From:Retired to East Texas from Houston Age: older than dirt Fan since: There was a Houston Rockets...NBA fan forever. Became a Rocket fan How: Automatic when they moved to Houston. First Rocket Jersey: Jersey of no interest to me...how they play is what I'm interested in. Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Dream's game against Robinson in the playoffs, the night Robinson was named MVP. Greatest performance by a Rocket ever and one of the top 5 greatest performances I've ever seen in years of follwoing NBA. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Rudy T for both playing and coaching...pure player Moses First live Rockets game: Too may to remember...first Rocket live playoff game...the home last second loss to Seattle....a real bumer.
Having moved to Houston about two months before the Rockets arrived from San Diego for the 1971-72 season, I snagged two free tickets from my employer for an October game with the Los Angeles Lakers. Calvin Murphy and Mike Newlin were all over the court making shots, and I think Rudy T and Moses Malone played too. However, it was Murph and the Shark that made the big impression even though we lost. I can't remember the score but both teams scored more than 100 points. I didn't know much about basketball, even though I had been watching the Celtics on weekend television since the mid-50s. But that's when I got jumped on the Rocket ship.
From: Rialto, CA AKA: Lakerland. I make it my mission to stick it to these Laker fans and let them know everyday that there is no way in heck a three-peat is going to happen. Age: 17 Fan since: 2007 Became a Rocket fan How: I thought Tracy McGrady was amazing and was more talented than Kobe. Then I began to idolize Yao. Then Shane, Hayes, Scola, Brooks, Lowry and everyone else in a Rockets uniform. First Rocket Jersey: I have yet to buy one. My dad was going to buy me one but Californians aren't big on the Rockets. There were none to be found. Most Memorable Rocket Moment: The Rockets taking the Lakers to seven games. I was in a euphoric high for three months after that. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Kyle Lowry cuz I love the way he hustles. Patterson is already growing on me. First live Rockets game: Never been to one yet.
From: Houston, TX Fan since: 2002, when Yao first got drafted. Became a Rocket fan How: I started playing basketball at age 5 or 6, so I already had a love for the game but never really followed the pros or anything. I was at my cousins house when I really watched my first Rocket game (I think it was Yao's first game as well) and since then I've been hooked. First Rocket Jersey: Steve Francis. The ugly pinstripe one in blue. Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Ummm, 13 points in 35, 1st round series' against Mavs/Lakers. Also, I see Hakeem occasionally at our Islamic center and meeting him is awesome. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Tie between T-mac and Steve Franchise. First live Rockets game: It was one of the last games at Compaq center, against T-Mac's Orlando Magic. Nice thread btw.
From: Peoria, Illinois Age: 27 Fan since: 1991 Became a Rocket fan How: Heh. I have lived in Illinois all my life and for some reason, I really, really disliked Michael Jordan. Being a center myself, I always liked the big guys, and Olajuwon was my favorite of all of them. When the Bulls won in 1991, I officially became a Rockets fan First Rocket Jersey: Hakeem Olajuwon T-shirt Most Memorable Rocket Moment: the 1995 Finals against Orlando. Shaq was my second favorite player and I was ecstatic about getting to watch my two heroes battle for center supremacy Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Morey? Na, I like Luther Head. I loved watching him play for my alma mater and I wish him the best First live Rockets game: Against the Bulls at the United Center last year.
You didn't have to wait that long when he hit that three at the end of Game 4 against Orlando. Hopefully that made up for it. Great way to end that game. http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199506140HOU.html
Born in China, but grew up in Houston. So my hometown really is Houston for intents and purposes Started watching in 91 or 92, can't remember. But I do remember instantly loving Sleepy Floyd... purely because of his name. Favorite players: I love the team and love everyone who played hard. T-Mac was the only exception since he was so ungodly talented it didn't matter... except the important times. Otherwise I even loved guys like Chucky Brown, Bob Sura, Jon Barry, Eddie Johnson simply because they wore Rockets gear. But not so much on the likes of Eddie Griffin, Mo Taylor, etc. Many memorable moments. Two that came to mind instantly. Because my dad thinks you shouldn't really watch sports, I actually listened to the Rockets championship runs more on the radio than watching TV. For example, I was on a family picnic for game 7 of the Phoenix series that ended in the Kiss of Death. I secretly listened to basically half the first finals on the radio-clock in my room, because it was past my bed time. Fun times as a kid. Went to my first Rockets game in 2000 and saw Francis. Has since gone to a couple of games every year that I was in Houston.
From: Spring, Texas Age: 16 Fan Since: 2008 Became Fan How: Was a total nerd, so I didn't watch sports. Dad did, however. Sat down with him one time and the Rockets were on. Forgot who they were playing, but it was during their streak. Watching Yao, McGrady, and everyone play got me hooked. We were plowing through the competition and I finished the season, and was very sad when we got knocked out by the Jazz. I asked my brother and dad what they remember about the Rockets and I did research and watched old vids to try and relive the glory days. I was born on a 1994 playoff win =D First Rockets Jersey: Yao Ming Home 'Browned Out' jersey Most Memorable Rockets Moment: The buzzer going off at the end of game 6 against Portland. It was so amazing to be able to see it happen. Favorite Player: Yao Ming. Wish i could've seen Hakeem play though. First Live Rockets Game: Our home game against the Lakers during the 08-09 season, where Rafer choked on the free throws and we lost by around 5 points. We had great seats and it was awesome to see Yao and Artest.
From: Mo City, Texas Age: 23 Fan since: 1993. Became a Rocket fan How: My dad told me about Hakeem when i was little. Been a Rox fan ever since First Rocket Jersey: T-Mac's :-( Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Taking the Fakers to 7 games...i was a Red Rowdy that season. Good times.. First live Rockets game: dont remeber but it was probably like 96-98 at Compaq Center. in the nosebleeds lol
not reading all those. 1st rocket game i got to play on the court in middle school back in 96 then stayed to watch the game. 1st jersey was a red Horry, then a red Drexler, then a white Barkley before the replicas had the stripes on them.. i was in the chronicle in 95 for some school sh.t with a shirt that says CLUTCH CITY...
From:2nd Ward in Houston Age: 34 Fan since: since I was a kid, I'd sneak to watch the late games even though my parents tried to make me to go to sleep, still remember pay per view playoff games... Became a Rocket fan How: My home team from childhood. First Rocket Jersey: Champion Dream jersey, followed by Drexler Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Game 7 from the 1st championship, just couldn't believe it finally happened, 2nd place finish to game 1 the following year. Favorite Rocket player: Dream and OT from the first championship, then Drexler when he came on board First live Rockets game: Think it might have been 92ish, had nosebleed seats at the Summit me and my bud paid 7 bucks for vs Golden State with Hardaway and Mullin, snuck down to the floor seats in the 4th, still remember that clear as day.
From: Winnipeg Canada Age: 18 Fan Since: When T-Mac was traded to the Rockets (2004). Became a fan how: My friends and older kids used to alway compare me to hakeem when we played pick up games. Once Tmac was traded to the team, i grew to love the rockets and I am still currently a die hard fan of the rockets. Most memorable Rocket Moment: Taking the lakers to 7 and the 13 in 30 seconds. Favourite Rocket player: Former = T-mac and the dream... current cant choose First Rockets game... still trying to get the time and money to come down and watch a game.. (have been listnin on the radio since 2004 until i found live straming sites this year
From: Houston, TX Age: 24 Fan since: 1993 Became a Rocket fan How: Saw that a team from houston was playing a team from NY, I thought all of the players were actually from Houston like me, we won and i just started watching more and more, up to the first title run and then i was hooked First Rocket Jersey: Dream Pajama Top Most Memorable Rocket Moment: Game 4 of the magic sweep, i didn't get the deal with all of the brooms around town Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Luis Scola First live Rockets game: December 31, 2002 Milwaukee Bucks 103-80 win
I'm 42. Been a Rockets fan since the late 70s. Loved listening to Gene Petersen back then. Favorite moment was the minute the buzzer sounded against the Knicks back in 94. Second favorite player was Rodney McCray.
When I was 9 Me: "Yo dad, I'm gonna go dig a hole in the backyard!" Him: "No you ain't boy, you're watching this Rockets game" Me: "Who's that?" Him: "That's Yao Ming son"
From: Houston Age: 31 Fan since: It was 1991, age 11 Became a Rocket fan How: watching games w/ my grandfather and uncle, who were huge fans. It was really the only thing in common I could find with them at the time, but watching the rise of Hakeem and the Rockets made it really easy and awesome. I lucked out because I got to watch the Rockets slight build into becoming a championship contender and team. First Rocket Jersey: Hakeem, the ugly blue cartoon one lol..(same haha) Most Memorable Rocket Moment: mine has to be either the Kiss of Death or the Kenny Smith/Hakeem Olajuwon miracles of Game 1 of the 95 finals. The first championship will always have a special place, but honestly we were such underdogs that next year that EVERY series win felt SO good... and coming back against PHX down 1-3, and then taking our Orlando when we had so much trouble with them in the reg season just made all of it feel kindve surreal. Any Rockets fan during this time experienced some things that no other fans ever have. Aside from Hakeem, favorite Rocket player: Mario Elie First live Rockets game: when I was about 13 I saw the Rockets play Portland and win. The only time ive seen the Rockets lose was against Utah at the end of 2006 reg season. The other 5-6 times they've won. Now I live in Grapevine and I get NBA League Pass every year so that I can either catch the game, or watch a W after I get home from work. I used to actually watch ANY game late and not look at the outcome beforehand so it felt more natural and keep the anxiety, but it was too frustrating wasting 2 hrs for a loss, haha. GO ROCKETS!!!!
