Again, how did Utah steal it? The game was tied, Utah had the advantage of already being up one game in the series. Even if Stockton misses the shot, the game goes to OT. So please inform me how they stole that game? Also I recall Drexler missed a layup that would have given the Rockets the lead with 2.8 seconds left, correct? Or what about the wilting they did in that fourth quarter? I mean weren't the Jazz down by like 10 with 2 minutes to go? The Rockets put themselves in the spot they were in. They had ample opportunities to win the game. They didn't. Utah did. The Jazz didn't steal anything from the Rockets, because the Rockets lost the game themselves. And even if Houston had won, you're still forgetting the fact that there would have been a game 7 in Salt Lake City.
Bearhug = foul = 2 free throws Assuming Drexler, who shoots well over 50% on FTs makes at least 1, the Rockets most likely win the game. Whoever would have won game seven is irrelevent, as the opportunity to determine that was stolen by the cheating Jazzholes.
Again how did they steal it? Seems to me you're basing it off of a lot of coulda, woulda, shouldas! Well that's not how the game is played. Even if Drexler makes those FTs, Utah still gets the ball back and a chance to tie or win. Even if Drexler makes those FTs and Utah misses its chance to win/tie, they still play another game, IN Salt Lake City. Fact is, the Rockets lost that series, the Jazz didn't steal it. You can think all you want, but it doesn't change the fact Utah came from 10 down in the fourth to tie the game. It doesn't change the fact that the Rockets had an easy layup, but missed it. It doesn't change the fact that even a Houston win would still not be enough to 'win' the series, being there was still one more game.
Can't stand bandwagon anything fans. The ones that just come out if we win. Houston has a real problem with it and it bothers me but what can you do. I will go to games and cheer my team on even if we are loosing and have no hope...if your a true fan you will do that and for the most part that is why i like this site because we don't have that problem. EVeryone on here is pretty much die hard and we don't have to worry about those people that want a trade as soon as a person has a bad game. Actually I'll take that last part back becuase everyone here does that but overall we just want whats best for the team and thank god we have a forum for it.
I don't get why you people hate bandwagoners so much. They are soft (non-serious) fans. In any recreation/entertainment, there are hardcore people and non-serious participants. I'm sure everyone here is a non-serious participant of some sports. Being a hardcore Rockets fan, I totally understand the fact that there are more people supporting the team when they do well. I have no problem cheering the Rockets alongside with these people. I just generally don't talk serious basketball with them because they don't know much of it I hate the Lakers fans because they think their team is entitled to greatness and that all other teams exist to magnify the Lakers' superiority. No other NBA team's fans as a group are like that (maybe Celtics fans). The only other sport teams I can think of are the Yankees and the Cowboys.
I think people dislike bandwagon fans because they never have to endure the pain of major losing. It's like they take the easy way out by picking the hottest team in the league. When you're good, they support you, but boy when you're bad they're not even going to take a second look at ya'. In the end it hurts basketball (and other sports as well) because it's obvious some cities have nothing but bandwagon fans. I mean, just look at Atlanta! One of the fastest growing cities in America yet it has attendance problems for almost every major sport. Why? Because the fans will support ya' if you're winning, but once you start losing they cut off all support. Whether you're casual or not shouldn't hamper your ability to cheer for a team through thick and thin. I mean I'm a casual NFL fan, I like college football a lot more. However, I also root for Bears, albeit not like I do say the Utah Jazz or Utah Utes. But I can admit the Bears suck, however I'd never think about jumping off their bandwagon because of it.
Nah... Celtics fans don't feel they're entitled to a dynasty. Just a real NBA team with a real coach, which since Larry Bird they hadn't had until recently. I don't like Lakers, Knicks or Bulls fans because more than any other fans they troll other teams' message boards to talk smack, as if NBA fandom is somehow an extension of their manhood.
Let's see.... Lakers fans are the worst....I dont think there's an argument for that...definitely the worst Also HATE the Yankees fans... Then the Suns and Nuggets fans...
I met some people from Salt Lake City on my vacation who were really nice. I don't have a problem with the Jazz fans, they just cheer for their team, nothing wrong with that. As far as I have seen Sean Reynolds has always been respectful towards the Rockets on these boards and I have always appreciated that. The Laker fans who think Yao Ming will automatically come to play for the Lakers annoy me the most.
Last time I looked, all the Rockets that deserved rings got on the court and proved it, and now have at least one, maybe two to show for it. Furthermore... one cannot dis the Mavs fans of late without checking to see if many of the Rockets bandwagon hoppers had cared the slightest bit for them pre-'93 or even pre-Yao... even worse pre-Tmac. I chose the second option. But I guess not everyone just naturally roots for the home team, or team closest to their home, as soon as they are old enough to say the team's name and understand that they are the team to root for based on geography. I suppose everyone got on the wagon at some point... But some of us cannot remember ever supporting any other team. Sadly, my son knows we root for Houston, but he is growing up in Dallas... and I cannot blame him if he likes the DFW area teams as well, or even moreso. It's his life... and in just under 5 years of life, he's been to each Houston Sports venue except for Reliant... and each Dallas Sports venue without exception. At any rate... more fan support for my favorite teams = more revenue for teams = more money to spend on the big stars, right? So, while I'm annoyed by the bandwagoners... it's slightly, not greatly. But it is accross the board, as in... ANY bandwagoner fan, for any team - I just see it as disingenuous. Jazz fans have that right. They're not wrong to root for their team. It's the nature of sport. The home team is the good guy team. Now, I could never picture a bandwagon Jazz fan... although I have seen several younger Dallasites wearing the AK47 jerseys... throwbacks at that!
I agree with your last sentence. Better not to even talk about Championships and more over choking in Utah as there are no banners in your rafters because of the latter.
Bandwagon fans help pay the bills and we need them to keep Yao, T-Mac and continually improve their supporting cast.
I'll fully admit the Jazz choked in the NBA Finals, well more like Malone choked. Utah probably should have lost the 1997 playoffs, but in 1998 there was no excuse as to why they lost that series. They were up one game, had home court advantage....eck makes me angry just thinking about it. That said, I thank the basketball gods that Utah actually had a shot to play for the NBA Championship. That experience of having Utah in the Finals is the greatest sports experience in my life and will only be lifted by that of Utah winning an NBA title. There are fans out there that have yet to see their team make the NBA Finals, let alone the conference finals. But what's more exciting is the fact that Utah's painful rebuilding only lasted one year. Now the Jazz are primed at making a playoff run and I can't wait. For the first time in over 10 years (discounting the NBA Finals years) the Jazz are on the upswing. That's exciting for me as a fan. I mean I understand you're not going to see many bandwagon fans for the Jazz. But if you want to cheer for a winning team, look no further. We fans have been blessed with a winning (.500+) team for 21 years -- an NBA record. Granted they lack the NBA title, but in the end I think Jazz fans feel they've got another shot at it. And that's all that counts, at least right now.
