After the Rockets' disappointing loss a week ago at the hands of the not-so-mighty Jazz in Salt Lake City, I left the Delta Center a little deflated. I try not to miss any of the Jazz/Rockets games in Salt Lake as it is normally my only chance to see the Rockets, although I regret to say that I have never witnessed the Rockets actually BEATING the Jazz, a fact to be sorely lamented. So I got to thinking this week, you know, I should see if I can get down to Houston to see the Rockets/Jazz game there. So I did a little bit of homework and made a couple of sacrifices, but I flew into Dallas Wednesday, rented a car, picked up my friend Jimmy, and drove to Houston in time for the game. Now I realize, this could be considered a bit extreme--please don't misunderstand me, I LOVE this team. It had always been a dream for me to see a game in Houston, and the fact that they had a chance to avenge their loss to the Jazzholes made it irresistable to me. When I got to the stadium, I could barely breathe--I'm not kidding, I was SO excited. So you can imagine I was a bit suprised to see that there weren't very many people there at this game. Here are my questions: 1. Why did everyone arrive to the game so late? I mean, even by halftime the seats obviously weren't full, but I was SHOCKED to see how few fans were there. The game started at 7:30--why did the fans not get there? Now, anyone who watched the game knows that the Rockets did PLENTY to screw themselves over at the beginning of the game, but the fact that their own fans weren't even there to watch them yet couldn't have helped. 2. Even though it looked like the Rockets really could have cared less at the very beginning, their fans weren't far behind. And I know that the Rockets didn't give us TOO much to cheer for during this game, but NOBODY seemed like they cared until the final minute of regulation. I think that there were several crucial junctures in this game where the crowd could have given the team a lift--especially against a young team like Utah--I've seen it noted on the BBS about how they seem to perform badly when they're on the road in a hostile environment--it's much easier for them at home. There were a couple of times when I stood up and motioned for the crowd to get into it with me, and EVERYONE looked at me like I was crazy. I don't understand. 3. This is a team that CAN be fun to watch. Granted, we're struggling right now to a certain extent, but for the most part, people want to see Steve, Yao, and Cuttino perform. I see the passion that exists on this board for the Rockets--why can't I see it at the stadium? I really do understand that this game meant MUCH more to me than to the average fan. It's possible that I'm overreacting due to that--but I remember watching Rockets games where the crowd was a factor--I just don't see it anymore. I know we're not the team we once were--but let's take the dirty Jazz as an example here: they went from a western conference contender to being predicted as being the worst team this year in many preseason picks. But the atmosphere at the games in Salt Lake is twenty times more exciting (for Jazz fans) and the players respond. I think that with the young athletic kids that we currently have, showing a little bit of spirit at the games could really make a difference. But I have only been to the one game last night, and it wasn't the prettiest game at that. I guess my last question is, Is it like this every game? Because if we can't get excited to beat the Jazz, what are we getting excited for?
I was at the game last night also in section 402 of the upper level. What's really bad is all the empty seats in the lower bowl, and the people who are there don't seem to care. The upper level had more people, my section was loud towards the end of the game like you said. I think it's hard to get into the game as a fan if you see so many empty seats and lethargic people.
Unfortunately Houston fans of any sports are lazy and Rox fans in particular. Look at the Astros. They've been performing consistently well for about the last 10 years yet have problems selling out their games. For the Rox after 4 years of underachieving Houston fans have just gotten jaded but when you look at between 94-98 they were consistently selling out the Summit because they won two championships and made it to the Western Conference finals. Winning is the only thing that will bring in Houston fans.
Fan indifference builds up in Houston once you don't win a few years. I think this is a make or break season for the Rockets in terms of this core of players making the playoffs. Astros haven't made the playoffs since moving to Minute Maid, so their leash is tightening too. Texans has the attention of most casual Houston sport fans now. Winning cures all.
You did your best and believe me it's very much appreciated that you tried. I will be in Phoenix on Feb. 2,2004 and I will be doing my best to show the Rockets some love on the road. Not in the physical sense mind you.
What do you expect from one of the statistically fattest cities in the country? The fans only start cheering when Big Macs are on the line.
Unfortunately, this particular team has never been very entertaining. The "Francis era" has been largely very frustrating for longtime Rockets fans, check the board on any day, win or lose. The Rockets and "fun" are words that few of us ever use anymore and that is a shame. It is hard to market a sub-standard product. Dallas and San Antonio have very full stadiums and active exited crowds. (Of course, LA kind of rained on their parade) Only our owner believes that we have the "greatest team ever assembled." I never believed that JVG could look anymore disheveled than he did in NY, but by the end of this season, he may be unrecognizible.
Between this comment and the thread you started earlier, it's obvious you're a troll. Thank god, this forum has an ignore list. Raven
We're chock-full of fair weather fans. Once we make it back to the playoffs, butts will be in the seats. But mind you, still in the seats, not fans on their feet. Good tickets cost a bit too much for the average loud-mouth fan.
Houston sports fans do kind of suck as a rule. Hell, remember where the name clutch city came from? What was it, 2000 empty seats in the Summit (it was the Summit back then) for a second round playoff game! (YEs, it was mother's day, big deal) Also, I remember the frenetic rushes by Mattress Mac to buy up remaining Oiler tickets a few tiems a season in order to beat the NFL 72 hour sellout rule so that the rest of the Cheapskates could watch on TV. Most people are content to sit in their suburb and watch on TV. Just a cultural thing I guess.
I am going to the Portland and San Antonio games next week at the Toyota Center. Better see everyone there
I disagree. I think it is a commitment to winning that Houston fans, or any fans for that matter, get excited about! The Astros - Have not won a playoff series in 40 plus years. Even in the late 90's, when the Astros were winning the Central, they still did not show the commitment to winning.(with the exception of the half year in which we had Randy Johnson) But after that, what happened? Nothing!! What is going on now? We resign the 40 year old Biggio to roam the biggest center field in all of baseball. Nobody in Houston cares about the Astros because they seem content with winning the central. And that's good enough! The Rockets - The same thing is going on here. The fans are tired of wasting time and money going to the games when everyone knows the players (Rudy's players) can't get it done. There is no excitement watching Francis fumble up the offense and having everyone playing in disarray.
