Just read an article where Darius Miles said the Rockets were a team he wanted to get drafted by. I found that very interesting. With Steve and Cat being down with everybody in the league, and they are, the rocks have an edge on every other team. Screw the bigger market or playing closer to home, players want to play with Steve and Cat, and both of them will recruit players for the rocks to death. I once thought the idea of getting Webber to be slim to none but now I dont know. The Rocks have just as good a chance as anybody. ------------------
houston isn't that small of a market, IMO it is the fourth largest in the leauge behind NYC, LA, and Chicago LA doesn't have money, noone wants to go to Chicago because of krause, and NYC doesn't have money. ------------------ President of the Charles Barkley fan club...Oh he retired? When?
City size if different than market size. While Houston is the fourth largest CITY, it is only the 11th largest MEDIA market. That is why they arent featured heavily like NY or LA. Hell, even Chicago gets more televised games than Houston. Why? Their media market is larger. ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
Actually, in terms of TV markets (which, to many, is more important than population), Houston is 11th. The Rockets are popular for really 4 reasons: 1. No state sales tax. Players, for obvious reasons, like this. 2. Good basketball facilities. Westside has become home to many players during the summer and the new arena won't hurt either. 3. Loyal organization. With the deals the Rockets have given to players like Othella Harrington, Matt Maloney and others, teams see that the Rockets reward loyalty and solid play. That is rare in this league. 4. Talented staff and players. The Rockets staff (CD, Rudy, Keith Jones, Robert Barr, etc) is always rated among the best in taking care of players and utilizing their talents. Now, with the young players like Francis and Mobley, it gives others even more incentive to play here. ------------------ I am very very sleepy.
Hey tacoma, I've already posted this but I'm glad you brought it back up. Stevey is the Rockets biggest cheerleader right now with Cuttino close behind. I'm glad they are here and hope they stay here forever. What I'm hoping for is the dominating combo like we had shortly with Akeem and Sampson--God Bless the man. It would be nice to have the combo of francis and mobley for years to come. Boy o Boy did I wish we could have had Miles. ------------------ DAMN LANKY is the best player to ever play the game. -Michael Jordan
Yeah, Tacoma, you're right. After we whupped on Toronto, Vince and Steve and Cat seemed very chummy after the game. And C-Webb has said he likes them a lot; about Dallas, he said he could see himself playing there, but that seemed more of a keep-options-open thing: speaking about specific players being exciting and fun to watch (not to mention the DC connection, Steve as a native, Webb as a pro player) as Webb did about Steve and Cat makes me think that players have their eyes in this direction. The Rockets organization is class, and very nearly THERE. ------------------
I agree that the rocket's situation is a good one for most players and i hope that influences CWebb this summer. ------------------
Okay, well our media market is 11th. But we are home to Sterling McCall Toyota the largest Toyota dealer in the NATION. Or has that changed since the last time i visited(December) In addition to Westside, we have Fonde also. I know for a fact that there are daily pick up games there during the summer featuring any one of the rockets, van exel, mcdyess, shammond williams and many other players. Players like how right outside of houston there are good sized suburbs-Humble, Sugarland, etc. Houston also now has a young core that has attracted a couple young players. ------------------ President of the Charles Barkley fan club...Oh he retired? When?
