The Houston Rockets have had a lot of looks over the years.
Elder statesmen are drawn to the classic ketchup-and-mustard looks. Who could blame them? The Rockets won back-to-back NBA titles in those threads. If you were alive to see it, you'd never want the team to change their look again.
Slightly younger fans grew up on the nave pinstripes. They've got a more tumultuous history. Steve Francis captured the hearts and minds of Space City, but he didn't quite make good on his potential.
Yao Ming started his career in navy blue, but ended it (prematurely) in red and silver. The Rockets' current look is a direct descendant of his jerseys. They've served Houston well, but the red, white, and black will always be reminiscent of the James Harden era. It feels like it's time for something new.
Perhaps we're finally going to get it.
Rockets returning to fan favorite design
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The Dunkstronaut.
It's bold. It's unique. It's comically named:
It might be the future of the Houston Rockets' design.
This was a City Jersey edition in 2023-24, but it was wildly popular with the fanbase. Switching up the City Edition look is the expected course of action, but when the Rockets took away the Dunkstronaut ahead of this season, it felt like [an unusual act of cruelty.](https://spacecityscoop.com/posts/rockets-fans-x-react-furiously-new-city-edition-jerseys)
Now, they're bringing it back. The Rockets will wear these beautiful duds once again. They'll presumably put the beloved dunking astronaut back on the court.
Will it be a permanent change?
Rockets should consider a permanent switch to Dunkstronaut
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It seems the Rockets are going back to the well [via a Nike initiative](https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/rockets/2025/06/08/dunkstronaut-returns-rockets-to-bring-back-2023-24-city-uniforms/84101666007/) where each team is picking a City jersey from years past to bring back.
That doesn't sound like a permanent shift. Perhaps it won't be. The Rockets may bring these back for one more season only to break out hearts again.
Let's start with a basic premise - it's time for a change. The Rockets are still wearing the Harden jerseys. They seemingly chose not to bring the Beard back, so let his memory rest. This is a new era of Rockets basketball.
It should have a new look. The Dunkstronaut feels like a radical departure from the team's lineage. Counterpoint: So? It's wildly popular, and a new looks befits a new era.
That said, if the team doesn't want to make that commitment, that's fine. A rebrand remains sorely overdue:
The Rockets need (another) new look.