because basketball is starting to appeal more and more to Latinos. Its no seceret that after soccer or baseball basketball is probably the second most played sport in Latin America depending on region. Argentina is big on basketball, and Puerto Rico and the Dominican republic are starting to really get into it. I never played anything but basketball growing up. lol, in that case El Heat should be El Calor. As long as no stereotypical Mariachi played its all good. For those of us who are non Mexican Latinos, it gets old and annoying.
I wouldn't say its a need based night, I think of it as Profit move. Like Scientific1 was saying its growing bigger among the hispanic culture, Therefore why wouldnt the nba try to grab their attention.
Because in most major markets... Especially in major NBA markets like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles... Hispanics are either the majority ethnicity (a la Houston) or are the largest minority group. So it's a huge marketing play to bring these consumers into the franchise... You'll have to excuse my cynicism but the problem is, how effective is putting a "los" or "el" on the team name? Or having mariachis on the concourse? or giving away maracas?
Stupid Stunt? WHY? Because it celebrates the diversity of Houston? Heck, I wished all other minority ethnicities had a night like this. The games are scheduled months and possibly a season in advance, sir, and it probably doesn't matter how much of a "quality" opponent Los Rockets get. My point is that they wouldn't change the date if it were against 'Los Lakers' or 'Los Bulls', and they sucked as much as Los Clippers. Cállese.
