift in what the number represented. If Scola was the master of the ground-based game, Green became the master of the air.

Since his debut in 2021 and continuing into the present 2024-25 season, Green has used the number four to showcase the extreme athleticism and scoring versatility of the 21st-century guard. His game is built on lightning-fast transition play, deep three-point range, and an ability to finish above the rim that leaves spectators in awe. Under Green’s tenure, the number four has become synonymous with the "youth movement," a period of growth where the team has focused on developing high-ceiling talent to compete in a league that is faster and more perimeter-oriented than ever before. Green’s journey has been one of high-pressure development, as he carries the hopes of a city eager to return to the heights of the championship years. In the modern Toyota Center, the number four is now seen darting through defenses and launching from beyond the arc, a vivid reflection of how much the game has changed since the days of McCracken and Scola.

When one looks at these three pillars of the number four—McCracken, Scola, and Green—the narrative of the Houston Rockets becomes clear. It is a story of continuous adaptation. McCracken represents the era of establishment and the importance of the role player in a growing league. 

Scola represents the golden age of international influence, where skill and basketball IQ allowed the Rockets to remain competitive against the giants of the era. Green represents the future, a globalized version of the game where individual brilliance and athletic floor-spacing are the primary currencies of success. Each man contributed to the cultural fabric of the team in a way that was unique to his time, yet they are all linked by the digit on their chest.

The continuity of jersey numbers provides a sense of belonging for the fans. A veteran spectator who remembers the grit of the 1970s can look at the court today and find a point of reference. A middle-aged fan who cheered for Scola’s double-doubles during the winning streak can see the number four today and appreciate the evolution of the sport. This is the beauty of professional basketball; it is a relay race where the baton is passed from one generation to the next. The number four is not just a statistical identifier; it is a repository of memories, from the echo of a ball on a 1970s hardwood floor to the roar of a modern crowd witnessing a 2025 slam dunk.

As the Rockets move forward into the middle of this decade, the story of the number four is far from finished. Jalen Green is still adding his own highlights and milestones to the legacy, ensuring that the number remains relevant in the conversation of the league’s best young talents. However, the history created by those who came before him provides the necessary depth to his journey. Without the foundational years of players like McCracken or the grit of leaders like Scola, the jersey would not have the same significance. It is the collective effort of all who have worn the number that gives it its power.

In conclusion, the Houston Rockets' history through the lens of the number four is a masterclass in the evolution of the NBA. It reflects the movement from a regional professional league to a global entertainment powerhouse. 

It shows the transition from a game of giants in the paint to a game of speed on the perimeter. Most importantly, it demonstrates the enduring spirit of a city that supports its athletes through every cycle of rebuilding and contention. Whether it was the quiet beginnings in the seventies, the rugged brilliance of the 2000s, or the explosive promise of the current era, the number four remains a vital part of the Houston Rockets' identity—a constant thread in an ever-changing tapestry of basketball excellence.