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Friday October 3, 2008 1:57 PM

Coffee's For Closers


Rockets players offer up their finest sales pitch

Jason Friedman
Rockets.com Staff Writer

HOUSTON - On the basketball court, Rockets' players can rest easy knowing their hoop skills rank among the best in the world.

But how about off the court? How, for instance, would they fare in the high-stress, high-reward world of sales? They're getting a chance to find out.

Thursday afternoon, players such as Rafer Alston, Mike Harris, Luis Scola and Carl Landry worked the phones in an effort to convince and cajole potential customers into purchasing season ticket packages. The early leader in the clubhouse: none other than the always-engaging Alston. But, not surprisingly, no one was willing to concede defeat.

"Yeah, Rafer is first right now, but I think I’m a better salesman than Rafer," said Landry. "It only took me thirty minutes to sell seven last year, so I'm looking forward to beating that record this year."

And how do the customers respond when they realize there's a real Rocket player on the line with them?

"Some of them are like, ‘Aw, you're lying,’ laughs Landry. "And some of the girls try to holla at me."

Does he take any of them up on the offer? 

"Nah, I don’t do the blind date thing (laughs). But, man, it’s exciting and it’s fun because these people help us. Without the fans, without people supporting us, there’s no Houston Rockets. And I enjoy doing this because they’re a part of me, they’re a part of this team."

So you probably won't get a date out of the deal, but there's still time to secure great seats for one of the most promising seasons in recent history. For more information, just visit ticket central, or call 713-627-DUNK.

You never know who might pick up the phone.

Have a question for Rockets.com? Send it to Jason Friedman via email at: jasonf@rocketball.com.