What was the major influence that caused you to become a Rockets' fan?

First of all, DAMN there are alot of Yao fans on this site. Personally I became a bball freak during the championship years, any time before that I was way too young to watch basketball. Now that I'm on BBS, its gotten alot worse and I can't imagine following another team. I was considering moving to California, but I can't stand to be away from my team. Again, wow to the YOF's.

 

Charles Barkley (I'm serious) and Yao.

 

oh yeah, this might be a little unusual coz i know posters hate him and he's been dissing the rockets ever since he retired...

but it's because of charles barkley.

 

There is nothing wrong to be a YOF. I am one.
People are fans for different reasons. Some reasons are different from yours, so what?
Many YOFs are Chinese and they come here to support Yao only. They have never been to Huston, probably can't even find the city on the map easily, they don't have love for the city or the team, YET. Yao is the only thing that link them to the team.
Maybe one day, when Yao retires from the Rockets and people will have stuck here long enough to have feeling for/affinity to the team itself. Then they will be fans for the Rockets, regardless of YAO.

 

You know folks, I hate to say it. When my beloved Vancouver Grizzlies moved to Memphis, I swore to myself not to watch an NBA game again... until Yao came. From there I found my new allegiance in professional basketball... by cheering on for the Rockets (not just Yao alone).

Thanks Yao and thanks Houston!

 

woo, over 40% because of YAO?!!! Amazing........

 

#2 and #5 for me...

 

Don't underestimate the cash cow.

 

It's in my Blood!

 

I Didn't mean for it to sound like there's something wrong with Yao fans. I myself would rather fans have allegiance to the team or to the city. Thats just the best case scenario for me; however, Yao coming to the rockets has brought several fans that wouldn't have given this team a chance before. My hope is that when Yao and Tracy retire, the majority of the fan base will be converted into die hard rockets fans.

 

The Round Mound of Rebound

 

They have always been an organization that wanted to win, that means alot to me.....

It would be hard to be a Clipper fan......

 

I think it has to be 1- because of Hakeem, and 2- because of the proximity. I was born in chicago, but moved here later on, so I basically grew up around the Rockets. With Hakeem as a backdrop in my life, I found a guy that I could really look up to, not only because he was an amazing athlete, but also because he was Muslim. His transition to a devout Muslim (during his NBA career, no less) was truly one of the most amazing things that I have witnessed, and watching him hustle back and forth on an NBA court in day games with nothing to eat or drink was truly one of the most inspiring moments in my life. Sure, I probably would have become a Rockets fan anyways, but Hakeem and his journey turned me into a die-hard fan. Thanks Dream, for you will always be one of the greatest influences in my life.

 

It was because of JVG. I am a JVG only fan.

 

lmao

 

Please tell me you stuck around in the 90's to watch the good teams when Pitino came to town!! That was my basketball baptism.

I am sorry you were forced to watch the decline of Joe B and the horrible teams coached by Eddie Sutton. Thankfully I was young and it was before my love for basketball started... so I didn't have to survive it.

Of course we still have the overhype, *cough* Gardner Webb?? *cough*, but its easier to ignore when there is pride in the program by the players who care. ie Chuck

now...

I want to agree this is more than just to "out" the "player only" fans, its interesting to see how people came to care about the Rockets. I find it really nice that some people came to the Rockets through specific players and they are still around rooting for the team and checking this message board.

Good fans pick a team and stick. It's not always easy to do when your team is full of criminals, Bengals, or full of overpaid useless players, Reds, or blows it when a tiny school from North Carolina comes to town and wipes you up and down your home court.

But we stick through the bad so that when the good happens it tastes that much sweeter to us.

(sorry this was long!)

 

I started watching basketball playing basketball everything that has to do with basketball since yaos first year

something that attracted me and i just came to usa back than

 

I cant lie. I didnt read this massive monster thread. I simply saw two things. 1st off. Yao is why the majority of Rockets fans are fans? F that. You are a Yao fan then. And if thats the only reason why you care... Guess what. YOU CANT HAVE HIM THEN. If you follow the Rockets for Yao then you dont get Yao. He's gone. Follow Jianlian.

2nd... Kentucky? I will bleed blue til the day I die or BCG leaves. If you dont love Kentucky then you hate all that is good in this world...Gig em Wildcats or Bearcats or whatever yall say. Rock em jock em Blue Boys...

drunk

dont ban me

godspeed

 

I doubt if any Houstonian can find Huston on the map, either.

I don't know many Chinese YOFs, but I do know you are a dork.

 

i am from china, at first the only reason i love rocks is Yao . But now, i love rockets deeply. i love Tmac, i love Francis. i love you clutchfans all.