Great post, Jeff. In going to tonights game with a good friend of mine who is from Taiwan, I got to discuss basketball with him in regards to its overseas popularity. According to him, the NBA is very popular in Taiwan, and games are broadcast quite often. He tells me that he when he goes back and visits, he chats it up with his old buddies, and the mere mention that he has been to a Mavs game recently makes them all green with envy. To fans like us, going to an NBA basketball game ranges from an every other day fun time to a real treat that maybe occurs once or twice a year. To fans over there, it is (according to him), a dream come true. They would absolutely LOVE to be able to see a game live just once in their life, and many of us are on this BBS whining and moaning about the "garbage" we had to see that night. They would love to see that garbage. The Rockets played hard tonight, and if it weren't for an unconcious Steve Nash who might have been making his own statement for why he thinks he should be the starting All Star PG, they might have won. Count your blessings, fans. PS. In rereading this post, I realize that it sounds like the typical "starving children in China" parenting technique, and for that I apologize. I just thought the conversation I had with my good friend was interesting, and it really made me rethink my experience of going to tonight's game, and whether or not I would consider it a success as far as my entertainment value is concerned.
Dude, everyone know dat tin foil don't improve the TV reception none. You been takin fo a very long ride dawg. Tin foil don't aid in conduction of nuthin. You need to git hooked up wit one dem big ole satellite dishes so ya can pick up this dope UPN station and Rox games and flyin saucers and ****.
We should beam you Rockets games just for putting up with JazzFan. JazzFan sucks. I for one am glad that they are on their decline that they cannot get out of.
There is nothing positive about losing. Losing begets losing. Trying is nice, but it sucks compared to winning. DaDakota
I can't believe how excited I still get leading up to a rockets game - even knowing, deep down, that they aren't competitive, and will probably lose. True supporters of any team know that there will be long and testing times - their fortitude, faith and loyalty are what define them. It's what makes winning, if you get it, so sweet. I tell ya - nothing makes you realize what you have until you are without it. I've spent the best part of the last 8 weeks overseas. When I got home yesterday and realized that the rockets were not playing until tonight, I was devastated.
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."
From a lurker's point of view, the quality of this BBS has gone down quite a lot this season compared to previous seasons. People like me outside of the USA have to rely on this place for our info on the Rockets. Yet it seems that the knowledgable posters who made this an informative place for me have been driven away by the people who prefer to moan, whine and b**** about anything and everything. Maybe it's because as a long distance fan I have a different mindset to those closer to home, but I was really suprised and greatly disappointed when people were criticising Francis after our victory against GSW. The team has lost twice as many matches as it has won, and when we do get a win people STILL aren't happy. And they then single out the team's leading scorer, rebounder and assist man for special treatment. That's unbelievable to me. OK, so I never imagined that this season would turn out the way it has, but some people need to get a grip.
Blow as much sunshine up my @ss as you want, this is a bad basketball team that makes the same stupid mistakes game in and game out, but I'm still going to keep watching the games and pulling for them because I know they have the talent and the skills to be a contender. I honestly believe the Rockets can win any given game, because they can. They have proven that they can hang with the best of them. And the best part is this is a very young team. The best is yet to come boys and girls.
My question is why does Da Da DaDakota hate our arguably 2nd best player in franchise history, Stevie, sooooo much?? He has so much hate for our starting backcourt that it makes me sick listening to him talk. Of course I can't pry myself away from his or most other posts, but give me a freakin BREAK!! Join the country and realize who one of the best point guards in the NBA is! Are you a Rockets fan or not!!?
Great post Jeff. There is way too much bashing of our team and our young players. I think the thing is people are frustrated about losing, and want the answer to be something that can be fixed. At least that way people don't feel as helpless. Instead of blaming a young team in the learning phase plagued by incredible amounts of injuries, which can't be controlled it's more satisfying to point fingers and think that something could be done to change it. I don't like those types of posts, but that's my hypothesis anyway.
I'm just happy to see an exciting product while the Rockets are losing. After the championship years, I got a little tired of watching the old guys. Now we have some young, exciting players. I look forward to watching this team grow the way the team did in the early 90s. I truly believe the best scenerio is to hit rock botton for a few years and add a lot of young talent with all-star potential, than to be mediocre for years like the Boston Celtics have been and never get back to the top. Its not like the Lakers are through with their run yet, anyway.
I guess you can put me in ZRB's corner. Young and exciting only works for so long. I remember when the T'Wolves were young and exciting after they got Garnett then Marbury. Even though they lost 1 player to death, and traded at the time an all star in Googs and Marbury, they have turned it into a winning team. The T'Wolves got garnett in 95 and Marbury in 96 then traded Marbury in 98 and Googs in 97. So how long are we suppose to wait? The Clippers are ahead of our growth curve and by the looks of it Memphis is closing fast. At some point and time it has to be substance over style. We can sit back and analyze what went wrong, but most times its the same thing everytime. No defense, no passing, and all the other little things that help lose against a quality opponet. I'm not calling for his head, but Rudy is doing his best Larry Dierker impression. Its like he doesn't have a clue and most decisions he make backfire. They foul out the shotblocker in Bradley and instead of taking advantage of that, he takes Cato out and go small against a team nobody except the Bucks can match up to in small ball. Why? I'm glad I have the privilege of watching other teams and see how other coaches strategize games late in the ball game. After watching these other games, I can honestly say Rudy has about the lowest grade that probably can be given to a coach as far as decision making. Its not his fault that somehow they kept leaving Nash open or Howard was a monster on the offensive glass, but if a coach gets victories, he can be saddled with defeats also. Young and exciting only last so long before you look up and see everyone ahead of you are better prepared and focused than your team. Good teams find a way to win close games and poor teams find a way to lose them. The comeback was good, but a loss is still a loss.
Cato was having a good game. I don't get that. Also, no Torres. I wonder what's up with Oscar. Insert Zone defense. Passing game zippo. Hairball. Lightbulb? I love the Rockets, and I want them to win every game. Every game. Consistantly. 82-0. I think they can win against anybody. That's why I get frustrated and vent and try to break it down and figure out how and why they should win, after each game, or looking ahead at the competition. The game is more than talent; it should engage your brain, even as a fan. Secondly, a well-written, explosive rant can be very entertaining. You're lying if you deny it. Have you ever read Juvenal? That's fine first century trash talking.
i'VE SAID IT A THOUSAND TIMES... Feb21st, Stevie Franchise BOBBLEHEADS to the 1st 5000 at the Summit!!! BTW, you're right about the win loss thing! There IS more to being a Rockets fan! We DO have a bunch of young exciting players. There IS hope...look at the Clippers?!
I'm with you on this one Houston-in-LA. I have long questioned why he seems to dislike Francis (and Mobley for that matter) so much. I can almost understand when people dog the team after a tough loss. I chalk that up to frustration. But when people constantly harp on one or two players it gets very old, and somewhat sickening. The Franchise is right now arguably the best player to come to Houston since Olajuwon (Drexler, Barkley, and Pipdagimp were all past their primes) and Dada talks about him and his "basketball smarts" like he is a scrub. This goes way back too. I mean I can remember folks on this board posting that Jason Williams and Mike Bibby were better players than Francis (now it's Nash). They even questioned whether or not we should have made the trade for Francis (where is Michael Dickerson now anyway). Whether people like him or not Francis is our Franchise player for now and hopefully many years to come. How about we stop complaining about our players so much and get behind some of their positives. Oh and one more thing in regards to DaDa, HOU-N-LA, if I were you I would take some of his opinions with a grain of salt, back in '99 he suggested that the team actually performed better with Bryce Drew at the helm, put the pipe down DaDa.
Man, everyone chill! Shameful? Come on ya'll. I think the board is a beautiful thing...how rare is it that you get a forum of fans who have opinions, negative and positive. If we our threads read: "Good game and great effort last night" or "What are the positives this year " or "Man, Cato is awesome" Would this really be interesting on a daily basis? I am not advocating that this board should only be a Jerry Springer Show! But, the cost of a forum is negative ranting, because without it there would be no forum--There would only be 5 threads that never change. Opinions are something to behold, not chastize. Opinions, both negative and positive, spur conversation. Negative rants do spur intelligent, informed positive conversation, because for every negative, uninformed rant, there are 5 more positive, informed rants. Unfortunately, like a democracy, when the downside of freedom of speech is that you have to allow losers to publicly preach racism, division, and hatred. In this forum, we have to allow losers to constantly negatively rage, because out of this comes the positive dialogue and intelligent basketball talk. Some negativity is a good thing, because within this can be some truth too. This is the cost of having a forum like this. But, to label this shameful is extreme IMHO
LA- Rocket. Oh man, I don't HATE Francis at all....I LOVE him. As he is such a talented player, my expectations for him are of the highest order. I just want to see him progress to the next level, and it is frustrating for me to watch him make the same mistakes over and over. That however, does not stop me from rooting for him the very next game and searching...no LONGING for him to not make the same mistakes, but alas he does them over and over. I am just waiting for that light bulb to go off in his head, and I can start going.....WOOOOHOOO !!! Steve Francis is the best thing since sliced bread. Until that day, I reserve the right to come here and vent my frustrations just like everyone else. Just remember, that there is no malous in any of my posts, only pure frustration and exasperation in watching EXTREMELY talented individuals NOT perform as a team. Frustrating...but I am still full of hope. DaDakota
You know, I know most of ya'll are fustrated. But you know everytime I watch the Rockets game, I look for the positives out of it. I see Eddie Griffin who is slowly maturing and starting commanding respect. Cato who is really finally playing for what he is worth and playing better than some high priced player up in Toronto who is on the IR. And I honestly think Cat is playing hurt but he wont admit it. Francis is Francis. But seriously this a YOUNG team, and honestly they show flashes of brilliance, but the same time they show flashes that they are a young team. But the only way they will get better is by experience. I will NOT be disappointed if we don't make the play-offs. But as a mere experience of getting the core players the playing experience and preparing them for the long run. People at my work are amazed I remain positive about my Rockets despite the fact that they lose at times and etc. But guys we also have to factor in, injuries have killed us and that has thrown in rookies to pick up the significant playing time. Not many players get that opportunity - Kobe didn't not until his 2nd or 3rd year. So be patient guys if you are on the bandwagon stick with it, don't jump off just because they are losing because God did not create earth in one day, so therefore the Rockets can't build a Championship in ONE day.
