I've never actually heard of a Hakeem only fan. I imagine they existed, but I never actually heard of it. However, I was never particularly interested in playing sports as a kid, but I'll never forget being about 8 years old and going to my first Rockets game with my father. I asked him who was good and he pointed out Hakeem and Sleepy Floyd as our best players. (at least that's how I seem to remember it) I was amazed by Hakeem and he may very well be the reason I developed into a basketball fanatic and a devout Rockets fan. I've joked for years that my first born son will be named Hakeem Olajuwon Williamson. Now I say my second born will be Yao Ming Williamson. Funny to imagine some white kids running around with names like those but it's even funnier to imagine a grown white man in the business world introducing himself as Yao.
I don't think someone here JUST BECUASE YAO is bad I think someone SAYING CUTTINO SHOULD BE PUNISHED BECAUSE HE DID NOT GIVE THE BALL TO YAO 80 TIMES A GAME is bad IT is the people that seem to think only in terms of YAO and not the team that are annoying When I say in term of YAO they seem to say . . . don't matter If rockets win just as long as YAO get his I hate SF ONLY FANS CAT ONLY FANS YAO ONLY FANS JVG ONLY FANS blah blah blah I think this are the ones we hate If you just got here . . that is ok but don't just rout for one person to the detriment of others Rocket River I been a fan forever . .. .
There are always fans who will have individual preferences when it comes to certain players. There are some guys for whom Francis can do no wrong, others have the same feelings about Mobley. These people did not get labeled the same way as the so-called "Yao only fans". I think it has to do with two things - first of all, there are not that many as with the Yao fans, secondly, I think that the "we were here first" attitude DOES play a little bit into the condemnation of the so-called Yao only fans (as well as, at least for some, being irritated about the influx of foreign fans). So, funnily enough, what happens on the BBS might be a little bit of a mirror image of what might have been initially going on in Francis' and Mobley's heads (possibly subconsciously). Anyway, I get your point, but as I said, "Cat only fans" or "Francis only fans" did not get labeled the same way the Yao fans did.
I bet "ChairmanYao" is already taken by others so he settled with this one. U can see he has a few posts only.
I'm sure there are very few people who started watching the Rockets because of Hakeem. He's one of the most underappreciated superstars in all of sports. Other than that, I have no problem with YOF, just the ones who start the stupid threads about how he doesn't get the ball enough because his teamates don't want him to outshine them. Or threads about how Yao would look great on another team. That kind of thread is really disrespectful to this site.
This is actually what has always irritated me about them....I got a rep of hatin on them cause I would b**** at em about it and in past threads on this subject, Iwould weigh in heavily....so of course, they took exception to that and didnt bother figuring out why I truely got irritated by them. What you posted is my case in a nutshell.. I have zero problems with ones that become a fan because of Yao....just the ones that seem to put Yao over all other members of the team when looking at the games.. Dont be afraid to question his play if it isnt up to par..and dont unfairly blame the rest of the team when he doesnt do well...and above all......care more about the teams win/loss than Yao's stats...thats all I ask. oh yea...and dont constantly whine for Yao to move to another team just cause we have hit some rocky times in his and the teams development.. this doesnt seem like too much to ask.. Yao fans need to be fair to the team and I will be fair to Yao. It is a two-way street...we can get along...just be fair
Hrrm. A bit of bias there . YOF are going to be unfair to the rest of the team because they have no (or little) attachment to them. You, on the other hand, should feel equally obliged to be fair to Yao as to any other Rocket. It's actually an appropriate double standard. Us "Rocket fans" have a heavier obligation .
wow im reading some very interesting quotes.. and I feel like this thread is therapy.. I love the BBS and enjoy reading everyones analysis must be the best ive ever seen.. but get tired of all the labeling and bickering.. everyone is entitled to their own opinions so to each his own. J
Well I was. On my birth certificate the doctors noted that I had a birthmark that strongly resembled the old Rocket's basketball logo. I think that is Les Alexander's hope. Getting somewhat serious. I'm OK with Yao only fans as long as they root for the team too. I think every Rox fan is happy when the Rox win due to Yao having a great game. OTOH many of us are just as happy when the Rox win even if Yao has a bad game.
A question to the self declared Yao only fans. Many of you are Yao fans not just because he is Chinese but also because he is good and has the potential to be great. In the history of the NBA there are many players who have started out good with loads of potential only to end up having a steep dropoff in their career because of injury, lack of attitude, or something else. See Ralph Sampson as an example. Lets say that that happens to Yao and for whatever reason next season he plays terribly, and not just because no one is passing him the ball but blowing wide open shots, not hustling on D and making unforced errors. Will you guys still be rooting for Yao? I hope this is a hypothetical question because I want the guy to succeed.
Not a Yao only fan but I'd still be rooting for him even if his play depreciates just becaus he started as a Rox. Same reason I rooted for guys rooted for guys like Eddie and Scottie despite subpar play until they quit on the team completely. The same reason I still root for guys like Elie and Horry even when they started to play bad and no longer a Rox.
