Toyota Center is too "loungy" and seems to be made to appeal to corporate ticket buyers. I was in line to order some food at the game last night and overheard a guy behind me (wearing a shirt and tie) that he gets tickets to approx. every third game to take out clients and most of the time they never leave the bar/lounge where all the TVs are (on the lower level near the concessions). Then you have the fine-dining restaurant behind one of the goals that pulls some people away from seats. And we wonder why the lower bowl is always empty...
Rockets have a great home record, and if you were at the playoff games last year you'd know it was a great atmosphere. This is a non-issue.
I agree. Everytime when I watch a game with us playing in OKC or in Portland, I am always jealous of how full and loud those arenas can get. I have thought about this a lot. 1) I think Houston fans are notorious as fair-weather fans? 2) I have been to several Rockets playoff games. Those are always loud and the way that I wish most other games were. But when I look at cities like OKC and Portland, they don't have other major professional sports teams to pull for. I think the biggest problem for Houston is that their fans always pull first for the Texans. They like the Rockets and Astros when they are good, but I think the passion in Houston is for football and not basketball. That's just my theory though.
When I was the toyota center for the rockets games every year, the fans were good enough, I did not see a big problem at all. Waiting for the playoff time, the fans will go nuts. I am more worry about the team chemistry since they tend to play very bad at the time, which just ruin the excitement from some fans. Recently, we went to the game of the rockets vs the kings at new year eve. and a young boy near me screamed all night, really expected to a win, but the result was so disappointed, it just wasted someone's time.
This is such a non-issue. The crowds at Toyota Center are fine. Just accept it. This just how things are in the state of Texas. UT football games and basketball games are the same way.
can also blame CSN fiasco, hard to cheer for the team when a majority can't even watch the games and follow the team
It's sterile and boring sometimes. And when it gets loud, it seems manufactured. It is too "loungey" It's too comfortable.
Logistically it is difficult for people to get to Toyota Center. It is in Downtown, where, even though growing in popularity, most people do not live and there is no legitimate form of mass transit to get people there. I lived in Philly for half a year and went to at least 5 Sixers games and 2 Eagles games. It would cost me $5 on the subway round trip, 15 minutes, no parking and my friends and I could drink as much as we wanted on the way there and not have to worry about driving. It was awesome.. Unfortunately Houston isn't set up in the way that most east coast cities are. Reliant is a little better with the Metro light rail, but you still have to drive TO a parking lot generally to then get on and use it and its inefficient and crowded as hell.
Not really... atmosphere was just as dull and there were even less sellouts when the team was on FSN. They need to win... not only just make the playoffs, but actually make a couple of deep runs. I already mentioned that simply having a top seed and MVP wasn't enough to sell out regular season and even playoff games during the first championship run... and that was a team that had a deep playoff run the year before. The real culprit is that this team hasn't had a legit shot at a championship since 1997 (which was in the midst of a 4 year stretch of selling out every game, and having energy in the building for those games). You get a legit contender... that has a deep playoff run or two... and the fans will show up.
Far easier to get in and out of a game downtown vs. the parking lot at the summit. They're also only 5 or 6 minutes away from each other.
They're was noticeable emptiness in the stands the entire game. Was mostly out of town and listening to games on the radio during the streak. Heard the city was hype once it really grew. Celtics game was never really close. Believe they swept the TX Triangle too. American Airlines is miles ahead of TC in luxury. Their crowd/atmosphere is probably top 5 in the league. Bay Area is awesome for sports. Only 7 million population yet have 2 baseball and football teams. Three of those teams are iconic.
This is one thing I've noticed since moving out here. They love there 'niners and Giants! Haven't met many who are big GSW fans though. Most I've met care about baseball and football. Of the two friends I have who are basketball fans, one loves the Clippers (he's from LA) and one the Mavs (because random..).
what's worse is people don't want to go see a good team. I just picked up two seats in club for around $80 each. how does that happen?
Traffic and parking is not an excuse. I drive in from Rockdale TX, 2 1/2 hr drive and have never been late to a game. I go to about 5 games a season. After the game it takes a little time to get out the garage. Once back on the freeway I'm home before midnight and still get to work at 6am. As a truck driver I know all the traffic patterns in Houston and maybe it gives me an advantage over some but those who live so close to the Toyota center should plan better. Dallas has worse traffic jams than Houston and they don't have people showing up so late.
I was at the past Portland game on MLK day and there were still a lot of empty seats. I figured holiday, top seeded team, and nationally televised game would've sold out...but nope. Pretty Sad. One of the best teams we have in years. I blame it on the CSN fiasco.
Not sure, but do you mostly hang West Bay? There might be separation since the A's and Raiders are East. Warriors brought a nice crowd at BWW in Daly City but it was wing night. Most had GS gear on. Coming from Rockdale is dedication but you're used to driving. I do stepdecks. Catch the pre/postgame radio shows during the trip!
I went to the rockets knicks game behind the basket and everything was packed full at the fourth. Everyboey in h town just shows up late. A lot of fan bases do that, miami does haha
