Looking for information on the progress of the Rockets, I stumbled across this website and BBS and I've been reading it for some time now. I've built up a ton of opinions and collected them here for your flaming etc. I play and have played a lot of basketball, and I placed super high in virtual GM once... which still doesn't mean I know anything more next to the average basketball fan here (not to mention this is my second post?). Still, I think the points (although still opinions) are somewhat right and need to be reiterated - especially because they have weight when talking about things like roster movements. Feel free to flame 1. My first varying point will be on Rudy and staff, the ownership and the Rockets. Firstly, Rudy and crew have some of the most heart in the NBA. We've heard Rudy talk countless times, and although some of you may debate it, Rudy is a first class guy. The moments of silence he's had.. His heart is in the game of basketball and behind each player. The Rockets have an incredible training staff. Over and over I've seen them take players without high praise or mention and show the world how effective and dependable ballplayers they can be in a professional league. I can only feel that the staff gives effort unlike any other for each guy, making him into a player who feels his worth. Likewise, the ownership for employing Rudy and these guys, must be somewhat on the same wavelength. Hence, I can only "feel" that the Rockets have a modern day club closest overall to something of the old Celtics, with tradition and emotion involved. This "family" aspect of the Rockets is something I think no other club has as strong - and I think that is worth some mention. 2. Concerning roster movements. Players should be chosen for what they could do within this season (play/lead to make the team better) or for future developments (help other players learn, potential ability, financial worth, trades) ... but we've got to remember the first point. Anyone who has played basketball should know how it is to have a lethargic and super low tempo guy on their team. Likewise, a guy who's always bad tempered, a guy who's always making turnovers, or the guy with the plain huge ego... these intangibles totally affect the play of the entire team and make them shake their head and not play their "A" game (and these guys got to play entire seasons with these type of guys). Sure, these guys are professionals, but it's obviously still apparent and heavily impactive in the NBA. A team with great chemistry will always work things better in camp or inbetween games and pull a few more wins. As a side note, one quality player is better than two or more above-mediocre players. Eventhough a team game, the possibilty of one player's presence on court can swing dominance in one team's favor quickly. This is even more true in the playoffs. Having said all that, I'm constantly surprised to see fans asking to sign Sam Perkins, Rodman, Mason, and trade for this or that player over others. These guys are not the type to fit into the Rockets organization (1), and many of them have lost their intensity to win. I'm hoping Marc Jackson joins the Rocks. He's got future potential, more of the type to fit in this club, will work with the team, and earns and works for the ball and his place on the court - not demand or expect it. 3. Just some things about this BBS. People do a great job posting news and stats for others. Thanks to everyone. Remember statistics have to be used carefully... 28ppg doesn't mean much with .313 fg%. A high-scoring, high-intensity team will always have players with more statistical numbers than a team without. So saying someone on Miami puts up less numbers or boards than someone on the Kings needs to be carefully thought through.... (well, not always ) Lots of times fans here want to prove a point they believe in, only to get into personal conflicts with another poster. This is plain silly. The purpose of the BBS is to share our common interest in basketball and the Rockets. Tossing sand at each other here (especially on the topics we talk about) should be left for the playground. Finally, I just want to talk about fan attitude. We hope staff or players would come here and read what the fans have to say, but we're making it impossible. There was a post not so long ago ago about Mo Taylor removing this site from his bookmark. This is supposed to be the Clutch BBS with Clutch fans as a majority. However, there are tasteless jokes like the running one about Cato. If I were Cato, I'd never want to visit here or play hard for Houston after visiting this site. Cato knows how much he's being paid and like almost every other guy who reaches the NBA level, he's got ego and pride. He knows what he's expected to do (I'm sure he's gotten mail) and I'm sure he wants to feel his worth. Plainly put, he's a man like most of the rest of us. I'm sure he wants to feel like a man, and doesn't need to have posters embarrass him or themselves on this site. Cato, you got what it takes to help make this team a lot better and I hope next season, you'll explode all over the western conference players. As the absolute last note, When I see disgruntled posts here about the Rockets organization (like when Olajuwon departed), I wish people would be real fans... respect that the organization is trying to make things work for everyone, especially with people in charge like Rudy and Dawson. And instead of the poster angrily asking why they did or didn't change this or that... ...to ask why he or she can't change themselves and show some real fan support. Thanks all for your patience. - crossover ------------------- What a killer crossover!
Welcome crossover!!! Very good 2nd post. The only problem I have is: <b>This is supposed to be the Clutch BBS with Clutch fans as a majority. However, there are tasteless jokes like the running one about Cato. If I were Cato, I'd never want to visit here or play hard for Houston after visiting this site. </b> I can just picture Rudy yelling at Cato "Lets see a little hustle out there, fight for those rebounds" only to have Cato yell back "Smeg said I am overpaid"
Very good post. I stop short of saying "great post" because of a few things. One, it's obvious you have not been here that long by saying that "Tossing sand at each other here (especially on the topics we talk about) should be left for the playground." This place is like family. Many times family members fight, especially in the hangout, which is our sandbox. But we all come together when the time is right to do so. Hang around awhile, and you'll understand. As for the bashing of Cato and making him not want to visit here or play hard for the Rockets...well, radio talk shows have been doing that to players for years. He has to earn our respect (and his money), which he has not. One thing you will learn....this site is not just for a bunch of cheerleaders to praise the ground the Rockets walk on. I love this team like no other, and will always be a fan. But they do make mistakes, and someone here will call them out for it. That's the nature of fandom.
Good Lord, Bob, if we all conducted ourselves as to the way Smeg says we should, we'd all be in deep trouble!!!!
Welcome aboard crossover nice post! I completely agree with you Behad! Since we're addicted to. . .errrr. . .obsessed wit. . .uh. . .hooked to this website we're like family! It's like the mob, nobody gets out alive, or at least with their sanity! So if you see a knock down, drag out, bloody fight rest assured that calmer heads will prevail. And you will be hooked permanently to, whether you're a Rockets fan or not. Take our friends Swopa, or gettinbranded, or Speed, or Nuggets4 or Nugzfan, or countless others for example. They come here, yet if you asked them why they came here they would shake their heads like they're coming out of a dream and say "wow, I don't know!" We're a great cult. . .errr. . .family. Stick around, you'll find out!
I agree with just about everything in your post, and hey, don't be a stranger crossover, especially during the season. The more intelligent posters(unlike Smeg,DoD, and co), the better. I reserve the right to bash any Rocket player if I don't like what they are doing though. Sometimes Cato bashing/others are funny, but usually they are just redundant, esp during the offseason. I think he can be a decent player but I don't have any high hopes for him like I once did. If he plays good it will be a pleasant surprise.
This is supposed to be the Clutch BBS with Clutch fans as a majority. However, there are tasteless jokes like the running one about Cato. If I were Cato, I'd never want to visit here or play hard for Houston after visiting this site.
Thanks for the replies everone. Is there any initiation into the cult? Maybe I gotta get a Moochie afro?
The cult requires a minimum of 2500 posts, but you can talk to Dr. of Dunk about joining the "clique".
Ditto to all the guys above. Welcome crossover .... Our Rules: 1. Everyone's role here is to say their piece and be prepared to defend it. No spitting,biting or gouging allowed in rebuttal. 2. Try not to be so embedded with your argument that you can't hear the other guys calling you an ass. Especially if you are one. 3. Burning bandlength for the sake of bandlength is not a crime here, but try to cut the number of repetitive threads or insane trade proposals to a minimum. Very diifficuly for the newbie, but be warned ... you will be placed in "ignore" mode for redundancy. Kinda like being married. 4. Proper spelling is an option, but excercised with the greatest ineptitude by some of the more senior posters. 5. Have fun ... take the serious stuff serious and take the funny stuff more seriously. Just kidding ... have fun! PS: We are not your average site, man. We are students, lawyers, teachers, doctors and dog catchers. We come from India, Austrailia, Canada and Peru. Are all colors and shapes, ages and genders. We brag, cry, yell and laugh. But mostly we discuss and argue. We argue about the most inane and superfluous things sometimes .... but .... and this is the most important part ..... wait for it ........ ready? ......... we genuinely care about each other ... maybe more than the team itself.
You mean I've been here 4+ years and still don't qualify for the cult? Welcome to the board, crossover. Expect the basketball talk to pick up here in a few months, when the season starts. The offseason's not a good indication.
I come for the same reason that the rest of us come, the nice monthly check Clutch sends us to keep a little variety on the forum. Wait a minute, I think I was supposed to keep that a secret. Uh oh. Um.....GO NUGGETS!!
Every family has members that no one talks about. You know the ones....members that run off and join the circus, and everybody is happy because they did? Or the family members that end up in jail on charges of fraud and passing bad checks? Then there's the family members that have been committed after the judge found them mentally incompetant to stand trial? You think you fit in there somewhere, gettinartested?
