Who was Houston Rockets legend Robert Reid who passed away?

Despite his humble entry into the NBA, it didn’t take long for the former Houston Rockets star to establish himself as a true talent in the league. Indeed, it was on the back of his contributions that the team became a formidable franchise.

Houston Rockets legend Robert Reid has passed away

According to a team announcement on Tuesday, former Houston Rockets star Robert Reid passed away at the age of 68. Drafted by the Rockets in the 1977 NBA Draft in the second round, Reid would go on to play 10 of his 13 seasons in the NBA with the team, following a stellar stint with St. Mary’s University. Interestingly, after five years in the professional game, Reid announced his retirement on the grounds of religious reasons, as he decided to focus more on his Pentecostal faith. Yet, just one year later he would return to the Rockets and go on to play another eight years with the team, during which time he established himself as a central figure. Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta released the following statement in acknowledgment of Reid’s passing:

“It is with great sorrow that my family and I received the news of the passing of Rockets legend, Robert Reid. I have had the privilege of knowing Robert for over 40 years, and his presence always brought joy and positivity to any room he entered. I will never forget watching the Rockets teams he was a part of in the 80s compete in the Finals and the love he had for the game. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Diana, and all those who held him dear. Robert’s absence will be deeply felt, and he will be fondly remembered.”

A look back at Robert Reid

Despite his humble entry into the league in 1977, it didn’t take long for Reid to establish himself as a top tier player. Indeed, during the 1980-81 season, Reid was the third leading scorer behind Hall of Famers Moses Malone and Calvin Murphy, averaging just about 16 points a game. Quite frankly, it was Reid who was one of the main reasons why the Rockets made a run to the NBA Finals in that same year although the team finished with a 40-42 record. While they would they would go on to lose to the Boston Celtics, it was clear that Reid could play amongst the league’s best.

Truly, that was on show once again just three years later, when Reid along with a then-up and coming Hakeem Olajuwon would guide the Rockets to yet another NBA Finals appearance after defeating the legendary Los Angeles Lakers, a team that boast the likes of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the time. Unfortunately, that 1985-86 season would end in the same way that their impressive campaign three years prior did: Defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Ultimately, Reid would be traded to the Charlotte Hornets where he would spend a season and a half before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. After just one year in the North West, he would move on to the Philadelphia 76ers where he would call it quits after one campaign in 1991. To this day Reid ranks in the 10 of several categories in the Rockets record books, including games played (4th), steals (5th), points and rebounds (8th), blocks (9th), and assists (10th). Truly, Reid was a player who was central in orchestrating the Rockets’ first two NBA Finals appearances, and instrumental in laying the foundation for the franchise’s two titles which came later.