I would like to talk about the Houston Rockets, a team that is a source of pride for our neighborhood and a symbol of Texas.

The Houston Rockets are an NBA professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The name Rockets has been carried over from the San Diego Rockets, the team's original location, but it fits even better now that the team is based in Houston.

Houston is home to the NASA Johnson Space Center, so the name "Houston Rockets" is not just a team name but reflects the characteristics of this city. With the meaning of soaring high like a rocket, it is hard to think of a name that represents Houston better than this.

When talking about the history of the Rockets, one cannot overlook the scenes from 1994 and 1995, when they won back-to-back NBA championships with the legendary center Hakeem Olajuwon. Olajuwon's play, represented by the Dream Shake, is still considered art, and at that time, the Rockets truly showcased the essence of a champion. This period remains one of the brightest times in Houston's sports history.

After that, the Rockets gained worldwide popularity with Tracy McGrady and the giant Yao Ming from China. Yao Ming, in particular, was a symbol of the NBA's globalization, and the Houston Rockets became a team known to fans around the world. During this time, the number of Rockets fans in Korea rapidly increased, and I still vividly remember cheering for the team while watching games all night.

In the 2010s, James Harden emerged as the team's star player. With his step-back three-pointers and explosive scoring ability, he led the team to a franchise-best record of 65 wins in the regular season, establishing the Rockets as a strong team in the West every year. During this time, Korean fans even referred to the Houston Rockets as 'Rocketdan,' derived from the team name.

Now, in the 2020s, the Rockets are once again entering a new era. The current core of the team includes players like Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson, preparing for a resurgence as a balanced team with young talent and superstars. Under Coach Udoka's leadership, the team's identity is becoming clearer, and they are showing a solid performance in offensive rebounding and defensive organization, different from before.

In Houston, the Rockets are not just a basketball team. They are a source of pride for the people of this city and a common topic that brings neighbors together. Recently, they faced the Dallas Mavericks and unfortunately lost, but the next game is on January 5 against the Phoenix Suns at the Toyota Center. We are looking forward to the return of Sengun, who has been sidelined due to injury.

Watching a game live at the Toyota Center, you can immediately feel why this team is a symbol of Houston. In fact, if you have the means, this is one of the great pleasures of living in Houston.