New shot clock at Toyota Center?

Oh wow...you're right. I didn't even notice.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hKMeb_puRJ8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hKMeb_puRJ8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

 

i didn't notice anything new.

 

There is also a new side view mini clock way behind the backboard.

 

i think that's the old one?

 

its been up since mid December, I first noticed it at the 12/22 Clippers game, I think they had it the week before vs. the Pistons (Tmac's comeback game), I know for a fact they didnt have it vs. the Cavs (12/9)

its the slim 2 side clear ones where u can see from both sides, and there is a mini one right behind the basket facing the benches. The old ones had a 3 side triangle shape that everybody can see from every angle.

 

Just want to throw it out there that Mark Cuban designed and implemented this with money out of his own pocket. He did this because fans used to email him complaining they couldn't see the shot clock and/or the big bulky old design used to obstruct the view of the basket on the other side if you're sitting behind the goal line.

Say whatever you want, but an owner who actually cares about his fans and encourages interaction with him is a winner in my books.

I don't see why it took cheap Les to install this 3 years after the fact. It only costs around 10 grand IIRC. It's a much better design and I'm glad they finally did it.

 

Interesting. I noticed them at the Hornets game and was wondering when they were put in. 1st noticed the one that faces sidelines, which is great from where we sit.

 

off topic but does anyone know who that dude in the pink shirt is? He is at every home game and his reactions are hilarious.

 

Les Alexander has been a fantastic owner for quite some time. I've been very critical of him in the past, but you really have to commend Les for what he's done. "Cheap Les" has outright purchased Carl Landry and Chase Budinger on draft night. He's taken on Brian Cook's and Jackie Butler's contracts to get Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola. He bought David Andersen. What more can the man do? I am firmly in his camp.

For the record, I have a lot of respect for Mark Cuban.

 

Cuban rubs people the wrong way because he whines too much. I do respect how he turned basketball around in Dallas.

Les has been great with investing resources into the team, and we've gone after the right personel - thanks to GM.


BTW,

That lineup we used in the last 2 minutes vs Dallas is deadly.

Brooks
Lowry
Battier
Ariza
Landry

3 legit 3-pt threats.

1 monster on the post.
1 beast who is magnetic to the rim.

 

Oh, I'm not faulting Les for being a bad owner at all. He does whatever it takes to put out a winning team year in and out. I respect him for that. He dishes out max contracts, takes on bad contracts, even buys picks (although I don't think it costs that much to buy second right picks especially when you trade another future 2nd). He'll go out there and try to lure in whatever big FA's there are in the offseason. The green light is always on and I truly don't believe he's cheap in that regard.

However, there is more he can do...for the fans. And that's all I was referring to when I called him cheap. When was the last time he did anything for you. When was the last time he responded to your emails? Compared to Cuban, he's incredibly cheap. Cuban sells 2 dollar tickets to every home game because he doesn't want to deter fans who are less fortunate. He's able to give away tshirts to everybody in the arena without corporate sponsorships that sell for $22 at the Mavs shop occasionally throughout the year. He gives out free haircuts to Super Cuts. He also decided to put up at the time the world's largest HD screens outside the arena so fans can watch the game there if they are unable to obtain tickets. This year he installed an HD jumbotron inside the arena (first in the NBA). Of course, as mentioned earlier, he was the first to implement these slim shot clocks. All those have been just for the fans. The list can go on and on.

When Houston was selected to host the 2004 All-Star game was Les thinking about his fans when he accepted? He was probably so ecstatic with the rest of y'all. Recognition for your city and team plus more revenue equates to one happy owner. What about Cuban? He took a bold stand and flat out said I'm not accepting any All-Star game because my season ticket holders won't be able to attend the game. It's flattering when an owner stands up for his fans. I'm sure all of us here know where the game's being played next month. I almost feel bad that Cuban loses millions in the NBA each year.

Anyways, as fans what do we get out of all this? This is a business after all. I don't know if Simmons talks about us fans in The Book of Basketball (I'm curious to see what his stance his), but that's all we are and that's all we're ever going to be. It's just a form of entertainment and gives us something to talk about for some time. That's the way I've always looked at it.

So of course all of these small things like slim shots clocks and HD jumbotrons make a huge difference, at least for me.

 

I understand your point, but Mark Cuban should not be the rubric by which all other owners are judged. He is the exception. He goes above and beyond.

What was the last thing Les did for the fans? How about giving a group of the craziest fans free season tickets? We know JVG was the brains behind the Red Rowdies, but he's long gone.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Les is not paying for the 50 season tickets (or just giving them away for free however you look at it). It was JVG's idea and he was originally going to buy those season tickets himself. I think a sponsor like Budweiser decided to do it instead. I don't know who is paying for those seats now, but it really would surprise me if Les is doing it. That might change a lot in my mind about him though.

 

i also have no idea who buys the red rowdies' tickets, but that fact alone makes me think it's les. think about it; that's pretty awful sponsorship if nobody remembers who's sponsoring them. you can bet it'd be drilled into your brain by now if it really were sponsored (ie 'the budlight red rowdies' or geico presents the red rowdies'). anything that is funded by a sponsor will make sure to punch you in the face with the sponsor's name

 

I think the same, if they were sponsored, you will hear everytime from the commentators the name of brand a lot, and when the show the red rowdies, the name of the brand would be on the screen.

If a brand sponsors something, they expect to get recognized and named a lot, they dont do it for nothing.

 

are we seriously discussing about shotclocks and the red rowdies? what's next, the type of floor they use in the suites?

for the record, budweiser sponsors the red rowdies this year, they announce it once a game at TC and it said it in the official rules contest form:

http://www.nba.com/media/rockets/redrowdies_finalthree_rules.pdf

 

I believe they use carpet.

 

what kind of carpet? berber, frieze, plush?