I was just thinking about some of the players we've added to our team, and how there is a large segment of fans out there that seem to really dislike them. Dwight Howard, of course, is currently very unpopular, particularly among Orlando and Laker fans. He'll no doubt get jeered a lot over the course of this season. Patrick Beverley will be Enemy #1 whenever we set foot in OKC, and is sure to attract the scorn of other team's fans as people get more familiar with his particular brand of in-your-face tenacity. A lot of fans dislike Harden's "old man" game and the bag of tricks he uses to get himself to the foul line. And then there's Jeremy Lin, arguably the most polarizing player in the league (both within and outside Houston). His popularity perhaps outshines the "hate", but I guess he'll still hear the boos whenever we play in New York. We still have a relatively young team. Will they be able to tune out this negativity, or will they let it affect them?
Battier and Scola were pretty unpopular back in the day. Hating that team was like hating the spurs...
While I do agree that we have taken that mantel from the Heat, the Rockets have to channel that emotion and deliver. The Rockets shouldn't just look to make noise this year. They should look to represent the Western conference by the end of the year. While I do agree its a slow process, and there are real threats in the West(ie. San Antonio, LAC, OKC, Memphis and GS), we have the ability to match up against any team in the NBA and match any given style of play. This is the Rockets greatest advantage. We have two of the top ten/15 players in the NBA on our team. This is another year of Mchale's offensive/defensive system. We are a young group of athletes entering their prime. They have all the necessary ingredients to make a real run against Lebron and the Heat. The only things that could hinder this current Rockets team, is devastating injuries to Harden and Howard, or uncontrollable egos.
I think its different with the Heat. You root against them because they've won championships and the tendency is to root for the underdog. LeBron is no longer the hated figure he was 2 years ago. I think the hate that fans used to feel with the Heat has largely turned into begrudging respect. The Rockets, on the other hand, haven't accomplished anything yet. But their players, not to mention the "player poaching" successes of the front office, will very likely rile up the fan bases of other teams. I just think there's going to be a lot more tension in the air when we're the visiting team this year, and they'll have to deal with a lot more heckling/taunting/booing from the crowds. That's one of the challenges our players will have to deal with.
No way. The Lakers are far far more hated, though they are also more loved. What about the Knicks? Boston? Seems like Houston does not have a big enough reputation to be too hated or loved.
You're probably right on the Lakers and Knicks (but then, maybe I'm biased ). Boston is irrelevant this year, after trading KG and Pierce. The Rockets may not be the most hated team, but they'll be up there.
Not enough people outside Houston care enough about the Rockets to be the "most hated team". Don't think they'll be the most loved team either. Just another good team trying to prove they belong.
If you mean most hated by ESPN because they still resent Dwight leaving LA, maybe. But otherwise I'm not buying this at all right now. During the regular season, we'll see what kind of on-court personality this team has and the vibe the players give off.
Personally, I don't care if we're the most hated or the most loved, although it's a legitimate topic. All I want is for the coaching staff and Morey to settle on a roster and for the team to go through the season, through the playoffs, with nothing more than the minor injuries that any team has during the course of the year. Just an honest chance to see what we can do. If that happens, the rest of the league can howl and whine about the Rocks all they want, because given that, I like our chances to go deep in the playoffs.
I really doubt we're the "most hated team". I know here in Dallas people don't seem to hate us. I bet OKC, Lakers, and GS fans dislike us but even then I hesitate to call us most hated.
No way are they that hated just yet. I think people are ready and intrigued about a possible new contender. People are so sick of Spurs, Lakers, Boston, Miami that a shiny fresh new team is welcomed, are indifferent for now.
It is the Lakers and Heat by a wide margin. With that being said, I hate the Knicks the most right now. I used to hate the Jazz and Mavs the most, but they're -- delightfully -- irrelevant.
