MEMORIES OF PHIL GENTRY: "The web site brings back so many great memories. My Dad and I went to so many of the Denver Rocket games back when they played in downtown Denver at the Auditorium Arena. I remember him taking us to games when the promotion was "One paying adult, and a child gets in free with a french fry wrapper from Burger King." I also remember the first time I saw Dr. J play with the Squires. We were up near the top row, and one guy called across to aisle to another guy, "Which one is Dr. J?" At that very same time, Dr. J made one of those unbelievable moves that he made so often, and the guy responded with a smile, "THAT'S DR. J!"
I loved those games, and I remember how I really felt like it was my team. There weren't many games on TV, so I was glued to the radio when they played on the road. I would live and die with each play as Larry Zimmer or Al Albert would describe the action. It was a great time back then...basketball was a game to be enjoyed, and it was played by players who really appreciated being there."
MEMORIES OF SKIP VAN: "Boy what memories as a kid. My father worked to the Denver Rockets. He was VP of Finance for Ringsby United Trucklines who owned the Rockets. Dad was the guy that wrote the checks to the players.
I remember many nights during the late 60's early 70's sitting in the Denver Auditorium Arena watching the Rockets. Our season seats were right next to Mayor McNichols. His son (who was older than me) would cheer the Rockets on as the Mayor would smoke his cigar. I remember my mother yelling at Doug Moe when they came to town. He was known in Denver as "Dirty Moe." In fact she would yell "Dirty Moe...Dirty Moe" all night long.
My biggest thrill was going into the locker room and talking with the guys. Larry Jones, Byron Beck, Lonnie Wright (who also played with the Broncos), Spencer Haywood, and even Larry Brown. I remember Jeff Congdon had the longest shot in Rocket history. Finally, I remember Wayne Hightower because he remembered me every time we met. He was a neat guy to a 8 - 9 year old kid. By 1974, the franchise and new owners and most of the fun was gone - but the ride as a kid was great."
MEMORIES OF STEVEN M. GRUENLER: "As a nine year old in 1967, I attended the first Denver Rockets game at the Auditorium Arena. I think they played Oakland or Anaheim. All I wanted to be was Larry Jones, #32 for the Rockets. Later on, I remember also wanting to emulate Jeff Congdon - he hit a full court shot at a game I attended.
Unfortunately the NBA never really saw the Doctor that diehard ABA fans knew. Not to mention the Hawk, Darel Carrier, Bob Netolicky, Billy Knight, the real Spencer Haywood, Darnell Hillman (the best afro ever) and Providence College's finest, Marvin "Bad News" Barnes.
For a guy like Doug Moe, the ABA was the only place for him to go. Wrongly accused of associating with gamblers, and banned from playing in the NBA, he was a great player. Occasionally I see him at Big Bill's Pizzeria in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, a restaurant owned by Bill Ficke. Doug might still be willing to kick some young punk for pretending that they know how to play the game."
