It seems like a lifetime ago that James Harden gave his infamous, “We aren’t good enough” post-game presser. Mostly, it feels that way because since that moment up until last season, being a Houston Rockets fan was painful. Really painful. However, low and behold, 23 games into the season and the Rockets are 15-8 and currently reside in the two seed in the West. For many, this is an even better start than Rockets fans were hoping for this offseason. If there is one thing H-Town loves, it’s a winner.
Are the Rockets H-Town’s new darlings?
With the Astros dynasty seemingly coming to an end and the Texans falling short of some expectations, are the Rockets the new faves in Houston?
It really felt has as if we may be entering the “Golden Age” of Houston sports. It’s the main reason I started the Houston Sports State of the Union Podcast back in March. With the Houston Astros being one of the most dominant teams in baseball for a decade now, the Houston Texans having a young and exciting core, and our beloved Rockets seemingly taking the leap we all were praying for going into Ime Udoka’s second season as head coach. But where do the Rockets fit regarding the power structure of fanhood in the Bayou City?
The Astros have all the most recent pellets on the wall, but with the likely departure of another foundational piece in Alex Bregman, many feel their dominance may begin to wane sooner than later. As exciting as it has been to have winning NFL football in Houston, in recent weeks, the Texans have struggled offensively and lost four of their last seven games. Although they are still at the top of their divisionat 8-5, it feels as if some of the luster has worn off.
The Houston Rockets as a franchise have the pedigree. However, we are far removed from the glory days of “Clutch City”, and between then and now, there has been a whole lot of “what if” and let down. There is no doubt though that this young Rockets team has begun to invigorate the city and are turning some heads nationally as well. On Friday, Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green joined Malika Andrews and the pride of Beaumont, Kendrick Perkins on ESPN NBA Today. They have been the subject of conversation on multiple podcasts from Gil’s Arena to Club Shay Shay. In the words of Jacobim Mugatu, the Rockets are so hot right now. But how hot are they, and is it sustainable?
Texas has always been a football state. From Pee-Wee to the pros, the pigskin rules. You must admit though, Houston is fickle. Just ask DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud how long honeymoons last around here. The Rockets have an opportunity to climb the ranks and even surpass the Texans and Astros even if it is short lived, if they continue to have the level of success they are having so far.
What the Rockets have going for them this season that the other teams have not benefited from recently is tempered expectations. While fans expected they would improve and become at minimum a play-in team, no one expected them to be second in the Western Conference, and probably still don’t expect that is where they will stay. The Rockets being 15-8 is a feel-good story right now, similar to the 2015 Astros and the 2023 Texans.
For that reason, they are fun and exciting when they win, and when they appear in the headlines, we love it! Will Houston the causal Houston sports fan be easily swayed by what will inevitably be a bump or two in the road? I’ve already seen some descent here on TDS from the Rockets first back-to-back losses of the season. The truth is whether the Houston Rockets are the new darlings of “The H” is going to depend on the week more than likely. It might also depend on how the Texans’ last four games of the season go, and what kind of postseason success they have.
Is this type of fleeting passion unique to Houston? Absolutely not. Every city likes to believe that they have the “most loyal” fanbase, but the reality is in most cities, whoever is winning gets the crown. The Texans have an advantage being that football is America’s number one consumed sport, and once more Texas is football country. History says though, if our football team ain’t actin’ right, and our basketball team is, Houston’s head can be turned, at least temporarily. This young Rockets team is turning some heads for sure, and to those of us die-hards they will always be our darlings. What an awesome time to be a sports fan in the Space City!
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