We Have Lift Off!

RGV Rocket Launch 2010 officially lifted off today. Many thanks to all of the fans who showed up to make it fun. It was a relatively light day for the Rockets. The coaching staff decided to cancel their regular practice session, meaning it was all about the open practice and autograph session. In fact, the coaches didn't even show up (thank goodness. Mike Harris didn't have his best day on the court during the two scrimmages and that wasn't the performance we want the coaches to see).

Here were some of the highlights:

•Kevin Martin got a look at the Vipers ball boys wearing our Yao is Back t-shirts and asked for a couple. He, Chuck Hayes and Aaron Brooks all wore them during open practice. Brooks changed his a little to say:
Yao + Mike
Is Are
Back

Referring, of course, to Mike Harris. I was wondering if Harris might be the one to unseat Brooks as the most popular former-Viper on the Rockets (or just in the NBA in general). It was tough to say. The top three biggest ovations were for Brooks, Yao and Harris. I'm not sure which was the biggest. There were some chants of M-V-P for Harris, although no where near the magnitude of Game 3 of the NBADL Quarterfinals (granted, that was a significantly larger crowd).

Honestly, over the last week, I think I've had just as many, if not more, people ask me if Mike was coming as if Yao was coming down. The answer to both questions – yes.

Mike was right at home. Everyone wanted to talk to him. He's such a nice guy. I don't know if he fits into what the Rockets need right now (although I certainly don't see why not). Maybe if he can hit some corner threes (he was actually quite serviceable from behind the arc for the Vipers) and defend a little better on the perimeter he can make it. But, no matter what, I will always root for him. He's a good person with a lot of basketball talent.

•Chuck Hayes and Yao Ming had a half-court shooting contest. There were some near misses, but they both got schooled by Rockets Hall of Fame Mascot Clutch the Bear.

•Kyle Lowry and Jordan Hill in a dance contest, was, well, um... entertaining.

•Before the fans came in, I ran an impromptu skit with Clutch in front of our Jr. Broadcaster participants.

Which of course brings me to the Jr. Broadcaster competition. Many thanks to Clay Williams of Action 4 Sports for helping to facilitate this. We had a whopping seven high school students from across the Valley participate getting an opportunity to interview Rockets players with Clay's help and shoot stand-ups as well. The winner's piece will be shown on Action 4 News at 6:00 p.m. on Monday and on the State Farm Arena video board during Tuesday's game. We had some great kids out there. It was fun.