How early would one have to go to the game in order to be able to go on court and talk to the players, if it is possible at all. A couple of other questions as well: What exactly is the launching party for the Rockets? Has it been confirmed that they are giving out free shirts to the first 15,000 (toyota center only holds like 18,000, so thats basically all the fans) fans like in the "wear red" thread?
You and your friends could just follow a player and his mom home after a game. Then intrude into their garage to take pictures with them.
I believe you can enter the Arena two hours beforehand and you can get some autographs during shooting practice. But only for about thirty minutes. But not all the players are out there. Last time my kid got battiers, Heads, Chuck Hayes and Brooks' autograph. Scola was also there but didn't get his autograph. Bonzi wells blew my kid off like he wasn't even there.
I got Yao's autograph at the pre-game shoot around before game 2 of the playoffs last year as well as Battier, Head, Alston, Hayes and Novak. I've gotten all the same players, minus Yao, and plus Brooks and Scola this season. Shoot around is great.
get there when the doors open, a hour and a half before tipoff, in this case, 7pm tomorrow, go down to the court, they'll let you down for about a 30-45 mins, and the players usually sign autographs on their way to the locker room
Pony up the $$$$ and attend next year's Tux&Tennies. Get a ticket package and hang out int he concourse during next year's playday.