Great post Tim! You are good at keeping your cool too ... reading those stupid comments about our uni makes my blood boil and they don't even aim at me !!!
I like the new look. It is a LOT better then the pajamas. I just did not like how the unveiling was handled. However, Tim is right in that sometimes it is cool to LEAK information, and get the reporters working for themselves...but REALLY for you. DD
SJC, I couldn’t agree more with you on this idea. Maybe even go as far as to market it as the "official" fan site of the Rockets and have a direct link to CC.net on Rockets.com so everyone could reach it.........even those who SOMEHOW have never heard of this site like international basketball fans overseas. I'm sure Rockets.com gets hit up with tons international traffic, most of whom are trying to find out about Yao and what he's been up to. And I'm sure that there are alot of NBA fans who have never heard of this site before, too. Think about it..........When these fans want info on the Rockets, the first site they are likely to visit is Rockets.com. And chances are they are likely to see the link for CC.net and visit, especially if they have questions or comments. All of these fans could bring intellectual posts and fresh new ideas for creative conversation to this board. And of course we would probably end up with some TROLLS out of this bunch too. But there are enough people on this board (like myself) to give them the welcoming they deserve. But this idea and potential partnership could be a great way to attract new members on to the largest and most dominant fan site in the sporting world. And all of those NEW MEMBERS could translate into potentially NEW REVENUE streams for the tip jar.
Not to stir up a pot of garbage, but some -- not all, but some -- of this "Pro-Houston" stuff sounds a little "anti-Asian" to me. Do people want the Rockets next title to be savored solely by those in Houston, the way the last ones were? I am all for latching on to Asia and China. If we become an international franchise, we make legions of Laker fans look like a small smattering of pansies. You do not have to ignore Houston to integrate Asia, of course. I think the trade off for Houston would be having "Houston" promoted a little more on the world stage -- the thing is, and I don't know if this is something as true now as it was in 1997 (when I left Houston), but to my ears and eyes, people in Houston actively distrusted Rockets organization. Business dealing, bad merchandise, ugly uniforms ... it seemed like the origanization did not know its own city. Hakeem and Rudy were the hooks for the community, but the organization's swagger used to totally gross out local businesses and charities. There was a sneer to the Rockets -- or the perception of one -- that made many in Houston, i think, feel used by the Rockets' organization rather than embraced by it. I don't know if that feeling still holds in Houston -- and Tim, please do not underestimate the job you are doing and the job you are undoing with your accessiblity here and everywhere else -- but there is probably still alot to undo. Cities like LA or Chicago or Boston may feel a part of their teams a little better, and sticking the city on the jersey might not be a big deal, or a gesture with any sort of symbolism. But, to Houston it would appear to be important. It makes sense, to me anyway. It's not that the Rockets never tried to embrace the city, it is just that they never did it in a way that really clicked. Even the charity stuff... you just sorta got used to the 'angle, ' ands something seemed too conspicuously self-serving. And then, it felt more like "well, we tried, you just don't get it or care," which is even more alienating. Tortuous arena campaigns, low attendance... something clearly went curiously sour between the city and the team. I would imagine it is changing, but that job is not done. Oh, and the jerseys look nice no matter what my wife says. Go team CBFC
Tim, Die-hard Rockets fan here going to law school in DC. Sadly, I won't be able to attend the opening of the Toyota Center but you can bet I'll be watching it up here while wearing my brand new Red Yao jersey (the design is great, you guys outdid yourselves). Anyway, I won't be back in Houston until the week of Thanksgiving. Can you believe it, the Rockets are on a five game road trip that week, so I'll have to wait until Christmas to get my fix. The question is, will the Toyota Center be open at all during that week so that I might drop by and see it and get some merchandise from the team store? Unless of course you can get the schedule changed so the Rockets will be there that week. Then the store will definitely be open. Thanks!
Like Smashingworth, I'm not in Houston, but I'll be watching the Rocket games here showing support! GO Rockets!!! I subscribed to League Pass just so I could see the games. I'll be getting a white Yao home jersey and one of those hats with the chinese letters. Keep up the good work Tim.
I'm asian, I'm nowhere near Houston. I'm on the other side of the country...yet I watch all or most Rockets' games. I don't know why people in Houston are b****ing about the Rocket's marketing strategies to the Asian consumer. I b**** about how Houston could only get 13,000 fans into the arena. It's kinda pathetic. What are Houstonians doing? are they busy milking their cows? Anyways, I like the new jerseys. I like the color red, it's the same color as the Chinese flag, same color as the Chinese National Team, same color as my car. So I'm going to buy the new jerseys. I'm going to throw away my blue-stripped pajamas now, so my bball buddies can stop laughing at my outfit. Also, I'm glad that "Houston" didn't appear in the front of the jersey. It's now "Rockets". I would feel like an idiot wearing the words "Houston" on my chest since I've never been to Texas my whole life. Btw, where's the link to buy the new Rocket's jerseys? I search all over Eastbay.com and couldn't find it. Can anybody post the exact link? Thanks.
Hey I'm feelin the new jerseys much better than the pin-striped pajamas. Burn those hoes!!!!! The rocket red glare is back!!! What I'm not understanding is why we dont got no 2 road jersey designs, the red is great but somehow they need make silver road jerseys, I know somebody agrees with me. All right!! I'm out like Jason Collier!!!
You'd feel idiotic because you've never been to Houston, er, Texas? Too busy milking cows? Whatever man.
I really love the uniforms but one thing bothers me......... The fact that silver is on the road and that it doesnt appear at all on the home is kinda weird. If silver is going to be a major complementary part in our new color scheme, then the complementary color should be used on BOTH uniforms. So here is an edit of the uniform, with silver added as trim (on the elliptical stripes) to both to make the design even on both.
I don't like the double trim, because it makes it look like any other ordinary jersey with noraml trim. The solid color border looks fantastic; it'smoving in the direction set by the Lakers jerseys.
I like those silver trim jerseys a little better than the originals. I thought, glancing through here, that those were the offcial jerseys. Oh well, the others are nice, too.
- Why don't you come down to Houston and help us milk some cows then beeyotch....btw, thanks for supporting the Rockets! - Well we wouldn't want you to "feel like an idiot" so it's good thing the new jerseys don't have "Houston" on it then, huh?! That way, you can walk around w/ your new jersey and NOT "feel like an idiot"......btw, thanks for supporting the Rockets!
The milking cows comment is pretty tame compared to the other poster's comments (a few posts up) about Asians. He is right though, Houston has close to the lowest record in home attendance. If I remember correctly, Yao coming here helped sell 3 times the amount of sold-out games as the year prior. Also, the road game attendance was among the top 4 in the league. We were in good company with the Lakers, 76'ers and Wizards (because of Michael Jordan) Could you say that before the arrival of Yao? (these recent years)
ei tim, got a q, do you happen to know when will the replica jerseys (( nike swingmans )) be released nationwide? coz im here in cali and im itchin to cop one and i was wonderin when so when i know when i can start findin one at the malls. why do i have to move here when all the good things starts happening in houston.. ie, the toyota center opening, the freakin superbowl, the unveiling and releasing of the new unis and merchandise.. oh mayn!!!
dude, that's off the line. that's too much! what do you think if we all got freakin dissed your country coz you can't see yao in person whoopin shaq's ass coz your all the way on the other side of the world dippin your faces on freakin meat dipped in grease?! and you have to be awake so early in the morning like 3/4 am just to watch the games huh?! man, eventhough im not in houston, im wearin my retro red/yellow francis jersey (( which has the diagonal "houston" stitched on it )) with pride and honor! when im wearin that, i feel like im untouchable not because its the "in" style, but for pride and the history behind those jerseys! so, you know its about pride, honor, and representing the city we all loved and supported! you should know that! every chinese movie i saw with all those martial arts always talk or the story revolves on HONOR, DIGNITY, and PRIDE! im ashamed of you! im ashamed not only because your also a rocket fan, but also the **** you made that might affect the rest of your people...
Pride...weird how some people try to display it. I can't understand how someone can love a team and hate the city. The team is all about the city.
Tim - Be sure to let us know when this hat comes out / post a pic on here as soon as you can. I have held off buying a new Rockets hat so far as I've been wating for more variety. I am not asian, but some hates do just look sweet. I look forward to getting one.
I hate the unies. Go back to the red and mustard retros and We mimight capture our previous championship form.
