Star-Telegram: Rockets fans are innovative

COURTSIDE JOURNAL

Rockets fans are innovative in their rowdy ways

By David Thomas

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


HOUSTON - The Mavericks and Rockets have met only once before in the playoffs, in 1988. A trip around the exterior of the Toyota Center suggests the rival Texas cities should meet more frequently in the postseason.

With Rockets fans knowing their team was possibly playing its final home game of the season, the pregame scene outside the downtown arena was colorful to say the least. And Rockets red was the dominant color, although there was a little bit of Mavericks blue and green courageously mixed in to further enliven the atmosphere.

The loudest group was about 30 or so fans hoping to earn tickets to Thursday night's game by demonstrating they have what it takes to be "Rowdy Rockets."

They chanted the obligatory cheers such as "Let's go Rockets" and "Dallas [not nice verb]," and mixed in some original ones such as "Free Van Gundy." But they were at their creative best with the signs they displayed.

"Dampier ... 2nd best center in Dallas," read one sign.

I couldn't help but be curious, so I bravely ventured near the four 20-something fans with their chests painted to spell out "T-M-A-C." They had been there, yelling, for three hours at that point, and there was still an hour until game time.

"So," I asked, "if Erick Dampier is the second-best center in Dallas, who's the best?"

"Shawn Bradley," came the answer.

Another enthusiastic fan sported a sombrero and poncho. In one hand, he held up a sign with a picture of a rather odd couple: NBA commissioner David Stern and Mavs owner Mark Cuban.

"Overthrow the Evil Dictators," the sign said. "Viva Los Rockets."

In his other hand, he held up a donkey pinata with the same picture of Stern and Cuban attached to the donkey's backside. He invited passers-by to spank the donkey/picture.

Each Mavs fan who ventured past the group drew taunts and jeers.

One Mavs fan wore a half-Spurs, half-Mavs Avery Johnson jersey that had been sewn together. When greeted by the free-ticket hopefuls, she responded by sticking out her tongue.

Later, a rather large man wearing a green Rolando Blackman jersey cruised through the area. He turned toward the Rockets fans and held up a sign that read, "Choke City."

The Rockets fans booed but kept their distance. I said they were rowdy, but I didn't say they were dumb.

Signs language

A booth outside the Toyota Center's main entrance gave fans the chance to create their own signs. Five favorites:

• 5. "Cuban, who's Yao Daddy?"

• 4. "His name is 'Yao,' not 'Foul.' "

• 3. "Stop the flop." (Although it's not clear whether the sign was directed at referees or the Rockets.)

• 2. "Bobby Sura, I love you. But don't tell my husband."

• 1. From Mavs fans: "I-45N is shut down."

A walking tour

The Toyota Center opened in 2003, two years after American Airlines Center. The interior concourse is filled with Toyotas. It's a good thing American Airlines didn't want to fill AAC with planes.

There's great-smelling food all around the arena, from such concession stands as Courtside Creamery, Clutch City Pizza, Space City Dogs, Rocket Tacos, Baskets Grill and The Rim (Chinese food).

Of course, there's a souvenir shop with just about anything Rockets-related you could want. Even a $5 pair of black thongs that features a red Rockets logo, probably because there doesn't appear to be enough room for the word "Rockets." And, please, no cheap remarks about the $5 thongs being half off.

Quick learner

Rockets center Yao Ming's English is still a work in progress. He answers as many questions in English as possible, but has a translator nearby when needed.

Earlier in this series, he said he did not understand the phrase "do or die" in the context of must-win games. Now, Yao has started using that phrase.

It appears Yao is quickly picking up on English ... one cliche at a time.

... And one

Spotted signing autographs in the concourse: Clyde Drexler, Elvin Hayes and Moses Malone. ... Nick Van Exel sat behind the Mavs' bench for Game 6. ... What do you do with an old arena? Reunion Arena still hosts basketball games, concerts and circuses. But the Rockets' old home -- the Summit/Compaq Center -- is being remodeled to become a large church.


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So Rocket G, I guess the journalist was referring to you