James Harden earned All-NBA First Team 6 times with the Houston Rockets.
The Houston Rockets have had three players make All-NBA First Team during their tenure with the team. All three of those players were selected for the honor at least two times. Let’s highlight the accomplishments of all three players.
James Harden – 6 Times (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
After playing three seasons with the Thunder, Harden was traded to the Rockets prior to the 2012-13 season. He went on to make the All-Star team in every season that he played with the Rockets. His first All-NBA First Team selection came in 2013-14 when he averaged 25.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.4 3-pointers per game. He then made All-NBA First Team again the following season, averaging 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.6 three-pointers per game. That stat line also helped him finish second in MVP voting.
Beginning in the 2017-18 season, Harden had a stretch of three straight seasons in which he led the NBA in points per game. That same season, he made the All-Star team, was named All-NBA First Team and won the regular season MVP award by averaging 30.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 3.7 3-pointers.
Hakeem Olajuwon – 6 Times (1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1997)
The Rockets selected Olajuwon with the first pick in the 1984 Draft. He played 17 of his 18 seasons in the NBA with the Rockets, winning an MVP award, two Defensive Player of the Year awards and two championships.
Olajuwon’s first All-NBA First Team selection came in 1986-87 when he averaged 23.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 3.4 blocks per game. When Olajuwon made All-NBA First Team for the 1988-89 season, he led the NBA by averaging 13.5 rebounds per game. Over 1,177 career regular season games with the Rockets, Olajuwon averaged 22.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 3.2 blocks.
Moses Malone – 2 Times (1979, 1982)
When Malone was named to All-NBA First Team for the 1978-79 season, he averaged 24.8 points, 17.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He also was named regular season MVP. He claimed another All-NBA First Team honor and MVP award for the 1981-82 season where he averaged 31.1 points, 14.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.
Following the 1981-82 season, Malone was traded to the 76ers, and he won a title with them in 1982-83. He was also selected All-NBA First Team two times during his tenure with the 76ers. Across 464 regular season games with the Rockets, Malone averaged 24.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. In the playoffs, he averaged 24.2 points, 15.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over 45 games with the Rockets.
