notes from Rockets fan at the Rockets-Suns game

I went to the game in Albuquerque last night. I wanted to share my experience with the bbs.

I showed up for the game about 2 hours before tip off. They weren't letting people in until an hour and a half before game time. So I went to where the players where entering the arena. The players walked by, seperated by a wire fence within 5 feet of the fans. I missed the 1st 2 buses that had the rookies and 2nd years players for each team. The Suns veterens came first. Skiles came off the bus first. All the rest of the team (Googs, Majerle, Rogers (homeboy is huge), etc. Penny and Marion were really cool. They stopped and signed autographs for everyone. They were the only ones who signed for the Suns. There were probably about 25 people waiting.

About 10 minutes later the Rocket vets showed up. It was awesome. Rudy and CD got off first. Then Rice, Mobley, Thomas, Francis, Walt, and Cato. Rice and Thomas signed autographs for everyone. Mobley signed for a few. Everyone wanted Francis's auto but he just kept walking. Cato walked with his head down the whole way to the arena. Rudy and CD complemented a guy in a Rockets sweatshirt. My highlight of it all was when I said to Rice, "We're glad to have you in Houston." He said, "Thanks man." I know it's not much, but I had never talked to a Rocket before.

Once they let people in the arena, I immediately went down under the basket where the Rockets rookies were warming up. I got to sit in the fourth row behind the goal by the Rockets bench. Mooch, T Mo, Tierre Brown, Langhi (it didn't look like his ankle was hurt that bad)and Oscar Torrres were all shooting around. Throughtout the rest of the warmups various other players came and left after shooting around. One player that never showed up to warmup was Cato. I thought he might have been hurt or something. He was the only player not to participate in shoot around.

Gamenotes.
- Francis looked great, seemd to be playing effortlessly but still was the best player on the court
- Torres seemed lost. He missed a few shots very badly
- Thomas playing at his alma mater, addressed the crowd before the game, but got outplayed by the other Lobo, Santiago
- Walt seemed to be very aggressive. He drove to the the basket alot
- Cato played decently. You could tell he was much more athletic than Big Jake. Santiago gave him some prbolems; Rogers dunked on him once. He got winded after a while. One other thing I noticed about Cato is even though everyone on the BBS hates him, he seems to get along very well with Mobley, Mooch, Rice, and Francis.
- Moochie seemed in really good shape for just joining the team; lots of energy
- Morris seemed really timid
- Rice and Mobley seemed to get along really well. They were encouraging teammates throughout the game.

There are too many observations to write down. I took some pics, but only one rolls worth. I wold have killed for some more film, but I took most of the pics outside at the players arrivals. If I can get acces to scanner and learn how to post pics I will do so.