While things are a little slow now, I'd like to give props to Les Alexander. I think we are fortunate to have an owner that lets the basketball people run the basketball side, is willing to spend money, and wants another championship! I would like to here how everyone else views Les A. at this point. (BTW- Ticket prices are high, but that's the NBA)
I think Les is alright. His wife might be too actively involved(the vegetarian meals served to Rockets early on under the Alexander leadership. And the 'Animals have rights too' print being larger than just about any other print on the Clutch City Dancers t-shirts.) But like you, I think he's serious about winning, and realistic about spending the money required to win.
Les is my perfect BB Exec.. He knows what he wants, he knows how to get it and is willing to go all out to get it ie:- Yao Ming. He has a delightful wife, who supports Les in all his efforts & goals! If you are a Rockets fan then for your team be thankful to Les and his Execs.
We're lucky to have Les. And I have NO problem with the views he and his family have on animal rights. It's their right to have an opinion, and has nothing to do with basketball. Keep up the good job as owner, Les!
This was in the May 22 issue of the Chronicle... <i>It was no surprise to Leslie Alexander intimates when the invitation to his June birthday party in Southhampton, N.Y., arrived without mention of his wife, Nanci. The Houston Rockets owner and the PETA activist have been separated for months. It was news to others who were unaware of the couple's amicable split and the fact that Nancy has filed for divorce . George Postolos, chief operation officer for the Rockets and the Comets, said that the change in marital status "does absolutely nothing to the operations or ownership of the Rockets and the Comets." The split does mean a change of address for Leslie, who has purchased an apartment in downtown Houston. He plans on dividing his time between the teams' hometown, his residence in Southhampton and Boca Raton, where he maintains an office.</i> Les is a big supporter of animal rights as well, though probably not as ardent as his wife. He and Nanci founded the Spay and Neuter Assistance Program (S.N.A.P.) in Houston, which has now branched out all over the country and won awards for providing low cost vaccinations and spay and neuter assistance to inner city families and their pets.
Les is very good for the Rockets except for 1 little thing. He lets Rudy talk him into some very bad contracts. Example - Even though Rice has been injured and has slowed down he still paid an outrageous amount to get him.
It's too bad that recent moves haven't produced more- Barkley, Pippen, Rice... But you have to like an owner that is making moves to try and improve. We could be far worse off, I doubt the team has been very profitable the last 2 years due to attendance. If Drayton McClane owned the Rockets we might not be signing Steve to the max.
I have no problem with anyone having a position on animal rights. What I did have a problem with, and apparently Rockets players had a problem too, was that initially Les' wife made all the team meals and meals on the Rockets plane vegetarian. So in the past, at least to a certain extent, it did interfere with basketball. The problem was quickly fixed and the team was allowed to eat what they wanted.
I don't know if your married, FB, but my wife has gotten me to do some pretty crazy things from time to time (which frequently turn out very well indeed!). Les just operates on a larger stage and with more resources than most of us. Yes, the veggie food for team meals and on the plane was a bit goofy (not that there's anything wrong with veggies or vegetarians!), but I'm sure his wife meant well. No harm, no foul? But they better start making salt optional... Steve needs to stay away from it.
We are very lucky to have him as an owner. He is not afraid to pull the trigger on a very big deal. He has always tried to put the best team possible on the floor for us. He gave Hakeem Olajuwon a contract extension after the '95 finals - a very large contract, which took up a lot of cap room- he has loyalty- a very solid guy. I think he took the Hakeem commments hard later. I hope the Rockets make a lot of money and continue to grow and improve. Even with constraints of the salary cap, you never hear Les complain or make comments about the cost of the team... I hope he stays here a long time.......
I agree it wasn't a serious problem and, actually a little funny at the players expense. After all the Rockets ended up winning a championship that year. I'd say it was only a difference of giving him a 95 instead of a 96. No big deal and he still gets an 'A'
