So I get there an 1 or so before tip-off and see that there are some Rockets. I find the YoYo and TM1YM11 next to us in face paint (awesome job guys!). I see that the new and super-skinny Bonzi Wells in out there shooting around. Love him or hate him, the guy is always out there like 1 to 1 and a half before tip-off shooting around. Even last year during the Clippers games, I would see him come out and shoot around, and then disappear somewhere. I see the rest of the Rockets come out and shoot around, and let me tell you guys, it is great to see Stevie Franchise back in a Rockets uniform and I was surprised to hear some many people that still were fans of his. There were some kids behind me and they keep yelling Franchise so that put a smile on my face. Game tips-off and I was really surprised to see how unprepared the Rockets looked for the first 5-6 minutes. I don't know if you guys could see it on tv, but there were times where T-Mac had the ball on top of the key and each player was yelling at someone else where to go. They looked like a team of pick-up players trying to play profession ball. But that changed for the better as the game went on. As always, I have my throwback Yao jersey that I swirl around and taught the opposing team fans with. I did this throughout the game and I'm talking smack to all the fans, and then the Lakers make the run in the last minute and the Staples Center just erupted. My heart was beating so fast in that last minute. But great game and great victory with the exception of blowing the lead. Here are some sidenotes that you guys probably didn't see on tv: -When I arrived, there was a presentative of the Rockets organization to came up to me and my girl and thanked us for our support of the Rockets organization. He also went to some other Rockets fans. I thought that was awesome for the guy to come and do that. I also asked him about Morey b/c I know he sits in the area I was at during the Clippers game. He said he would tell Morey to come later on. Never did though, lol. -The seats next to the Rockets bench at the end are sold to fans and apparently, there were too many Rockets players b/c Stevie Franchise didn't have a seat. Brooks and Landry were in suits so I'm guessing thats why Franchise decided to lay on the floor. -The lady from Lavern and Shirley who is a big Lakers and Clippers fan was close to the Rockets bench on the floor and I was surprised how many of the Rockets players knew her personally. She was giving them kisses on their cheeks and talking to all of them. She talked to Bonzi for a long time, same with T-Mac and Francis. -At the end of the game, while the Rockets were getting ready to re-enter the game, I saw Francis talking to her once again. Although I couldn't hear what they were saying, I'm assuming she asked him why he hadn't played because I saw him left up his jersey and smack his stomach a couple of times and then laughed. And I never realized, but Franchise is really out of shape. You could see his keg, lol. He is turning into this year's Bonzi Wells! But atleast he seemed happy. -At the end of the game, I went over to the seats by the visitor's tunnel and saw Daryl Morey there. I took a picture with him and had him sign my hat. I also told him he did a great job in the off-season and he appreciated that. Then I told him that he should call the NBA front office and tell them to cancel the season and just hand us the trophy b/c its over. He found that very funny and had a chuckle. -The one security lady that YoYo mention in his thread was really being a b*tch at times. I don't like to use that language b/c I don't know her, but when the game started, I was standing like the Rockets players do until the team scores. As I'm cheering and swirling my jersey, she comes and tells me to sit down. I'm standing there in seats that were only $140 face value that I payed $240 for and didn't appreciate that, so I let her know about it. After that, she didn't come back around. -Lots of celebrities there like Charlie Sheen and Chris Tucker. Also saw Jeanie Buss and Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle there. I wanted to talk to him and ask him why he refuses to write about the Rockets! Sorry for the long post, but just wanted to share my exprience with the rest of the Rockets fanatics. Can't wait for the Clippers v. Rockets game in November!
Nice post, thanks for sharing. Pretty cool that a Rockets rep came and said hello. Very classy. I wonder if they do that at all the road games.
I appreciate the commentary on the flavor of the game. However, I thought the funny moment would be the two Lakers fumbling in two points for the Rockets when no Rocket player was within twenty feet of them. Those two points were the difference in the game.
Thanks for the recap, I'm very jealous of you! Any interesting discussions or word fights you had with the bad guys' fans?
Thanks for sharing your taste, it's always enjoyable to hear from people right on the spot. Sounds to me, they tried to implement coach's game plans, just need some time to brush it up.
I hope this clears up that Franchise was pouting. He obviously didn't have a seat but I guess he's suppose to stand up and cheer all the time? Still though, dude was sleeping out there too much, and I'm a Francis supporter. But, it doesn't seem like he is pouting at all by the way he was making fun of himself for being out of shape.
What was with each team's bench standing until their team scored a point? After 4+ minutes of scoreless Rockets basketball, they were racing to their seats before the ball made it halfway through the net.
lol! "you can see his keg?" we should tap SF3.... maybe beer AND some fried chicken will come out! theSAGE
