I just happened to be thinking about the Rockets for no apparent reason today and my thoughts turned to the experience I had at TC when I went to the Heat game, the first game I've attended this season. Now like so many others, I felt a little bit disappointed with the effort put forth to get the fans invovled during the game. The introductions were yawn-inducing because the drummers are just not enough (though they did provide a nice atmospheric touch during the game), the announcer was amateurish, etc. So,what I wanna know is not whether or not you hated the intros, the drummers, the announcer. We've had threads on that already and plus, how constructive is it to just say...yeah he/they/it sucked! So let's be creative about it, and maybe give the Rockets some ideas to think about! So how what kind of intro would you create to really get the fans at TC pumped up and cheering? What would you like to see during the game to get the crowd (the WHOLE crowd, as in folks up in the upper bowl) pumped? Here's my ideas: Intro - I like the drummers but not just by themselves during the player introductions. There's definitely something missing there, especially considering the noise level during this time is so loud you can hear crickets chirping . So, in keeping with the concept of linking the old w/ the future (like bringing back the "red" into the unis), I think we should use the old intro music from the 90's and the countdown. But as an added flavor, use the drummers to provide a cool drumroll of sorts as the countdown begins, then as soon as the music comes in let the drummers start pounding away (keeping in rythmn w/ the music of course!). Then throw in some fireworks for effect. Also, you know how during the countdown they'd show various highlights. Well do that too, only, instead of showing current rockets highlights, show a progression of highlights from past to present. I think that would provide a real nice emotional touch, especially to longtime fans. In-Game - Well one of my biggest beefs is that all the t-shirt giveaways, no matter how far Clutch or the Power Dancers threw 'em only seemed to go to folks in the lower bowl. But where's the love for the upper bowl? So why not have some people come up to the upper bowl during the game and throw out t-shirts to rowdy folks in the nosebleed sections(like at Astros games), heck why not have the Power Dancers do that . Also, I noticed that the drummers threw out those thunder sticks to the baselines sections. Well, they didn't do a good job, cause they only threw them out to folks near them, which happened to be in the corner. Now how is an opposing team's player gonna see that "distraction" when shooting fts?! I know a few season's back they had theme songs for a few of our players. I didn't seem to notice that when I went to the Heat game (well aside from the repititve Yao song!). So I think, again just like at Astro's games, they should have an individual theme song for our starting five as well as key role players, to be played when they enter the game. So who do u think deserves one and what song should it be? I can't think of any at the moment, but I do think Braggs, Boki (perhaps MoT, Pike an AG when they return) deserve one. Moochie, well he has played w/ more determination but he needs to actually improve in his game before this honor is bestowed upon him Announcer - well, I won't say we need to get rid of him, cause that's not very productive. So, if he could just be a LOT more energetic during the intros and game, that would be great. Plus, stop referring to the fans as the 6th man...we're not at Kyle Field, ok! And pick your moments (like on key positions) to really get the crowd chanting defense). And oh yeah, I think for a nice, subtle effect that'll help improve the mood for the game, is to light up those super towers like they did for the first game. Well, those are basically my ideas....I love the excitement surounding this team this season (with the new unis, new coach, new arena, new players). The future is definitely looking up, so I think the excitement at TC should reflect that. So now I wanna hear ya'll ideas. Be creative as possible...and plse, don't just say this or that needs to go...there's enough negativity on this I board as it is. And I know this has been discussed here and there in the past, but it hasn't been given too much discussion time so far this season, aside from aimless ventings. So fire away!
The power dancers need to strip out of their uniforms and into jeweled flesh colored body suits like Britney did at the MTV awards a couple of years ago. That'd be hot. Oh, and Yao needs to make more thunder dunks. That'll get people juiced. And the suits need to get off their hands and get into the game
Well, since Cynthia Cooper sucks during the halftime show, move her to PA announcer... "...and at...umm....at guard, number...uhh....3, ummm...Steve Francis!"
1. The Drummer's Intro is horrible, not only is it not loud enough, it's just plain and borring. The old Intro with Clutch on a bike revving the engine got everyone pumped up. 2. The announcer is horrible enough to get rid of. There is just no flair in his voice. Bring back the old guy. 3. I think the towers pulse with the red and white when something good happens would really get the crowd into the game. Just my thoughts, the TC was pretty dissapointing when I went, but I went to the Memphis game. I just think there are some little things that could make the TC so much better (like above).
Fewer people in the lower bowl drinking imported beer and discussing quarterly reports would be nice. But that ain't gonna happen. What I'll never understand is that no one has ever figured out how to have actual, you know, ROCKETS go off in the arena. If the WWE can manage all kinds of insane pyro in the same building and then pack it all up and move it to another state, I don't see why the Toyota Center can't be slightly more creative.
I really think they need to let the TC announcer travel with the team so that he can hear other announcers in the NBA and pick up tips and ideas.
The best way to make the TC a better place would be for the fans to have a better understanding of the game. They really need to weed out the morons. You know, the fans who say Steve should be moved to the 2, that rant that Cat needs to be traded, and claim the the team should cut Mooch.
My question is why don't they get a famous artist to record an intro song? It might cost some money but it would be so freakin dope. Too bad Outkast isn't from Houston....
Oh, what about a halftime show w/ Mike Wilks and Yao Ming playing one on one? Francis doing folding money tricks out of $1000 bills.... and Cuttino telling bad pick up lines..... Like a carnival. Lets get the SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY! monstertruck guy to do the intros
Hey! Patrick Ewing, what are you doing in Clutch? Oh, by the way, nice botched finger roll during the Finals against the Rockets.
Put some pickups on the drums and make them loud enough!!! I think Dwg has some great ideas. I am particular to the drum rolls (amplified) leading into the ClutchCity intro music. The louder the better.
Yep. The louder the intro music is, the less chance you'll hear the crickets chirping in the crowd. I remember back in the Clutch City days, they had some rappers come out and do that "Heeeey, Hoooooo" song except the lyrics were changed to talk about all the Rocket players. Each Powerdancer had a sign with a Rocket player name on it and they would raise the sign when the song got to the part about that player. The crowd really dug it.
The bottom line is that when you move into a new arena, EVERYTHING SHOULD BE NEW!!! (except the PA announcer) They got the uniforms and court changed, they even changed the coach... I can't FATHOM why they decided to keep the dreadful drums. I always thought it was a cheap trick solution last year, in order to phase out the old starting lineup song (which was cool... but it was over 8 years old), and to develop something new and hi-tech to go along with the awesome graphics and pyrotechnics in the new arena. Instead, they just got a fancier drum set for the crazy drummers. I do belive, however, if we ever get to the playoffs here... and we have a pumped up atmosphere no matter what, the drums will thrive. IE, No atmosphere, drums suck, music would cover it up. Playoff atmosphere, drums would rock the joint.
