Editing Houston Rockets (section)

==Team identity==

===Uniforms and logos===
When the Rockets debuted in San Diego, their colors were green and gold. Road uniforms featured the city name, while the home uniforms feature the team name, both in a serifed block lettering. This was the only uniform design the Rockets would use throughout their years in San Diego. The Rockets' first logo featured a rocket streaking with a basketball surrounded by the team name.<ref name=breitbard/>

Upon moving to Houston in 1971, the Rockets replaced green with red.<ref name=uniforms/> They kept the same design from their San Diego days, save for the change of color and city name. The logo used is of a player with a spinning basketball launching upward, with boosters on his back, leaving a trail of red and gold flames and the words "Houston Rockets" below it.<ref name=uniforms/>

For the 1972–73 season, the Rockets introduced the famous "ketchup and mustard" logo, so dubbed by fans, featuring a gold basketball surrounded by two red trails, with "Houston" atop the first red trail and "Rockets" (all [[capitalization|capitalized]] save for the lowercase 'E' and 'T') in black surrounding the basketball. The initial home uniforms, used until the 1975–76 season, features the city name, numbers and serifed player name in red with gold trim, while the away uniforms feature the city name (all capitalized except for the lower case 'T' and 'N'), numbers and serifed player name in gold with white trim.<ref name=uniforms/>

In the 1976–77 season, the Rockets modified their uniforms, featuring a monotone look on the [[Cooper Black]] fonts and white lettering on the road uniforms. On the home shorts, the team logo is located on the right leg, while the away shorts feature the team name wordmark on the same location. With minor modifications in the number font, this version was used in all four of their NBA Finals appearances, including their {{nbafy|1994}} and {{nbafy|1995}} championships.<ref name=uniforms/>

Following the 1995 title, the Rockets opted to modernize their look. After a fan contest with over 5,000 entries, the team went with the idea of [[Missouri City, Texas|Missouri City]] artist Thomas Nash of a rocket orbiting a basketball, which was then reworked by Houston designer Chris Hill.<ref name="Barron, David"/> Nash would later sue the Rockets for [[breach of contract]], given they were using his idea despite not having paid the contest prizes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1997/06/27/Franchises/ROCKETS-WIN-LOGO-SUIT-BUT-STILL-MAY-HAVE-TO-PAY-ARTIST.aspx|title=Rockets Win Logo Suit But Still May Have to Pay Artist|date=June 27, 1997|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legalmetric.com/cases/copyright/txsd/txsd_496cv04406.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120061258/http://www.legalmetric.com/cases/copyright/txsd/txsd_496cv04406.html|archive-date=November 20, 2015|title=Nash v. Houston Rockets, et al.|publisher=LegalMetric|access-date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> The NBA suggested that the identity should follow the [[cartoon]]-inspired imagery that other teams adopted during the 1990s, leading to a rocket painted with [[shark]]mouth [[nose art]] orbiting a basketball. Red was retained, but navy blue and silver became the uniform's primary colors. Both the home white and away navy uniforms featured gradient-fading pinstripes and futuristic number fonts, with side stripes of navy fading to red. This was used until the 2002–03 season.<ref name=uniforms/><ref name=intown>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.intownmag.com/2003/August2003/html/Rockets2003.html |title=Rocket Science |author=Devadanam, Steven |magazine=In Town Magazine |publisher=Houston Chamber of Commerce |date=August 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041121152350/http://www.intownmag.com/2003/August2003/html/Rockets2003.html |archive-date=November 21, 2004}}</ref>
[[File:Houston rockets logo original rough sketch by Rafael Esquer 2002.jpg|alt=Original rough sketch for NBA's Houston Rockets logo by Rafael Esquer in 2002|thumb|Back-of-the-napkin original sketch for NBA's Houston Rockets logo by Rafael Esquer in 2002]]
The Rockets released simplified logos and uniforms in the 2003–04 season,<ref name="fashion" /> which were created by Japanese designer [[Eiko Ishioka]] in collaboration with [[Rafael Esquer]] of New York-based Alfalfa Studio.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Work: NBA’s Houston Rockets |url=https://www.alfalfastudio.com/houston-rockets |url-status=live |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=Alfalfa Studio}}</ref> The Rockets identity was the third creative collaboration by Ishioka and Esquer; she focused on the uniform, and he on the logo and custom typeface.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Wiedemann |first=Julius |title=Logo Design |date=2015 |publisher=Taschen |year=2015 |isbn=978-3-8365-5634-7 |location=Köln, Germany |pages=12-19 |language=English, French, German}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiedemann |first=Julius |date=September 6, 2018 |title=I published the work of Rafael Esquer @alfalfanewyork in my first book about brand identity/logo design. |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BnZbX0fhxXK/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=Instagram}}</ref> The logo is a stylized 'R' in the shape of a rocket during [[takeoff]], surrounded by a red orbit streak that can be interpreted as the central circle of a basketball court; it won the Merit Award from [[Graphis Inc.|Graphis]] in their Logo Design 6 competition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005 |title=Logo Design 6: The NBAs Houston Rockets |url=https://graphis.com/entry/303aa12a-4b2c-11e2-a2c9-f23c91dffdec |url-status=live |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=Graphis}}</ref> Said "R" inspired the team's new custom typeface, which Esquer designed so that every single digit could be read well from a distance, whether in the arena or on television. Red once again became the dominant color, with silver and black as secondary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alfalfastudio.com/projects/houston-rockets/|title=Houston Rockets|publisher=Alfafa Studio|access-date=May 25, 2015|archive-date=May 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525202937/http://alfalfastudio.com/projects/houston-rockets/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-settle-on-new-logo-2124612.php|title=Rockets settle on new logo|first=David|last=Barron |date=July 8, 2003|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=May 25, 2015}}</ref> Because the uniforms and the logo were designed in tandem by Ishioka and Esquer, the complete look was organic and fluid. Julius Wiedemann, an editor at [[Taschen]], wrote, ''“''Their organic and collaborative design process has produced the most innovative and popular identity the NBA has seen in years."<ref name=":0" /> In 2009, the Rockets invoked the championship years with an alternate red uniform, featuring gold numbers and side stripes.<ref name=ketchup>{{cite web|last=Friedman|first=Jason|title=Rockets Unveil Alternate Jersey|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rocketsunveilalternatejersey_2009_09_23.html|publisher=Houston Rockets|date=September 24, 2009|access-date=July 28, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-new-alternate-jerseys-have-look-of-a-1604531.php|title=Rockets' new alternate jerseys have look of a champion|first=Jordan|last=Godwin |date=November 6, 2009|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=May 25, 2015}}</ref> The Rockets had two sleeved alternate jerseys for the 2015–16 season, an alternate silver-colored uniform whose design referenced the design of NASA's [[Titan II GLV|Gemini-Titan rocket]], and a red and gold jersey featuring the nickname "Clutch City".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/13667253/houston-rockets-unveil-three-alternate-uniforms|title=Rockets display trio of new alternates, including 'Clutch City' design|date=September 16, 2015|first=Paul|last=Lukas|work=ESPN|access-date=May 25, 2015}}</ref> For the 2016–17 season, the Rockets began to wear a black alternate uniform.

Following the switch to Nike in 2017, the Rockets made some slight tweaks to the uniform. While the black "Statement" uniform remained mostly unchanged, the red "Icon" and white "Association" uniforms now feature truncated side striping that no longer wrap around the shoulders. The Rockets also wore a "City" uniform that was similar to their red "Icon" uniforms but with Chinese lettering in place of "Rockets" in front; the design was tweaked the following season with a deeper red and old gold accents.

On June 6, 2019, the Rockets unveiled a new secondary logo that depicts a basketball as a planet, and the ring has the "Houston Rockets" displayed with the classic "R" in the middle.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=houstonrockets |number=1136618742450860033 |date = June 6, 2019 |title=Check out our new Secondary Logo! Our Rockets "R" Primary Logo will stay the same.}}</ref> A new uniform set was unveiled two weeks later. The red "Icon" and white "Association" designs featured updated block lettering and bold side panels that depict a launching rocket. The black "Statement" uniform remained with a few alterations. In addition, the Rockets brought back their throwback "ketchup and mustard" 1976–95 red uniform as part of Nike's "Classic" series.<ref>{{cite news|author=Rockets PR|title=Rockets Reveal Three New Uniforms for 2019-20 NBA Season|url=https://www.nba.com/rockets/rockets-reveal-three-new-uniforms-2019-20-nba-season|publisher=NBA Media Ventures|website=Rockets.com|date=June 20, 2019|access-date=June 22, 2019}}</ref> For the 2019–20 "City" uniform, the Rockets eschewed the Chinese New Year-themed designs and went with a [[NASA]]-inspired space theme.<ref>{{cite news|author=Rockets PR|title=City Edition Uniform Revealed|url=https://www.nba.com/rockets/news/city-edition-uniform-revealed|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Rockets.com|access-date=November 22, 2019}}</ref>

The Rockets' "City" uniform for the 2020–21 season featured a powder blue base as a nod to the city of Houston. The colors resembled those of Houston's former [[National Football League|NFL]] team, the [[History of the Houston Oilers|Houston Oilers]]. For the 2021–22 season, the Rockets announced a partnership with [[Credit Karma]] to be featured on the team's jerseys as a sponsor.<ref name="stewart">Shelby Stewart, [https://www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-city-life/2021/08/houston-rockets-partner-with-credit-karma "Houston Rockets Join Forces with Credit Karma Money,"] Houstonia, August 3, 2021.</ref>

The 2021–22 Rockets' "City" uniform referenced various uniform designs from the past. The navy base and white pinstripes were taken from the 1995–2003 uniforms. The modified "ketchup and mustard" logo on the waist, as well as a diagonally arranged "Houston" wordmark and block numbers, paid tribute to the 1975–1995 uniforms. The modern "R" logo and white double arches on the side were an homage to the 2003–2019 uniforms.<ref>{{cite news|author=Rockets PR|title=Rockets Unveil 2021-22 Nike NBA City Edition Uniform|url=https://www.nba.com/rockets/2021-22-nike-nba-city-edition-uniform|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Rockets.com|access-date=November 3, 2021}}</ref> The Rockets retained this "City" uniform in the 2022–23 season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Houston Rockets 22/23 City Edition Uniform: Iconic History|url=https://www.nba.com/news/houston-rockets-city-edition|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|access-date=November 10, 2022}}</ref>

For the 2023–24 "City" uniform, the Rockets drew inspiration from the uniforms worn by the [[Phi Slama Jama]]-era [[Houston Cougars men's basketball|Houston Cougars]] of the early 1980s. A nod to both teams' legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, the white-based uniform featured "H-Town" in red cursive letters with white and blue trim, along with block numbers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Houston Rockets 2023-24 City Edition Uniform: Hometown Heroes|url=https://www.nba.com/news/houston-rockets-2023-24-city-edition-uniform-hometown-heroes|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref> The uniforms would also be paired with an alternate court specific to the [[2023 NBA in-season tournament]], featuring a red base with a middle blue strip and silhouettes of the NBA Cup.<ref>{{cite news|title=NBA debuts In-Season Tournament courts for all 30 teams|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-debuts-in-season-tournament-courts-for-all-30-teams|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref>

The "H-Town" theme returned for the 2024–25 "City" uniform, this time honoring the 30th anniversary of the Rockets' 1994 and 1995 championships. The design featured "H-Town" (with 't' and 'n' in lowercase letters) in a wordmark similar to the team's 1972–1995 logo, and the black trim along the uniform was shaped after the team's championship banners. The logo of the team's previous home The Summit was emblazoned on the beltline, and the center court logo from that era was placed on the white space between the black piping. Signatures of Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, along with the phrases "BELIEVE IT! AGAIN!", were placed on the bottom of the jersey.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rockets City Edition uniforms honor '94, '95 titles|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/42271148/houston-rockets-city-edition-uniforms-2024-25|publisher=ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 9, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Houston rockets mascot.JPG|thumb|upright|Clutch the Bear is the Rockets' mascot.]]

===Mascots===
The mascot was introduced on March 14, 1995, formerly known as "Clutch" . From 1993 to 1995, the mascot was Turbo, a costumed man that performed acrobatic dunks and other maneuvers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/mascot/turbo.html|title=Rockets: Turbo|website=[[NBA.com]]|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> In 1995, the Rockets debuted [[Clutch (mascot)|Clutch the Bear]] as a second mascot, a large teddy bear-like mascot that performs a variety of acts during the games. After eight years of serving as dual mascots, the performer playing Turbo retired, making Clutch the sole mascot for the team.<ref>{{cite news |first=Craig |last=Hlavaty |newspaper=[[Houston Press]] |title=Mascot School: How To Entertain, And What About Having To Pee? |url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/mascot-school-how-to-entertain-and-what-about-having-to-pee-6721127 |date=August 16, 2010 |access-date=July 1, 2013 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924050644/http://www.houstonpress.com/news/mascot-school-how-to-entertain-and-what-about-having-to-pee-6721127 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The mascot was considered and voted fifth for the most recognizable mascot in the league, and was also inducted in the 2006 [[Mascot Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |date=February 8, 2019 |title=Get to know our 20 Hall of Famers! {{!}} Mascot Hall of Fame |url=https://mascothalloffame.com/mascots/current-mascot-inductees/ |access-date=July 24, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129021124/https://mascothalloffame.com/mascots/current-mascot-inductees/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Rivalries===
{{main|Rockets–Spurs rivalry|Jazz–Rockets rivalry}}
The Rockets have developed many rivalries within the Western Conference ever since the team returned there in 1980. Two are intrastate rivalries, with the San Antonio Spurs, who moved along with the Rockets after four years with them in the Eastern Conference,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/slideshow/Rockets-Spurs-rivalry-039-s-top-moments-107132.php|title=Rockets-Spurs rivalry's top moments|date=April 11, 2015|work=Beaumont Enterprise|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> and the Dallas Mavericks, introduced that very season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-mavericks/post/_/id/4705134/series-sets-up-mavs-rockets-to-be-a-real-rivalry|title=Series sets up Dallas Mavericks-Houston Rockets to be a real rivalry – Dallas Mavericks Blog |date=April 16, 2015|work=ESPN|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> Houston has faced both Texas teams in the playoffs since 1980, beating the Spurs three times and losing once. The Rockets lost twice to the Mavericks, while beating them once.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Houston-Rockets/10/Playoff-History|title=Houston Rockets Playoff History|publisher=RealGM|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> Other famed rivalries were with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], who in the 1980s [[Showtime (basketball)|Showtime]] era only missed the NBA Finals when beaten by the Rockets,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2013/04/photos-key-moments-from-rockets-lakers-rivalry/|title=Photos: Key moments from Rockets-Lakers rivalry|work=Ultimate Rockets|date=April 17, 2013|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref> and the Utah Jazz, who the Rockets beat in both championship seasons but were defeated by Utah in five other occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/144354-the-best-unknown-rilvalry-in-the-west-the-houston-rockets-and-the-utah-jazz|title=Rockets-Jazz: The Best Rivalry You Haven't Heard Of|author=Diana Allen|work=Bleacher Report|access-date=June 30, 2015}}</ref>