Though the Houston Rockets are now known for “small ball” and playing without a conventional center, it was only a few years ago when they defined themselves by the “Legacy of Bigs” moniker.
Historically, superstar centers in Houston have included Elvin Hayes, Moses Malone, Ralph Sampson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Yao Ming.
In July 2013, when GM Daryl Morey pursued and successfully landed All-Star center Dwight Howard as a free agent, they pitched him on being the latest addition to that lineage. At a downtown fan event to celebrate Howard’s signing, the Rockets unveiled a giant “Legacy of Bigs” banner — with many of the legends, and Howard’s face at the top.
Moses Malone was a big part of #Rockets' Dwight Howard celebration in 2013. He was first in the "Legacy of Bigs". pic.twitter.com/mn0KDrBzwo
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) September 13, 2015
Now, seven years later, Howard plays for Houston’s current playoff opponent (the Los Angeles Lakers), and the Rockets are starting 6-foot-5 P.J. Tucker in the middle. The day after a victorious Game 1 in which Tucker’s outstanding defense on Anthony Davis was a big part of the story, Morey took to Instagram to share a photoshopped image of Tucker’s head at the top of that banner (where Howard’s actually was).
Howard “liked” the post, so he seems to be taking the joke in stride.
Tucker and the Rockets are set to take on Howard and the Lakers in Sunday’s Game 2 of their second-round series, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. Central. The game will be televised nationally on ABC.
