The Evolution of the Fourth Jersey Number in Houston Rockets Lore

 The Evolution of the Fourth Jersey Number in Houston Rockets Lore

The history of a professional sports franchise is often best told through the numbers worn on the backs of its players. In the case of the Houston Rockets, the number four has served as a fascinating lens through which to view the team’s shifting identity over more than half a century. From the early days of the franchise’s arrival in Texas to the grit of the international era and the current high-flying rebuild, this specific jersey number has been occupied by individuals who reflect the very different eras of the National Basketball Association. To understand the journey of the Rockets is to look at the men who carried this digit across the hardwood.

The story begins in a much different landscape of professional basketball, shortly after the franchise moved from San Diego to Houston. In the early 1970s, the Rockets were a team searching for a foothold in a city dominated by football culture. During the 1972-73 season, Paul McCracken was the man assigned to the number four. McCracken was a forward who entered a league that was much more physical and less globalized than the one fans recognize today. During his tenure, the Rockets played their home games at the Hofheinz Pavilion, and the game was defined by mid-range jumpers and bruising interior play. While McCracken’s time in the jersey was relatively brief, he represents the foundational years of the organization, a period where every player was a pioneer helping to establish the roots of professional basketball in the American South.

Following the departure of those early pioneers, the number four saw various occupants, but it arguably reached its cultural zenith during the late 2000s. This was the era of Luis Scola, an Argentine powerhouse whose impact on the city of Houston cannot be overstated. When Scola arrived in 2007, he brought with him a level of international pedigree and veteran savvy that immediately elevated the Rockets' roster. Scola was a master of the low post, possessing a set of deceptive pivots and a soft touch around the rim that frustrated even the most athletic defenders in the league.

Between 2007 and 2012, Scola became the heart of the team, especially during a time when the franchise was navigating the frequent injuries of its superstar duo, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. The number four became a symbol of durability and intelligence. Scola was a player who rarely missed a game, and his presence ensured that the Rockets remained competitive in a Western Conference that was arguably at its most difficult. Fans grew to love his tireless work ethic and his ability to outsmart opponents who were faster or taller. For many Houstonians, the number four will forever be associated with the sight of Scola diving for a loose ball or hitting a crucial scoop shot late in the fourth quarter. His era represented a bridge between the traditional post-up game of the past and the versatile, skill-based game of the future.

After Scola moved on, the franchise entered several different phases, eventually leading to a complete overhaul of the roster. This transition paved the way for the most recent and perhaps most explosive occupant of the number four: Jalen Green. Selected as the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Green arrived with the weight of a city’s expectations on his shoulders. He chose the number four as a signal of a new beginning, becoming the face of a youthful movement aimed at returning the Rockets to the summit of the NBA.

Since 2021 and continuing through the current 2024-25 season, Green has transformed the perception of the number four into one of pure athleticism and scoring potential. His game is a stark contrast to the methodical pace of Scola or the traditional role of McCracken. Green is a product of the modern era, a guard capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor and finishing at the rim with highlight-reel dunks. His journey has been a centerpiece of the Rockets’ rebuilding efforts, marking a shift toward a faster, more perimeter-oriented style of play. Under his stewardship, the number four has become a banner for hope, representing the promise of what the next great Rockets dynasty might look like.

The history of this jersey number highlights the cyclical nature of sports. It shows how a team can move from the gritty, foundational work of the 1970s to the tactical, international excellence of the 2000s, and finally to the star-driven, high-speed era of the 2020s. Each player who wore the number four left a different footprint on the organization. McCracken provided the depth needed in a growing league, Scola provided the leadership and technical mastery of a veteran contender, and Green provides the spark and ceiling for a team looking to recapture its former glory.

Looking back at these three distinct periods, one can see how the Rockets have adapted to the changing trends of the NBA. The game has moved from the paint to the three-point line, and from regional interest to global stardom. Yet, the continuity of the jersey number keeps the history alive. It allows a father who watched Scola in 2008 to share a connection with a son watching Green in 2025. This shared history is what builds a sports community, turning a simple piece of athletic apparel into a vessel for memories and aspirations.

As the current season progresses, the narrative of the number four continues to evolve. Every time Jalen Green steps onto the court, he is not just playing for the present; he is carrying forward a lineage that includes the hard-working specialists and the international icons of the past. 

The Houston Rockets have a storied history filled with championships and legendary figures, and while the number four may not be retired in the rafters yet, the men who have worn it have ensured that it remains a significant part of the franchise’s identity.

In the end, a jersey number is a placeholder for the stories of the men who wear it. In Houston, the number four tells a story of a franchise that is constantly reinventing itself while remaining mindful of its heritage. From the early days in the seventies to the vibrant energy of today, the legacy of the number four remains a vital thread in the tapestry of Houston Rockets basketball, reminding everyone that while the players change, the spirit of the game in the Space City remains constant.