So, I’m sure we’ve all noticed by now that places like McDonald’s are limiting condiment handouts. Where in the past they would stuff your bag gratuitously with over ten packets of ketchup, you now can only obtain them upon request, and even then, are asked of your desired quantity before they are finally forfeited. (sidenote: just the other day, I was at a Subway where they kept the freaking napkins behind the counter(!). Yes, napkins. I had to ask for a napkin, and was given one.)
Anyways, it’s not a mystery why this is done – in hard times, these places are just making attempts to limit wasteful expenditures. No point in giving someone twenty packets of ketchup when they might not use more than three. But every time I bring company to such luxurious dining, the policy is met by disgust. Everytime. ”I hate how stingy they are with the damn ketchup nowadays, just hand it over.” Given the constancy, I’m led to believe the sentiment is universal.
So then is this good policy? Aren’t the savings offset by what is sacrificed from perceived poor customer service? Or do people not care quite enough to stop coming? Then again, if every place is doing it, it doesn’t make a difference. Is every place doing it? Am I the only person who prefers Burger King over McDonald’s? Why am I even thinking about this at 6AM?
Anyways, our real topic for today is ‘likability.’ It hit me yesterday that this might be the most likable Rockets team in quite some time. There isn’t one single cancerous personality or malcontent on the roster. In the past, McGrady was a lightning rod (though I disagree with the critics in their charges), and last year, I found myself at points actively despising Trevor Ariza***. This team doesn’t have anyone like that. Unless Ish Smith has some quirk yet uncovered, 1-12 this roster features no-nonsense guys that simply come to work. What’s amazing is, at least on paper, this team embodies the ethos of Houston Rockets even moreso than the groups whose actual play gave birth to the rep.
Dating back to the Van Gundy years, except for last season, the phrase Houston Rockets, even in the national conscience, has been synonymous with gritty, lunch-pail workmanship. Even though we haven’t been very good, as a fan, this has been my greatest source of pride. Everyone knew that win or lose, this was a team that would work you, scratch and claw, and give you a fight. People respected that. We liked hearing it.
With the additions of Courtney Lee and Brad Miller, the return of Yao, and the possibility of Jared Jeffries seeing major minutes, there is prospect for that culture and aura to reach new levels. Better yet, these guys aren’t just hard-working, they’re all likable. Scanning the roster, you can count Scola, Battier, Hayes, Lee, Jeffries, and Lowry all as pit-bull types who won’t take even a play off. It’s easy to root for these types of guys.
***I didn’t make much mention of this last season, as I did not want to give appearance that personal bias was clouding analysis, but I came to despise Trevor Ariza at some points last season. It wasn’t just that he wasn’t good. That can be tolerated. It was everything about his persona that rubbed me the wrong way. He had this strange sense of entitlement–probably stemming from a belief in his superiority as a former Laker–that would manifest itself on the court. He’d throw his hands up in disgust when not receiving the ball. He’d chuck shots when crowded with no room to maneuver (which was often). The cheap-shot on DeRozan was probably when the marriage officially ended. Houston Rockets don’t do that. Houston Rockets lose teeth, get shot in the leg and return to play a week later. So you can see why I’m excited that Trevor is gone. He didn’t fit and at first glance, the new guys do.
