What constitutes being a great fan? Some argue that its being the loudest and cheering your throat out when you go to the game. Others believe that purchasing season tickets and supporting the team with attendance through thick and thin makes you a better fan. Others still think that since they've followed the Rockets longer, it automatically makes them better fans. When I was younger, I used to paint up and scream my heart out at Rockets games. I did it because I believed that doing everything I could think of possible to support, I would do. As I've gotten older, things have changed. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people attempt to qualify their opinions by saying "I've been a season ticket holder for ___ years." I think that just because you have the means to go to every rockets game possible, that doesn't necessarily make you a better fan. (ex- companies who essentially own the lower bowl have had tickets for years, but I'd hardly consider them to be the biggest fans.) I think that attendance has nothing to do with being a fan. I think rockets fans that live in the michigan, oregon, california, australia, and yes, even china ( ) will all agree that just because they do not attend the games, it doesn't mean that they are any less of a fan. In addition, just because people aren't old enough to have see Elvin Hayes or Moses Malone represent rockets red (or san diego green...), doesn't make them any less of a fan. So what makes a great fan for me? Essentially its a person who understands and supports the game. You don't have to stand on your seat the entire game or not be able to talk for a week following a victory to prove your mettle. Its knowing when to cheer, and not just for a free hat during a timeout. Its having to check the box score and read all the recaps you can find when you couldn't watch the game. Its about supporting your team in any way possible, whether its making the sacrifice to be able to see your favorite team once a year or staying in the car to listen to the radio broadcast because the game just went to overtime, and you don't think you can get to a TV fast enough. Its about representing whenever you can. You don't have to be the loudest, or own the most jerseys (or any at all) to be a superfan. I know plenty of people who own tons of rockets gear but couldn't tell you what a fronting defense is. Above all, its about getting behind something and supporting it, no matter what the record or the newspaper says. In the end, its all about the love of the game. So what do you think makes a true fan?
when the only thing people who dont know you to well (work, classmates, church members etc) know that you are a fan of (insert team here) then you are a fan
When you hear Yao has a stress fracture on the radio out of nowhere and its like a bullet between the eyes. You can't focus at work, you can't eat, you wonder if its a dream.
I agree with Yoyo. When people refer to you as "The Rockets chick" or "The Rockets dude" cause it's all you talk about, and you're able to hold a long, knowledgable conversation about basketball...that's a fan.`
When somebody asks you if you're a Rockets fan and your friend automatically replies, "No, he doesn't like the Rockets. He LOVES the Rockets."
When you recognize and say what up to has beens and scrubs like Walt Williams, Travis Best, and Tom Gugliatta. oh. and Jayson Williams, the dude who shot his driver.
Oh I once pulled a knife (butter) and kicked a friend out of my house (college days) for arguing with me that he would rather have Reggie Miller (old at the time) over Jim Jackson. True story.
in addition to Yoyo's theory, which I agree I have to throw in, your a fan, even if your team does suck, even through the Francis years, I still thought we were going to win the championship every year (cept the pathetic year that got us Yao) its basically being a fan through thick and thin going back to Yoyo's case, I had to almost blow up on some chick at work (who's dating Carlos Rodgers btw) that said I "jumped" in the bandwagon when she saw all my Rockets stuff I had on my desk, I was highly offended, thats like calling my Filipino ass, Hispanic...
Err how about just following the team no matter what? Even when they lose 70 games a season or after a certain player leaves.
A true fan is the one that stays with the team no matter what, if they only win 15 games in one season in 4 seasons in a row, you still say you are a rockets (or any other team) fan and you still support that team.
When was the last time you were in the playoffs? When was the last time my Bengals were in the playoffs? Okay... let me rephrase.. one playoff appearance since 1990 and our star starting quarterback has his knee snapped in the second play of the game almost 20 years dude... lol
I could easily say right now I am true fan because I live in Portland and am still a stand still fan for my Houston Rockets. Call me bandwagon from the 1995 Rockets when I lived in Kentucky, but whatever. I will wear my Yao Ming Jersey, my Rockets cap, AND SHOES (how many of you have the the Adidas shoes???) tomorrow around Portland. I've been here almost 8 years, but damnit, I still support my Rockets! Yea baby, win it tomorrow!!!
