I see tons of threads about our players, our coaches, other players and coaches, our finances. One thing I have yet to see discussed is where WE really come into play. The fans. As most of you know, Houston has terrible overall fans at the Toyota Center for games. Aside from the rowdies, and probably everyone who visits this board religiously, our fans are infamous for being comparatively boring and lifeless. Any time I go, I find myself as the only guy constantly screaming and standing and cheering and yelling. Enter 22 in a row. After (and during) that streak, I saw the fan base progressively strengthen and grow, and it was truly beautiful to see Houston come alive. I went to 3 games at various times during our streak (btw including the novak-kills-kings game which was on my freaking birthday) and could see easily noticeable improvements in the crowd. Next season: what happens?
The fans will always be terrible. Unless something significant happens, most of the lower bowl seats in the Toyota Center will be filled with suit-wearing, apathetic, grumpy grandpas. The only time some get up to cheer is when the free t-shirts come out... it's ridiculous. I've been to 12 games in the past 2-3 seasons and I've only felt the excitement I should be feeling during playoff games. All I know is... I'm graduating this December so I will be working full-time next year... and I'll finally be able to afford season tickets for 2009-2010. No more 6 game mini plans for me.
Whatever - the fans will be great if they actually have something to cheer for. That was crystal clear once the 22-game streak took place last year. The biggest problem? Even worse than the corporate-dominated lower bowl pricing? There's been next to nothing to get excited about/to get behind in the past decade of Houston Rockets basketball. I've been attending games since moving to town in '93, haven't missed a year. It's been a LONG time since we've contended for anything in the West and that's corresponded perfectly with the fan enthusiasm decline. Haven't seen the second round in over a decade. Add in a few years of absolutely hideous, unwatchable basketball.....and what do you expect? Fans aren't mindless drones. When the team goes through a dead spell like we have, you lose the enthusiasm. Having said all that, I think the fans have been on the upswing the last two years. More dedicated, more into it. But I suppose everyone has to whine about something. Evan
those fans you speak of are fairweather..... even after a couple years of kings mediocrity their fans are still among the top.
no the last 2 years. Add the fact that thats all they have. The city of Houston and Sacramento are on 2 different levels.
you can use your same logic for the other point of view. we have "a different level" of population size here. should be enough ppl to sate every sport. well. every major sport.
i think that the mere fact that the back to back MLS champs are still an easy ticket in town, and not sellouts every game speaks volumes. and no, its not because its just soccer. Fans correlate to winning? Not exactly. While we can factor in the drive time from such a spread out city, cost of living, and the price of tickets these days, its a big hard for average joe to go to games all the time. That being said, the suits that plague toyota center and other venues are loved by the front offices of teams for making their job easy, but the players have a little bit harder time doing theirs.
or the knicks of basketball? I know they are a world-famous franchise, but you know how much BS they've put up with FOREVER? I mean, I can't even imagine being a knick fan after getting so close and then watching John starks help the Rockets with his horrendous shooting. Then Isiah, Larry Brown, Starbury, Zach Randolph and that ridiculous cast of clowns? And yet they still have packed arenas! I'm no Knicks fan, but I admire their fans for sticking it out for all these years, and I hope that they can somehow get a little bit better to reward loyalty. And I hope Rockets fans can learn a lesson here.
A lot of the houston fans are bandwagoners. i mean i knew some people that would say the rockets wouldn't finish with a winning record and constantly hating on the rockets during the beginning of the season. however when the 22 streak came they would be at the games yelling and screaming. Honestly, unless something big happens, i dont see the fans being that great this coming season.
Put out a real threat for the ring and the fans will come. Sugarcoat excuses and looking to the future and the fans will find something to do until the future becomes present
Houston fans are among the best in the country. Problem is, those aren't the ones going to the games.
hmm what will happen is, they'll be supportive in the beginning. Then, when we have a bad stretch there will be calls to trade T-mac, trade Yao, Fire Adleman!!! Then, when we get on the right track, everyone will jump back on the bandwagon.... <br> oh wait, that was last year....
I had season tickets in the nose-bleeds last year. it is pretty easy to identify empty seats and move down to the lower bowl, but you have to time it right. but honestly it isn't always worth it. it is a noticeably different atmosphere down there. it's not really the suits that bother me, as much as older couples who scowl at you for getting up out of your seat or being rowdy. houston has great fans, they are just up in the nose bleeds drinking a beer where you can't see them on tv.
you think someone will steal t-mac's kid and demand him to get past the first round and then get his kid back
