He is not the most famous player of the 1970s-1980s, nor the most quoted legend, but Elvin Hayes is one of the 76 best players in NBA history. He will even experience an important honor on Friday evening: having his jersey retired in a second franchise.
Since November 1981, his number 11 has not been worn in Washington, and 41 years later, on November 18, his #44 will be retired in Houston. We could even specify that he does, in a way, the triple since his #44 is already honored at the University of Houston.
“It’s one of the great honors for a basketball player, for an athlete because few manage to see their jersey removed”, explains the old pivot to The Athletic. “We can’t get enough of such a ceremony. We play for that. I didn’t think it could happen like this, that’s why it’s great. When Tilman Fertitta came to me to tell me this, I was devastated. »
Elvin Hayes is indeed one of the franchise owner’s favorite players. The old interior had two stints with the Rockets, and always at the wrong time. He arrived in the early years of the team, then based in San Diego, before leaving for Washington in 1972, then returning after the 1981 Finals, between the end of the Moses Malone era and the beginning of that of Hakeem. Olajuwon.
This is why the 1978 champion with the Bullets only played nine short playoff games with the Rockets. But in the regular season, he remains an important player in the history of the Texas franchise because he has the 8th total of matches, the 5th in points and the 2nd in rebounds.
“I’ve always loved Houston. I went to college there, I knew San Diego, Houston and that’s where it all happened. I really liked Houston and wanted to stay, but I was transferred to Washington. Over the years, I can go anywhere in this town or to the Rockets hall and be recognized. It’s amazing to have my number retired here. »
Cemented in Rockets history.
The moment Elvin Hayes heard from @TilmanJFertitta that his jersey will hang in the rafters of the Toyota Center. pic.twitter.com/5B2kfXjLHQ
—Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) August 31, 2022
| Elvin Hayes | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 1968-69 | SDR | 82 | 45 | 44.7 | 62.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17.2 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 28.4 | |
| 1969-70 | SDR | 82 | 45 | 45.2 | 68.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 16.9 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 27.5 | |
| 1970-71 | SDR | 82 | 44 | 42.8 | 67.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 16.6 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 28.7 | |
| 1971-72 | HOO | 82 | 42 | 43.4 | 64.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14.6 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 25.2 | |
| 1972-73 | WAS | 81 | 41 | 44.4 | 67.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 21.2 | |
| 1973-74 | WAS | 81 | 45 | 42.3 | 72.1 | 4.0 | 13.0 | 18.1 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 21.4 | |
| 1974-75 | WAS | 82 | 42 | 44.3 | 76.6 | 2.0 | 9.0 | 12.2 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 23.0 | |
| 1975-76 | WAS | 80 | 37 | 47.0 | 62.8 | 2.0 | 8.0 | 11.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 19.8 | |
| 1976-77 | WAS | 82 | 41 | 50.1 | 68.7 | 3.0 | 9.0 | 12.6 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 23.7 | |
| 1977-78 | WAS | 81 | 40 | 45.1 | 63.4 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 13.3 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 19.7 | |
| 1978-79 | WAS | 82 | 38 | 48.7 | 65.4 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 12.1 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 21.8 | |
| 1979-80 | WAS | 81 | 39 | 45.4 | 23.1 | 69.9 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 11.1 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 23.0 |
| 1980-81 | WAS | 81 | 36 | 45.1 | 0.0 | 61.7 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 9.7 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 17.8 |
| 1981-82 | HOO | 82 | 37 | 47.2 | 0.0 | 66.4 | 3.0 | 5.0 | 9.1 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 16.1 |
| 1982-83 | HOO | 81 | 28 | 47.6 | 50.0 | 68.3 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 7.6 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 12.9 |
| 1983-84 | HOO | 81 | 12 | 40.6 | 0.0 | 65.2 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
| Total | 1303 | 38 | 45.2 | 14.7 | 67.0 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 12.5 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 21.0 | |
