I guess there isn't much of it in sports, but living in houston with the astros and rockets I felt there was a sense of loyalty between the players and teams. During the rudy era I think rudy to a fault showed loyalty to his guys. I really felt when he shipped people off he was sad to see them go. In the morey era everyone is just an "asset." While this might be a good thing, as a fan it is still hard come to grips with. Even when the Astros sucked you could still wrote for biggio. If the rockets were losing could you still root for asset x,y,z? Is this a new era in sports, or am I just forgetting all the people rudy shipped off heartlessly?
It's sports, free agency, and honestly, data warehousing in general. Everyone is a number to be crunched for maximum efficiency.
This is a business not a romance. Don't get attached to players if you want to win Championships. signed, Otis Thorpe for Cyle Drexler.
Warren Moon left, Earl Campbell, Nolan Ryan, Hakeem Olajuwon . . . it happens. Biggio and Bagwell were anomalies in general, but it made that special.
The odds of winning of winning a championship over any period of time is low. The reason you become a fan is because of the journey and the players who go you there.
I loved Otis Thorpe and I remember who pissed I was when he was traded for a 30 year old Clyde Drexler. Guess who Rockets fans love more now. do yourself a favor and become a fan of the TEAM. Players will come and go but the team is here forever (hopefully).
No one says you have to hate Landry or something. I'll be wishing him well in Sactown and I don't really feel bad for the guy. He's getting millions, all he has to do is move to California and play some ball. He'll still be in touch with all of those he made friends with here. NOW...I can understand if this was a guy who gave a lot to your franchise...like Yao.
Root for the name on the front of the jersey not the one on the back. Saying that, I will continue to follow Landry and see his career progress besides I already watch Kings' games because I like their team.
Loyalty is a nice concept, but Yao isn't getting any younger or healthier, and everyone except him needs to be looked at as hired help. I think this squad + Yao is going to look good next year.
Dude we are talking about Carl Landry...not freaking Hakeem Olajuwon. Its not like Carl was the poster boy of the Rockets either.
dude you are acting like the rockets didn't trade OT away or cassell and horry under rudy t. and seriously, don't compare a first ballot hall of famer to landry.
It's not as bad as you're making it out. We've had Yao a good while; we had Tracy a good while, too. Also, Battier, Chuck Hayes, Scola, not to mention Deke.
I have loyalty to an organization that tries its best to bring victories, playoffs, and a championship to its city. Some decisions are correct, some aren't. But as long as I feel there is an attempt to get better, I'll support the team. I don't feel the Rockets have ever made a transaction that was designed purposefully to harm the team (like trading a player out of spite or something), and although I don't agree with every decision they make, I agree with most of them. Teams do not have to be loyal to players and players do not have to be loyal to teams. If Yao had an offer for more money with a different team a few years down the road, I would not begrudge him this- he has the right to earn as much money as he can. Works the same in the business world- although some go about it a little more professionally.
