Not Exactly Namath

Rockets GM Daryl Morey Twitter teases Mark Cuban, sees it backfire — big time

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey seemed like a pretty confident guy heading into Game 1 of the first round series with the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder. Confident enough to invoke one of the greatest upsets in recent playoff memory on Twitter.

And take a little shot — intentional or not — at the rival Dallas Mavericks in the process.

"Game day! Every home team winning yesterday shows tough task we have ahead. That said, lots of similarities to 2007 #8 GSW/#1 DAL series...," Morey tweeted.

Yes, Cuban is tweeting a smiley face at an opposing NBA general manager. At least, he didn't break out a heart emoticon.

The series Morey is referencing is the infamous one in which former Mavericks coach Don Nelson came back to haunt his former employer and guide the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors to an emphatic six-game upset of No. 1 Dallas. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban couldn't help but notice Morey's tweet and he shot back, "Thanks for the reminder :) Good luck this series."

Yes, the Mavericks billionaire owner is tweeting a smiley face at an opposing NBA general manager. At least, he didn't break out a heart emoticon.

Of course, Cuban still ends up looking better than Morey in this whole thing. For, as everyone knows, the Rockets ended up falling behind by 33 points to the Thunder in Game 1 on the way to a 120-91 playoff embarrassment. No, the Rockets didn't exactly channel those 2007 Warriors.

Nelson's crew won Game 1 on the road. They didn't appear to be mere traffic pylons in the way of a player as speedy and skilled as Russell Westbrook.

Morey's record as a prognosticator is not exactly looking stellar heading into Wednesday night's Game 2. But his Twitter clout is surely only growing.

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey isn't proving to be much of a soothsayer on Twitter.

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chill out

Houston Astros ballpark gets cool new name for the next 15 years

Courtesy of the Houston Astros

The Astros' stadium will have a new name in 2025.

The Houston Astros are about to have the coolest ballpark in Major League Baseball. The team announced on Monday, November 18 that its has reached a naming rights agreement HVAC manufacturer Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, the stadium will be known as Daikin Park (die-kin). Scheduled to run through the 2039 season, the new name replaces Minute Maid Park, which has been the stadium’s name since 2002. It opened in 1999 as Enron Field.

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Astros fans online are already calling the new stadium “The Ice Box,” replacing its informal “The Juice Box” moniker. That name feels likely to stick.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is a leading manufacturer of HVAC systems. It sells air conditioning units and other products under brand names such as Daikin, Goodman, Amana® and Quietflex. Critically, it operates Daikin Texas Technology Park in nearby Waller, which is the largest HVAC manufacturing facility in North America. The company employs approximately 10,000 people in Greater Houston, according to a release.

“We are excited to be partnering with Daikin for our ballpark’s naming rights,” Astros owner Jim said. “Daikin is an international company that proudly calls the Greater Houston area its North American home. The Houston Astros and Daikin share the same values, a commitment to excellence and a desire to give back to our local community. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this ballpark in 2025, I am proud to have Daikin alongside us to create even more special memories for our fans now and in the future.”

The Astros will use the revenue for new stadium amenities and other upgrades. It will also continue the team’s various community initiatives. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. the Houston Chronicle notes that naming rights deals may be worth anywhere from $3.5 million per year (T-Mobile park in Seattle) to $11 million per year for the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field.

The team’s first game in Daikin Park will take place on Monday, March 24, which it plays an exhibition against its Triple-A affiliate, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. It will open the regular season on Thursday, March 27 against the New York Mets.

“Daikin fit all of the criteria we set out to find in a naming rights partner,” Astros senior vice president Matt Brand added. “Their name and reputation fit our iconic downtown Houston home, and their values mesh perfectly with those of the Astros. We are grateful to partner with the entire Daikin team and to help them succeed in their business goals. Daikin Park will be a special place for our fans for many years to come.”

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