From the Chron: Rockets' clown suits get stay of execution By JONATHAN FEIGEN Rockets guards Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley were asked in a recent Sports Illustrated for Kids poll a long list of questions about their favorite and least favorite things about the NBA. The easiest answer was to name the worst uniform. The Rockets' clown suits were the automatic pick. There was no debate, no other contenders. This was not a sentiment they shared alone. They were the only Rockets players asked. But players throughout the NBA routinely laugh at the league champions for garishness. Individual taste is one thing, but no team has squeezed more red stripes, thin lines -- make that "jet streams" -- cartoon characters, alternate logos and wandering numbers on their gear than the Rockets. Personal style aside, by almost any standard, the Rockets' getups make Calvin Murphy's game-time zoot suits look like the choice of a Young Republican hoping for Bush White House appointment. But the deadline to apply to the NBA to change the uniforms for the 2002-2003 season passed last week. The Rockets did not decide to let it slide. Nor did they, as it would seem natural to assume, choose to wait to postpone a new look for the opening of the new arena in 2003. The Rockets will remain in the pajamas because, according to vice president of marketing Elaine Sullivan-Digre, they still like the look. "We haven't had discussions about changing our uniforms," Sullivan-Digre said. "We don't hear anything negative about our uniforms. We're happy with our uniforms. We don't hear any complaints from our fans." There will be a wide range of conversations, she said, about changes to coincide with the opening of the new arena. The uniforms might be part of that. "When we open a new arena, we're going to be looking at all the possibilities," Sullivan-Digre said. "There are a lot of things teams look at. A change of uniforms could be one of them. It's not something we've talked about yet. We're just getting started talking about all the things involved in opening a new arena. This is the kind of question we'll be addressing." NBA rules will require a decision by next December. But Sullivan-Digre made it clear that the organization considers the Rockets' outfits unique and stylish. She said the "jet streams" are distinctive. Only a team called Rockets can do it. But there is a reason most people don't put exhaust fumes on clothing. The trend toward cuddly bears and fierce dinosaurs passed almost as soon as the teeth-gritting Rocket made his debut. The look now is toward clean and classy. The clown suits received a two-year stay of execution this week. Their time would seem certain to be over when the Compaq Center's is. But perhaps not if the Rockets organization really does love them so much more than the people that have to wear them. By the way, if someone wants to complain, they should call the Rockets. I can't believe that she said no one has complained about the uni's. Have they not been paying attention??? ------------------ The way to use life is to do nothing through acting, The way to use life is to do everything through being. - Lao-Tzu
Another important factor might be the sales figures, if they're selling, who cares if they're ugly ------------------
Jeff, changeourunis.com ? ------------------ SUCK POLICE!!!!!! To point out individuals or teams that have managed to reach the pinnacle of SUCKINESS!!!!! ----- ROCKETS 4th quarter defense SUCKS. The offense SUCKS as well! Absolutely no excuse for the loss against Sonics at home!
OMG. What the hell? Can someone tell me why they still think that the fans like the Uni's??????? Haven't they visited the BBS yet? I'm sure Bull's told em something! C'mon! I second the www.changeourunis.com idea. This is sickening. ------------------ Francis out top, 9 seconds on the clock, he gives a no look pass to Cuttino Mobley, 4 seconds left, Mobley passes to an open Langhi in the corner with 1 second left! Langhi at the buzzer.......YES!!! How Sweet It Is!!
She hasn't heard any complaints? Could it be that she's deaf? I think it's about time we put together a petition to get rid of the clown costumes.
I heard awhile back from someone with the Rockets that they didn't want to change them now because they will when they move into the new arena. They didn't want to do what the Astros did: change them then change them again a couple years later when they move into their new crib. I'm sure the only reason they are still touting their good looks is because they still want to sell them over the next 3 season. Old School ------------------ I voted YES!
Nobody has complained? Even the players hate the uniforms. I don't think they're THAT bad, but they could use a slight change. Perhaps just losing the stripes, and simplifying the logo. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
So let me get this straight...teams in the NBA need to apply two years in advance to just change the unis? I thought that rule was just if you were going to change the logo, which I don't think looks absolutely horrible anymore. The uni's definitely need to go, though, and I didn't think they needed permission just to modify 'em...guess you learn something every day...err...night...at 2 am... ------------------
I hear the new ones will have Clutch actually RIDING the Rocket logo...but the stripes will be gone. Just kidding. Old School ------------------ I voted YES!
No, no...as a tribute to saving the Rockets from moving to Kentucky, the new uniforms will have a pic of Jeff on them...Opposing teams will see Jeff's mug on the uniforms and instantly be sticken with fear....or fall on the floor laughing...either way, it should lead to a LOT of easy buckets... ------------------ If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding!!
"Very, VERY funny," he said sarcastically. The Rockets might change them in the new arena but they have had a tremendous amount of turnover in the front office and it would not surprise me if some of their PR people are brand new. My suggestion would be, rather than start a website, just call or fax them and say you want to see different uniforms. You know what? They read cc.net, so just post your frustrations here. In fact, Clutch, time for a new poll on the front page I think! ------------------ The way to use life is to do nothing through acting, The way to use life is to do everything through being. - Lao-Tzu
If people like the uniforms and they're selling well, then why is the Rockets Shop going out of business? I bet they sold more Comets jerseys than Rockets.
I just sent the following letter to executiveoffice@rocketball.com and I would ask that others follow suit: "We haven't had discussions about changing our uniforms," Sullivan-Digre said. "We don't hear anything negative about our uniforms. We're happy with our uniforms. We don't hear any complaints from our fans." Can this be true? Can this woman not know that the vast majority of Rocket fans hate the team's clown costumes? Does she telecommute in from Brazil or some other far away land devoid of Houstonians? Look, I'm not going to complain about every aspect of the uniforms, as if my individual recommendations would be acted upon. But suffice to say, the suits are cartoonish jokes that look more like Superfriends Underoos than NBA uniforms. I know that you guys probably sell a fair number of these costumes, but that just proves that there's a sucker born every minute, not that most Houstonians like them. I would argue that switching to a new uniform would both increase sales in the short and long term, instead of just the short run that resulted from the introduction of the current zoot suits. Anyway, changing the uniforms is another matter. For the moment, I just want the Rockets organization, especially Elaine Sullivan-Digre and everyone else you've recruited from the Helen Keller School of Marketing, to know that I, as a Houstonian and life-long Rockets fan, hate the team's uniforms and have not, would not ever purchase one. Consider this, Ms Sullivan-Digre, your first, official complaint. And I'm sure that more will follow. Jason Ginsburg P.S. I also hate that @#%*ing bear on rollerskates.
There's a new poll currently <a href="http://www.clutchcity.net/rockets.cfm">on the site</a> about the uniforms... ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
I think this is all a huge smokescreen. That way, when they FINALLY do change the uni's once they start play in the new arena they can say: We listened to our fans and changed the uniforms!! We think our fans are great! See, we DO care what they think!! They will be changed. Old School ------------------ I voted YES!
It's an interesting article... I am 100% positive last year the Rockets held discussions about changing their uniforms. However, the arena and other issues put that to a halt and 3 weeks ago I was told the Rockets are having <a href="http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/009861.html">no new discussions regarding uniforms nor will there be</a>, so this is really not new. BUT, my question is this: Wouldn't the VP of marketing have some knowledge of fans opinions regarding the uniforms? Why would they say this: "We don't hear anything negative about our uniforms. We're happy with our uniforms. We don't hear any complaints from our fans." Huh? Right. My opinion is the organization is probably considering seriously uniform changes for 2003, when the new arena opens. But if you're considering a uniform change then, would you announce it's a likely happening now? No, not unless you want to lose serious sales in merchandise. Just my two cents though. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
