Yep, I remember the Jazz were pretty pesky that series. I went to game 2 and I remember it was a close one. Before the Suns' series I always thought we would find a way to screw it up and even after coming back to defeat the Suns, I still had that feeling during game 2 but I was proven wrong. After game 4(clock game), I never had that feeling again.
From: Shanghai, China (I moved to Houston when I was 7) Age: 19 Fan Since: 2001 ish Became a Rocket fan how: I happened to flip onto a Rockets game when I was about 9 years old and immediately fell in love with Steve Francis and the way he played. Then the next year, Yao, who's from the same place I am, came here and that dramatically increased my interest even more in the Rockets. Most Memorable Moment: When we won that 22nd game in a row against the Lakers. I can't even begin to describe the feeling I had at the end when Rafer got into that scuffle with Vujabitch and eventually when the final buzzer went off. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rockets player: Steve Francis, Tracy McGrady, Chuck Hayes, Carl Landry, Kyle Lowry First Rockets jersey: A Tracy McGrady home jersey. Then I got an autographed Yao one. First Live game: It was a game in December of 2008 against the Wizards when Artest, Yao and T-Mac were all playing. Unfortunately, we lost that game against the Wiz, who were playing terrible during that time.
From:Houston,TX Age: 20 Fan since: 1994 Became a Rocket fan How: My dad used to watch the games all the time so naturally I was curious.BAM First Rocket Jersey: McGrady Most Memorable Rocket Moment: The split Screen of the NBA Finals and the OJ Chase Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Tracy McGrady First live Rockets game: Rockets VS Wizards....easy win,Got Jon Barry and David Wesley's autograph...I told Wesley to hit a 3 and point to me....he did it!
From:Houston, Tx Age: 333 Fan since: mid 80's Became a Rocket fan How: I was a basketball fan and watched it whenever it was on TV on 20 vision or HSE. First Rocket Jersey: never had one Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Olajuwon's u see it, now you don't against Robinson Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: I for some reason was always a Purvis Short fan, I emulated his shot when I was a kid.... lol First live Rockets game: Too young to remember, but it was during the 80's
I left early that game : ( I had to be at work early and decided to leave with 2 minutes left. In hind sight, how much more sleep could I have gotten leaving with 2 minutes left vs leaving after the game was over? Not much. I still kick myself everytime someone brings up that game.
Age: 24 Fan since: 1993 (7 yrs old) Became a Rocket fan How: Just watching with my dad when I was real young. First Rocket Jersey: Hakeem (Ketchup and Mustard days) Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Being at Game 2 of the '94 Finals (even though we lost that game, right behing the Knicks bench) and Attending Game 4 of '95 Finals for the sweep! There were so many brooms in the crowd. Lakers games when they come in town, especially the playoffs in '04 when Nachbar took out Malone! Place went nuts Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Kenny Smith (went to his summer camp and his sports store in the First Colony Mall) First live Rockets game: During the '93 season against the Bulls, first time to see Jordan in person
I was so mad during that car chase. I missed almost a whole quarter! How did you get a split screen. Damn you. Till this day I haven't gotten to see those minutes I missed due to the chase. I think it is available on DVD.
From:Mission, Texas.. small city way south, close to the border. Age: 16 Fan since: 2002. When we got Yao and I started to really follow basketball. Became a Rocket fan How: I have faint memories of watching Hakeem play, but mostly I remember Jordan(a cradle dunk and Space Jam is more entertaining to a four year old than a Dream Shake). I didn't really became a Rocket fan until we drafted Yao. First Rocket Jersey: Yao, in a kid's medium, red and gray. Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Beating the Blazers to to get to the 2nd round and the Laker series. When you only got to see endless 1st round elimanations, going to game 7 after finally getting out of the 1st round was epic. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Dikembie Mutmbo. Humble, but with swagger. First live Rockets game: Rockets at Nets, December 22, 2008.
well here is mine From:Los Angeles, CA. Age: 28 Fan since: It was 1988 when I went to my first NBA game. Became a Rocket fan How: First game I went to was Rockets Clippers and the Rockets won that night and I remember Hakeem just all over the place so I decided then he would be my favorite player. First Rocket Jersey: Hakeem, road jersey, Replica made by Champion I still have it though its too small for me now. Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Hmm hard to really pick just one. But I made a bet with my 7th grade science teacher that the Rockets would sweep the Magic in the finals. He laughed and said if that happened he'd give me an A on my final science project and if the Magic didn't sweep I'd have to stay after school 2 times a week for every win the Magic got and clean up his classroom. I was laughed at by several of my classmates I still have my 7th grade yearbook where one of my friends said **** you and your rockets not having to do the final science project. So that was nice...Also really high up there was going to my first game in Houston back in 2007 when Dave2000 organize a group of like what 100 clutchfans for game 1 against the Jazz that was a lot of fun and very memorable. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Anyone NOT named Brian Cook --- seriously though right now its Lowry, but if I had to run a quick list since I started following it would be: Horry, Barkley, Drexler, Mobley, Battier, Walt Williams, Bob Sura First live Rockets game: I had the ticket stub until high school but it was Feb 12, 1988 the first game I went to.
Age: 36 Fan since: early to mid 80's Became a Rocket fan How: I grew up in Houston. If it has Houston slapped on it, I root for it. First Rocket Jersey: Maxwell Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Being in the Summit when Vernon hit the 3 that sealed the first championship. I remember looking around and seeing people crying. Pretty intense. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Maxwell First live Rockets game: don't recall
From: Houston, TX Age: early 30's Fan since: 1986 Became a Rocket fan How: My mother was furious when the Celtics won the '85-'86 Championship. I remember watching her curse at Larry Bird during his speech at the celebration/parade in Boston. Started to realize how passionate city-represented, competitive sports fans could be. I have grown into a rabid Houston fan, since. First Rocket Jersey: Robert Horry ('94) Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Beating NY in Finals Game 7 and Sports Illustrated only having a NY special issue ready for the presses. Once Houston fans found this out, we started canceling subscriptions en masse. SI rushed to put together a commemorative issue for us and I have a copy framed. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player(s): Hard for me not to put Yao but I gotta give it up to Horry and Ellie AKA Big Shot Bob and The Kiss of Death. First live Rockets game: Don't remember 1st, I've been to 10 or so. Most memorable was Chuck's last game in 2000, sat in the fold-up like chairs on the floor behind one of the goals.
From:Houston, TX. Age: 40-ish Fan since: Team arrived from San Diego Became a Rocket fan How: My Dad played basketball in college and I'm his only son, so I was literally born into it. I have no memories of NOT being a Rockets fan. First Rocket Jersey: I don't wear jerseys, but I still have my official 94 championship shirt. Stood in line at Academy for 2 hours the day after we won it. Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Too many to mention, but I'd have to go with Ralph's Shot Heard Round the World. I was up in my room and when he hit it, I started screaming so loud that my Mom came running upstairs thinking someone had broken into the house and was murdering me. Remember, it was after midnight Houston time. I believe it was a school night too. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Too many to mention. Calvin Murphy, Moses Malone, Rudy T, and everyone on those championship teams. If I had to pick one, I suppose I'd go with OOOOOOOO-TEEEEEEEE.....Otis Thorpe!! First live Rockets game: Too young to remember, but I DO remember going to a few games with my Dad at Hofheinz Pavilion before they built the Summit. I also remember him having season tickets the first year the Summit opened. He had the same seats all the way up to 1994 (when Les jacked up the prices). Section 102, Row E, Seats 1 and 2.
From: Houston, TX Age: early 30's Fan since: 1989 Became a Rocket fan How: Can't remember exact moment but I remember Sleepy Floyd, Mike Woodson, Derick Chievious on the team along with Mike Mcormick, buck johnson, etc. First Rocket Jersey: Tmac in 2007, in my earlier days I used to wear other teams jerseys like Mourning and Johnson with the hornets because I thought it make me cool that I was not just a rockets fan. Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Game 7 against the Knicks and being at game 4 and 6 against the lakers in 2009. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player(s): Tmac, I know he is nothing now but he was damn exciting to watch when he was here and renewed my interest in the rockets as from 98 - 2004 I was less than a casual fan. First live Rockets game: 1992 or 1993 against portland in the summit, we lost.
Born: Houston Age: 51 Fan since: they moved to Houston Became a fan how: Houston got a NBA team First Jersey: Moses Malone (wish I still had it) Memorable moment: Ralph's shot Favorite Rocket: Hakeem First game: the season they moved into the Summit ('75?)
By the way, I used to always root for Mike Mcormick because he was like the only white guy on the team although I don't remember him ever doing much. I'm not white btw, I just seem to root for the minority.
Hi Freddy, how is Mission. I visited there a long while back. Come to think of it, it's been about 28 years. Is your mom's name Lucy. Oh **** forget I said that.
From: Pearland, TX Age: 38 Fan since: Early 80's. Became a Rocket fan How: I have played and enjoyed watching basketball forever -- Always pull for the home team 'Homer' and followed Hakeen from the Cougars to the Rockets. First Rocket Jersey: Hakeem -- the original Houston Rockets jersey Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Two of them: 1st: Game 7 of the 93-94 NBA Finals 2nd: Game 6 of the 93-94 NBA Finals Man - Was I poor after buying those tickets Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Call me old school -- But Othis Thorpe as a beast and prior to their little issues Mitchell Wiggins / Lewis Lloyd were wonderful to watch First live Rockets game: Damn -- I am getting to old as I really don't remember, but The Summit wasn't all that great anyway. But, Man - didn't those banners look fantastic hanging from the rafters :grin: A good read about the 93-94 NBA Finalshttp://www.nba.com/encyclopedia/finals/houston_rockets_1994.html
From: Laredo, Texas (Currently in Austin at The University of Texas) Age: 20 Fan since: The 2004-2005 Season. Became a Rocket fan How: Watching T-Mac's 13 points in 35 seconds fiasco. It got me interested in watching the next Rockets game I could. I couldn't get enough and have gotten the League Pass ever since to watch the Rockets. First Rocket Jersey: Home swingman Tracy McGrady jersey. Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Being at the Toyota Center for the 22nd win in a row against the Lakers. The atmosphere was absolutely ridiculous, and I had never been prouder to be a Rockets fan. I was also at the following game against the Celtcs where the streak ended and seeing the "22" projected onto the court gave me goosebumps. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Tracy McGrady. The guy is the reason I am a Rockets fan and I am forever grateful. Since McGrady, AB was my favorite player (in the entire league) last year, and I don't really have a favorite Rocket this year considering the AB situation. I'm leaning heavily towards Lowry, as I'm sure everyone is. First live Rockets game: I can't remember what year it was exactly, but before I was an official Rockets fan I was in Houston for a Texans game and my parents decided that we might as well catch a Rockets game while we're in Houston. It was against the Lakers. Yao vs. Shaq
From: Houston, TX (raised in Baytown) Age: 24 Fan since: 1996 Became a Rocket fan How: Started watching them in 1996 and have been a fan ever since! Followed Olajuwon, Barkley, Drexler era. Felt bad because I missed there first or second championship (opted to play truth or dare during Finals..smh). First Rocket Jersey: Sam Cassell #10, blue Cartoonish jersey Most Memorable Moments: Francis to Cato Alley-oops, Moochie Norris, Calvin Murphy's commentaries, Eddie Johnson's Big Three in the playoffs, Yao Ming's Dunk/Technical Foul on Theo Ratliff, T-Mac's 13 in 35, T-Mac dunk vs Bradley, McGrady/Yao lead playoff teams. Aside from Hakeem, my favorite Rockets players: Clyde Drexler, Cuttino Mobley, Steve Francis, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, John Barry, Steve Novak, Chase Budinger First live Rockets game: 2004 at Toyota Center vs Sonics. We lost by like 3 points.
