In Houston for First Time - anyone going to Friday game?

Hey folks,

I'm an NYC Rockets fan in Houston for the first time, for my website/book project, Free Ballin' (here 's the About section.)

I'm going to the games tonight and Friday, and wondered if any of you were attending Friday's game and might be interested in meeting afterwards (or halftime?) and talking Rockets and bball in Houston, in general. I'll also might be able to catch Saturday's game on television (perhaps a bar you could suggest?)

And to all of you Rockets fans outside Houston, I'm going to every NBA city (I've been to OKC, Dallas, SA, and NO so far) and Seattle, so if you feel like meeting up for bball talk, or a pickup game, when I'm in town, that would be awesome.

Best,

Michael

 

Sweet, I don't know where I am yet; I'm trying to get press credentials, will probably hear from the team tomorrow.

 

It's awesome, truly awesome. And when the Rockets are hitting shots and giving Yao room to catch the ball in the post, he's so much fun to watch. He seems much more patient than he used to be too. And it was nice that T-Mac went all triple-double out there, last night.

But oh man, was it painful to watch them not close out on three-point shooters.

 

Well, yeah, the fans did take a bit to show up, but they were plenty rowdy when they did---and I especially love it when people go nuts for "the rockets' red glare".

On the trip so far, Oklahoma City fans are definitely the loudest. They were still packing the stadium and going nuts, down 18 in the fourth quarter.

Mavs fans...chilled. They screamed and hollered when something big happened, but not much in between. They were pretty mellow, having a good time, but in between highlights it was much more like they were watching a show, rather than participating in a sporting event.

San Antonio were down 8 points to Detroit with less than 3 mins remaining in the 4th quarter, and 25% of the stadium exited. Dead serious. It was like a collective shrug, "eh, who cares who wins; come Spring..."

New Orleans legitimately brings the NO vibe into the stadium with them, though having Irma Thomas sing the Star Spangled Banner helped, for sure. She was amazing. So was Paul, like no other player I've ever seen. And NO had the most partying crowd, for sure. They were quite loud and raucous, but it was more party than frenzy.

The Rockets fans, well, frankly, I didn't get a very strong impression about Rockets fans in the first game, because, I think, I was one of them. That's one of the reasons I want to see two games, because I knew I'd be too wrapped up in the experience the first game. I took plenty of notes for the blog and book (some of which I'll transcribe in a few minutes) but I'm going to try and get a little more distance in the second game. And sure, I'm down to meet anywhere. Daniels at half-time isn't a bad idea at all.

 

OK, got no love from the Rockets. Shame that the other teams hooked me up, but not my team. Anyway, I'll be there, but I don't know where I'll be sitting, yet. I'll ask for the finest $15 seat in the house and see how that goes.

I don't know what my plans are after the game, but ya'll are welcome to text me if you feel like meeting up at halftime. I'm 917-318-7176.

Later,

Michael