7 replies to this topic

[DrewinAbilene]

As we've see in the past few years, marquee Free Agents have spurned Houston in favor of cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and New York. Year after year, signing after signing, the message has been beaten in the Rockets faithful: all things being equal, the best players won't choose Houston.

Biased as I may be, I keep believing that Houston should be one of the more desirable locations for ballers to set down roots. But since that hasn't exactly panned out, I was wondering what y'all thought Houston's best assets and biggest drawbacks are, both on the court and off, in attracting high-quality talent? Also, what could be done in order to help shore up our deficiencies and maximize our strengths?

Maybe we'll never have the draw of the L.A.'s glittering lights or the Knick's Madison Square Garden, but what would it take for big time Free Agents to give us more consideration as a legitimate destination?

[blakecouey]

Biggest asset is that we don't have state income taxes. When you're making millions that should be a HUGE attraction.

[rockets best fan]

I don't think there is a problem. we have not been able to draw FA's because we didn't have anyone that the top players wanted to play with. that will change with harden. it's harder to get that first star, after that things fall more easily into place. many nba players live here in the off season which mean they understand houston is a great place to live.

[Rahat Huq]

blakecouey, on 24 December 2012 - 02:46 AM, said:

Biggest asset is that we don't have state income taxes. When you're making millions that should be a HUGE attraction.

I wonder how much this plays a role though. I don't recall anyone signing here and citing that as a reason.

[blakecouey]

Rahat Huq, on 24 December 2012 - 03:47 PM, said:

I wonder how much this plays a role though. I don't recall anyone signing here and citing that as a reason.

I can understand it not making much difference put up against LA or NY, because of the sponsorship opportunities that are more plentiful/rewarding but put against OKC, Golden State, Charlotte kinds of cities it should be a huge factor. Of course when mentioning OKC I mean completely other than the fact that they employ the second best player in the world, and are a powerhouse.

[Cooper]

Houston isn't a destination city but its not like Milwaukee, charolette, sacremento etc where the city may actually play a negative role in the decision making process. I think the main reason we haven't gotten top free agents is they usually want to play with other top players and we haven't had one until trading for harden.

[Sir Thursday]

rockets best fan, on 24 December 2012 - 06:32 AM, said:

I don't think there is a problem. we have not been able to draw FA's because we didn't have anyone that the top players wanted to play with. that will change with harden. it's harder to get that first star, after that things fall more easily into place. many nba players live here in the off season which mean they understand houston is a great place to live.

Yeah, I'd agree with this. The key is getting players on the Team USA squad - that's where the friendships are developed and the players gain a better respect for each others' games. The seeds of The Decision were planted in 2008, and IIRC there was a period where Carmelo was trying to woo Paul to New York on the basis that they knew each other pretty well (there was some kind of speech at a wedding that caused a minor controversy or something, I think). We have someone on that team now, so hopefully that will raise the profile of the team quite a bit.

ST

[Jlin787]

I remember one of the reasons Tracy McGrady wanted to go to Houston was to play with Yao Ming. So having a star caliber player in Harden definitely makes Houston a place to go to.