To answer your questions truly I like the analytical approach mostly but sometimes I like to goof around about certain things. I used to get my expectations low and wait what happens regarding trade rumors or other news. As most others I have my core of favorite players, with that being said I like nearly every guy on this roster. That can happen from time to time. Guys are just likable overall. I can say that pessimists are also fans, depending how they hate on players. Some are just unreasonably tough on players. I am trying to hold on to a more optimistic approach. I won't call for the head of our coach if things aren't going our way. I believe in the game plan of our coaching staff and Morey's decisions. Course I will put them under the magnifying glass once in a while
I am alway 1 of the 1st there to greet the players during warm up....i stay late to tell them congrats on a good game win or loose....i try my best to travel 2 atleast 1 away game and always dressed in my rocket dress!
Became a Rockets fan originally as a YOF. T-Mac was one of my favorites when he was in Orlando as well, so when he came to Houston it only cemented my alliance to the Rockets. Guess one could call me a bandwagoner. However, once I became emotionally invested in the Rockets, I've constantly kept up with them through Clutchfans, blogs, news and last but not least, games. This is a classy team and organization, and one that I am proud of supporting. Les Alexander has been a great owner. As a result, even though Yao is retired and I have absolutely NO ties to Houston, I still remain a Rockets fan - the emotional roller coaster through the years has been fun. I definitely look forward to seeing the team come back on top eventually, let's all hope it's sooner than later. tl;dr - Dedication, through thick and thin, is what truly makes you a Rockets fan.
Been a fan since the late 70s (graduated Clear Creek High in '80). I will always love this team, whether it's feast or famine - no fair weather fan here. Favorite memory of the Rockets which ranks up there with the 94/95 championships, is game 5 of the 86 WCF against the Lakers, and Ralph Sampson hitting that game winner at the buzzer to propel the Rockets to the finals.
It's like the sweetest Dream. Being able to shake off anyone. The toughness and true grit. Go Rockets!
I'll admit it: I came because of Yao. As an Asian American, I wanted someone who could represent by competing at an All-Star level in the world's best league. Yao was a great guy on the inside, a humble person who knew the responsibilities that were placed on his shoulders. He didn't quit until his body failed him. It helped that he was a "classic" who played down low and used his size and strength, like a MAN should. I grew up on Shaq, so I preferred that style to the fast breaking and jump shooting bigs that have taken over the league in recent years. But Yao's gone now, and I still like the Rockets and respect them more than any other organization. I like Morey, and what he represents: rational decision making based on objective facts. This has been an incredibly well run team over the last few years, despite having some of the worst luck health wise. Not to mention Stern's recent veto of the Gasol trade... I loved how Morey was able to take a team that basically started as T-Mac, Yao, and a bunch of crap, and turn it into a deep team full of undervalued talent. Battier was my favorite. "The No-Stats All-Star" who "plays the right way." Someone who lacked top-tier physical talent, but according to advanced stats was one of the best players in the league. An all-around nice guy who was smart and approached the game with intelligence and discipline. With Yao, Battier, and Morey, this was a thinking man's team. Battier's gone now as well, but the team continues to be competitive without a big name superstar. I really like that. And yeah, the Rockets haven't been a contender for the last couple of years, but they've played the hand they've been dealt very well. I like that Les Alexander decreed that this team must not suck even as it rebuilds. Even if tanking MIGHT get a great draft pick, that's a very respectable attitude to me.
Well me I liked the rockets with Stevie and Yao but then I became a true fan when T-mac came but since than I have always been a rockets fan, and if this is a successful and historic franchise with championships and MVP's and if you can deal with mediocrity in this period and not say lets tank and support a team which will grow you are a real fan, and I love our team and I can't wait to see what we do. I aint ever going to support another team. I will die a rockets fan. Go Rockets!!!!!!!!!!!!
Or when you remember how painful the game 7 of the '93 semis against the Sonics was. STILL freaking pissed off at the refs in that game................
I became a hard core fan when they went to their first Finals when I was 13. I studied Computer Science in college and tracked the team's stats using Dbase IV (similar to Excel for those that don't know). I have different colored Rockets shirts and I start the games with one and if it doesn't go well I change to one of the others (although this technique is usually reserved for the playoffs). My family can't watch the games with me because I get too intense. I listen to the game on the radio (that was hard in Nacogdoches because the reception came in and out) and now follow the box online. I consider Gene and Jim close friends although I have never met them. You won't hear me being pessimistic. Success comes in cycles. There are not enough "superstars" to go around. Morey is trying hard and you can't deny that even if you disagree with his (and Alexander's) methods.
Absolutely agree with everything you said. Have to say - in answer to your last questions - is that no, sometimes these things aren't obvious. For every one 'real' fan, it seems like there are 50 bandwagon fans of whatever is the team du jour. I don't get that, although I guess I understand wanting to associate one's self with a winner (makes you a winner too, I guess? Their status rubs off onto you?). Obviously, I'd rather root for the home team, through thick or thin. I'll be here if there's no blockbuster trade this spring, if Morey picks a headscratcher in this year's draft and everyone's calling for him to be fired...if we indeed we barely make the playoffs only to be bumped off in the first round, assuming we make them at all....doesn't matter. You can have your Orlando Magics, your Lakers or your (suddenly popular!) Clippers...make mine Rockets. As for when I become a true fan - my brother took me to a playoff game between the Rockets and the Jazz in '07 just out of the blue, and I was (re)hooked. Used to love basketball in jr high/high school, followed it a bit after high school - even watched Akeem Ojajuwon and Clyde Drexler's Phi Slamma Jamma days, but somehow fell off of watching it until my brother made that fateful offer.
I love the Rockets above all other teams in the history of sports. That's what makes me a Rockets fan. Plus, I really love our blue collar mentality.
Cheers to all the posters in this thread, each one is a true fan. It's remarkable for these days, that after 4 pages no light fan or troll has made an appearance.
Good post, and nothing wrong with having gotten on board with Yao. The man did a lot to renew my own faith in local pro basketball and that there are men of true good character like Yao who play the game. He ranks right up there with my favorite players of all time from my personal perspective -- not just because of his game but because of a rare mix of character and skill, honor, sportsmanship and work ethic He raised the bar for a lot of athletes and fan's expectations of athletes, I think...and not just in terms of basketball skills alone but in approach to life.
This year is probably the first year I've had to watch the Rockets without a superstar at all from start to finish. Think about it, for the last 26 years, we've had Hakeem, Francis, or Yao at the very least. So to me, anyone who is still posting in this forum is a true fan. We're not going to win anything this year. We may not make the playoffs. There is no rising contender status on the horizon. We have some fun players to watch, and good team chemistry. But that's it. And really, all this talk about true fans and what it means to be a Rocket fan...if you are following this board, reading, posting, whatever. You still care. And you are a true fan in my book.
