Toyota Center: THE Place to Be

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

April 24, 2004

Attending my first NBA playoff game as a credentialed member of the media was definitely an eye-opener! Though the Houston Roundball Review is celebrating 10 years in 2004, the HRR was solely an NBA Draft publication when the Houston Rockets were winning back-to-back NBA titles in '94 and '95. Consequently, since the Rockets missed the playoffs the last 4 seasons, this season's trip to the postseason for Steve Francis and his teammates is also my first NBA postseason experience. Friday night at Toyota Center was electric! The fans were amped with energy long before tip-off! However, in addition to all of the noise from the crowd and the Rockets solid 11-point win over the LA Lakers, game 3 also proved one more thing to me: NBA playoffs basketball means CLEAVAGE! I know the intensity of the game increases when compared to the regular season; but, let me tell you, the number of "beautiful people" increases, too!

I will not detract from Steve Francis' outstanding performance in game 3: 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists (with only 3 turnovers). Nor do I want fans and media to ignore Kelvin Cato's importance to the Rockets versus the Lakers: 8 rebounds (including a key board with 1:19 left in the fourth quarter and the Rockets leading 92 to 86) and solid defense in the post. However, I want to make one point perfectly clear: the Rockets'; return to the playoffs not only provides a spike to the organization's business; but, a trip to the postseason means the Rockets once again play in "THEe place to be seen!"

The Toyota Center was sold out; and, many of the fans were true basketball fans; however, in addition to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Corporate attending the game; Ms. Hottie and her friends attended the game, too. Covering a regular season game between the Rockets and the Lakers presents a small sample of the beautiful people; however, trust me when I say a playoff game raises the numbers tenfold! The crowd was filled with women wearing small tops and short skirts or tight pants. High-heeled shoes were strutting around Toyota Center all night! Any smart business person will tell you a simple truism: men with money plus hot-looking women means your business has arrived! Therefore, based on Friday night's crowd, Rockets team owner Les Alexander should be thrilled!

Les is happy because his team won a playoff game for the first time in years; but, Les should also be happy because his team is the "hottest ticket in Houston!" Vanity was in full-effect Friday night!

The Rockets led the Lakers 56-43 at halftime; and, at the start of the third quarter, the Toyota Center looked half-full. Why? Because half the people were walking around, talking, spending money, and enjoying themselves! Thousands of spectators strolled back to their seats during the beginning of the third quarter. Those fans missed the Rockets bolting to 16 point leads twice and the Lakers cutting the Rockets lead to six (62-56). When the arena was filled once again, the Rockets ended the third quarter with a 74-62 lead.

Now, don't get me wrong, the beautiful people aren't real basketball fans; and, many of them, probably couldn't tell the difference between Maurice Taylor and his brother. However, they were present because they knew Toyota Center was the "place to be" Friday night. The beautiful people would not know the Lakers cut the Rockets lead to six points four times in the second half. On the first three opportunities, the Rockets responded 19, 18, and 20 seconds later with baskets to lead by 8. On the fourth chance, the Lakers actually cut the Rockets' lead to four (90-86) on a very tough basket by Kobe Bryant; however, 19 seconds after the score, Yao Ming scored a tough left-handed jump hook to boost the lead to six.

Notice that unique fact: four times the Lakers got close in the second half only to see the Rockets respond right back down the floor on Houston's next possession. Is that a sign of growth and maturity by the Rockets? Three playoff games is not exactly a long career; but, after the game, Steve Francis said his team played under control and never "got frantic" in the game. Steve has clearly outplayed the Lakers' Gary Payton the first three games of this series; however, Steve also knows the Rockets have only won "one game thus far."

Before the series began, I predicted the Lakers would win in six games. Well, being a part of such a lively crowd Friday night, I hope the series goes (at least) six because that would mean one more game at Toyota Center which means more beautiful people in the house. Boy, it's too bad I don't own a camera...