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Is JJ WATT more popular now than Akeem (and others)

Discussion in 'Houston Texans' started by what, Oct 18, 2014.

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  1. what

    what Member

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    Ranking the most popular players/ coaches in Houston history.

    In my mind, Watt has taken over the top spot which, in the mount rushmore of houston sports, includes:

    1. JJ Watt
    2. Bum Phillips
    3. Earl Campbell
    4. Jose Cruz
    5. Akeem

    Yes, Akeem is low on the list and maybe he is ahead of Jose Cruz due to Akeem's dominance, but Cruz is up there.
     
    #1 what, Oct 18, 2014
  2. RunninRaven

    RunninRaven Contributing Member
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    I would say that Watt is at the top of the list now, but there is no way Dream is anywhere lower than 2nd.
     
    #2 RunninRaven, Oct 18, 2014
  3. what

    what Member

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    If we were talking about skill level, I would agree with that, but I am talking about popularity, and Bum is the most popular coach that houston has ever seen. He was more pouplar than akeem was by far.
     
    #3 what, Oct 18, 2014
  4. bigtexxx

    bigtexxx Contributing Member

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    JJ Watt is easily #1

    Nolan Ryan has a place on this list, also
     
    #4 bigtexxx, Oct 18, 2014
  5. what

    what Member

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    If you include fans that live outside of houston, Yao and Lin probably leapfrong everybody, but this ranking isn't based on the global scale, only the houston-based houston sports fan.
     
    #5 what, Oct 18, 2014
  6. sealclubber1016

    sealclubber1016 Member
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    While Hakeem is unquestionably the greatest player in Houston history, this is Texas and football is king. This coming from a person who has been a Rockets fan first and foremost.

    Watt is hot right now, so we will have to see how is career plays out. Just judging from my circle of friends and family, I would say Earl Campbell is still number 1. Frankly luv ya blue as group has a place in the hearts of long time Houstonians unlike any other, even the Clutch city squads.

    Having said that, the percentage of Houstonians who really remember luv ya blue is decreasing. Between the people who are either too young or moved to Houston afterward I imagine it's a fairly small number. My family is an old guard in Houston FWIW, don't know it I have a proper sample of the city as a whole.
     
    #6 sealclubber1016, Oct 18, 2014
  7. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    People don't remember how popular Earl was in the late 70's, early 80's. Earl was the most popular.
     
    #7 rockbox, Oct 18, 2014
  8. DCkid

    DCkid Contributing Member

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    Hakeem is probably more popular for pretty much anyone born in Houston after the early/mid 70s. That's a pretty sizable chunk of people at this point.

    EDIT: I get now you're talking about popularity during their time. Still have a hard time believing Jose Cruz was more popular than MVP era Hakeem.
     
    #8 DCkid, Oct 18, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2014
  9. DCkid

    DCkid Contributing Member

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    duplicate
     
    #9 DCkid, Oct 18, 2014
  10. what

    what Member

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    Jose Cruz was extremely popular, and for much of hakeem's career, prior to the championships of course, Akeem was only really popular with rabid rockets fans. As a testament to this, people still remember Micheal Young of Phil Slamma Jamma along with Guy V. Lewis as fondly as they remember Akeem or Clyde.
     
    #10 what, Oct 18, 2014
  11. mick fry

    mick fry Member

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    Dont forget Crazy George.
     
    #11 mick fry, Oct 18, 2014
  12. Remii

    Remii Member

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    Well, J.J. is on TV every five minutes so I'm sure he's at the top in popularity.

    Dream brought two championships to this city. A bunch of commercials and a 2-14 season doesn't make J.J. the most important sports figure in the city.
     
    #12 Remii, Oct 18, 2014
  13. thedude077

    thedude077 Member

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    Yes because Texas is a football state and superstar football players will always get more fame.
     
    #13 thedude077, Oct 18, 2014
  14. scottie brooks

    scottie brooks Member

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    Earl has his own sausage.
     
    #14 scottie brooks, Oct 18, 2014
  15. Spacemoth

    Spacemoth Contributing Member

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    what is probably representative of the over-60yo crowd.

    For the 25yo-45yo crowd, I'm gonna go ahead and proclaim Hakeem the #1 as a representative of my age demographic. If you're younger than 25, I can see how you put Watt #1.
     
    #15 Spacemoth, Oct 18, 2014
  16. Cstyle42

    Cstyle42 Member

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    Dream should be number 1 but this still is Houston, TX. Football means more then actually winning.
     
    #16 Cstyle42, Oct 18, 2014
  17. Fulgore

    Fulgore Member

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    More popular maybe but Dream's legacy is second to none in Houston. Multiple final fours with UH, then went to 3 finals in the NBA and winning 2 championships.
     
    #17 Fulgore, Oct 18, 2014
  18. Panda23

    Panda23 Member

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    /thread
     
    #18 Panda23, Oct 18, 2014
  19. Roc Paint

    Roc Paint Contributing Member

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    WHAT!

    Not yet grasshopper, not even close. Talk to me in 10 more years. The Texans will Have to win a super-bowl with J.J. before he get Hakeem status. Don't get me wrong...he is the best defensive player that I have ever witnessed.
     
    #19 Roc Paint, Oct 18, 2014
  20. Hustle Town

    Hustle Town Contributing Member

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    Hakeem and Earl Campbell are clearly higher than Watt.
     
    #20 Hustle Town, Oct 18, 2014
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