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Michael Shapiro

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All things Houston sports @Chron | @SInow, @UTAustin Alum | Eliminate the corner three

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I asked Vernon Maxwell how Hakeem Olajuwon would fare vs. Victor Wembanyama. “[Wembanyama] wouldn’t be able to guard him. Dream would be falling away from all that 7’4” shit. He wouldn’t be able to guard Dream, Dream just had too much.” “It would have been a massacre.”

I asked Vernon Maxwell how Hakeem Olajuwon would fare vs. Victor Wembanyama. “[Wembanyama] wouldn’t be able to guard him. Dream would be falling away from all that 7’4” shit. He wouldn’t be able to guard Dream, Dream just had too much.” “It would have been a massacre.”

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On-court work for Dorian Finney-Smith. Ime Udoka says DFS is cleared to play for Game 3, should see the floor, especially if Rockets embrace “small-ball” units.

On-court work for Dorian Finney-Smith. Ime Udoka says DFS is cleared to play for Game 3, should see the floor, especially if Rockets embrace “small-ball” units.

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Kevin Durant talks jeers and taunts from Oklahoma City crowd postgame. KD doesn’t think he’s so hated in OKC. “It's part of the brand of OKC to boo me when my name gets introduced, but I think it's all love after that.” Also noted: “Walking onto the court, at the hotel, walking around town, every time I come here, it's just so much love and respect. People always telling me they appreciate my time here. And I feel the same way.” More 🎥 from Durant’s postgame ⬇️

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Luka Dončić. Unbelievable. Look at the Lakers just mobbing him on the baseline. What a 2-night show from Luka.

Luka Dončić. Unbelievable. Look at the Lakers just mobbing him on the baseline. What a 2-night show from Luka.

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Amen Thompson on new teammate Kevin Durant "I mean sometimes I think I was going hard, and you watch KD, and he's damn-near 40, and he's going harder." Would Durant appreciate the "damn-near-40," assessment? Thompson ⬇️ "It's just a fact. ... What is he, 37? My bad, KD."

Amen Thompson on new teammate Kevin Durant "I mean sometimes I think I was going hard, and you watch KD, and he's damn-near 40, and he's going harder." Would Durant appreciate the "damn-near-40," assessment? Thompson ⬇️ "It's just a fact. ... What is he, 37? My bad, KD."

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Asked Kevin Durant about this bucket and his new sharpshooting teammate. Durant — “Reed's been aggressive the whole camp. That's what we've all been encouraging him to do: look for his game, be aggressive, shoot the ball. “The more he's aggressive, the better we'll be as a team.”

Asked Kevin Durant about this bucket and his new sharpshooting teammate. Durant — “Reed's been aggressive the whole camp. That's what we've all been encouraging him to do: look for his game, be aggressive, shoot the ball. “The more he's aggressive, the better we'll be as a team.”

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🚀Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengün are in the building for Opening Night.

🚀Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengün are in the building for Opening Night.

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Chatted with Wanda Durant tonight at Houston Rockets Season of Giving event. Believe this is her first meeting with media here in Houston. How does Wanda’s son enjoy Houston? “Oh he loves it. Can’t you see him? How he’s doing, how he’s playing, how well the team is doing?”

Chatted with Wanda Durant tonight at Houston Rockets Season of Giving event. Believe this is her first meeting with media here in Houston. How does Wanda’s son enjoy Houston? “Oh he loves it. Can’t you see him? How he’s doing, how he’s playing, how well the team is doing?”

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Houston Rockets Enjoyed this from Tari Eason Eason said at media day he eyes an "elevated role" this season. He's encouraged by his extended leash in the preseason. "I've seen more opportunities to create for my team. ... That's all I can ask for, a chance. I think they've done that."

Houston Rockets Enjoyed this from Tari Eason Eason said at media day he eyes an "elevated role" this season. He's encouraged by his extended leash in the preseason. "I've seen more opportunities to create for my team. ... That's all I can ask for, a chance. I think they've done that."

20,976 Aufrufe

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Fun moment w/Kevin Durant postgame. I asked if his self-proclaimed “Old Heads” team will play hard in All-Star Game. KD says he can “read between the lines.” “You should ask the Europeans + the World Team if they want to compete. Look at Luka Doncic + Nikola Jokic, let's go back and look at what they do at the All-Star Game. Is that competition?” More from Kevin Durant: “So we haven't questioned what they've been doing, but we question the old heads, the Americans. But these two dudes out there, Luka and Jokic, they don't care about the game at all. They be laying on the floor, shooting from half-court, but you gotta worry about the old heads playing hard. “I can read between the lines, bro. I'm just gonna say this. I can read between the lines, though.”

Fun moment w/Kevin Durant postgame. I asked if his self-proclaimed “Old Heads” team will play hard in All-Star Game. KD says he can “read between the lines.” “You should ask the Europeans + the World Team if they want to compete. Look at Luka Doncic + Nikola Jokic, let's go back and look at what they do at the All-Star Game. Is that competition?” More from Kevin Durant: “So we haven't questioned what they've been doing, but we question the old heads, the Americans. But these two dudes out there, Luka and Jokic, they don't care about the game at all. They be laying on the floor, shooting from half-court, but you gotta worry about the old heads playing hard. “I can read between the lines, bro. I'm just gonna say this. I can read between the lines, though.”

Michael Shapiro

2,990,573 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

Good introspection (as usual) from Tari on seeing Will Wade in New Orleans. "We didn't really chat with anything having to do on the court. "Will Wade, he's one of the best coaches, if not the best coach, I've ever played for. He called me the [one] year anniversary after my father died. He reaches out, and that's to all his players, he looks out for everybody who played for him." "Our relationship goes beyond basketball. I'm glad to see him back. All the Texas guys here know we're back, LSU's back."

Good introspection (as usual) from Tari on seeing Will Wade in New Orleans. "We didn't really chat with anything having to do on the court. "Will Wade, he's one of the best coaches, if not the best coach, I've ever played for. He called me the [one] year anniversary after my father died. He reaches out, and that's to all his players, he looks out for everybody who played for him." "Our relationship goes beyond basketball. I'm glad to see him back. All the Texas guys here know we're back, LSU's back."

Michael Shapiro

213,740 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

Nice postgame note here from Alperen Şengün on fellow big man Steven Adams: "Man, he's a monster. I'm the center of this team, and any center in the league wouldn't be happy signing another good center, you feel me?" "This summer, when they signed Steven, I was so happy."

Nice postgame note here from Alperen Şengün on fellow big man Steven Adams: "Man, he's a monster. I'm the center of this team, and any center in the league wouldn't be happy signing another good center, you feel me?" "This summer, when they signed Steven, I was so happy."

Michael Shapiro

531,538 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

Here’s Clint on his first career 3-pointer. Capela said Ime Udoka drew a play for him, asked which corner he preferred. Adds he was nervous he was going to get pulled after an earlier air-ball from three. “It worked perfectly, just like in the dream.”

Here’s Clint on his first career 3-pointer. Capela said Ime Udoka drew a play for him, asked which corner he preferred. Adds he was nervous he was going to get pulled after an earlier air-ball from three. “It worked perfectly, just like in the dream.”

Michael Shapiro

136,740 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

Tari Eason says he’s “found a brother in KD.” “Our relationship, it really does go beyond basketball. This offseason we'll probably be seeing each other.” “I definitely think I found a brother in KD, so I appreciate him for everything and I appreciate him for all the game he's given me this year.”

Tari Eason says he’s “found a brother in KD.” “Our relationship, it really does go beyond basketball. This offseason we'll probably be seeing each other.” “I definitely think I found a brother in KD, so I appreciate him for everything and I appreciate him for all the game he's given me this year.”

Michael Shapiro

90,093 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Ime Udoka says Kevin Durant would have been around “50 percent” had he tried to take the floor in Game 4. Udoka noted “limited mobility,” for KD. More from Udoka on Durant’s work to get back, disappointment in not playing ⬇️ “Playing the minutes that he did and the competitor that he is and the commitment that he's made to the team with a lot of guys being in and out this year, it's unfortunate for us and him that he's missing this time of year.” “It's hard, no doubt for a guy that wants to play and play as much as he does, to be out for this season is very tough.”

Ime Udoka says Kevin Durant would have been around “50 percent” had he tried to take the floor in Game 4. Udoka noted “limited mobility,” for KD. More from Udoka on Durant’s work to get back, disappointment in not playing ⬇️ “Playing the minutes that he did and the competitor that he is and the commitment that he's made to the team with a lot of guys being in and out this year, it's unfortunate for us and him that he's missing this time of year.” “It's hard, no doubt for a guy that wants to play and play as much as he does, to be out for this season is very tough.”

Michael Shapiro

78,976 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Cool story from Kevin Durant postgame: Durant linked up with Spurs legend George Gervin in San Antonio last week. Durant said he hadn't seen Gervin in years, then relayed the Iceman was Durant and Jeff Green's NBA-appointed mentor in their first NBA seasons in Seattle and Oklahoma City. Durant: "I got to know George Gervin through the NBA program when I first came into the league where legends would come back and talk to rookie players, second-year players. George was assigned to me and Jeff and he would come to OKC periodically and check-in us and have dinner. "It was a pretty cool program that they set up for us."

Cool story from Kevin Durant postgame: Durant linked up with Spurs legend George Gervin in San Antonio last week. Durant said he hadn't seen Gervin in years, then relayed the Iceman was Durant and Jeff Green's NBA-appointed mentor in their first NBA seasons in Seattle and Oklahoma City. Durant: "I got to know George Gervin through the NBA program when I first came into the league where legends would come back and talk to rookie players, second-year players. George was assigned to me and Jeff and he would come to OKC periodically and check-in us and have dinner. "It was a pretty cool program that they set up for us."

Michael Shapiro

322,913 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

Rafael Stone offered a lengthy explanation on why the Rockets didn’t aggressively pursue a point guard after Fred VanVleet’s season-ending injury: “What I don't believe in philosophically is just going to get a point guard because they're a point guard.” Full quote ⬇️ “Just because somebody is a good ball-handler and good passer but they can't defend and they can't shoot, I'd rather just cobble it together rather than, ‘hey, we can get into our offense, but no one guards them after they make the initial pass and on the other end they're just a sieve.’” “And those players do exist in the NBA, there's quite a few of them, and they're available. But I didn't think that would make us better on the whole. So I do think there's an opportunity cost. ... Our team this year was very big and we were very physical, and when Fred went down, we made a conscious decision to just lean into that.” Stone notes there were trade-offs to not acquiring a new PG. Added the “timing” of FVV's injury created difficult scenario to make short-term deal.

Rafael Stone offered a lengthy explanation on why the Rockets didn’t aggressively pursue a point guard after Fred VanVleet’s season-ending injury: “What I don't believe in philosophically is just going to get a point guard because they're a point guard.” Full quote ⬇️ “Just because somebody is a good ball-handler and good passer but they can't defend and they can't shoot, I'd rather just cobble it together rather than, ‘hey, we can get into our offense, but no one guards them after they make the initial pass and on the other end they're just a sieve.’” “And those players do exist in the NBA, there's quite a few of them, and they're available. But I didn't think that would make us better on the whole. So I do think there's an opportunity cost. ... Our team this year was very big and we were very physical, and when Fred went down, we made a conscious decision to just lean into that.” Stone notes there were trade-offs to not acquiring a new PG. Added the “timing” of FVV's injury created difficult scenario to make short-term deal.

Michael Shapiro

63,774 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Houston Rockets Kevin Durant That was a fun postgame press conference with Tari Eason. Said he was happy “Ime finally trusted me,” with a start in his hometown. Does Eason want to be a full-time starter? “Yes. Yes I do.” Why? Our full chat with Tari ⬇️

Houston Rockets Kevin Durant That was a fun postgame press conference with Tari Eason. Said he was happy “Ime finally trusted me,” with a start in his hometown. Does Eason want to be a full-time starter? “Yes. Yes I do.” Why? Our full chat with Tari ⬇️

Michael Shapiro

229,600 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten

Ime Udoka said Kevin Durant “carried us on nights like this,” during the regular season. No Durant exposed Houston’s shortcomings in Game 6. “It's nights like this where guys are struggling, you want a 25, 26-point scorer on the efficiency and the way he does it to avoid some of these nights when guys are struggling.” “Myself and the coaches said that these are the nights you have [Durant] for, when other guys are going through it. Throughout the season, he kind of carried us on nights like this.”

Ime Udoka said Kevin Durant “carried us on nights like this,” during the regular season. No Durant exposed Houston’s shortcomings in Game 6. “It's nights like this where guys are struggling, you want a 25, 26-point scorer on the efficiency and the way he does it to avoid some of these nights when guys are struggling.” “Myself and the coaches said that these are the nights you have [Durant] for, when other guys are going through it. Throughout the season, he kind of carried us on nights like this.”

Michael Shapiro

56,836 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat

Just asked Ime Udoka about Kevin Durant’s preference to NOT be the lead ball-handler (and “get out of the way”) when opponents go to KD trap. Does Udoka agree with that? Not quite. “A lot of times he's gonna be initiating. … The double teams outside of turning it over have been very good for us this year. It bit us in the behind a few times, but overall the numbers show it [goes] really well when we don't turn it over and get it to scorers in the pocket and make the right play. But, obviously, the turnovers, way too high.” Adds: “We do want some other actions when [Durant] is being denied the way he is and trapped at the half court.”

Just asked Ime Udoka about Kevin Durant’s preference to NOT be the lead ball-handler (and “get out of the way”) when opponents go to KD trap. Does Udoka agree with that? Not quite. “A lot of times he's gonna be initiating. … The double teams outside of turning it over have been very good for us this year. It bit us in the behind a few times, but overall the numbers show it [goes] really well when we don't turn it over and get it to scorers in the pocket and make the right play. But, obviously, the turnovers, way too high.” Adds: “We do want some other actions when [Durant] is being denied the way he is and trapped at the half court.”

Michael Shapiro

97,770 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

KD’s point, as I noted, is well taken. His response to Victor Wembanyama’s plan to give full effort for Team World? Unconvinced. “We'll see, we'll see. I mean, of course Vic [gonna say that]. He said that last year, too, and he said it was the worst All-Star Game and people watch. So we'll see. ... This format might change the game, but who knows, we'll see.”

KD’s point, as I noted, is well taken. His response to Victor Wembanyama’s plan to give full effort for Team World? Unconvinced. “We'll see, we'll see. I mean, of course Vic [gonna say that]. He said that last year, too, and he said it was the worst All-Star Game and people watch. So we'll see. ... This format might change the game, but who knows, we'll see.”

Michael Shapiro

119,864 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

Alperen Şengün with his most points (33) since mid-December tonight. Expect more of this version of Alperen moving forward. Why? Houston Rockets big man says he's now fully healthy 3 weeks after ankle injury: “The swelling's gone almost. I used to not feel that much confidence jumping [off] both feet, but now I start feeling better.”

Alperen Şengün with his most points (33) since mid-December tonight. Expect more of this version of Alperen moving forward. Why? Houston Rockets big man says he's now fully healthy 3 weeks after ankle injury: “The swelling's gone almost. I used to not feel that much confidence jumping [off] both feet, but now I start feeling better.”

Michael Shapiro

114,183 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

Kevin Durant agrees Tari Eason was snubbed from ESPN’s NBA 100 list. “Tari is one of those players you really gotta sit there and watch. … People in real basketball circles, that value the game and understand the game, they know what he brings to the table.”

Kevin Durant agrees Tari Eason was snubbed from ESPN’s NBA 100 list. “Tari is one of those players you really gotta sit there and watch. … People in real basketball circles, that value the game and understand the game, they know what he brings to the table.”

Michael Shapiro

188,736 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

Got extended comments tonight from Kevin Durant tonight in defense of AAU and the American basketball pipeline. Durant: “A lot of us are products of AAU. It changed our lives. Being able to leave our neighborhood and being able to play against the best around the country from an early age, come on. “I kind of hate when they disrespect the AAU route, especially since I'm a little biased since I took that route, too.” Full quote ⬇️

Got extended comments tonight from Kevin Durant tonight in defense of AAU and the American basketball pipeline. Durant: “A lot of us are products of AAU. It changed our lives. Being able to leave our neighborhood and being able to play against the best around the country from an early age, come on. “I kind of hate when they disrespect the AAU route, especially since I'm a little biased since I took that route, too.” Full quote ⬇️

Michael Shapiro

77,320 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Chatted with Amen Thompson today. Found this interesting: Amen said he didn’t have to be a vocal player in HS or with OTE given he “killin’ dudes.” Year 3 in the NBA brought out a new version of Thompson: “I feel like I really locked into into being a better leader. … Being vocal, you see things, addressing them on the spot, giving your ideas.” Amen said he chatted with Fred VanVleet about these things before the 2025-26 season. Full exchange ⬇️

Chatted with Amen Thompson today. Found this interesting: Amen said he didn’t have to be a vocal player in HS or with OTE given he “killin’ dudes.” Year 3 in the NBA brought out a new version of Thompson: “I feel like I really locked into into being a better leader. … Being vocal, you see things, addressing them on the spot, giving your ideas.” Amen said he chatted with Fred VanVleet about these things before the 2025-26 season. Full exchange ⬇️

Michael Shapiro

51,978 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

Kevin Durant not upset with Rockets' shot selection, offensive organization. Said Houston fed Şengün against Caruso as simple mismatch ball. "The team closes the game out, you know? We close games out as a team. I'm not expected to make every big shot in every close game.”

Kevin Durant not upset with Rockets' shot selection, offensive organization. Said Houston fed Şengün against Caruso as simple mismatch ball. "The team closes the game out, you know? We close games out as a team. I'm not expected to make every big shot in every close game.”

Michael Shapiro

80,531 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

Tari Eason today on Jabari Smith Jr. “I don't know if people have labeled him fully a dog, but he is a dog. He’s a pit bull off the leash, just ate some chocolate.”

Tari Eason today on Jabari Smith Jr. “I don't know if people have labeled him fully a dog, but he is a dog. He’s a pit bull off the leash, just ate some chocolate.”

Michael Shapiro

54,062 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

Dillon Brooks is back in Houston. Just finished chatting with Brooks after Suns shootaround. Brooks on changing Houston Rockets culture with Ime Udoka: "I think we have the same like minds.” “No bullshit mentality, and I think we instilled that on both sides, the coaching staff and the players. I got along with Ime, he's one of my good friends, and I can't wait to go against him.”

Dillon Brooks is back in Houston. Just finished chatting with Brooks after Suns shootaround. Brooks on changing Houston Rockets culture with Ime Udoka: "I think we have the same like minds.” “No bullshit mentality, and I think we instilled that on both sides, the coaching staff and the players. I got along with Ime, he's one of my good friends, and I can't wait to go against him.”

Michael Shapiro

37,684 Aufrufe • vor 6 Monaten

Think Utah Jazz fans will enjoy this: Will Hardy studied Kevin Durant rookie tape this summer to prepare for coaching rookie Ace Bailey. "With guys like Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum, we all kind of know what that looks like now. That can be distracting.” Extended answer ⬇️

Think Utah Jazz fans will enjoy this: Will Hardy studied Kevin Durant rookie tape this summer to prepare for coaching rookie Ace Bailey. "With guys like Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum, we all kind of know what that looks like now. That can be distracting.” Extended answer ⬇️

Michael Shapiro

29,377 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten