Rockets to play two preseason games in Japan

Snatch the market away from those Rakuten darlings - Worriers.

 

Well... that’s something to look forward to... I guess.

I wonder if TF will wait to sign our 4-5 league minimum signing until after the trip so he can save on airfare and hotel costs.

 

Soon, we’ll have all the Asian markets cornered!

Trade for Yuta Watanabe and draft Rui Hachimura!!

But more seriously, I feel like Japanese sports fans are really respectful and awesome, at least the ones that I’ve met. I’d love for the Rockets to grow a fan base there like they did in China.

 

No Dragon Ball Z Harden gif yet? I'm disgusted.

 

I dun know but soccer seems to be No 1 sport there, base ball and some winter sports. Dunno where Bball would rank there.

 

China will not stand for this!

 

nothing to say here

 

The NBA wouldn't disrespect the proud, discerning people of Japan by sending a couple of also-rans. They'd only send the best. Looks like either Houston or Toronto will be champions.

 

Konnichiwa, motherfers.

Man when are they coming to Australia... We have awesome beaches here.

 

Optimistically, Basketball might be like number 5 behind Baseball, Soccer, Tennis and Sumo...but maybe Rui Hachimura could do what Yao did for China.

 

What are the odds a regular season Rockets game at Toyota Center in March is still quieter (and more empty) than a meaningless preseason exhibition game halfway across the world in Tokyo?

Yes, it's a rhetorical question.

 

Nothing against Hachimura but Hachimura is probably half Japanese while Yao was the tallest guy in China (tallest to play bball).

Yao is probably the most special guy here and in China in the next decades. That is how unique he was not regarding his broken foot though.

No wonder he was called a 'science experiment'.

 

Additionally I think that anime/manga has drawn more people to basketball than those players mentioned above ever will IMO.

 

I think the last time the Rockets played in Japan was the 1992 season. The plane ride back to Houston the owner before Les at the time resolved Hakeem injury situation. Hakeem would've been traded. Hakeem also called Vernon over to his seat to talk and Hakeem bonded with Vernon Maxwell.
Vernon sat back in his seat with Kenny Smith and Kenny said "What did Hakeem say to you"
Vernon says "Kenny I might turn Muslim"

 

I think a few days in Japan is enough time for the whole team to train in Mr. Popo's hyperbolic time chamber.

 

Just gotta draft a Japanese player this year, so we can basically have home court advantage.

 

In before Rockets alternate jerseys with Japanese lettering.

 

This is such awesome news for me!

I live in Osaka and it has been a dream to see the Houston rockets play, now I can finally get the chance! Even if it is exhibition games, I will still go and enjoy maybe my only opportunity in my life to see the rockets in the flesh!