I can't believe how quickly people just jump on and off the bandwagon, just like last year when the Rox were losing people started saying they suck and all, are there any true fans left? Now we have this Yao Ming bandwagon. After the first couple of games people were saying he'll be a bust now they are talking ROY, allstar and hall of fame. Can't he just end up being a good player (he has the potential to be HoFame but I'm being conservative here) for couple years, maybe lead the Rox to a championship? Cuz even if he does that he's worth # 1 overall. I definitly don't think the likes of JWill, Butler, Gooden or Dunleavy will lead any team to the championship.
No newsflash here, but the Rockets were 28-54 last season -- bad enough to win the top pick in the draft. In other words, they <B>did</B> suck last season. But I think you're talking to the wrong audience ... sure, there are lot (and I do mean a lot) of new fans here, but most of the "bandwagon" types are the ones who didn't even know what the Rockets did night in and night out, and they certainly weren't posting here. But then again, maybe you know us better in the less than 24 hours you've been a member here.
As for the Rox, I think a big cause to the losses last year are due to injuries. Now mind you that's no excuse for our record but it still should be considered. As for me being here, which is more recent, however, I've been a long time member of ESPN and I listened to people on the streets. From the short time I've been here though I can't believe how quickly some people changed their opinions, which would make my argument valid.
This statement by Yao from the Chronicle today says it all. He does not concern himself with awards or records. He is focused on only one thing, and that is doing everything he can to make his team better. We as fans go crazy with all this speculation and predictions of what is to come. But the humble and focused Yao puts everything into perspective by a few simple yet profound words from the 22 year-old rookie. I for one and most impressed by Yao's character and that gives me the most hope over any of the other things. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1675011 Nov. 23, 2002, 11:58PM -Rockets summary- Sharpshooter The accolades keep piling up for Yao Ming. Yao has qualified as the NBA leader in shooting percentage after connecting on seven field goals against the Wizards. Yao has made 42 of 61 attempts for .705 field-goal accuracy; Orlando's Grant Hill is second at .603. Yao also broke Wilt Chamberlain's record for best percentage over a six-game stretch, making 31 of 35 shots (.886) from Nov. 9 to Friday. Chamberlain connected on 63 of 72 baskets (.875) in 1966. But as the Rockets center said Saturday, numbers aren't his primary concern. "I didn't come here to break records," he said. Chamberlain is the only player in NBA history -- with enough field-goal attempts to qualify among league leaders -- to shoot over 70 percent in a season. He connected on 72.7 percent of his shots for the 1972-73 Los Angeles Lakers.
When most people talk about last season they seem to forget francis was out or inefective in most of the games last year... If Yao Ming isn;t stealing Stevies thunder so much he would be a major MVP canadite... Personaly I see this team better then most... Rice is an upgrade over shanon... and Yao is Super... Taylor will only improve... and Kenny is really starting to show Rudy knows how to find the rookies... I belive the Cat injury is a mixed blessing... Now we know why Cat has not looked like the Cat that should get an Iso play called for him from time to time.... While he has had no legs this year making his drives inefective in past years he has always been a good player to Iso... So maybe when he gets back he be back to form... Right now I would consider Dallas and maybe Sacromento as the only teams better then us... The only only thing we need right now is chemistry
I really don't mind the bandwagon too much as it increases reveanues for the team when they're doing well. I just don't want to hear their opinions on here
gotta disagree w/ u here bud. i was a registered member back in 98 then went to lurk mode until june of this year when i re-registered. i've probably been around longer than 99% of the members here, so that just goes to show that you cant tell who the "true" fans are just by their registered date.
I was somewhat critical of Yao at first, but who wasn't. Some of the best basketball minds in the country saw the same things, and had similar comments. I mean he was so clumsy and lost out there. I have also wished him the best. I don't consider myself a bandwagoner though. I can remember Elvin Hayes and catching the bus with my cousin when we were 12 and 13 to Hofeinz Pavilion on the U of H campus to watch the Rockets play. We used to think it was the most amazing thing to watch Calvin Murphy stand under the goal at 5'9" and dunk with 2 hands during warmups. During the game Rudy T displayed a deft touch on long 20 ft. bank shots. I also had the opportunity to see the sky hoop of Lew Alcindor, (that was still his name) when the milwaukee bucks came to Hofeinz to play the Rox. I also remember seeing Pete Maravich play against them also. I was a fan all through the Ralph Sampson days and I used to watch Olajuwon and Moses Malone go at it down at fonde rec. center, while Olajuwon was still at U of H. I watched the Rockets go 15-0 in '93 during Don Chaney's last yr. as a coach here. I could tell then that a championship was a possibly. There is a certain feeling you get. I am starting to feel it now. I watched all the major games (on tv) during the championship years and went downtown to watch both victory parades. Yao has really impressed me here lately, and so have the Rockets guards and the whole team. Chemistry takes time, but I think this team has the makings of another championship. ~ Kountzer ~
I agree with what you are saying, but how are you any different? You didn't post here at all last year when we 'sucked', but now you are preaching to the crowd. Its great to have more rox fans here, even if it is on the bandwagon. Clutch is really going to have his work cut out for himself in the up coming years...hell, the up coming days. Everyone needs to contribute to the TIP JAR! We need to keep this site going STRONG!
I just wanted to say this. OHHHHHHHHHH. You got Schooled Noobie. Clutch with the hammer on a noobie's first post. That's gotta hurt. Big props to you if you become a "real" poster here and continue on, instead of jumping off the "bandwagon" and never show up again. Any betters out there?
Actually I have been posting on ESPN for years. The only reason I got started here is cuz I hurt my leg (pretty much walking on one leg), got bored and got creative with the Google search engine. So if that defines bandwagon then I guess I am.
I'm not really getting this whole concept of bandwagoning. It's more like a concept of being patient or impatient. I for one has a wait-and-see attitude on a lot of things. So although I think of myself as a bandwagon type of a fan(sorry but I just can't stand watching losing basketball over and over), I've never been critical of the Rockets. I know that thre's no way to re-stock a team filled with veterans in so little time.
i agree. it's not about bandwagoning. 90% or more of the people here, including the negative bastards are hardcore rockets fans through everything. it's just that some people have NO PATIENCE and choose to b**** so much that it appears they aren't fans.
OK, I'm a nubie here, But I've been a Rockets fan since the early 90's, before the back to backs. Yes I did Bitc*h alot today about Moochies play, but it suxd!! I live near San Antonio and take so much crap from Spurs fans, but I believe the heart of this champion is still beating inside Rudy. Go Rox.
