Lessee ... this thread is moving fast and its hard to remember all the questions, but ... Reebok will be producing the uniforms. They now produce all NBA uniforms. They have an exclusive agreement with the league. Tigereye mentioned the way Dallas rolled out their logo and uniform, which was pretty insightful. Main difference between teams like Denver/Cleveland and Dallas/us when it comes to releasing uniforms? Which two teams were also starting up an arena at the same time? Dallas did a great job with their launch. Their situation then was very similar to ours now. (New arena, new uniforms, new logo, fan support on an upswing ...) We did our homework. We always do our homework. Regarding 3rd jerseys -- the reason we won't have one is that there's a league rule against having a third jersey in the same year that you are launching a new uniform. We'd probably like to have one sometime in the future. But it definitely won't be next season. As for the league rejecting the design -- I'm not sure where that is coming from (I know Charlie reported it ... just not sure where it's coming from). We did have the normal back-and-forth with the league, but I wouldn't say they rejected anything. We worked on designs with Eiko, shared some of the early drafts with the league, they gave us some good feedback, we made revisions, etc. It was a pretty standard development process. Having an outside designer (as opposed to Reebok's in-house designers) probably made the process a bit longer, but we think that was worth it. Tim
Tim, A couple of questions if/when you have a chance. First I know you are a big part of this whole process. Would you say the new uniforms are like nothing we've never seen before or could there be comparisons to other teams uniforms aesthetically? Secondly, what is your feeling on having a basic design scheme and sticking to it, such as the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks, etc? Vs. changing the entire look every ten years or so? Would you consider our new design be something that will stand the test of time? What's the cap on design longevity, how is the issue re-visited? I know you're a busy man, just curious about the process. Thanks
We'd love to have an overall look that would be timeless. You just have to start with a look that people connect with in the first place. (Before anybody chimes in with the red and gold -- people groaned over that one back in its heyday, as well. It's become more popular the farther we get away from it. And being connected to two championships doesn't hurt. But as several on this board have pointed out, when that was the uniform, people made fun of it as well. Ketchup and mustard?) Even the teams that get to that timeless look do minor tinkering over the years, though. The Lakers are a great example. They've made several rounds of subtle changes over the years, but the basic look and feel has remained constant. Tim
It will be gradually released to the public. Sooooo this means..... It will be given away to some random people in the Houston area as 'collectible' shirts... It will be put on billboards... It will just show up... It will appear on the McDougall's child... How exactly will it 'pop-up', and will it be more and more each day until an unveiling? I want a shirt or something. Oh, and you're awesome, Tim!!!
CD was on SportsRadio this morning... he said what you would expect...he confirmed they were red, to be sure. he said that more than once. he also said they're much cleaner and simpler than the current uniforms. he says he's seen pictures and he described the uniforms that way. i'm happy with that!! Red...I've been screaming for Rocket Red for about 8 years now. And simple and clean..more classic. Perfect. I'm satisfied. Go Rockets!
Considering 2 of the 3 seasons that matter have just finished, and the 3rd is about a month away from opening it's pre-season, the hardest thing to do right now is wait. But it's going to be worth it. The toughest decison is going to be which players authentic I should pick up. Barring any blockbuster trade or signing it's either going to be Francis or Yao. I already got a Francis authentic so I'm leaning towards Yao.
Tim, First off, I would like to say thanks for giving me props in your last post. Second, I had no idea Reebok was producing uniforms for the entire league. I know they had a very similar deal with the NFL, but I didnt know they had an agreement with the NBA. Then this means Reebok now produces both "Dazzle" and "Dryfit" material. In light of this new information, I guess we should THROW OUT ALL PREVIOUS ASSUMPTIONS and start the "Deciphering Tim's hints" process anew. You did previously state that the material that was choosen by the Rockets has never been made in the Rockets choosen color. Dark Red has DEFINITLEY never been produced in "Dryfit" material. But if you count Miami as being Dark Red, then Dazzle material HAS been produced in this color in Dark Red. If my this is correct, then the Rockets are going with "Dryfit" material for th uni's. Can you clear up this confusion and let us know if you guys are atleast going with "Dryfit" or "Dazzle?" And finaly, is there any update on Namig Rights for the new arena? The only companies I have ever heard mentioned were AT&T, HP, IBM, Coca-Cola,...........those were mentioned as possible canadiates on sportsbussinessdaily.com and SBN.com on numerous occasions in the past. But all the talk has gone quiet. Jeff made an excellent point in the "Rockets Saved Forum" that the new arena has actually come the closest to its opening without an naming rights deal being sealed. Every other facility that was under-construction had there naming rights deal sealed atleast 6 Months before the facility opened. The countdown to the new arena's grand openeing is LESS THAN 2 MOUNTHS AWAY! This is not looking good. What's the deal on the naming rights front? Hopefully you guys will get a deal sealed with some "international" and "financialy stable" company because I hate the way "Houston Arena" sounds.
Oh BTW Tim, is there any update on the Olajuwon Statue at the arena? I noticed they are beginning to clear the site where the statue is going to be placed. I guess its going to happen then/ What can we fans expect to see?
NO OSKI, I BEAT YOU TO THE PUNCHLINE ALONG TIME AGO READ THE LAST SENTENCE 06-25-2003 04:43 PM In all honesty, I have a friend that works at the arena sales center downtown. Sometimes he is way off though. When he told me of this, I at first didnt believe him and thought he was on crack. That's why I didnt post it at first so anyone tell me I was stupid and I was lying..............thus blowing any creditability I had ever earned at this site away. But what he told me kinda matched up with what DC baller was saying. He gives me plenty of info on the arena. But I get most of my info from sportsbussinessdaily.com and sportsbussinessnews.com being that I am a subscriber to these sites. And finally, some of what I said is pretty much common sense. The arena will be ready to make its first event bookings in Spetember so it is impossible to make final touches then. I have learned from my "sources' ( that sounds so ****in ridiculous, I feel like freakin David Aldridge saying that crap) that the arena will have little Rocket and Comet logos plastered on the building as well as the corporate sponsor whom the building will bear its name for. (maybe HP or AT&T from what I hear). Most of the final touches to the building will be made in late-July and into August. If what DC baller is saying is true, you can more than likely expect to see some shots of it to pique the fans curosity. Remember, the Mavs did this same exact thing too a couple of years ago. But hey, atleast we think alike
Count me in as another person that votes for the "DryFit" type jerseys over the shiny Dazzle jerseys. DryFit looks much better and will be more practicle over time.
I think we should start a poll for "what material should the Rockets have on there new uniforms" So far it seems like a consensus vote in favor of "Dryfit" And you can add another vote from me in favor of "Dryfit." I like Dryfit because when players sweat in jerseys made of Dazzle fabric, the jersey tend to look soaking wet and give players that "fresh out of the shower" look. And that DOES NOT make any jersey look good, no matter how good the Rockets new uni's look. Dryfit on the other hand looks uniformly even with no unsightly "wet spots." Plus it looks more traditional and simple. If the Rockets are going with a "sleek yet simple" look on the court as has been rumored, then Dryfit has to be the way to go. Tim are you reading this? Maybe this will give the Rockets a little insght in to what the fans think is cool and not cool. But you probably already know this. You didnt become the VP of Marketing for nothing.
Personally, I like the shininess of the Dazzle unis, makes 'em look real sleek. But I do see what you're saying about the "fresh out of the shower" problem with Dazzle as opposed to Dryfit. So I dunno, I'm undecided, and really, I could care less about the material of the uni's as long as they are comfortable for our players (don't want a Seinfeld situation on our hands!!). But it doesn't really matter what any of us says now anywze, the new uni's are as good as done. So we'll all found out the verdict soon enough.
