Calvin didn't do it. Moses didn't do it. Hakeem didn't do it. Barkley didn't do it. Francis didn't do it. Three of the 50 greatest didn't do it. Two championships didn't do it. I'm talking about suckup national press. I'm talking about other teams selling season ticket packages with "Get Yao Now." What MJ did for Chicago, Yao is doing for Houston, off the court if not on it. The Rockets are finally going to be a marquee team. Sniff. I don't know if I can bear to give up my inferiority complex.
I'm confident I will still be able to muster up enough crap to be indignant over. Maybe I will have to wait for the "Freaking League Is Out To Get Us Bad Call" before then...but there will be something. There is always something.
That turnout in Oakland probably confirms for the Warriors what they already suspected. They will be cursing those lotto balls for awhile. Think of the extra buck$ Yao would have meant to them. Sucks to be in Warrior management. But it's good to be a Rocket. I would like to see us get a larger percentage of the foreign tv rights pie. Apparently it has meant alot for the Mariners with Ichiro. We need something like the deal they have that to fully capitalize on this lucky situation. As far as the nat'l press goes, they can't be trusted. The mass of them are in NY and they will always despise Houston ("Hell Hole"). So I doubt if it long before they figure a way to turn on us over this too.
I agree. Houston really never had a national/international personality sports player. Warren Moon was the first Houston player that had a national commercial and had national clout (outside of HOUSTON!). Elvin Hayes has some credit, but it was mostly due to his battle with Kareem in the Astrodome. After Kareem entered the NBA he exploded on the national level! Earl Camble? No. Too shy. Nolan Ryan? Some. But in baseball circles he had clout. But never outside of baseball. Hakeem didn't get his first commercial (National) until 1996 (with Scotty Pippen; American Express). He was very hard to interview as well; accent. Barkely was probably the best in terms of media exposure. But he brought that with him from Philly and Phoenix. Francis has national media attention. But, he too is a little low-key from the media. Cat is one of my favorites to see on ESPN or FoxSports. He's funny! But, he too is NOT a BIG attraction. Now, there is Yao! This is big! How do you know when you have major national and international clout? When NON-BASKETBALL (Heck, NON-SPORT fans) fans KNOW YOUR NAME!
Houston a marquee team? I doubt we'll ever see the day that the national media gives Houston (our city or anything to do with it) any respect at all. But, I think you are right, Will. This is the closest we've been in a long time. I would love to see it happen!
but lucky for you guys, Yao is from the most populus culture in the world! It's a market six time the size of the U.S.!
Didn't Hakeem have that Taco Bell commercial with Shaq, advertising the Double Decker taco in '95 not long after their Finals matchup? The one where they rode on the bike together
OMG!!!! I had completely forgotten all about that commercial. When I read your post I could even picture it in my mind. It was sheer genius.
I remember a long time ago when I was in junior high Hakeem had a commercial where he just blocks a player from dunking. There was smoke and I think a dark background. I think the commercial was for shoes? Did the dream have any shoes? I think it was around 1992 could have been a little later or earlier.
Yes he had his own shoes. I think they were made by Converse. He didn't go with Nike or Reebok because he wanted them to be more affordable for urban youth.
Yes, your right about the Taco Bell commerical. It was 1995. Cylde did have one around the same time; can't remember if it was a Snickers commercial or Taco Bell (They were stuck in a cab?).
Hakeem had his own shoe line with Spalding. Yes, that's right. Signature Olajuwon Spalding Basketball shoes. And just like Refeman said, Hakeem wanted them inexpensive. So, that's why he went with Spalding. I think they went for $34.00 or $54.00...something like that.
These shoes were more like $20-30. Kids used to make fun of me for wearing them. For some reason, I'm thinking our very own Slandballa was one of these kids.
Remember though: Everyone was saying the Warriors wanted the top pick to take Jay Williams since they desperately needed a point guard. Meanwhile CD said those calling for the top pick were calling to take Yao. I think CD was right. Regarding Hakeem's shoes, I believe after Etonic that Hakeem went to L.A. Gear. He and Karl Malone both did L.A. Gear ads then. The "Unbeatable" McDonald's commercial was 1985, but it was local, not national.
Whether or not Ming will be a superstar or just a local star, one thing is for usre: He has the whole basketball world talking about him right now and that is propelling Houston into the limelight as Will proposes and that counts up to a whole lot of MOOLAH for the NBA, Rockets and Houston.
Let the pilot take over, CoPilot. We can safely leave MJ out of our Yao-Fest. Yao is the first Yao... and we've got him! Will, it's gonna be terrific. The other guys on the team will love the national attention, and more importantly, playing with Ming. I hope Yao makes a ton off endorsements. He's got to make up for buying his way out of his China obligations. The Rockets are back on the world stage, and all is right with the world! (more or less... why quibble? )
