ESPN.com ranked the top sports franchises based upon a number of various categories including: Bang for the Buck, fan relations, ownership, affordability, stadium experience, players, coach/manager, and championships won/soon to be won. The Rockets came in #61. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/sportsnation/franchiseRanks We rank very poorly in two main areas: bang for the buck and stadium experience. I am pretty confident that with the opening of the arena next year that our stadium experience should improve significantly. The confines will be great and, hopefully, the energy level of the fans/attendance will correspond accordingly. I am not sure I exactly understand the way all of the ratings really work out, but I think one thing is clear: the Rockets franchise is definitely on the rise. #61 isn't great, but with new facilities on the way and great young talent on this team, we could become a premeir franchise in this country (if only our "bang for the buck" would improve ). Check out the rankings and see what you think and how the Rockets might move up (or possibly down) in the years to come. Oh, and for the "Rudy-haters/critics" out there one important stat that you should notice . . . the rockets' highest ranking is in the coach/manager area. The only NBA teams I saw that ranked higher in this area are the Pistons, Mavs, sixers and Lakers (but only by 1 pt.). So, how about we quit focusing on the negatives for a while and really appreciate what we have here in Houston--and what it can be.
Actually, if you read through the methodology that ESPN uses, "bang for buck" is a result of fan revenues generated divided by wins -- really, how much are fans paying per win. (They did do some math to correct for the different season lengths in the various leagues so comparisons would be even, too.) For wins, they used the last three complete seasons. Even though we expect revenues to go up in the new arena next year, it's pretty easy to do the math and see that, if the team continues to play like it is currently, that wins will increase at a much faster rate. Our ranking on that measure should improve dramatically next year if they do this same study again. The measure on the arena experience will also improve dramatically in the new building. Eyeballing the other numbers ... it looks like we'd rank about 8th or so in the NBA with a new arena and more wins ("bang for the buck"). That's a pretty good starting point -- of course, we'd love to do all the right things with fans that would allow us to move even higher from there. Tim
Tim... I have to agree with you. As I touched upon in the original post, the Rockets are really a franchise on the rise, both in general and in terms of this ESPN study. The Rockets have incredible assets: Yao Ming--quickly becoming the most marketable player in the NBA. If you have seen the new mac commercial (as I am sure most of us have by now), you can realize Yao's market potential. He is an icon already in the NBA; his presence can't be missed. If you add to that his personality which everyone is becoming captivated by and the huge market he appeals to (in the US and don't forget about the billions in China), the possibilities are endless. His on the court play has been better than expected so early, and he can only improve. He may never be the player that MJ was, but if you add together his skill level and his broad appeal, he could achieve greater status in terms of nation and international marketing and appeal. Steve Francis--One of the elite in the NBA. He, too, is a player that is achieving great popularity, if generally limited to the US. It appears as if he will be an all-star for years to come. Rudy--like ESPN touched upon, one of the elite coaches in the league. Loved by players around the NBA, he truly is a special coach. He has coached the olympic team to the gold and won two championships. Furthermore, his involvement in the rockets organization for over 3 decades provides a sense of continuity in the organization, and he is a pillar of this franchise. Owner and GM--both have worked really hard to bring good things to this team and this city. Whether it be pulling of great draft trades (steve, eg), making key acquisitions (barkley, drexler), or helping to assure the rockets stay in houston with a new arena, these guys have done a great job. The new arena--Significantly adds to the value of this franchise and hopefully will generate and revitalize fan support that is already on the rise. These are just a few of the aspects that make the Rockets' organization unique--both in its history and in the possibilities of the future. If we take bits and pieces of these assets we can see an equation forming that will move the Rockets up the hierarchy of professional sports in terms of the ESPN study. We have cornerstones of the franchise (yao, steve) in place and hopefully they will be in Rockets' uniforms for the rest of their careers. We have a great new arena coming that can generate new income and fan support. The rockets' have very marketable players that can gain notoriety throughout the US and the world. We have a great coach and a solid organization. All of these aspects seem to indicate a very stable future in Houston from which the rockets as a team and an organization can grow from. Most importantly, it seems as though we have a lot of wins and playoff games (and hopefully championships) in the future. With a winning team in a new arena that posseses true stars like steve and Yao, we can not only do great things in houston but hopefully transcend the limitations of the middle market in houston and develop into a truly unique franchise.
Read the Cuban story on ESPN.com today. Alexander is a very good owner, all things are good. But, Cuban has been masterful with his Mavs. LA and MC are two very different folks. I am glad LA owns the Rox but 10,000 for Amare and the Suns nettles. Where were the fans that night? The Lakes and MJ and a total of four full houses frightens me. Of course ticket prices and all TV games are a good start to the answer. Keep the TV but make more tix more worthy!!!
