In confirmation of expected news, the Houston Rockets will eventually retire the No. 13 jersey of departed superstar James Harden.
Tilman Fertitta, who owns the team, announced the news Tuesday on the eve of Harden’s first return visit as a member of the Brooklyn Nets. In comments to the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen, Fertitta said:
James Harden will always be a Rocket. Of course, we will retire his jersey. He made my first three years of owning this franchise unforgettable. The success he brought this franchise over eight years and the memories he created for our fan base/community [are] truly remarkable.
Rockets will retire James Harden's No. 13 https://t.co/2W2bf5PNqF
— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) March 2, 2021
Harden was the 11th and final player in franchise history to wear the No. 13 jersey. His jersey will join Calvin Murphy (23), Moses Malone (24), Hakeem Olajuwon (34), Rudy Tomjanovich (45), Clyde Dexler (22), and Yao Ming (11) in the Toyota Center rafters, along with the initials of long-time assistant coach and front-office executive Carroll Dawson.
Over his eight full seasons in Houston, Harden was eight-for-eight in All-Star appearances; a three-time league scoring champion; and an MVP, among numerous accolades. He joined Olajuwon and Malone as the only players to ever win the NBA’s top award as a member of the Rockets.
The Rockets made the playoffs in all eight of Harden’s full seasons, and they finished in the top four of the Western Conference in six of his final seven years with the franchise. They were the only West team to win at least one playoff series in each of Harden’s last four seasons.
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