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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.”

792,642 Aufrufe

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 ⬇️

1,449,177 Aufrufe

Incredible scene in Houston this morning. Thousands of Netherlands supporters (and a pair of buses) are taking part in the traditional pre-match Oranje Fanwalk before today’s match vs. Sweden. I’ve never seen Houston this packed.

Incredible scene in Houston this morning. Thousands of Netherlands supporters (and a pair of buses) are taking part in the traditional pre-match Oranje Fanwalk before today’s match vs. Sweden. I’ve never seen Houston this packed.

296,874 Aufrufe

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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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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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.

209,280 Aufrufe

🚀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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I caught up with P.J. Tucker tonight. He said Houston will "always be my home." Here's Tucker on his love for fellow UT Austin alum + former NBA rival Kevin Durant: "One of the all-time greats, maybe the best scorer to ever play. Kev's the man, everybody knows that. It's good to see him toward the end, being here in Houston, being able to keep it going, keep being as good as he is. It's good to see."

I caught up with P.J. Tucker tonight. He said Houston will "always be my home." Here's Tucker on his love for fellow UT Austin alum + former NBA rival Kevin Durant: "One of the all-time greats, maybe the best scorer to ever play. Kev's the man, everybody knows that. It's good to see him toward the end, being here in Houston, being able to keep it going, keep being as good as he is. It's good to see."

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Btw, fairly or unfairly, plays like this are what gets Reed Sheppard yanked. Completely lost, wide-open Marcus Smart three, furious Ime Udoka timeout. Pretty familiar scene this season.

Btw, fairly or unfairly, plays like this are what gets Reed Sheppard yanked. Completely lost, wide-open Marcus Smart three, furious Ime Udoka timeout. Pretty familiar scene this season.

26,421 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

2,992,026 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

Nearly every Dutch fan I spoke with said today’s Fanwalk drew a larger crowd than any pregame Fanwalk in the Netherlands. Great showing by Houston today and really throughout the entire World Cup thus far.

Nearly every Dutch fan I spoke with said today’s Fanwalk drew a larger crowd than any pregame Fanwalk in the Netherlands. Great showing by Houston today and really throughout the entire World Cup thus far.

Michael Shapiro

278,246 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 9 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 5 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

136,841 Aufrufe • vor 5 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

92,429 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

189,289 Aufrufe • vor 11 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 7 Monaten

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

81,744 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

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

97,798 Aufrufe • vor 5 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 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

63,904 Aufrufe • vor 4 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

57,178 Aufrufe • vor 4 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 6 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 5 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

80,718 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

Here’s Tari Eason after last season’s playoff exit on his year before free agency + the chance of returning to the Rockets. “I was drafted here, grown up here, my family's here. I love Houston.” Tari emerged as an anchor of Houston’s rebuild as a rookie. Now he’s here to stay.

Here’s Tari Eason after last season’s playoff exit on his year before free agency + the chance of returning to the Rockets. “I was drafted here, grown up here, my family's here. I love Houston.” Tari emerged as an anchor of Houston’s rebuild as a rookie. Now he’s here to stay.

Michael Shapiro

21,113 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten

Best wishes to Lance McCullers Jr. Deserves to be called an Astros’ legend despite injuries that derailed his career. McCullers’ 2017 heroics are well documented. 2021 + 2022 ALDS efforts are underrated. 3 starts 16 2/3 IP 1 ER Game 3 in Seattle in ‘22 was particularly clutch.

Best wishes to Lance McCullers Jr. Deserves to be called an Astros’ legend despite injuries that derailed his career. McCullers’ 2017 heroics are well documented. 2021 + 2022 ALDS efforts are underrated. 3 starts 16 2/3 IP 1 ER Game 3 in Seattle in ‘22 was particularly clutch.

Michael Shapiro

15,384 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat