No more posts b****ing about the uniforms! wooohooo http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1365812 Rockets plan to address uniform problem From all this ugliness, something beautiful can emerge. We're not talking about the Rockets' hope that this ugly season really can be blamed on all the injuries. The development of Eddie Griffin, pursuit of lottery magic and logjam at power forward will have to be addressed another day. The greatest blight will be corrected. The Rockets have officially informed the NBA that they will have new uniforms in time for the 2003-2004 season and their move to a new downtown arena. The clown suits will be history. "The first order of business for us is to hear from our fans," Rockets chief operating officer George Postolos said. "We're excited about the new identity of our team. We have new players that the community is still getting to know. We're going to be playing in a new facility. It seemed like a great time to have a new uniform. We want to give fans the opportunity to tell us what they think a new uniform should be. That's how we're going to start this process." By now, teams usually would have begun discussing concepts with the NBA's creative staff and considering ideas from the league to fit the team's goals. There has been some doodling in New York, but the Rockets have been determined to wait for feedback from fans before moving any further than the green light. "The first step for us is to find avenues for people to express their opinions," Postolos said. On Monday, a page on the Rockets' Web site (www.rockets.com) will go up to collect feedback. It will include other features, including looks at every Rockets uniform from the San Diego gear to the current pajamas. Postolos and vice president for marketing Tim McDougall said they are determined to resist any urge to establish goals for the team's new look, from style to team colors, until considering the feedback. "We have some things in our heads, but we want to see what comes back from fans," McDougall said. "We're going to have our own thoughts and opinions in the organization, but we want to start with what fans think. We don't want to get too far down the road with our thoughts first. We really want to see what they think. "We want to get fans in on the ground floor of this thing and to have a chance to make comments before we take steps down the line." McDougall and Postolos said they are open to moving the uniforms, even colors, a step past the current look to completely starting over, though the current colors have been generally popular. The selection of the new uniforms will not be by poll. But Postolos said the effort to solicit and consider the public's opinions is "really just an example of what we're trying to do throughout our business." The Rockets have created a "creativity and planning department" to provide the "voice of the fans" in their offices. "We are really thinking about that connection," Postolos said. "We need people to feel a sense of ownership." As nice as that sounds, for now the more modest hope is that the Rockets will never again be as stubborn as they were in forcing the league's most hideous get-ups on the players and fans of what was then a championship team. The Rockets' uniforms were from the start obviously amateurish and garish. They should have been burned years ago, long before they became amateurish and garish and out of date. Their time is finally almost up. And it makes sense to break out the new look in time for the move to the new home. But maybe it can be more than that. If the move to the stripes was the start of a downward cycle, the Rockets can hope something beautiful could emerge from exorcising their curse. If not, at least they can look better.
<i>As nice as that sounds, for now the more modest hope is that the Rockets will never again be as stubborn as they were in forcing the league's most hideous get-ups on the players and fans of what was then a championship team. The Rockets' uniforms were from the start obviously amateurish and garish. They should have been burned years ago, long before they became amateurish and garish and out of date.</i> I'm all about the uni change, but that paragraph was a tad surprising for a journalist. Talk about editorializing!
After reading the article it seems like another ploy to make the fans feel like they actually have a voice in picking it. Let's face it...they'll choose what they want and what the Rockets think will sell best. Did the masses choose "Texans"? I doubt it. Luckily their logo is sharp and the complaints have died down...at least in Houston. My friends around the country think it's a joke. os
Ever read his rants about the sounds the audio guys play during the game? I think he/they (media) sometimes forget that not every fan goes to EVERY game like the media does. For many folks the sound effects aren't worn out. os
uh...i kinda liked the red and yellow....The Summit.... I know you feel me on this..... -----Old School....
There is a God. For all you non believers out there...........believe now. There is a God. BTW, PLEASE submit some of those pics from all those uniform threads. I REALLY like those Nike looking jerseys, sorta like Toronto's. If we could change our like those, that would be awesome.
I don't think this is entirely true. I've spoken to Tim MacDougall and he genuinely wants to know what fans think. They really do want the ear of fans on things like this and, if they get a good idea, I'm sure they'll use it. He is not your run-of-the-mill sports marketing guy. In fact, the Chron did a story on him a while back talking about how he isn't even from the sports world which is partially why he was hired - to bring in fresh ideas.
No offense to the guy but is he responsible for those horrible bobblehead doll commercials? They look and sound like they were shot on someones old vhs camera. What "new" ideas has he brought in? Maybe they're only geared toward season ticket holders. They need to market more to the common man to fill the upper decks. Hey, do we get to vote for new POWER DANCER unis??? !!!
You are right about one thing his new Ideas have not panned out so far and this I know for a fact and I will elaborate on this. His new group he got to get the feel for the voice of the fans is nothing more than an inside position that was filled. In other words same employees nothing has changed Clean house in the front office then we see change. here is a list of failed attempts that hey have tried by getting fans in the door. 1.Jay Rocket the voice of the fans who walked around did the power fan of the game promotion did trivia is now History 2.This concept of Rowdy fans of the game where they get college kids who are working for peanuts as interns to drum up the crowd in the upper level has Failed as well but by this reason. Each game the announcer says the "Roof Top Rowdys" will select a section who is the loudest and "everyone will recieve a Rowdy Towel in that section. This concept is a lie and needs to be addressed I have seen this at each game where they have yet to give each fan in that section a towel. 3.Last night they threw out several small balls to each fan with the idea at halftime . The plan was to throw the ball into a can in he middle and you make it you get to be an Honorary photographer at the next home game. well nobody out of the several dozen of balls made it in. Now here is where the failed attempt takes place. You see clutch,turbo everyone throwing balls to the fans with the assumption that you get a ball you win a chance. WRONG they fail to mention that after balls have been thrown you must be 18 to participate. Can we say mistake here because what if a fan who was under the age of 18 threw the ball and it did indeed land in the can you think they would honor it? HELL NO 4. This theory of first 5,000 kids or so under the age of 14 recieve a flyer for an autograph which is coded on which player signs it. Here is where the marketing idea FAILED First they did this to see who would buy merchandise just to have it signed at the game. After speaking to some of the merchandise clerks they said sales of merchandise was not high at all infact rather low. Now FAILED attempt #2 on this if this Fan appreciation weekend then why the hell did they advertise kids 14 and under recieve? Would it not have been much more appealing to FANS of all ages to take part in this? also as a side note they still had flyers and alot left over but rules stated fans under 14 only. That is total bull as Season Ticket holder I do not have kids and many would agree with this what about the people who pay thousands for there tickets with no kids? There is no answer because someone last night said the very exact same thing to a Ticket rep and Supevisor and you know what they said to this gentleman who pays each year "Rules are Rules" Nice way to get him to sign up for next season ya think? 5.I really truely believe with enough support behind this theory that upper level fans are ignored seeing night in and night out at the lack of Visits Turbo or Clutch do with upper level kids. 6. 2 games ago Rockets decide on a new Player introduction with 1 home game left which truely after seeing it reminded me something out of star search. 3 games left and they decide to change player introductions????????? To me this season it is too little too late. 7. Rockets new "group" as they state need to get in gear and start thinking about ALL fans and not just a majority they need fresher ideas, Fresh minds people who know the game and know the fans. 8.Now everyone who attends the games should know this one Highschool halftime shows which is far tooo many. Seriously if one was gonna pay this much for a ticket would you not think they deserve some sort of good quality halftime? You think if they wanted to see some highschool dance squad perform they would go to a school an watch them. 9. I know I am probably giving up my ideas but Rockets need to look around the league and see some of the promotions some of these teams do which from talking to others it has worked very well in other cities. Rocket main problem is their lack of advertising and Promoting the team. The front office has gotten stale and needs some work. Now not winning ball games and not making playoffs contributes some but not all. Problem is the people they have working in promotions and idea departments have gotten stale they lack in promoting this organization versus promoting to winning. If any of you have heard players state Its the fans and the energy we bring to the team each night that helps them win ball games It is pretty much a psychological view. Each player when they walk onto the court see's the crowd and views the empty seats and just for a second they think man what can we do tonight to change that empty seat to a full seat the next night time we play. Teams and players feed off our support and without support their is no winning and winning Big. Sure your gonna see players give it all they got to win because that is what they are paid to do but we as FANS provide the energy they need to WIN and win with confidence! Now one proven thing that has worked night in and night out The Rockets Power Dancers they work the hardest out of all to get fans in the door. wether it is signing autographs or just greeting fans.The Mascots do there part but just not enough.
New player intros???????????? We truly have the BEST player intros in the whole league. The one good thing we have, THEY FREAKIN CHANGE IT!!! What was it like? New music? Please don't tell me we got new music, cuz our music ROCKS. Can you describe it to me? Thx.
Rocket kid here is the best way I can describe this: Pitch dark. Power dancers have flashlights in hand looks like a runway when they are lined up correctly. Clutch in the spotlight with a sparkler shoots off his sparkly Turbo on top of a ladder with fire coming from the side jumps off the top and dunks a ball. Fireworks shoot off on home teams side then the usual Rockets shoot straight up. No video intro at all no more 5,4,3,2,1 Over all result: 2 out of 10 stars
New unis is great; maybe we can see some of the artists on the board give their rendition. As a whole, a lot of the Rockets advertising is very lacking. I hope these new people they brought in turn things around...right now its horribly out of touch and very bland.
The best jerseys in the league are Boston's (classic), Dallas's (slick as hell), and LA's (very original, kinda like royalty.) We should try to make something classic, and not trendy, cos it's gonna date quickly, just like the pajamas did. AND PLEASE I do NOT want any freakin' shade of blue in our uniforms. Every team seems to have blue. I like red and white a lot, goes great with red and white shoes. Also, leave out the yellow, I think red and yellow is a cheap ass color-combination. Kinda reminds me of Kentucky Fried Chicken, or a hazard sign. Unless it's going to be a direct ripoff of the Hakeem era jerseys, which were classic as well, leave the red plus yellow combo alone. This abbheration wants to be left alone.
I hated the Red & Gold jerseys, they looked very cheap. The current jerseys aren't much better, the pin stripes are a killer. I like the current number and lettering on the current jerseys and that they should be used. However, I feel the blue needs to be lighter. Take the ball out of the logo and put Houston above where it says Rockets. Need more creativity with making another Rocket for the logo. Maybe use a Red jersey instead of a Blue jersey. That's all I can suggest. With that in mind, I don't want to buy a jersey that I don't like the look of!
maintain new colors...but with more emphasis on red rather than blue resurrect old logo....using new colors hey..it worked for the Pistons!! I agree with Ninja ... don't make uniforms that are dated quickly. The Rockets not only have the worst unis in the league...they are among the very worst in any of the major pro sports. I can't wait until the change....no more little snarly toothed rocket...no more kids' cartoons...how about something that screams classic tradition for one of the better franchises in the league.
