I just came to a realization about why I don't watch as many Rockets games as I used to. Its not because of the losing. The Rockets were a .500 team when I fell in love with them the year we went to the finals with Moses. We haven't been even close to contending since Drexler retired 14 years ago. The reason is because with the constant player movement. I don't get any time to get attached to any of the players or coaches. As soon as I get comfortable, they get fired or traded. Les has it wrong. Its not just about winning a championship. Its about seeing players develop and grow and become part of the rockets family. Murphy never won us anything and lost more games than he won as a player but somehow he's probably the 2nd or 3rd most beloved rocket of all time. Its because he was a Rockets lifer and he is part of the family. This is a reason why Franchise was so popular even with his flaws. Les just doesn't get it. I want the Rockets to settle on some young players, and I want to watch them grow and see what happens. If its a championship, then I would be ecstatic. If its not, I will keep hoping, dreaming, and supporting my the team. I want the Rocket's "family" back.
I can't grow old with the majority of our roster. Screw that. If we had Moses and Calvin to build around, things would be different.
We have to get out of the 14th pick of the draft every year first. I completely agree with your point though!
I'm a Rockets fan, not a players fan. I don't care if we trade half the team every year or not, I just care if we win.
Serious question: Would you rather watch a bad ballclub year after year if all the players remain? Or would you rather watch a ballclub contend with roster turnovers? I'm guessing most fans choose the latter. Just look at ticket sales for the Heat after they got Lebron/Bosh. In general, fans watch winners, not players they grow old with. It just so happens that star players rarely get traded, so you can grow old with them. But until we get a franchise player, it's not like I'm pumped to see the likes of Chuck Hayes night after night simply because he's been around for a while.
99% sure this has more to do with Calvin being a Hall of Fame caliber player than it does with anything else.
Valid point my friend...I think a lot of ppl are just player fans instead of being a team fan...cause the players are revolving doors but the teams stay forever Been a fan of my Rockets since 1990 (born in 86)
I for one, disagree. It hasn't been that long since we had Yao (a fan fav and a houstonian for life), Les wasn't trading him, he was our player to "grow old with." now we are stuck midway and we are looking for that type of player we want around. I'm about winning. Championships, not losing every season. Losing every season makes it hard for players to want to be here. I think there will be a day where we have our star and he stays in Houston for many years, but I never want to remain complacent with losing just so I can feel players are part of the family (too a degree), instead I want a powerhouse organization where players want to come here and be a part of Houston.
This strategy sure is working well with the DHoward's and LeBron's of the world. Unfortunately, it's rare nowadays that a player stays all in one place.
Always been a fan. Even after trading Steve Francis, Mobley, Hakeem Olajuwon!!!! Heck even when they traded for Barkley. That was the only time they should have never made a trade but I still stuck with them throwing away future runs by getting rid of Horry, Elie, and Cassel so they can go on to help other teams win many more Championships and playoff games. Will still be a fan if they start Johnny Flynn at point guard for the rest of the year.