A reply to comments made a few days ago. I am not sure if you guys know (I am sure you don't because of you comments) that the Rockets Power Dancers have been voted and recognized by the NBA as the BEST dance team in the league. I have traveled extensively and have seen many of the other dancers/cheerleaders. I agree. Houston's dance team is the best in the NBA. Think about how many home games the Rockets have and how many of them are every other day. Those girls choreograph, learn, and perfect at least two dances for every game. That may be the reason why sometimes it may look as if they repeat. They are not out there to get a big paycheck. They are fans and love the sport. They are there to entertain us (the fans) during timeouts and in between quarters. Also keep in mind that many of the girls are professionals off of the court or they go to school full-time or both. I also read an article that many of the girls are professional dancers and have been in videos, in professional dance companies, or toured with musical artists. Comparing them to the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders is not really fair because that is football and this is the NBA. The cheerleaders are totally different. The NFL does tend to lean more towards T and A, admit it. The NBA tends to lean more towards dancers and that is why last year and the year before the team was coed. They put a lot of time and hard work into having a home court advantage and creating an enjoyable game experience. Give the girls some respect for the hard work they do. I enjoy their performances and realize that not just anyone can work all day (or go to school) then spend their nights practicing or at a game. FYI - I am a woman (married) and am not affected by the so-called T and A. I really do enjoy their performances. My opinion is that the Power Dancers are a great asset to the game. Good job ladies!!! ------------------
I have been to a fair number of games myself, and I think the dancers suck. Im not going to get into a "I am man, I need to see semi-naked woman argument" because if you like the power dancers for their looks, then fine. But if you are saying that these girls deserve respects as dancers I strongly disagree. These dance moves they are doing are not novel or unique and dont require much "professionalism." Just turn on MTV or VH1 any time of day and youll see a couple of hundred teenagers doing the same moves. Should I applaud those people too? Every job requires hard work. These girls shouldnt get any special respect. ------------------
I am a teacher but I never said what type of teacher I am. I am a dance teacher. Unless you have any experience and know what you are talking about maybe you should keep your opinion to yourself. They do have good technique. Last year and the year before they did some very technical dances. The crowd did not respond at all. It seems as if the crowd tends to respond more towards the hip-hop style they do the majority of the time. That is what is "IN" in the dance world. The crowd did not even appreciate the technical dances and the hard work and years it takes to perfect a move. They are very up to date and very good. Besides don't talk down on something I bet your can't even do yourself! ------------------
Also about the respect thing. We should respect them because they are there to entertain you! Anyone at the game should get respect; the ball boys, waiters, security guards, etc. They are there night after night doing there job and attempting to give you a fun game experience. Don't be so quick to throw out any disrespect or judgement. So if you are saying that The Houston Dancers SUCK than you are pretty much saying the entire league sucks cheerleader wise. Reason: They were voted the BEST NBA dance team. Do you really want them to perform a Ballet routine during a quarter break? That is technique. They are doing what is "IN" right now and the MTV/VH1 video style of dancing is what is hot right now. They perform to songs that are popular and the style of dancing they do is the only thing that will go with the music. I have performed/taught all over the world and the USA and from what I have seen, the Power Dancers are a well polished dance team. ------------------
I think they should replace the dancers with an interactive Human Chess Board. Seriously, though, I just don't see the point of having dancers at the games at all. They don't entertain me. I take the time-out time to actually speak to the people around me, or to hit the head or whatever. I don't have to be entertained for every single second of the game. The game experience would not suffer at all if the dancers were not there. ------------------ Houston Sports Board Help Finance My Movie - Buy A T-Shirt or Make a Donation
I agree. Some people chose to go get a drink or some food when the cheerleaders perform. Some people do not even watch the dancers but some do. Some like them and some don't. The organization can't please all 16,000 people (16,000 on a good day). A while back the Rockets did not have a dance team. They decided to have one because they received a huge response from their fan base that they wanted one. This is one reason why the Rockets do have a dance team (I know this because I hear some inside scoop in the dance community). It is just a form of entertainment to occupy people. We actually need to realize that they are probably not going away. Especially when the new arena arrives. Sports and cheerleaders/dancers have been paired up for along time. It is all a part of professional sports like it or not. ------------------
I'm just shocked to hear that there is a "dance community". ------------------ Houston Sports Board Help Finance My Movie - Buy A T-Shirt or Make a Donation
So if you people don't need to be entertained, do you also believe that Turbo and the mascot, Clutch, are also not needed. I believe that all of the entertainers are there to give the fans something to look at instead of an empty court. If there was just music and empty court, the majority of the 16,000 fans might decide to go to the bathroom during the quarter breaks. They are there for audience control too. They are also there to encourage audience participation and cheering our Rockets to victory. The other night I was at the game (third over-time) and the dancers we standing up and encouraging the fans to also stand up and cheer. Many people around me were sitting and clapping lightly until the cheerleaders stood up and began to cheer. Then the people around me stood up and starting yelling go Rockets. This is the main reason why I believe they are important to the game. ------------------
Hey you guys don't pick on my "dance community". Yes, Houston has a dance community; high schools, colleges, dance studios, dance schools, dance recruiters, dance agents, etc. ------------------
Now I'm even more disturbed to know there are such things as "dance recruiters" and "dance agents" within this "dance community". (I'm just giving you a hard time. No harm is meant by my posts). As for the question of whether the Rockets need the mascots, I'm going to have to say that they don't need them. When I used to go to Mavs games in Dallas a few years back, the experience wasn't lessened by the fact that there wasn't a guy in a bad mascot suit running around acting like a moron. (The Mavs have since added a mascot. MavsMan, who is, by the way, the worst mascot in the history of all sports. A human basketball? What the heck is that). But hey, if having power dancers and mascots keeps a handful of theater arts majors (or whathaveyou) from having to take off their clothes for money, then I'm all for it. ------------------ Houston Sports Board Help Finance My Movie - Buy A T-Shirt or Make a Donation
That is HILARIOUS!!!!!!! I've been to the last 2 games and I notice that during most of the game the dancers never seem to be around, they only perform in the 4th quarter. Plus I was at the Indiana game and I think everyone stood up b/c it was an intense game, not b/c of the dancers. I used to hate that stupid bear, but after seeing him and turbo work the crowd for these 2 games I'm starting to like Clutch. I find the mascot routines and the crowd interaction (races involving ppl in the crowd, t-shirt throwing, etc) alot more entertaining than the dancers. It also seems to get alot more cheers than the dancers. Sure they're the best dance team in the NBA, but does the NBA really need dancers? I dont think so, but sure, keep the dancers, Clutch and Turbo and that dude that wanders the stands talking to the ppl do need a break sometime during the game. ------------------ Forget LHutz, Bob Rainey is by far the coolest poster in cc.net history!
Turbo and Clutch are there for entertainment, and the dancers are there as eye candy. I am sure that what they are doing is technical to those that know what they are doing. But, 75% of the crowd is there to watch the game. 25% of the crowd is there because they were brought and spend the whole time with the back of their head facing the ball. Of that 25%, I would bet that you would find 1% in there that is critiquing the dancers...and most of that would be on their costume, or hair, or make up, or surgically enhanced "additions". ------------------ In the end there will be no judges...only witnesses to my greatness.
I don't think that the girls are out there to keep them out of the titty bars. As I have said before, they are also professionals off of the court. I have met some of them and one of them was a physical therapist, another a nurse, and the other was a married woman with a daughter. It seems that this forum has a problem with associating a woman dancer with a stripper. The two are very different. Once again, give the girls a little respect. ------------------
Hey...they dont need that chick who catches and balances bowls on her head while riding a unicycle either...but I think its pretty entertaining. Would I come to the game if she wasnt there? Yes. Same for the dancers...they are entertaining to a lot of the people that go to the games...even though we could do without. I cant do the bowl balancing thing and Im not a good dancer...so I think both acts require talent and dedication. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Rollinrockets (edited March 16, 2001).]
Hey Medusa! As the brother of a dance teacher, having lived with two dance majors in college (living hell )I have seen my share of every form of dance. I agree with you the dancers are pretty good, but do not get to do all that much to really show it. Hip-hop has pretty much taken over with a little jazz thrown in every now and then. Truth is, the reason they are there is not to be appreciated for their skills, but to be a little eye candy for drunk fat men. I also know that the "serious" dance community often frowns upon such things. I had a friend in college who was a dance major - she was also a maverics dancer for 2 years, but did so in secret and in fear that she might be "found out." ------------------ Whitey will pay.
Hey, us skinny, sober men can enjoy a little eye candy too! ------------------ "all your base are belong to us!" "you have no chance to survive make your time!"
I was sitting here laughing my ass off at that statement because when I went to the Mavs/Rockets game here in Dallas, I messaged my co-worker from the game and asked him "What the hell is that mascot you guys have? The guy's got a basketball for a head and does nothing but run around and ride a motorcycle!" He laughed and said, "I don't know, man". ------------------ "Yes, you can touch me." -- Rocketman95 showing he's not only a liberal, but he's pretty liberal with his body... I don't make this stuff up folks, they really say it...
