[CHRON Richard Justice] Rockets' goal for this season should be staying relevant

Well they matter to me. Sure it got hard to watch last year, but you can bet your ass I did.

Justice probably just watches the box scores.


I should have this guys job, what a ****ty piece of journalism.

Pointless. The chronicle should give some money to Clutch, or OMR or Jeff and have them write.

 

I've lived here a long time and fans are as fair weather as any place in the country. They're great fans when the team is winning, but mediocrity and losing don't play well here.

 

Richard Justice comes in the clutch with another inspirational and insightful piece of journalism. Get this man a pulitzer ASAP.

 

Richard Justice is a testicle.

 

I'm willing to bet that I'm not the only one who would be attending a hell of a lot more Rockets games if I could get decent tickets without breaking the bank.

 

Houston fans have always been known to be fair-weathered - even in the championship runs there were empty seats at PLAYOFF games. Other cities pack the house even in losing seasons.

 

Yes this is a great statement, and there is nothing you can do. I love going to games, but hate it when Rockets are losing because fans even at the game do not seem to be enthusiastic. I watched all the Rockets games last year that were on TV and our arena has to be one of the WORST in terms of cheering. I am very happy the Rockets Rowdies are now there that should definately help.

 

You are definately not the only one. I hear what Justice is saying, ticket prices are expensive everywhere. I live in the Austin area and would definately go to a few games a year but I have a very hard time paying those prices. But that doesn't explain the apathy many Houston fans have. For example, I went to the open practice and was yelling as loud as I could. There was a group, maybe ten or so together, 20 somethings that didn't say a word the whole time. They didn't even clap! It's always been like that, I'm up yelling and others are staring at me like I'm a freak. Go to a Spurs game, the noise level is unbeliveable.

 

There certainly is a difference these days though. I remember back during the glory years all my neighbors and friends would get excited for games. Now, the block back home is dead. There isn't a buzz about them. Only way to bring this back is to go far in the playoffs. I mean my mom used to know people on the team's names. Now? She knows Yao and thats all. I think the article is spot on...

 

He'll need to modify his statements about crowd enthusiasm after seeing the TC with the Rowdies in the house!

 

The lack of enthusiasm stems from the head down- Les Alexander needs to stop his hiring policy of hiring robots without personality and character- bring back Calvin-Management, how many are known by sight and are seen at every game and also seen on TV?
The Media- Newspapers - Reporters that tow the party line or just copy others without much investigative reporting, also how many Houston Reporters are Basketball enthusiasts over any other sport? Their Web Site is not a leader in Rockets News,it tries too hard to present a fulll NBA picture instead of concentrating on the home Club!
TV/Radio- Same thing, years ago there was a TV Reporter named Berman, who was always hanging around the Rockets , together with a camera he was always breakingnews on TV and updating all the latest on the Rockets. He knew just how to get the viewer interested. TV Sports Reporting has become a cushy job and the stations should demand much more from their repoters.
The Club and Coach shouldn't be afraid to put their feet in the ....... and in the season be on TV every night showing how everyone is coming along and showing how much they are expecting from the team.Where are all the great Old Time Rockets with the gift of the gab? Every night a different old Rox personalities should be on Tv giving their thaughts and refletions on games and players.
The GREAT Houston Rockets will win the 2007 NBA Championship and in the Regular Season will win 64 games - darn all that talk of 45-52 wins- with the talend we have on this team we should be talking about how many straight games are we going to win to start the season- are we going to break our own record 15-1. Upbeat entusiasm is what the public needs to hear not all this talk about Yao Ming's toe nail and shoe problems.
Tracy McGrady one of the greatest players ever and the giant Chineese CenterYao Ming , the top scorer at the recent World Championships,are ready to take their place in Basketball as the greatest duo in the history of the game- no more talk about tracys back- he's OK now lets go with it and have a ball!!
Les needs to put JVG through a charm school, inorder to give his personality an uplift. The general public are not taken with him and his ways
At the games the fans shouyld be instructed to stand up ands the with trumpets each Rockets player should be presented and applauded:thi should also be shown on TV
A good example is that not even one Houston Chronicle Sports reporter considers the Houston Rockets worthy of a championship prediction. How can the public gather any enthusiasm for the Rockets with this sort of thing!!

 

I'm a big rocket fan but since I'm already spending 80 bucks a month for my cable tv since Rockets management decided to air their games on FSN instead on 51, I think that's enough contribution for a guy who makes just enough for his family. I would have been willing to spend a hundred a month to watch a live game if they're not too selfish.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was in SA last year and they broadcast their games free.

 

can't wait to see what the high hope results

 

You'll start to see it on Wednesday.

 

Whether you want to admit it, Justice is right. Since when have the Rockets mattered, outside of the loonies who feel every year we'll compete for a title? The Rockets' popularity in Houston has dwindled so far that it's arguable that the Dynamo have more passion and support from their fan base.

Not like I expected this board to embrace Justice's article -- considering he's knocking the apathy shown from "fans" -- but he's on point.

And why would the Chron hire Clutch or anyone? Feigen and rockets.com provide enough fluff and spins as it is.

 

The NBA is the only sport in major cities that draws fans ONLY if the team wins.... that's not the case with other sports (football always draws, and certain baseball teams will always draw no matter what shape the team is in).

Sacramento is a hick town which has nothing else to do... hence sellouts. Ditto Portland all those years. Ditto Utah all those years (and even then, when they started losing, the fans went away).

Houston is falling into line just like every other major city that supports multiple teams... if your team is no good (or in the Rockets case, hasn't done anything of notice since 1997)... why would you expect the fans to get all riled up?

 

Dude other than the cubs what mlb team without a brand new stadium draws if they are not winning?

The red sox's and yanks are always good teams like baltimore and san fran have struggled and their new stadiums appeal have worn off. Name these cities.