Ranking the 10 best passers in Houston Rockets history

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Houston Rockets Allen Leavell (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

4. Allen Leavell

Continuing the old school theme, Allen Leavell lands at number four on this list. A fifth-round steal in the 1978 NBA draft, Leavell’s natural point guard talent led him to eventually becoming a starter for the Rockets — a position he held for six seasons.

Leavell spent his entire 10-year NBA career in H-Town and had some impressive games for the Rockets, including a 24 point, 22 assist night against the New Jersey Nets in 1983 that made our list of the top five 20/20 performances by a member of the team.

While his 4.8 assists per game average isn’t quite as high as many of the others on this list, his consistency and longevity with the team earn him a top-five spot. Leavell also led the Rockets in assists per game (4.9) in the 1981 season that saw them reach the NBA Finals.

Leavell is currently third all-time in assists as a Houston Rocket, between Calvin Murphy and Hakeem Olajuwon, with 3,339.

Houston Rockets Steve Francis Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr /Allsport /

3. Steve Francis

The Houston Rockets have been home to some of the most dynamic and athletic guards in the NBA and Steve Francis is certainly one of those. Beginning his NBA career in 1999, the 6-3 guard made an immediate impact on the team but it, unfortunately, didn’t often translate to team wins.

Still, Francis shared the Rookie of the Year award with Elton Brand that season and ended up making all three of his NBA All-Star appearances while in a Houston uniform. Throughout his first five years with the Rockets, Stevie Franchise averaged over six assists per game every season.

At 6.3 assists per game as a Rocket, Francis is securely in fourth all-time in that category behind John Lucas. His 2,411 assists with Houston are also the seventh-most in franchise history, just 46 less than Kenny Smith at number six.

Next: No. 2