I have thought about this many times while posting, but came to the conclusion that it doesn't matter.
It's like your child does something bad. "Baby, you know what your child did today?" "Baby, my son got straight A's." "We" won 2 championships. "They" lose again.
They are a representation of our city. Being so emotionally invested, and proud of this team ever since learning how to play the game in Jr. highschool (1990), I say we.
The Rockets are the only team that I would suit up for tomorrow, so it is "we". And I don't have any delusions of being able to play, but I know that I can deliver 6 hard fouls to the opposing team's best player.
isnt it fair to say they are "our" team? they represent "our city" even though you do not own your city. there is an acceptable amount of ownership given to something that represents you because you are a part of it. saying "we" when talking about the rockets is just as acceptable as saying "we" when talking about the people of your city, state, religion, etc... being a new yorker i can't say the rockets represent my city. however, they do represent me as a baskebtall fan. fans are a part of their teams and thus "we" is acceptable.
It's the Houston Rockets, not the Les Alexander Rockets - that means it is our team - we is justified
I have to say I use both terms depending on the situation and who I am speaking to... I will also say "My Rockets" at times. Most of the time I say "We" though.
It used to be "we" when I was an ignorant kid, but until "we" start getting paid like "they" do, it's "they" or "the Rockets". Like my dad used to say, "they get paid whether they win or lose, you don't get anything - go do your homework". JK. Well... not really, but I do flip between "we" and "the Rockets".
I fall in the "Both" catagory. No fan base will eventually lead to no team. Therefore the fans are part of the team IMO. I have been a huge fan of the team going back to the 1970's. I've been living and dying with every win and loss for years. I've been to games in the summit and games in the Toyota Center. I feel like I am as emotionally invested as any player of coach so I feel justified using "We" when talking about the Rockets.
I have to represent my birthplace, hometown, and geographic residence, once a rockets fan, always a rockets fan, rain or shine, win or lose, I will rep the rockets till the day I die, they are my team! same for Aggie football and Aggie basketball
The trainers, managers, towel boy and etc don't make points...still their team. Apart of the Rockets and thus it is "WE" who win or lose.
To non-Houston sports fans it's "The Rockets" so they know WTF I'm talking about and so I don't look like too much of a homer (even though I am) To fellow fans it's usually "we"
Depends on the situation. "We won" "We lost" "We played badly" "The Rockets picked Patrick Patterson over Larry Sanders" "The Rockets have been unlucky" "The Rockets need to trade Yao"