The Daryl Morey era in Houston is over. The general manager is leaving on his own accord after 13 years as the Rockets GM.
He has unquestionably been one of the best general managers in the NBA over the last decade and change. Sure, you can argue that maybe he didn’t have the most personal touch with his players. But it’s impossible to make a good faith argument that Morey wasn’t one of the best at his job. The numbers make that bit clear.
Just taking a look back through his 13 year tenure with the Rockets, the results are incredible.
The most impressive thing about Morey is that he’s never had to tank, yet he’s always kept a star. That’s because he’s always willing to go and get the big name no matter the cost.
1. During his tenure, the Rockets have made 77 trades. Only the 76ers have more with 78.
Since Daryl Morey took over as general manager on May 10, 2007, the Rockets have made 77 trades, the 2nd-most in the NBA over that span. Only the 76ers (78 trades) have made more. pic.twitter.com/gIK5BMoI1X
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 15, 2020
2. As a result, the Rockets haven’t had a single losing season during his time there.
The Houston Rockets under Daryl Morey:
55-27
53-29
42-40
43-39
34-32
45-37
54-28
56-26
41-41
55-27
65-17
53-29
44-28Not one losing season in 13 years. Managed to rebuild after Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming without tanking.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) October 15, 2020
3. The Rockets’ 61.5% winning percentage with Morey is the second best in the NBA during his time. The only team with a better percentage in that time is the Spurs.
The Rockets had a 61.5% winning percentage since Morey became general manager in 2007-08.
That is the 2nd-highest win percentage over that span, trailing only the Spurs.
h/t @ESPNStatsInfo
— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) October 15, 2020
4. Houston won an average of 50 games per season during his time with the team.
Since 2007-08, the first season Daryl Morey was in charge in Houston, the Rockets have won 640 regular-season games. That's an average of 50 wins per 82 games.
Only the Spurs (701) have more.
— Zach Kram (@zachkram) October 15, 2020
5. That’s the second best record in the NBA during that span. And, as a result, they now have the longest active playoff streak in the league with 8 consecutive trips to the postseason.
The Rockets under Daryl Morey (since 2007-08) have the league's 2nd best record (Spurs) and the longest active playoff streak (8 consecutive seasons). pic.twitter.com/kE2eNrG3kK
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 15, 2020
Whether it’s been because of Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady or James Harden, Morey’s teams have always found a way to rack up wins.
Of course, they’re still missing that ever-elusive NBA championship. And that matters as much as anything else here. But still, these numbers are impressive. Shouts to Morey for competing with such consistency.
