Potential would have been a better word. I just heard on Sportsnet here in Canada that the Chinese World Cup game had an estimated TV audience in China of … … … 500,000,000!?!? That's right folks, 500 million! If 500E6 Chinese have an interest in a big time soccer, how may would be interested in a NBA basketball team with Yao Ming on it? If only 10% were, 1 in 10, that would be 50 million new fans!? We may have to find a way to get Clutch some more bandwidth …
absolutly!!!!! who cares about these 50mil fans? houston won't be able to win a title with ming so 50mil is just as big a mean as 0. ODEM will bring a champ to houston, bet on it.
Well, Les and some of the people on the business side may disagree. I agree that it's just one of many factors to consider, but you can bet that some pencil pusher has been crunching some numbers and making some calls about having Rockets paraphernalia manufactured ASAP for the Chinese market.
In 2000-2001, the Rocket's missed the playoffs by 2 games. They also had the 19th worst home court record, including ALL the playoff teams. They had a better away record than 9 playoff teams, 2 of which were in the West. And coincidentally, they had the lowest attendance of all playoff teams. But most important of all, Steve Francis said he liked playing away better because the crowds were bigger. So, there is no doubt in my mind that Les Alexander raising prices after a miserally 1999-2000 campaign and not Marketing well pissed off the season ticket base (despite having the ROY) and led to an exodus of fans that directly caused us to miss the playoffs. Do you still think the fans don't matter?
Well stated HP. Additionally with the extra revenue Ming will provide, Les would probably be more inclined to go over the luxury tax. Thus the team will be able to resign all of their core players when the time comes. Oh and then there's the buzz of FAs choosing Houston over other teams when it comes to the mid-level exception.
Many many Asian fan will follow Ming . But remember that those numbers are for the World Cup in Korea/Japan with some of their teams competing for the first time in the World Cup. Plus they are doing good. 1 in 30 maybe a little closer, but anything is better than what Cato attracts...right?
Fans DEFINITELY will matter for at least the first couple of years as Ming is learning the NBA ropes and we're in the NEW arena! BUT of course, ultimately, wins will matter the most!
Enjoy this site now while it is still running pretty fast. Server problems will be guaranteed when Ming is signed here in Houston. This is really going to be a popular site. It's the best prvate sports site in america now due to americans and Houston Rockets fan. Now just add all the Asian prowd basketball following population. Thanks Clutch!
