I arrived in Houston in the same year as the Rockets and attended their first home game. I've been a loyalist through thick and thin ever since. So it's like being married -- there have been some attractive temptations during that time but I never strayed.
I've been a fan since they moved to Houston, and was interested in the team before that, because they drafted Elvin Hayes. They're my hometown team, even though I've been living in Austin for 25 years. Of course I'm a rabid fan of the Rockets.
Used to live in Houston, long time fan. I love basketball, I have been playing the game since I was a little kid. Even though I am no little kid anymore, I still have a goal and a ball. The Rockets have a colorful history, have had some great players, some real characters, and a winning tradition. During the Carol Dawson era (not a fan) it has not been the best of years, but the Yao/TMac era holds alot of promise if they can ever get and stay healthy. Sports is a diversion and a fantasy, and the Rockets are a soap opera. You always have to wait for next episode. In my view the Rocket's personnel decisions during the last ten or so years have not been the best with a few obvious exceptions. During this period, I think they have been a poorly managed team. I also have my doubts about Morey's money ball, but probally he would not have given large contracts to Cato, Norris,Taylor, et al. and that's something.
Whatever. I'm not throwing any spears at Mr. Van Gundy, I just wish he were back east. He is the one who commented publicly it was great to be away from Houston, to be someplace he "can breathe." The other obvious answer to this question (at least for the general public who do not spend time on Clutchfans) is "nothing." Have you checked out the ratings for Rockets basketball on FSN? They need to come up by ten percent to reach "terrible." Not that Mr. Van Gundy is entirely responsible, but his style of basketball cannot help.
I wasn't here in Texas but I was following a guy named Oscar Robertson who played for Cincinnati in the early to mid 60's. Can't remember the exact date. But I guess that is proof I am senile. There's my sunglasses, now I just need the cane.
The only reasonable conclusion one can draw from reading your posts over the last 3+ years is that Mr. Van Gundy must have done something to you personally. No one can keep up the kind of maniacal negativity towards one player/coach that you have unless there is something else going on. It's really amazing- like I said, I don't know how you mantain that level of singlemindedness. Good stuff.
Rockets always get the stars and I live in Austin, and I won't root for the Spurs even though S.A. is closer, I refuse to do so. Also I want to see an encore of this... <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tmzuMFqhmRU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tmzuMFqhmRU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Nope, sorry, never met the man, don't care to ever meet him. If you don't want to blame Mr. Van Gundy or his style of basketball, I'd like another explanation why "abysmal" is being kind when describing the ratings of this season's broadcasts on FSN. Perhaps it is entirely a late response to Calvin Murphy being "Rudy T'd?"
Yes, I still watch the Rockets even now because of him (and all the other people that made those years [not just the championship ones] special).
I fell in love with the Rockets AND basketball through that man in wizkid's beautiful picture right there. Hakeem made basketball artistry in motion. He also instilled so much Houston pride into my blood. I remember after watching us fall short so many times before 94' that I began to become conditioned to losing in the playoffs. I remember 3-1, and I will never ever forget the inspiration that I received after coming back so many times. Hakeem and the Rockets refused to die, and for that I became a lifelong Rockets fan. Honestly, I think even if they had lost, I would have stayed a lifelong fan after that year, as I was inspired every step of the way. The championship was really just like the cherry on top.
I cant believe you guys havent figured this out Whats the most valuable part of the Rockets team? Its one person -- DEKE and two reasons -- elbows and the finger!!
It's amazing how many people were converted to Rocket fans by the Dream, but count me in as another one. The awe for that one athlete during those amazing championship runs began ten-plus years of following the team.
