Personal Account of Rockets v. Clippers [Including backstage Info.]

So I went to the Rockets game against the Clippers and had some great seats for an amazing price. Two tickets for Section 107, Row G (face value = $250) for only $160. On top of that, I got some passes to the backstage area right next to the Rockets locker room/entrance tunnel. I was very excited for the game and since the last game, I got there only 15 minutes before the game b/c of traffic, I decided to get there extra early this time. On to some side notes to the game:

-I got to the backstage area and first person I see is John Lucas III. I got a chance to talk to him and get him to sign my Rocket's hat. He is a really down to earth type guy and was just really cool to talk to. Hand a pretty good game for himself so that made me happy to see.

-Others that I meet/got a signature from: Sam Cassel (Told him he is still a considered a Rocket by the fans and he started laughing. Then he pinched my girlfriend and told her to keep smiling. This guy is amazing. I would still love to see him with the Rockets.), Kirk Synder, Shane Battier, Rafer Alston, and Steve Novak.

-Steve Novak was at shoot-around in uniform. He was stroking those jumpers, and I thought they had taken him off the IR-list, but then I saw him come back out at tip-off in a suit. He is also a great guy to talk to.

-15 minutes into shoot-around, I saw Yao Ming come out of the locker room and start stretching backstage. I was about 5 feet away from him and this guy is a monster. Amazing to see him in person. I asked him to sign my jersey, but unfortunately, he had to get on the floor with the rest of the team. But while he was stretching, he sat down on a chair and was getting into game-mode. This guy's game face is crazy and I can't see why people don't think he can be a dominant player. When he was sitting on that chair, he went from the Yao Ming the media protrays him (nice-gentle-giant) to game-face!

-I was in the backstage area still, talking to the security guy and Shane Battier when the whole team came out. They got in the huddle and T-Mac with a big smile on his face, started chantting "HE IS BACK!" Then the rest of the team joined in. My girlfriend was asking what that meant, and I told her I think it's because Yao was injured against the Clippers. Don't know if they have been chantting this before every game, but I thought that was cool so as corny as it sound, I started to join in (about 5/10 feet away from the team). So then Mutumbo stuck his head out and started laughing at me.

-At half-time, I went to the backstage area again and their were a couple of Greek fans (corporate-types that get the expensive tickets). They wanted for V-Span and while him and Big Jake were walking out, the fans started yelling something to them in Greek. V-Span said something back to them with a smile. So that was pretty cool. V-Span was happy to see he still has fans in the US.

-During the game, Clipper Daryll (a season ticketholder who has a red/blue suit and is well-known even to the owner and exes of the clippers) was chantting and booing the Rockets everytime they were at the line. On top of that, he keep starting 'Let's Go Clippers!" chants. So the whole game, every time he started that, I would stand up and chant defense and wave my White Yao Throwback jersey in the air!

-During the final minute, when Maggette stole the ball and got fouled with the Rockets up by 1, I got up waived my jersey and started booing him. So all the Clippers fans started booing me and once he made both, one guy was like there is the exit loser! So when Shane hit that three-pointer, it was GLOATING time. Being able to rub it in the faces of those Clipper fans was priceless. Good win for the Rockets.

-Also, huge props to Yao and Rafer. They both hit some amazing free-throws in the final 1 and 1/2 minutes. Especially Rafer's free-throws. He went to the line just when all the Clippers fans were on there feet booing him. The arena was just crazy at this moment and Rafer calmly hit both free-throws. On a team that has their center taking Technical Foul free throws, its good to see that someone else can step up and hit curial free-throws. Now only if T-Mac can shoot better than 80%.

-Overall, great game and great win for the Rockets. I will try to attend the Rockets v. Lakers game if my financial situation allows it. If not, then I will have to wait for the Rockets and Clippers to meet in the second round of the playoffs.

-One more thing: I ran into some Rockets fans, but don't know if they are on this forum or not. I was the guy in a red Authentic Yao jersey w/ a white Rockets throwback hat with signatures and waiving a white Yao throwback jersey. I was sitting 5th row behind the basket on the right side. However, the other Rockets fans were really quite. I lost m voice since I was the only one cheering.

I'll try to post pictures as soon as my girlfriend e-mails them to me.