There's been a lot of doom and gloom going on here on Clutchfans lately thanks to the Rockets starting the season 0-4 after a lot of expecations were placed on the team with the return of Yao and the addition of Courtney Lee along with the progression of Brooks and Budinger. Many people are hating on a lot of the players for not doing things right in games and ultimately costing us in the W column. It's all fair and good to be upset about your favourite team losing the game but we seriously have to realise there's more than just basketball. My mate has been in Afghanistan for the past 5 months and recently decided to stay on for another 4 - meaning the past 10 months of his life he's been in a war zone. I've written to him numerous times recently and the thing that has stood out to me most is his excitement over the New Orleans Hornets being 4-0 (5-0 now after defeating the Heat) That stings a bit being a Rockets fan since we're at the complete opposite end of the spectrum - i don't know about you but it sure did make me step back and think that winning games is not the be all and end all. My mate is putting his life on the line day in and day out for his country and when writing to me - a page is dedicated to the joy he feels knowing that his favourite player (CP3) and basketball team is successful. He has mentioned that the second best piece of news he receives is hearing how they have done - after hearing about his fiancee. Now the Rockets have started out without a win and are the only team in the league to still have a goose egg next to their name - but i sure am glad to call them my team. I don't regret for one second taking a month off work, taking out a loan and flying over to America and spending basically a month in Houston by myself just to watch Houston Rockets basketball. The Rockets coulf be 0-30 by the time i see my first live game against the Heat - and i'd still be proud to be sitting their in my Rockets jersey cheering for Houston. To many of the fans it's all about winning and losing. And fair enough too - because the players get paid a fair amount - and the fans also pay good money to see them play... But sometimes - the players putting on the uniform and taking the court is simply more than just about the wins and losses to some people. And if a basketball player came make just one person in a hell hole experience something that resembles happiness - then i think they're doing their job. I'll support my Houston Rockets through the thick and thin. I've barracked for them the entire length of last season when pretty much everyone wrote us off and Ming sat in street clothes - and everyone knew we wouldn't make the playoffs. I've cheered for them as Brooks lit up the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs for a couple of games but deep down knew we wouldn't advance. And i lost my voice for when the team finally ended their Second Round drought against the Portland Trailblazers and finally tasted a First Round victory. I'll be at the Toyota Centre being one of the most vocal fans down in the Lower Bowl for the Miami, Toronto, Portland, Utah, Oklahoma, New Orleans and Orlando games. It doesn't matter if they are 20-7 or 0-30. They'll still be my team. They'll still bring joy to me simply by seeing them in action. And i sure as hell know i'm not the only one.
Hats off to your friend. I wish more professional athletes appreciated the importance of representing the towns/people they're supported by. I know it's a job, I know it's a business. But it's so much more than that, too.
I hope your friend stays safe, and I hope we beat New Orleans ass into a bloddy pulp the rest of the season. :grin: DD
You just made me remember the enthusiasm I had for the Rockets last year, yea they weren't making the playoffs but I loved watching them nonetheless. I think only reason I was getting mad over the Rockets losing was because I rated them so high as to say that this was our year. No matter what happens I'll be cheering them on.
i think it just comes down to being a true fan or a fair weather fan....the true fans share your point of view, even though losing is frustrating...the fair weather fans are upset because they can't/won't cheer for a losing team.
Great thread! Hope your friend makes it back safe and sound. Ironic enough, when I was in Iraq, the Rockets went on their 22 game winning streak so I kinda know how he feels.
Nice thread!! You get repped!! It's great when I read a post like yours, you are a true Rockets fan!! Thank god your not like the other fair weather fans, arm chair coaches, and debbie downers. We love them because they are the Houston Rockets!
Great post DS, I wish your friend well. Hopefully you'll be treated to plenty of Rocket victories while here. Finally something different and positive at the same time.
The title saids it all.(The reading was truely deeply the soul of rockets)..If i could have repped you
