A City Connection Weekend NEEDED For Astros

On Friday's edition of The A-Team, the guys talk about Houston's return to 'The Ice Box' for City Connect Weekend, the Rockets going to La La Land to take on Bronnie's Dad in a game with not serious outlook, Jalen Pitre's new contract and more! Plus, The Athletic's Chandler Rome joins Adam to break down the road trip woes. 

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:05):
Two lifelong Houston sports guys named Adam Raised.

Speaker 2 (00:09):
My girl.

Speaker 1 (00:13):
Nolan Hockey, volted by the magnificent roller coaster ride that
is Houston Sports. Chill lage down for the only homegrown
afternoon team is talking your Teams? Adam Clinton and Adam

(00:35):
Wexler are the A Team.

Speaker 2 (00:44):
What's up Houston? Happy Friday? It is another edition of
the A Team. It's Sports Talk seven ninety wex ac
Cole Thompson with you, taking you up until six o'clock tonight. Finally,
everybody's playing again tonight. Well, I say that the Astros
and the Rockets will both field teams. Only one of
them will care about the outcome of their matchup to

(01:05):
make which one has a better lineup.

Speaker 3 (01:09):
Do you think Read Shepherd could hit If the Rockets
were scoring about ninety three points per game, that would
be the equivalent of what the Astros are currently.

Speaker 2 (01:19):
In today's NBA Today's NBA. Yes, that's I'd say, really
sad and accurate. Renout Sheppert can hit. I might think
there's a chance he could hit. I bet you there's
a rocket we don't know about to played a little
bit more baseball at some point before they were six'.
Eight how about, This i'll take it a step, further
since we're talking About Read shepherd and. Baseball if he wasn't,

(01:40):
hitting would he shave his mustache in the middle of a?

Speaker 4 (01:44):
GAME a Lah Alex.

Speaker 3 (01:45):
Bregman, luckily he's taken it off right for ALL i,
KNOW i don't know the speed with which his hair
grows on his, face but it could be back for tonight's.
Good he will be in the starting lineup, tonight Will Read,
SHEPPARD i would, imagine considering he was last game when
The rockets sat even fewer players than they will be sitting.
Tonight gets you updated on who will be preparing for

(02:05):
the postseason tonight that normally would be wearing A rockets.
Uniform there are a handful of scenarios that could play
out tonight that would determine who The rockets' options of
facing in the first round of the. Playoffs those spots
could be locked in as early as. Tonight one game
of note last night led us into. Today every team

(02:28):
in THE nba is on the court, tonight and every
team is on the court On sunday with the day
off in, between and that will close out the regular.
Season there is a chance that the two teams at
seven and at eight that would then qualify for the
play in tournament with a winner of which in that
game is The rockets. Opponent it could be determined with
the results. Tonight there are a host of scenarios to

(02:49):
walk through The lakers are involved in where they're going
to end up in the. Bracket but what happened last
night in THE nba didn't change a thing in terms
of the. Possibilities each of those six teams behind The
rockets can still land in each of these six spots
or whatever number of spots per team they could have last,
night which is all of them for all but two
of those. Teams so where things shake out may or
may not get decided. Tonight but the last road game

(03:11):
of the season is tonight here On Sports talk seven
to ninety for Your. Rockets over ON, KTRH i should,
say with their nine thirty tip FROM la to take
on The, LAKERS i believe The lakers will be fielding
the same caliber team they fielded or during their back
to backs earlier this. Week listen their injury report changes
a little bit later in the. Day astros three games

(03:34):
in their city connects, tonight tomorrow And sunday against The.
Angels The angels are, Good i'm sorry to, say but,
this at least at current, time that's a. Fact you
win eight out of, twelve you're one of the top
six or seven offenses in. Baseball you're good for the time.
Being and that's the team The astros are welcoming. In

(03:55):
if you're five and, seven if you boast some of
the worst offensive, numbers well you wouldn't be boasting about.
Them but that's who The astros are right. NOW i
would say they are not a good. Team you can
change who you are in any given day in. Baseball
when your best pitchers, throw, well none of them are
throwing in this, series With Hunter brown and Fromber valdez
taking the last two starts of The mariners. Series so

(04:16):
COULD i have painted a rosier picture for The. Astros,
nope that's as rosie as it gets.

Speaker 2 (04:21):
Current, look it is nice to be where The rockets
are right, now.

Speaker 4 (04:29):
But it.

Speaker 2 (04:30):
Is you, know we went through, this you AND i
prior to the twenty twenty two postseason for The.

Speaker 4 (04:36):
Astros but it was a new format then.

Speaker 2 (04:39):
That allowed the top seeds top seeds to have a
little bit more time than everybody. Else but it's just
so much different, baseball so much. DIFFERENT a new starting
pitcher every single day of a, series however long it.
Goes so many things are are just not the same
as AN nba five on, five where every single player

(05:01):
in that lineup at any given moment can affect so
many things on both ends of the. Floor the rust
versus rest. Factor do you think it's more pervasive in
a baseball playoff or a basketball?

Speaker 4 (05:13):
Playoff with shot?

Speaker 2 (05:15):
MAKING i, mean the thing is you want fresh legs
for those. Shots you know What i'm thinking about right.
NOW i Know EM's a great. COACH i know that
even though most of this, roster save For dylan And
fred And Jeff green to a lesser, extent no one
else has ever tasted the. Postseason there's nothing like. It
you can't really you can't emulate. That you can't manufacture

(05:39):
that in. Practice so a lot of these GUYS i
think might be a little jacked for lack of a better,
word and that can affect. Things is that better or
worse after a long? Layoff BECAUSE i think they're going
to have a long. Layoff most these, guys well.

Speaker 3 (05:52):
They have a long layoff, period and that's WHY i
don't think they're too concerned about the. Rest they're not
playing another game After sunday Until saturday at the Earliest, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
friday they're off. Days it's basically an All star break
after the season. Ends, now some of these guys Like
fred probably gonna get more time off because he missed
the last. Game he's not gonna play, tonight AND i

(06:13):
doubt very seriously he's playing On sunday with his ankle.
Injury and there's probably two or three others that also
won't play On. Sunday because we're talking about, it might
as well just tell you who's not playing, tonight and
that is essentially all of their rotation other Than Jalen.
Green Jalen green probably plays even less than he played

(06:33):
the other, night BUT i imagine he will. Start he's definitely,
playing and SO i imagine he will. Start maybe he only
takes one, turn one six eight minute stretch and then
doesn't play. AGAIN i don't really know how they're gonna
play it with, him BUT i know he's not gonna
play a full allotment of, minutes which he already did
not do in their last. Game But, dylan Tari, Alprind

(06:53):
jabari A, Men, fred and Jay Sean tait will all
be out tonight for The. Rockets injuries related to those
players are the ankle INJURY i mentioned With, fred the groin,
issue and an ankle. Issue although very minor heard that
From Ima. Udoka by the, way we will hear from
em in about ninety minutes as he caught up with
you guys if you were listening about an hour ago

(07:15):
or a little less than an hour. Ago But Jabari
Smith Junior Atari easan said this. Yesterday pretty obvious The
rockets would want to rest him left lower leg injury,
management And Jayshawn tate has an ankle.

Speaker 4 (07:28):
Issue it's rest.

Speaker 3 (07:30):
Or In alpern's, CASE i don't know the actual, reason
but it's listed as personal.

Speaker 4 (07:35):
Reasons rest For, dylan rest for A.

Speaker 3 (07:36):
Men and they'll do this again On sunday in some
form or fashion against The. Nuggets that the game might
might not mean much to The. Nuggets it's hard to
say because tonight's results will really dictate, that but we
already know it doesn't mean anything standing wise to The.
Rockets so no minutes On Wednesday Friday sunday and then
five days off and you play On.

Speaker 4 (07:57):
Saturday.

Speaker 3 (07:58):
YEAH i think they're totally fine with taking it to
that extent and not worried about any rust finding the
intensity in a playoff. Game if these, guys even the
ones that haven't been, there have any trouble with, that
it's not going to be because they've been off the
court for, ten, eleven, twelve fourteen.

Speaker 4 (08:15):
Days.

Speaker 3 (08:15):
Not in my, Opinion baseball is definitely different from a timing,
standpoint and most people push for playing and The astros
have had that opportunity in other. Years you'll do something
different with your pitchers because you obviously want to line them.
Up there's no reason to throw from Ber valdez if
it's his data throw in game one sixty, two when
you've already clinched the number two seed and a home

(08:35):
series to open up the playoffs without going to the Wild.
Card if he can pitch game, one you line it
up so he can Pitch game, one and most of
the rest of the guys would probably be in the,
lineup maybe taking it back or two and then call
it an. Afternoon you'll see something similar to. THAT i
Imagine sunday Against. Denver, yeah That denver game is, again it's.

(08:58):
Crazy what did we talk about going into this. STRETCH i,
mean this is going to, determine you, know whether or
not The rockets are really made for this or none
of these games ended up mattering, like, well.

Speaker 4 (09:08):
The gamest gave you part of an, answer, Right.

Speaker 2 (09:11):
Well they took care of business Against really all these
teams are really good in this, stretch but when you
beat the first, two you were. Done.

Speaker 3 (09:19):
Well the reality of it, is everybody basically has the same,
schedule right playing each. Other you got an eighty two
game schedule over the course of the. Year it's very
close to the same. Schedule they proved they're better than
everyone in the regular. Season they were still playing very
good basketball here at the end of the, season winning
fifteen out of, twenty stopping an eleven game winning streak
for The thunder and doing all that while everybody else

(09:41):
continued to chase. Them and on top of this quote
unquote same. Schedule you know how MANY nba teams Played
Golden state And Oklahoma city five times this? Year, yeah
just one beat those. Two they earned that right to
do it by advancing in the play in. Tournament they
snapped their losing streak To Golden state in the game
Against Golden state and ultimately fell To Oklahoma city before

(10:04):
reaching the. Final they had a difficult path to landing.
Second they earned, it.

Speaker 2 (10:10):
And the two top teams record wise in THE, nba
only one team beat them both. Twice they swept The,
cavs and they beat The thunder two times this. Year
they had five, chances but they still did, it and
no one else can say.

Speaker 4 (10:24):
That SO i don't know.

Speaker 2 (10:26):
IT i you're gonna look back at like this season and,
see like if they lose this game, tonight which they
probably will in all, likelihood if we're just being, honest
because The lakers are still playing for, SOMETHING i, suppose
just like The clippers were two nights, ago and you're
gonna look and you're gonna see the season, record the
season mark versus those. Teams it's gonna end up being
skewed a bit BECAUSE i absolutely think The rockets give

(10:48):
The clippers a much better contest On wednesday night if
they have their full arsenal at their. Disposal just LIKE
i would say it again tonight because the last time
these two teams got, Together rockets played one of their
worst games and like a, month and they only lost
by a grand total of six To, Dorrian Finney smith
And Gabe vincent.

Speaker 3 (11:06):
Because they left them wide open and they hit twelve. Threes,
well The rockets couldn't make their.

Speaker 4 (11:10):
Threes, Ye but they're also terrible three point. Shooters they're not.
Terrible three one of them is twenty seven. Percent that's.

Speaker 3 (11:16):
Terrible they're not terrible three point, shooters, terrible like the
whole reason they're in THE. Nba both of them twenty
seven percent is. Terrible which one of them shooting twenty seven?
Percent i'm pretty sure it Was Gabe. Vincent, okay he
should thirty six percent this, year and it's the other.
Guy it's Not, dorian it's the highenated last name. Guy definitely.

Speaker 2 (11:32):
Not he's not shooting better than thirty Six, okay what
is he shooting from three point?

Speaker 4 (11:36):
Land thirty eight?

Speaker 2 (11:37):
Percent you son of a? Boom, well what are the
averaging points per? Game i'll win.

Speaker 4 (11:43):
This i'm not trying to tell you they're. AWESOME i don't.

Speaker 3 (11:45):
Know when you leave wide open good three point shooters
and they chose To.

Speaker 2 (11:49):
I'm not gonna stop yelling because that'll MEAN i lost the.
Fight IT'S i don't want to fight. Yet it's only two.
Twelve let's not fight about something. Else someone on The
texans defense got. Paid we'll tell you that is what
they're making and what it means heading into the twenty
twenty five campaign for Your Houston. Texans that's next here
on A friday edition of the Eighteen.

Speaker 5 (12:10):
THE A team On Sports talk seven.

Speaker 6 (12:12):
Ninety, hey you're a rich girl and you're gone too
far cause you know.

Speaker 7 (12:18):
It don't about it.

Speaker 4 (12:19):
Anyway you can rely on the old man's.

Speaker 2 (12:23):
Money, now, see technically this is not accurate for a
couple of. Reasons Jalen petrie is not a, girl and
the old man is no longer calling the shots for The.

Speaker 4 (12:33):
Texans, Unfortunately cal get.

Speaker 2 (12:36):
Younger, well WHEN i think of the old man and The,
texans it's Still. Bob he hadn't been he hadn't been
gone that. Long Like cal's middle.

Speaker 3 (12:46):
Aged cal's been running the team for long enough that
he's he's he's the old. Man he Had he literally
has the old man's. Money are you ready for a real?
Tangent BECAUSE i.

Speaker 4 (12:55):
Can do that has some of the more of.

Speaker 2 (12:56):
It, YES i like tell you said that WHEN i
think of the term the old. Man what movie DO
i think? Of there's no way you guessed, this not
even an.

Speaker 3 (13:05):
Airplane, no tell your old man to Drag walton and
Lann air up the court for forty eight. Minutes his,
Name roger actually co pilot in the, cast is the old.

Speaker 2 (13:13):
MAN i don't even think he has an actual. Name
give me a. Hint sci fi late, eighties it's not. Alien,
no late. Eighties are you sure it's past two. O'clock,
yes it's not ten to. Two we're not talking about
late eighties movies with mt. That, No, no we're not
talking about late eighties AND u.

Speaker 4 (13:30):
Shit right after The price is right or as The world?
Turns what's wrong with either of those choices of our?
Lives which one was?

Speaker 8 (13:35):
It?

Speaker 2 (13:35):
Now i'm A cbs guy and he's talking about the
young and the. Wrestless that's what he. Means.

Speaker 4 (13:38):
Everybody, oh come on, now dead or? Alive you are
coming With.

Speaker 2 (13:43):
Marie oh it is The Robotic Police. Office oh my, Gosh,
cole you're fired for the next. Segment you're speaking privileges are.
Revoked you cannot you cannot mix up that line with the.
TERMINATOR i didn't say nice night for a, WALK i,
said or.

Speaker 4 (14:00):
Alive you are coming with? Me come, on, now there you.

Speaker 8 (14:04):
Go you're.

Speaker 2 (14:05):
Rehired your speaking privileges are. Reinstated the old, man, though
is now cal. INTERESTING i did not see that coming.
Anyway he gave a big check To Jalen petree. Today
ACTUALLY i think it Was Nick cassario that gave him
the check or the contract or.

Speaker 3 (14:22):
WHATEVER i think col just signed off the. Paper the
actual paper that you want is coming from.

Speaker 2 (14:28):
KAL i am really looking forward to The texans winning
every game six to three this upcoming.

Speaker 4 (14:34):
Season it's gonna be. Awesome they sure do love their.

Speaker 3 (14:37):
Defense, yes extensions for one two three different defensive players
been agreed to this. Offseason, uh The Dniel hunter extension
making him among the highest paid, players the extension For
Derek Stingley, junior making him the highest paid player at his.
Position and you could probably say the same thing About Jalen.
Peatrick it's a little bit of a cloudier. Position but

(15:00):
in terms of what you would regard as slot, corners
and it's not like there's fifty of, them but he
now would be the highest paid on average slot corner
drafted in twenty twenty. TWO a couple of injuries over his,
career and obviously last season ended a little early due to,
injury but timeline for his return is just as it
would be had he not been. Hurt they'll probably go

(15:20):
easy on getting him back into, everything but there's no
issue with him being ready both for camp or for the.
Season it's drafted in twenty twenty, two LIKE i said
in the second, round four years of that deal now
plus three years of this deal the twenty six, season
or signed through twenty twenty, eight should say with the
three year, extension and it's a defense that was good

(15:43):
and is, talented should not change it all next year
guaranteeing they're going to be. Better there's areas they're going
to be. BETTER i don't know how much better of
football they're really going to play well if there's certain
areas where they get better in and that's in the red,
zones specifically their turnover count and disruptive play, count the
plays they're making in the backfield and on the back,

(16:05):
end they're already extremely high and that's not going to.
Change they probably just need to get a little bit
stingier on third down where they were. Good they could
be great and be better in the red zone and
the team they had last, year Plus Sheldon rankins PLUS. Ej,
speed WHO i don't think we've mentioned much. About he
was also announced as a. Signing that was a little

(16:26):
over a week. Ago they did. That they're. Loaded oh.

Speaker 9 (16:29):
YEAH.

Speaker 3 (16:30):
Cj Gardner johnson also plays for The texans and on. Offense,
now let me tell you what they've hadded to the.
Offense couldn't help. Myself, okay so THAT i mean you're
talking about getting. Better the defensive coordinator isn't, different and
everybody there's nothing wrong with them.

Speaker 4 (16:47):
Either.

Speaker 2 (16:47):
Exactly everybody you just mentioned is both young and got
another year of experience under their.

Speaker 4 (16:54):
Belt this is, like, like for, EXAMPLE.

Speaker 3 (16:56):
I, mean not a Semantically i'd probably Say Daniel hunter
not that. Young well that you just aren't expecting a
fall off of any. Variety that's actually during the length
of his. Deal it's a short term deal an older.
Player that's a fair point since he also got a
new deal this. Offseason so, yeah he was one of
the three extensions they gave to current awesome defensive.

Speaker 2 (17:16):
Players but you know, Me i'm nothing if not someone
that loves to MAKE nfl TO nba. Analogies but what
you'll understand What i'm. Saying we love him Men. Thompson.
Right in, fact some media members love him more than.
Others we'll get to that next. Segment we love him
In thompson in year, three, Right, well you're gonna really
love him in year four, theoretically, right all these guys

(17:38):
are going to be better next year just because of game.
EXPERIENCE i love him in year. Three, First that's WHAT i.
Meant you know WHAT i. Meant you and your. Semantics
you can't do this on A.

Speaker 3 (17:46):
FRIDAY i know you think he's old and all and
he's been here forever Crushing Steph, curry but he hasn't
been completed just.

Speaker 2 (17:52):
Season he just plays. Old he plays. Wise, so by the, WAY.

Speaker 3 (17:57):
Nba is pretty different from a an extension, standpoint especially
for The rockets, players because they're all first round picks
but strictly.

Speaker 4 (18:04):
Experienced, Right but you have a.

Speaker 3 (18:06):
Here's when you have to pick up the, option and
then you pick up the next, option and here's when
the window really opens for you to, say, oh we
Have Anthony. Edwards of, course we're going to extend him
for as long as we, can for as much as
is the.

Speaker 2 (18:18):
Men thompson's contract going to be the most important contract
In houston sports to. Date has to be like it's
the next one on the horizon where it has to go.

Speaker 3 (18:26):
DOWN i feel like the answer is no for me
because there's not any there's no, negotiating there's no, question
there's no decision.

Speaker 4 (18:33):
Making it's just your.

Speaker 3 (18:34):
Signing it is supposed to be signed game the marks
when you offer it to. Him if he wants to say,
no then maybe it becomes a. DISCUSSION i don't think
players in THE nba never say. No there's a reason
to Set that's the beauty of a salary. Cap Major League.
Baseball fix, It, yeah guaranteed money for THESE nba. Players
it will all be guaranteed when the extension comes. Along
jalen And alpi first in, Line jabbari and the other

(18:57):
second round or the other first round, Pick Tarry, easton
next in, Line Amn, Thompson Cam, whitmore next in, line.

Speaker 2 (19:03):
How to fit in that superstar contract you're going to
trade for this? Offseason first in? Line not sold on? That,
well that one is also a non. Decision it's just
like The jimmy sale Of Golden.

Speaker 3 (19:13):
State, Yeah Jimmy butler was traded To Golden, state and
one hundred percent of the people involved and everybody else
that wasn't involved knew what was coming with. IT a
two year extension for sixty million dollars a, year A
lebron de. Rank it's the exact same thing that's gonna
happen With Kevin. Durant wherever he gets. Traded he's getting
a two, year one hundred and twenty one million dollar.

Speaker 2 (19:29):
Extension but that's good even at his, age because it's
better than a five year.

Speaker 3 (19:32):
Extension yes it, is But i'm not telling you for
sure that extension is coming From houston.

Speaker 2 (19:38):
If The rockets trade For Kevin. Durant and by the,
way that trade has gotten cheaper and cheaper with each passing,
day especially since he went on the shelf and they sign.

Speaker 4 (19:49):
Him so he got. Hurt, eh it was a.

Speaker 3 (19:51):
FLUKE i, mean you're, right the price goes down when
you're trading for an old hurt.

Speaker 2 (19:55):
Player that's it's but that's what people do In. Phoenix
they go there to get. Hurt he's not going there
to play canasta and shuffle. Board Bradley beal was never
hurt until he got To. Phoenix that is. INACCURATE i
think it is. Accurate it's not tell me all the
games he played In washington over the last all of
the seasons until he got The. PHOENIX i bet you

(20:16):
he played no less than seventy five games every single year.

Speaker 4 (20:19):
He was IN.

Speaker 3 (20:19):
Dc last four seasons In, Washington And i'll say it in,
advance SO i don't have to tell you after one
of them was A covid, season so obviously it doesn't.
Count the full season wasn't played his last four seasons In.
Washington is high in games played was?

Speaker 4 (20:33):
Sixty are you? Serious?

Speaker 3 (20:35):
Yes this is the seventh consecutive season he will play
sixty games or, less seventh.

Speaker 2 (20:42):
Straight this is year two In. Phoenix, yes and it was.
Awesome you know, What he's really. GOOD i don't really
like the thing we do WHERE i ask you to
go to the numbers.

Speaker 4 (20:49):
Anymore let's go to the. NUMBERS i don't like that.

Speaker 3 (20:51):
Anymore, YEAH i think The rockets could not have had
everything layout any, better And i'm honestly a little surprised
that it did work out this, way going all the
way back to the deal they made that shifted their.
Focus we Want brooklyn to be terrible to we Want
phoenix to be. Terrible you AND i hated. IT i, thought,
well here's why we hated. It brooklyn still to carry
this over post best OF. Cs, yeah but, yeah there

(21:14):
was No there was some guesswork involved In. Phoenix there
was some hope involved In. Phoenix the other side of.
HOPE i hope they. STINK i hope they decide to
blow it. UP i hope the players don't want to be.
There two of those things have. Happened the players don't
want to be, there and they. Stink NOW i don't
know if the owner wants to blow it up or.
Not In, brooklyn there was no guesswork. Involved brooklyn is

(21:36):
going to be bad in twenty twenty four to twenty.
Five lock it. Up it's a, guarantee and it. Happened
of course they're going to be. Bad they're, awful they
don't have any. Talent they're going to lose a lot
of basketball. Games and the pick associate with that now
and probably the ones in the. Future because you can't
only focus on this year's, pick you're also making a
little bit of a wager a future playing a future

(21:56):
that in twenty twenty seven and twenty eight and twenty.
Nine which of these two teams is likely to be
still giving you picks that you? Want and the text
The rockets timeline is that they're not reliant on the
twenty twenty five pick in any way at. All their
team's completely put together if they so, choose and if
this playoff proves. It, now when it becomes the, one,

(22:18):
two three or four, pick maybe your thoughts change about.
It but the timeline of when they need new talent
isn't right. Now they have more new talent than they
know what to do. With Cam whitmore's watching basketball games
in THE, Nba Reed shepherd isn't a part of the
rotation well, tonight there's sixteen other teams in THE nba
where these guys would. Be they could do no, Wrong

(22:38):
they couldn't get out of their rotations no matter how they,
played good or, bad and by the, way good on both.
Cases and, YES i expect both of them to be
into the starting. Lineup so we'll get to a few
of those things and a host of other things that
are obviously on the. Horizon we're still early in the show.
TODAY a three point thirty visit from The rockets head
Coach Email, udoka a five o'clock visit from our good

(22:59):
friend over at the. Ballpark Chandler rome recovers The, astros,
four The athletic and a host of other, goodness including
best OF x that comes your way next.

Speaker 1 (23:10):
The eighteen On Sports talk seven. Ninety did you all see?

Speaker 10 (23:16):
This we should be putting out between five and fifteen
posts a.

Speaker 11 (23:20):
Day four hundred people were arrested for things that they
said on social.

Speaker 9 (23:23):
Media history repeats itself type, bang you'll. Succeed never doubt
that you're the one who.

Speaker 4 (23:31):
Pus well go one building. Lead you're the best OF.
X nothing's gonna.

Speaker 9 (23:37):
Ever top you know you're the best OF x posting
every single day and you're the best OF x breaking
the entire.

Speaker 2 (23:48):
Internet it is the Eighteen Sports talk seven. Ninety we're
just solving the world's problems during the break here as
we get you into the best OF. X by the,
Way by the, way speaking of the world's, problems there's

(24:12):
a very good CHANCE wex that The rockets matchup in
the first round of this year's, playoffs their first matchup
back in the postseason since the THE covid. Campaign basically
the bubble if you. Will that was the last time
they were in a playoff. Series they lost to the Stupid.
Lakers will be against The. Warriors there's. Something there's a good.

(24:38):
CHANCE i just says it's a good.

Speaker 4 (24:39):
Chance i'm, YEAH i guess so you could say, That,
well The.

Speaker 2 (24:43):
Warriors screwed up by losing that game against The spurs
of other night that put them in the seventh seed
at the.

Speaker 4 (24:48):
TIME i don't even know right, Now, okay.

Speaker 3 (24:50):
Because of last night's, action, right they hold the tiebreaker
over the teams that are at forty seven and thirty,
three which is, themselves The grizzlies and The.

Speaker 2 (24:57):
Wolves so what's the highest The warriors could? Get they
can still get up to what?

Speaker 3 (25:02):
Four they're, LIKE i it's it's hard to say it
the right, way, right but THE nba has done a
nice job of showing it to you each, day although
it takes them forever to get to. It, yes they're
all these. Teams The Golden state is not one of.
Them the teams in, six, seven, Eight Golden, State, minnesota And.
Memphis they cannot reach as high as number, three but

(25:25):
they can be, four, five, six seven or. Eight the
only teams that can be three are The, Lakers, nuggets
And clippers the non forty seven and thirty.

Speaker 4 (25:32):
Three teams clear as.

Speaker 3 (25:34):
Mud, well the other part of it is kind of
this scheduling part of. It the last The warriors won't
be in the play in tournament if they win their
final two.

Speaker 4 (25:41):
Games that is that is clear as a transparent piece of.

Speaker 3 (25:45):
Paper but they play at The blazers, tonight and they
are home for The lakers On, sunday or excuse, me
they're home for The clippers On. SUNDAY i don't know
what it means The clippers On. SUNDAY i don't know
what it.

Speaker 4 (25:57):
Will mean to The.

Speaker 3 (25:58):
Warrior that's that's the heart part about figuring out what should,
happen BECAUSE i can't tell you what should. Happen and
the fact that The warriors lost at home to The
spurs means you better believes there's a chance they lose
on the road tonight at The. Blazers The, BLAZERS i
don't think they're a good basketball, team but they're. Good
blazers are twenty one and eighteen at home at. Home

(26:18):
they're only two games worse than headed to the. Playoffs
minnesota And Golden state they're pretty much the same home
war road for once in a last couple of years
they've fallen off at.

Speaker 4 (26:28):
Home they're still a good enough road.

Speaker 3 (26:30):
Team they have the same record on the road as The,
nuggets and right there with The. Rockets it's there a
good road. Team but The blazers have not been. Pushovers
so CAN i tell you for sure The warriors are
gonna win? TONIGHT i really, can't but it wouldn't be
a shock at all if they did. Lose the Ros
Lakers wolves home For, Nets grizzlies at The, nuggets and
it's a back to back for The, grizzlies T wolves

(26:51):
have a back to, back but they're Hosting. Brooklyn warriors At,
Blazers clippers At. Kings those are the games that are
being played tonight that, matter, obviously along With Rockets.

Speaker 2 (27:00):
Lakers when you said they were hosting a back to,
back but it Was, brooklyn The rockets were, like, yeah
good luck with.

Speaker 4 (27:05):
That we got swept by that.

Speaker 3 (27:06):
Team, yeah The wolves at home for last night's. Game
when The grizzlies, said how many points do you think
he can score in the third quarter if you only
miss three of your, shots and the answer was fifty
two fifty two points in the third quarter of a
game they weren't even winning at the, half And minnesota
went on to obviously win by scoring fifty two in

(27:27):
the third.

Speaker 2 (27:28):
Quarter, WELL i bring all this up to say that
if that is the, matchup then you could have two,
very very big candidates For Defensive player of The year squaring.
Off Draymond green, obviously, right everybody knows he's just this world.

Speaker 4 (27:42):
Defender he's.

Speaker 2 (27:43):
Elite he's just at the top of his, game and
it's all solid basketball play and has nothing to do
with him just being a total. Anyway one, guy it's
a pretty prominent national voice that covers THE nba picks
this guy for his is Defensive player of The year
and even says he's voting for.

Speaker 12 (28:02):
Him i'm Picking Amen thompson for Defensive player of The.

Speaker 8 (28:06):
Year i'm doing.

Speaker 12 (28:06):
It Man On shant's less than six feet from the,
basket opponents shoot nine point seven percent worse When i'm
And thompson is defending less than ten feet nine point
five percent, worse ninety fourth percentile on matchup. Difficulty according
to B Ball, index he always defends the opponent's best.
Player he's defending Guards John, Moran Donovan Mitchell Sga, Curry bigger,

(28:27):
Wings Anthony, Edwards Lebron. James he's even defended guys Like
Evan mobley and Nas Reed, biggs and he does it
at an elite.

Speaker 10 (28:36):
Level Amen thompson's my pick. TOO i didn't Think i'm
gonna go. There this is a guy who's the only
player in THE Nba top twenty in both blocks and.
Steals the versatility you talked about where he's a point of.
Attacks shut Down Steph curry the other night and he's
been doing that all. Season is that when you got
A John moran or a Shay Gil, Jess, Alexander Jalen,

(28:56):
brunson whomever it, Is he's the guy that they're gonna
Row adam to completely throw off all their first. Actions
and that is a thing that you can't say For
Evan mobley Or Draymond green who Picked houston as being
a top four defensive rating team this, season who too picked?

Speaker 2 (29:12):
It no one did you know?

Speaker 10 (29:13):
Why because they didn't see how Good Amen thompson would
be as a twenty two year old in his second
year in the, league dominating defensively and Turning Stephen curry
into just another guy out. There he's been top twenty
in both steels and, blocks only player to do. That
his encore defensive rating one oh, seven meaning The Houston
rockets are holding opponents to one hundred and seven points

(29:35):
every one hundred possessions when he's on the. Floor that's
better Than, draymond's that's better Than, mobley's and that's better
Than Jaron Jackson juniors And Am thompson best defensive player this.

Speaker 3 (29:44):
Year SO i can't imagine he did this on. Purpose
when he mentioned a few players That Amen thompson has
or can match up, with he Mentioned Jalen, brunson which
nationally probably nobody remembers this or maybe he even didn't
even see.

Speaker 2 (29:59):
It, well, well was. Awesome he crushed, Him, yeah he dominated,
Him but he did Mention Steph.

Speaker 4 (30:04):
Curry he has been on a heater and that's much
more when he played.

Speaker 3 (30:07):
Him In, yeah the last four games have been awesome
except for, one and he was awful in that, game
going one for ten or four of the last five.

Speaker 2 (30:14):
Games Evan mobley didn't do much this. Year they did
match up a little. BIT i mean he didn't play
one of the games the other.

Speaker 3 (30:21):
Thing, really there's eighty other games to look at besides
the games against each.

Speaker 2 (30:24):
Other i'm just, saying since the numbers are because of
the players he mentioned in this whole.

Speaker 3 (30:29):
Field he it's two, People kevin O'Connor And Tom. Haberstrow
haberstrow has long been linked to a guy who is,
huge almost as big as me on, numbers huge on the.
Numbers and you heard some of the numbers that every
single person who has a vote for this award and
every other award easily has access. To BUT i can't

(30:54):
guarantee you that they will look at any of them.

Speaker 4 (30:56):
Now because some people vote on.

Speaker 3 (30:57):
Narratives Ramona shelbourne one, Person i'll bet you she doesn't
have a vote for this PARTICULAR i hope, not or
any that A rocket player might be up. For it
doesn't take much to put time and effort into. This
we mock The hall Of fame voters on the baseball
side all the, time knowing that they just. Don't some
of them are clearly not putting the time and effort
into it when they vote For Terrible rangers just because
they covered the team In, arlington because they think it's.

(31:19):
Fun and we've got ten votes and other. Reasons but
this is the kind of stuff that will make voters
who weren't considering it because they're not paying attention or they're,
lazy pay attention when other we can only speak so,
loudly and we appreciate everybody on The iHeart radio app
nationally that are listening to us in other parts of the.
Country but when it becomes a thing on social media

(31:42):
or becomes a thing inside some of the national, studios
then it will help the people voting who aren't otherwise
going to do their jobs themselves to pay. Attention and
the four names that were mentioned there By kevin And
TOM i think are the top four, Candidates Jared, Jackson,
Junior Evan, Mobley Raymond, green And Amen. THOMPSON i can't

(32:03):
believe That Dyson daniels is so bad at everything else
defensively that his name isn't being. Mentioned what about lou Dort,
well let me finish On dyson real, quickly because he
happened to do. There we're talking about The thunder the other,
Day matt AND i because The rockets just played The,
thunder and The thunder have three different players in the
top ten in Steals Shay Gailgis alexander is one of.

(32:26):
Them he's, second and he's been second almost the entire.
Season and he's he's an awesome defensive. Player if if
not for being THE, mvp he might be in the
running for this.

Speaker 4 (32:34):
Award only some people can win. That and The Defensive
player of The.

Speaker 3 (32:37):
Year the second in THE nba with one hundred and
thirty one steals this, year and there are only fifteen
players in the entire league that have one hundred or more.
Steals he's got one hundred and thirty, One so persons
two through fifteen have somewhere between one hundred and thirty
one steels and one hundred. Steals Dyson daniels has two
hundred and twenty six. Steels she's ninety five more steel

(33:00):
then the next closest person ninety five. Steals the gap
would land him twenty second on the list, overall if
you only took the gap he. Has this is one
of the all time greatest seasons in the history of
the league for. Steals it's the best season the history
of The atlanta. Franchise and LIKE i, said is he
so bad at everything else that he's not up FOR

(33:23):
i Mean i'm sure he'll be.

Speaker 2 (33:24):
First the real, reason don't? Defense you know the real, Reason,
well they. Stink he plays for The. HAWKS i mean
it's not even about if they stunk or. Not they
could be good and they would still be, like, oh
he plays For. ATLANTA i forgot the.

Speaker 3 (33:35):
EXISTENCE i think those four candidates And daniels will make
up The ALL Nba defense first.

Speaker 2 (33:42):
Team, yeah a man Being ALL Nba defense First team
is fine with. ME i don't need him to. Win
he's going to Get Defensive player of The year in
the next five. YEARS i really firmly believe.

Speaker 5 (33:52):
That he's that.

Speaker 4 (33:52):
Good and you won't see him.

Speaker 3 (33:54):
Tonight he's going to rest his defensive. Skills yeah, tonight
along with sixteen fresh.

Speaker 4 (34:00):
Legs we got more coming your. Way of, course right
here on THE.

Speaker 3 (34:03):
Atb it will carry over from the conversation prior To
best OF x.

Speaker 5 (34:09):
THE a team On Sports talk seven Ninety.

Speaker 2 (34:19):
It is THE a Team Sports talks seven to ninety
talking a little bit about The Defensive player of The year, award, which,
again as long as he makes first Team ALL Nba,
Defense i'll be. Happy that's What that's what a Men thompson.
Deserves at the very least of this. Year you can
talk about awards maybe sometime, later but as it pertains to.

Speaker 4 (34:41):
They're off.

Speaker 2 (34:42):
Season regardless of when that begins and how they go about,
it The rockets are in such a Good, HONESTLY i
was as skeptical as anybody of Rafel stone at one.
POINT i, mean it was just not is for as,
asked is this turnaround has. Been it got dark there

(35:04):
for a little, bit BECAUSE i MEAN i remember having
a conversation with somebody in the organization and they were just,
convinced we're just not. Good we're not gonna be good
for a long long. Time we whiffed on some of
these top draft. Picks and the only thing you could
really ever say to somebody like that or anybody that
argued that, point well they're really. Young because that's really

(35:24):
all you had to say that it was rooted in,
fact you didn't know anything. Else you can, say this
guy has this, skill this guy looks like he's got
potential in this, area blah blah. Blah but when you're
drafting kids that are like nineteen and haven't even played
college in some, senses in some, cases you're just kind

(35:45):
of hoping for the. Best sometimes like you've got, scouts
you've had people watch these, people but nobody knew him
Men thompson was gonna be this kind of a demon
on the defensive.

Speaker 4 (35:53):
END i don't, think, oh not to this, point this.

Speaker 3 (35:56):
Quickly but the athletic ability was clearly what stood out
above all. Else and not to mean he wasn't a
good basketball, player but that's what you can, forecast that's
what you can project because you're watching it. Happen there
was gonna, BE i, mean unless you felt like he
was incapable of. It from a strength, standpoint he's incredibly,

(36:16):
Quick he's incredibly. Fast he's an incredible. Leaper he leaps,
quickly more quickly than just about every player on the
court with. Him he's got great, height and all those
things lend itself to, well what have we seen on
tape defensively from? Him does it show those things manifesting
themselves into a strong defensive. Player granted you're looking at
it in, overtime elite caliber play and no college, basketball

(36:40):
NON g. League there's a little bit of a guess
from a competitive, standpoint what's the actually on the other
side of the, floor and what's the goal of he
and his four teammates and their. Coach but, YEAH i
think at that side of, it if you were gonna, say,
hey a, Men thompson's going to be a contributor to
this team more quickly defensively than, offensively and a time,
ONE i do think more than just The rockets knew

(37:03):
that was in his very very immediate. Future top five
defensive players in the league as a second year. Player maybe,
not but that's what he. Is AND i will be
a little bit, disappointed a little bit, surprised because The
rockets are. Good The rockets have the fourth most wins
in THE, nba and they've had that spot for so
much of the season it's almost impossible to, ignore especially

(37:25):
when they were a forty one win team a year.
Ago how are you a? Voter how are you covering THE?
Nba how are you ON tv or? Radio or you
write or you? Podcast and a team won, eleven twelve
thirteen more games this? Year not sure what it'll end up,
being but it's currently eleven without a significant change to their. Roster,
well that means their players must be better than they
were last. Year that means they must understand how to,

(37:47):
win and those two things, mean MAYBE i should consider
how they got. There it's not from a new influx of.
Talent all credit To Steven adams and what he's meant
to this, team but it's because the players are better
at doing the things they weren't quite as good that last.
Year and walk me through the roster, here alprin as
a playmaker or a. Scorer jalen is a shooter or a.
Creator you, Know fred Or dylan in whatever area you'd.

(38:09):
Like jabari is a shooter and a, rebounder or a
mend as a playmaker and.

Speaker 4 (38:14):
Defender take any.

Speaker 3 (38:15):
One of those individual ITEMS i listed for any one
of those individual, Players tari same thing of all of.
THEM i think the clear answer is what did that
player in what particular area improve more on from last
year to this year as it relates to them winning
eleven more.

Speaker 4 (38:31):
Games it's a Men thompson's, Defense.

Speaker 2 (38:33):
Yeah, well, YES i think Did Dylan brooks have a
better defensive season this year last?

Speaker 3 (38:39):
Year, well For, dylan the fight back comment would be
his improved, shooting right because it's.

Speaker 2 (38:45):
Massive, no they don't have fifty two wins right now
without him being by far the best three point shooter
on the.

Speaker 3 (38:52):
Team that's kind of A bill O'Brien barr's kind of
low way to put. It, Well but don't say he's
by far their best three point. Shooter say he's a
forty percent three point Sho he's very, good but.

Speaker 4 (39:03):
That's only good.

Speaker 2 (39:04):
Share WHAT i mean by, that, though is that he's
the only guy in vicinity of, that which again there's
not a lot of those in the. League they're more
than there used to, be but by far the best
on the on The rockets, roster where the bar is
absolutely very Low.

Speaker 3 (39:17):
Rockets, shooters for those that do not, know thirty six
percent on the season now For Jalen, green which is
an uptick for him for, sure forty percent For, dylan
thirty four For, fred thirty five for Both jabbari And.
Tari Aaron holliday And Jeff green are forty percent three point,
shooters and they showed that in The rocket's.

Speaker 4 (39:37):
Most Kim fred is thirty. Four that seems.

Speaker 3 (39:40):
High, well he shot a little bit better for a
small chunk of the. Season AND i will not tell
you which two very infrequent three point shooters less than
one hundred attempts are under thirty.

Speaker 2 (39:49):
Percent Jock landell that play he plays when everyone's.

Speaker 3 (39:54):
Resting not under thirty, Percent he's thirty seven point five.
Percent i'm talking About alpi and a.

Speaker 2 (39:59):
Men, WELL i don't LIKE i don't ever like it
When i'm In thompson takes three.

Speaker 4 (40:03):
Points what's in the?

Speaker 2 (40:04):
Corner, yeah he's very good or a'lpe by the, way all,
right we will get to the three o'clock hour straight.
Ahead who needs to absolutely shove? Tonight we'll tell you.

Speaker 1 (40:16):
THE A team On Sports talk seven ninety two Lifelong
houston sports guys Named adham talking your. Team Adam clinton
And Adam wexler are THE A team.

Speaker 2 (40:37):
Straight up three o'clock here On Sports talk seven to
ninety and Now Space City Home. Network it is THE A.
Team it's A friday edition of the. Program it's Early.
APRIL i guess it's Mid april. Now the weather's, fantastic
THE nba playoffs are right around the, corner and The
astros have a must win game tonight At Dykin.

Speaker 4 (40:58):
Park how DID i set it? Up is that too?
Much is that?

Speaker 2 (41:01):
Hyperbole or do you honestly feel that? Way in some,
SENSE i don't feel that way about tonight's.

Speaker 3 (41:07):
Game Per se series, yeah they need to win twice
in the next three, days and then they need to
head back out on the road and do what they
should have done in the previous six, games win both.
Series they can only do this for so. Long AND
i talked about it, yesterday SO i won't go deeply
back into it again. Today but this team's not like
last year's. TEAM i don't know if people are paying
attention to the number one pitching staff in baseball in

(41:29):
terms of. Strikeouts The astros not only lead the majors
in most strikeouts by a pitching staff and most strikeouts
per nine, Innings so it's not just about how many
innings they've been out there. For they're doing it at
a higher rate than anybody. Else they're the hardest team
to hit off. Of they are allowing a batting average
against well below two. Hundred they're pitching like your nine and,

(41:51):
three but you're five and seven and they're wasting. It
this is not going to be where they are all.
Season The astros do probably we won't have the best
pitching staff in baseball this. Year they might not even
be top, five and THE aria is nowhere near the
top ten right. Now but there's certain things that they're
doing that say you should be, winning and.

Speaker 4 (42:09):
We all know why they're. Not i'm not just not any.

Speaker 3 (42:11):
Revelation their offense has been very poor through twelve, games
and of COURSE i don't expect it to. Continue but
unlike last, year if it does continue for two more
segments of the, season like they've already, had because that's
what happened last, year twelve game, segments they're through the
first one through three twelve game. Segments last year they
were twelve and twenty. Four if this twenty twenty Five

(42:32):
astros team is twelve and twenty four after the next
two twelve game, segments the season's. Over they're not going
to win the division and they're not going to the.
Postseason they do not have the talent to do that
what they did a year. Ago there's no player that's
going to be one of the five best offensive players
in The American, league in addition To Jordan, alvarez because

(42:53):
that's What Kyle tucker did for you last year for
the games that he, played And Alex bregman's first thirty
six games weren't too. Good, offense, well the last one
hundred and twenty six whatever number that he played were
which do you expect that from some other player on your?
Roster the high ceiling level play offensively From perettis Or
walker is Borderline Alex. Bregman when he's going, great maybe

(43:18):
you could sell me he does, that Because walker's had
a couple of seasons of an eight hundred plus ops
AND i just don't see that happening For, parretis no
matter how many times he walks and gets on base
in front of your On he's actually got to start
hitting the ball with some, force extra based, power home run.
Power that's the only way these additions to this year's
offense were going to make this year's offense. Good AND

(43:38):
i hate relying on, it and it's been an awful
way to do, things and The yankee pin strikes for,
years but they kind of built this offense two hit
home runs and they're not doing any of. That these
two new guys are not good. Hitters talking About walker And,
perettis they're good power. Hitters they can, slug but they're

(43:59):
not going to hit even two. Seventy we'll be lucky
if they hit two. Forty the way that things have, started.

Speaker 2 (44:04):
It is ALL i kept saying this all off season
after the acquisition Of Christian, walker you can somewhat offset
what you've lost provided he's that. Guy but he hasn't
been that. Guy and if he's not that, guy well
it doesn't matter that you had a void there last
year AT. Hose you, know with Jose A, bray you
at first base where you essentially ended up Starting John

(44:25):
singleton most of the.

Speaker 3 (44:26):
Year people, Again John singleton for as much as he's
not even, here and clearly they wanted to replace, him he.
Wasn't he didn't do anything to hurt the team last.

Speaker 4 (44:35):
Year he. Did he did what he could.

Speaker 3 (44:37):
Do he had a seven hundred plus, ops which almost
nobody else on the team. Did He he wasn't a
disaster by any. MEANS i don't want him to get
painted that, way but he's No. Walker but A bray
was a disaster right first in every possible, way, defensively.

Speaker 2 (44:51):
Offensive first base has been overall a disaster Since ulei
walked out the, door And Christian walker was supposed to
not only change, that but honestly flip it based on
his performance prior to coming To.

Speaker 4 (45:02):
Houston and it's only a handful of.

Speaker 2 (45:04):
GAMES i get, that But holy cow dude like show
up already In jordan, too by the, Way.

Speaker 3 (45:09):
Yeah jordon deserves much more than we give. Him from
a you should he shouldn't just be tacked on at the.
End they will definitely not be competitive this. Year If
jordon is an awesome it's a ton of. Pressure they're
constructed in a way where that has to. Happen that's
who they might be able to win or they might not.
LOSE i should, say if he's, awesome they cannot, win

(45:32):
And i'm probably screwed it.

Speaker 4 (45:33):
UP i think you understand what you're. Saying, uh they can't.

Speaker 3 (45:36):
Win they will not win unless he's at least the
player he's always, been and for four series he's been
not even.

Speaker 4 (45:45):
Pedestrian he's been. Awful, yeah there you, go AND i hate.

Speaker 2 (45:48):
It we all love, him you, see he is A
it's unlikely this continues for any player we named because
they're not hitting two fifteen or two.

Speaker 3 (45:58):
Thirty the first. Nue their batting average is either a
one or a. Zero it's not a little, slump it's
not they're not quite there. Yet they're so far. Back
that's why this offense is last in the in the.
Majors they're just so much better than, this and we
all know, it and they know at some point it's
going To they could have a six home run game

(46:19):
during The City connect.

Speaker 4 (46:20):
Weekend that'd be. AWESOME i wouldn't be.

Speaker 3 (46:22):
Blown away by BECAUSE i think they're capable of something like,
that but they mainly they need to have a ten
home run. Series instead of winning one game thirteen to,
One let's go ahead and win three, times seven to
four and eight to two or things like, that.

Speaker 4 (46:34):
And call me. Crazy hold on to a five to nothing.

Speaker 3 (46:38):
Lead right just by a keeping lead where they could
have been up nine to nothing very.

Speaker 2 (46:43):
Easily, okay this is What this is what has frustrated
me about The, astros even before they let you, Know
Alex bregman walk and Traded Kyle tucker and everything else
that people are complaining about right, now which that's what's
gonna happen when you don't win as. Much they left
guys on base last. Year they left guys on base
in twenty three at an alarming. Rate they even did

(47:04):
it in twenty two when they won the whole. Thing
like they should have been better in all of these
years from just a scoring perspective or a run differential
or any metric that you want to look, AT i.
Can't to, me it's almost, better AND i know it's,
not so let me caveat. That it's almost better if
you never get guys on, base because then you know you.

Speaker 3 (47:25):
Suck that's like THE covid. YEAR i don't even want
to go to the. PLAYOFFS i.

Speaker 4 (47:28):
DON'T i, didn't and then they were this close to
Another World.

Speaker 3 (47:32):
Series twenty nine and thirty One astros headed to the postseason.

Speaker 4 (47:36):
And they went To game seven of THE alcs and.

Speaker 2 (47:38):
Lost but, NO i would almost rather that be the,
case so you know where you, stand rather than this
purgatory offensive setup where you get guys on. Base they're
just never gonna come. Home SO i hope you like
them out. There they look nice in their new, city
Connect jersey on, first, second and sometimes third, base but
they're not coming home because you can't get a clutch.

Speaker 4 (47:58):
Hit trives me.

Speaker 3 (47:59):
Crazy, yeah twenty three was when they were. Awesome they
were second in baseball with runners in scoring. Positions it
was only two years. Ago, clearly the rosters very. DIFFERENT
i believe they lost THAT alcs two years. Ago The,
rangers they were The. Rangers they were. Awesome they were
second IN ops in baseball with runners in scoring.

Speaker 4 (48:16):
Position last year they were. Fourteenth this year they're twenty.
Eighth is that?

Speaker 2 (48:21):
BAD i feel LIKE i have TO i feel LIKE
i have to say that sometimes when the numbers you
give us are SO i, dire.

Speaker 4 (48:29):
It can show.

Speaker 3 (48:30):
You those numbers can show you that's a very strict.
Sample you're only talking about these you, know it's well
over thirteen hundred at bats over the course of the.
Season for this, year we're talking about a little more
than a handful of at. Bats The astros at twenty
eight AND ops are twenty second at bats with runners

(48:51):
in Score they they haven't had a ton of.

Speaker 4 (48:52):
Them we've only.

Speaker 3 (48:53):
Talked we're only talking about twelve games to begin, with
and you do something with the next you, know you
go ten for thirty this, series just ten for, thirty
that's not even. Overwhelming you go five for fourteen in a,
game that would be. Overwhelmed those numbers can shift pretty
quickly with such a small, number just twelve, games just
ninety two at. Bats but in other years they were

(49:13):
much closer to the top of the league and times
at bat with runners in scoring.

Speaker 4 (49:17):
Position so both.

Speaker 3 (49:19):
Bad at it when it occurs and they're not making
it happen nearly. Enough Christian walker will have a hit
with runners in scoring position this?

Speaker 4 (49:26):
Year is it this but he doesn't have one? Yet
is it this? Weekend come, on that's this. WEEKEND i
told you that.

Speaker 3 (49:31):
Yesterday he's gonna totally shake out of his funk because
the fans are going to cheer wildly for, him at
least the ones in the building before the game when
he gets his twenty twenty four goal.

Speaker 2 (49:40):
Glove he could be honored before the. Game, yeah, NO
i saw that he didn't do that. Here oh, yeah
so you're, right my. Bad take that.

Speaker 3 (49:46):
Back The Houston astros fans and the smattering Of angels
fans in the building tonight will refuse to cheer for
an award won as a. Diamondback, listen listen What i'm
getting out put them together For Christian. Walker it's actually
Any it's actually even more petty than you. Think until
you get an extra base hit with a runner and scoring,
position you can't have your hardware as a diamondback from last.

Speaker 4 (50:07):
Year i'm not. Serious you know.

Speaker 2 (50:11):
Why i'm so frustrated more often than not with anybody
in An astros uniform because the expectations are, high, yes
but more often than, not it's because the players in,
question just like you just, said we know they're better
than what they're.

Speaker 4 (50:24):
Showing and fill in the. Blank that could be any.

Speaker 2 (50:27):
Player that could Be Alex bregman through the first like
two and a half months of last year where his
extended slow start was super, extended Or Christian walker this
year where he's a guy who has been brought in
to offset some of the offensive. Loss and it doesn't
help When Alex bregman's having the best start of his career. Ever,

(50:48):
right there's not a better start to a year ever
in An astros uniform And Kyle tucker's mashing that doesn't.

Speaker 3 (50:54):
Help, yeah unsurprising That, bregman where half of his games
now have been played at, home crushed there and has
his whole career In Tucker's he's just awesome.

Speaker 4 (51:03):
Guy, Detroit he's never done anything.

Speaker 3 (51:05):
There when he said it and made it clear if
to be believed that he was about he was. Done
the negotiations had. Ended he was playing For, detroit he
was taking their. Deal Before boston came in with a,
deal he could not say.

Speaker 9 (51:16):
No.

Speaker 3 (51:17):
TO i, KNOW i cannot believe. THAT i said it
from the start of the off. SEASON i Aj, hinch
can you, know make his case all he wants and
the team is good and has a chance to win
their division and maybe win big because of their.

Speaker 2 (51:30):
Pitching so there's a lot of parallels between them In
boston in those. WAYS i don't want to play. There
how hard is? This why Would Alex bergman want to play?
There why would he and his wife want to live?
There AND i don't mean To i'm not trying to
crap On, detroit the. City i'm just.

Speaker 3 (51:43):
Trying to talk about what they're trying to do with their.
Lives doesn't sound, Like, yeah we wanted to settle down
In detroit and enhance my influencer platform and sell a
lot of salsa In detroit and be the biggest person In. Detroit,
no it's never gonna Happen, boston where it sounded like
he would be from the.

Speaker 4 (52:01):
Jump you sound Like wayne's. World, Hi i'm In.

Speaker 2 (52:04):
Delaware that's what she sounded like just now talking About,
Detroit michigan.

Speaker 1 (52:10):
The eight On Sports talk seven Ninety.

Speaker 11 (52:24):
It is THE a.

Speaker 2 (52:25):
Team It's Sports talk seven to Ninety friday edition of the.
Program as we get you into the, weekend that will
obviously Include Renel blanco and company going against The angels.
Tonight they're coming off in eleven to one victory and
they're also ahead of The astros in The Al. West
but you can do something about that by winning just

(52:47):
two out.

Speaker 4 (52:47):
Of three this.

Speaker 2 (52:48):
WEEKEND i would think that would go a long ways
towards turning the fortunes around of this team early on this.
Season Renel, BLANCO i know we just got done talking
about how the offense needs to pick it. Up Renel
blanco should probably hope for a better performance this time
around and just an overall start to this. YEAR i,
mean his first performance last year was a no, hitter

(53:09):
so that's kind of a tough bar to reach in
year two as being part of this. Rotation but just
a better performance than last time. OUT i don't think
it's too much to.

Speaker 3 (53:17):
Ask you got to give the team some, innings even
after the off day last week was a little bit
tough for them to get. Through it cost them making
a couple of roster moves to do. So Luis contreres
ended up coming back because then The Spencer agetty went,
down and that's the other part of this. Weekend you're
getting the first ever major league start For. Augusto he's
been very good and he would have gotten his first
major league start to end last year In game one sixty,

(53:37):
two but they didn't play. It so how many innings
you're gonna get From blanco right into how many innings
are you gonna get from a. Rookie it's how you
fall into trouble with your pitching. Staff they'll have Next thursday,
off but six days in a row of, games and
the first two are the two most likely starters to
not give you. Length and that's the worst timing of.

(53:59):
All right in front of not having any days. Off
you just watched your bullpen on a day where clearly
everybody you would have liked to give the ball too
was not. Available two of the three best were not,
available apparently Because Brian king And Josh hater didn't get the.

Speaker 4 (54:12):
Ball and it showed the further.

Speaker 3 (54:14):
Down the ladder you, go the less likely you are
to not only have, success but you're going to many
many more of. Them get six innings From Hunter, brown
you only needed nine. Outs probably can figure even if
pitchers aren't, available you have the right players out there
to get. That two appearances For blanco against The angels last,
season both of them came late in the, season In,

(54:37):
september in a week's. Time he was very good against.
Them it's not clearly the same, lineup it's not clearly
the same, team AND i guess you could say it's probably. Noteworthy,
well pretty much at any time you face The angels last,
Year Mike trott wasn't in the. Lineup he obviously was
not in the lineup late in the. Season he's taken
quite well to playing right, field his misplay in the

(55:00):
minor league. Stadium, notwithstanding he hit two home runs in
his most recent, game not tearing the cover off the,
ball as his two to five average would, suggest but
five of his nine hits have left the. Ballpark you
should not have an eight to ninety five ops while
hitting two. Five but if he hit five home, runs

(55:22):
and if six of your nine hits or go for extra,
bases you. Will and he's, good and he's. Back it's
why they're one of the best. Offense one of the
reasons why they're one of the best offenses in. Baseball
their team obp is in the top. Five they put
guys on base and they bring them. Around they're not
one of the highest run scoring, teams but all the

(55:43):
peripherals say that's actually something they can look forward. To
with the way this new Look angels team, IS i
didn't think they would. WIN i still don't think they'll,
win BUT i did think they were going to be
better for a team that doesn't know how to spend
when they spend. Big all of their big contracts are team.
Killers they have been for about fifteen, years but they

(56:05):
didn't do that this.

Speaker 4 (56:06):
Offseason they.

Speaker 3 (56:07):
Signed unless you consider The Usay kakuchi contract a big,
one and it's sizeable in terms of sixty three million,
dollars it's only a three year. DEAL i think good or,
bad they're gonna feel fine about. That and that's not
really the. Point the point is they signed a bunch
of other players just to help them be more, competitive
to put them in the mix for not only winning
more than they, did but potentially to be a team

(56:28):
that every single other team is calling In july and,
saying can we get this?

Speaker 4 (56:33):
Player can we get that.

Speaker 3 (56:33):
Player they might not help The angels make the, playoffs
but they might help The angels get some more talent
when other teams will want. Them Jorge solaire is that
caliber player not gotten off to any kind of great offensive.
Start The astros have seen him hit moonshots, before lots
of other teams have. ALSO i don't Think Joe adell
has figured it out as a major leaguer by any.

Speaker 4 (56:53):
Means he did the other day when he hit two home,
runs but he's coming off a two home run.

Speaker 3 (56:56):
Game they had two, Players i'm, sorry three players hit
two home runs each in their last.

Speaker 4 (57:03):
Game that's how you get eleven runs in the.

Speaker 3 (57:05):
Game you also play At Steinbrenner field in front of
ten thousand.

Speaker 4 (57:09):
Fans why don't they just play In.

Speaker 3 (57:11):
OMAHA i don't think they're going to asterisk the games
played In, Saker tomato or At Steinbrenner field.

Speaker 2 (57:17):
This Year, tomato but two.

Speaker 3 (57:19):
Different home ballparks our minor league baseball parks this.

Speaker 2 (57:23):
Year great, Job Rob, manfred great great, job all? Right
al two by leads off in left. Field in case
you're wondering which position he'd be playing, tonight at second.

Speaker 3 (57:32):
BASE i Figured joe was not going to give him
a day off after the team had a day.

Speaker 2 (57:35):
Off, yeah Du bond's playing his old position in case you're,
wondering and he's the nine hole. Hitter but who's old?
Position al Two ba's old position of second. Base, okay
what did you?

Speaker 3 (57:44):
THINK i, SAID i just want to make sure that
people understood as you walked your way through At altuve
in left, field Du bond's Playing altwovey's old, position not
To bond's old, position because that's all of.

Speaker 2 (57:53):
Them, well it was his old position when he filled
in For al Two velei the last time When al
two they had the broken. Thumb what, Else, WELL i
did give you the one hitter and then the nine,
hitter So i'm kind of going out of, order. Bait,
well the other part is obvious pretty much no. Changes,
yeah well, okay but here's where it comes. In we
talked About Jordon alvarez in his one ninety five average
in his four to twenty five. Ops what's more surprising

(58:17):
that or Yiner diez sixty?

Speaker 3 (58:21):
One, Uh jordon's only because this is we got many
years of nine hundred and he's one of the five.

Speaker 4 (58:28):
Best he's.

Speaker 3 (58:28):
Awesome he's probably the best left handed hitter in. Baseball
or at least in The American. LEAGUE i should say
you shouldn't have any stretch of twelve games where he
hits under two. Hundred we, have we have clear, pedigree
we have clear, resume we have clear. History that should
literally never happen unless he has some sort of injury
that he's. Hiding, yiner less, history more of a plummet

(58:49):
to the depths OF i can't even believe What i'm,
seeing BUT i would still lean on it's more surprised
than That jordon hasn't kind of clicked at some point
during any one of these three. Series for a couple
of games in a, row for a couple of bats
in a, row he's only put one ball over the.
Fence he's hit a couple to the, fence but not
like we've seen pretty much every other twelve game stretch
of almost his entire major league. Career yanner's in a funk.

(59:11):
Yowners he's feeling it at the. Plate he's going through.
It as the kids might, say as soon as he
has one good, DAY i think he's. FINE i don't
know when that, comes but LIKE i, said the lineup
today is basically What joe's been putting out there every.

Speaker 4 (59:24):
Day there's only so much he can. Do these are
the guys that should be in the.

Speaker 3 (59:26):
Lineup and if you're taking guys already out of where
you really truly want them because you thought they would
perform a certain, way then you're kind of acknowledging to.

Speaker 4 (59:34):
Them, man you.

Speaker 3 (59:35):
Stink Partis, Alvarez, Walker PAYNA ds two through. Six that
is the way to put these guys in the, lineup
regardless of how they are. Hitting the unfortunate part is your,
three four and five hitters are awful with runners in
scoring position this. Year pania is Like, walker hitless with
runners in scoring. Position they're your four and five. Hitters
they're zero for eighteen this year with runners in scoring.

(59:57):
Position myers is in center And Cam smith in the lineup.
Again he's in right. Field he's hitting two. Hundred he's
off to a slow. Start he Has, Altuve perettis And
jake as the only hitters in the lineup with a
higher batting average than his two. Hundred it's the thirteenth

(01:00:20):
game of the. Season they're sending a lineup out to
beat a division foe with six players in the lineup
hitting two hundred or.

Speaker 4 (01:00:28):
Worse, gosh twelve games into the.

Speaker 2 (01:00:31):
SEASON i know we talk about the this would be
hidden a little bit more if it were In august
Or june or anytime during The, well we've already put
one hundred and two hundred and three hundred played appearances,
together but the whole team at no point last year
had a twelve game long struggle fest like we're watching this.

Speaker 4 (01:00:52):
Year Struggle fest is putting it very, nicely by the.

Speaker 3 (01:00:55):
WAY i, mean, well they've only lost seven, times, shockingly.

Speaker 2 (01:00:59):
They've somehow five times really really. Good the best in
the majors in some. Senses, Absolutely but that's the only
part of this season that we predicted that has actually
come into. Play and even that hasn't been exactly how
we predicted it Because renelle has not been.

Speaker 3 (01:01:17):
GOOD i wouldn't have predicted them to ever be at
this point as a, staff, well the first. Two, yeah
but that's two pitchers out of.

Speaker 4 (01:01:24):
Thirteen, yeah that's all you need the. Postseason it's not the.
POSTSEASON i might as well be here In.

Speaker 2 (01:01:29):
April but, YEAH I Spencer ARAGHTTY i thought was going
to be, fantastic and he hasn't been. Bad he's just gotten.
Hurt it's Not Spencer araghedtty IS i think going to
BE i hesitate to say, Elite but at no point
during last season was his progression anything that would keep

(01:01:52):
me from saying that if you kept on that, track
you know WHAT i, mean that's.

Speaker 4 (01:01:55):
Great when do you think he'll pitch?

Speaker 2 (01:01:56):
Again, well he didn't have to have, surgery so re
evaluated in two.

Speaker 4 (01:02:01):
Weeks starting In. June, yeah, yeah off of a broken.

Speaker 3 (01:02:06):
Digit, yeah and you rehab necessary to come back as
a pitcher to the.

Speaker 2 (01:02:12):
Hand it's. Away i'm aware of the. Calendar At june,
first he's out, there no, shot not at.

Speaker 4 (01:02:20):
All why?

Speaker 3 (01:02:21):
NOT i got nothing for. YOU i don't have the
ability to wager things away from my, self self and.
FAMILY i gotta keep everything about a box of. Cheese
it's not interested family. Size, No i'm interested from WHEN i, win.

Speaker 4 (01:02:34):
You'll buy yourself phone, ANYWAY i don't have.

Speaker 8 (01:02:35):
To bet on.

Speaker 10 (01:02:36):
That, yeah But i'm actually agreeing with You, CLINTON i
really do like the fact that he didn't have surgery
is actually in my, CORNER i think in this.

Speaker 2 (01:02:42):
Bet but we shall see first things, First Renel, Blanco
tonight we will hear from the head coach of Your Houston.

Speaker 4 (01:02:49):
Rockets coming up next.

Speaker 1 (01:02:52):
The On Sports talk seven ninety eight. Team rolling along
here On Sports talk seven ninety as we get you
into the weekend that will feature The astros taking on
The angels in a three game set back here In.
Houston by the, way it Is City connect. Weekend just, quick,

(01:03:18):
quick guess if the if The City connect one point
oer jerseys did wildly, successful these are going to blow.

Speaker 4 (01:03:29):
The numbers out of the water when all is said
and done.

Speaker 2 (01:03:31):
Right all week and long they're wearing, these which means
all week and long people will be even further encouraged
to go to one of the three major team, shops
plus the little ones within Dyk In park and just
hand them their.

Speaker 3 (01:03:44):
MONEY i, mean you gotta CONSIDER i would consider this
item of. Thought every team in every sport in the
history of major professional sports has a white or light
cream colored. Jersey this is what this. Is unlike the
last alternate, jersey which was dark, blue including the. Pants, everybody,

(01:04:05):
well you weren't buying the pants very. OFTEN i think
people should be able to. EVERYBODY i feel like everybody
wears that jersey for every team that's ever, existed the Home.

Speaker 4 (01:04:15):
WHITES i believe it's always the most.

Speaker 3 (01:04:17):
Popular now when you have most teams, now both the
orange and the grays of The, astros they obviously are super.
Popular Hunter brown said the oranges are his, favorite AND
i think most of the time when you see jerseys,
now they're. Orange BUT i do, agree AND i think
that's one of the reasons WHY i think these jerseys
are going to be even more successful than the last go.
Round even though at some point it's the same audience

(01:04:40):
people that are buying The City connect two point. Zeros
i'm not sure what the percentages, are BUT i bet
it's pretty reasonably.

Speaker 4 (01:04:46):
High have The.

Speaker 3 (01:04:47):
City connect one point and you know, this at some
point you're going to have so many how many more
are you going to?

Speaker 8 (01:04:53):
Buy?

Speaker 2 (01:04:53):
Well and it's like the good WHAT i like about?
This and you know you can do it however you.
Want you, know The rocket do A City connect every single,
year so it's. Different but, look if you if you
got that blue, one you probably got it when it
first came out and you were like. ME i liked
it at the very, outset and THEN i kind of

(01:05:14):
soured on it for whatever reason as time went, ON
i don't know, why and THEN i ended up getting
one at the very tail, end BUT i like from
the Jump i've wanted to get AND i still haven't
gotten it.

Speaker 4 (01:05:26):
YET i just haven't had a.

Speaker 2 (01:05:26):
Chance BUT i have loved these and completely love, them
way more than the.

Speaker 4 (01:05:32):
Last, ones WHICH i still.

Speaker 2 (01:05:33):
Like it's just but for the whole weekend they'll be wearing,
them and so, yeah they'll be selling that kind of
gear hand over.

Speaker 4 (01:05:40):
Fist do we have time to To it's. CLOSE i
knew what was. Happening.

Speaker 2 (01:05:44):
See SOMETIMES i love the fact that this segment is
actually broadcast on television because if you're watching right now
and you can hear, us and you're not just in
a bar where you just see, us if you SAW
wex do, this.

Speaker 3 (01:05:54):
So we're in a two shot right. Now WHEN i do,
this it's not by accident, awesome it's.

Speaker 4 (01:05:59):
Intentional it's.

Speaker 2 (01:06:00):
Awesome and sometimes he'll do that and it might have
something to do with Something i've done or said might
not and THEN i might never.

Speaker 3 (01:06:06):
Know, no it had nothing to do with you when it.
Did that's not, true because sometimes it doesn't. KNOW i
was just looking something.

Speaker 2 (01:06:12):
Up sometimes it does have something to do with, me
or doesn't have anything to do with. Me but it
doesn't matter because the way he, Reacts i'm, like what
AM i supposed to do with? That like if you're
having an argument with your wife and she looks at
you because he's my work, wife and she looks at
you in the middle of.

Speaker 4 (01:06:29):
It and she, goes.

Speaker 8 (01:06:31):
Are you kidding?

Speaker 2 (01:06:32):
Me? Yeah maybe she doesn't say, that she just does
the the you, know physical part of.

Speaker 4 (01:06:36):
It come. On BUT i know when to stop when
it's with, her and usually it's my, fault.

Speaker 2 (01:06:42):
And you do know always you don't know when to
stop when it's. Me, ABSOLUTELY i can't.

Speaker 4 (01:06:46):
STOP i never.

Speaker 2 (01:06:47):
Stop it's keep. Going, yeah, well we both do the
same thing in different.

Speaker 3 (01:06:52):
Ways rather than prevent you guys from hearing in part
in full what we have, email you do because appearance
earlier On Sports talk seven ninety on The Matt Thomas
show With. Ross technically, yes by, title but not accurate
today As ross's, weekend it was already. Underway let's hear
it all in full this next segment so we can

(01:07:13):
make sure all of the goodness Is, therefore you mentioned
earlier that it will be a similar night to two
other games this month for The rockets when they rested
a host of. Players AND i say this to try
to make this sound as awesome as, possible but also
being as factual as. Possible the rookie class was probably

(01:07:33):
not thought of to be tremendous in THE nba this.
Year the two players off the, top nobody really had
seen them. Play they weren't playing here In, america they
weren't in. College And Reed shepherd was the third overall
pick in the. DRAFT i don't think there was a
lot of optimism about excellence on the, horizon immediate excellence

(01:07:54):
from the NBA's rookie draft, class And Reed shepherd was
put in the road earlier in the year without really
playing his way into the. Rotation i'm not sure if
he practiced his way into the, rotation but he was
there nonetheless and just didn't have a whole lot of.
Success he wasn't shooting the basketball very, well he wasn't
able to find his spots on the, court and just

(01:08:14):
was pretty unhelpful to him and unhelpful to The. ROCKETS
a little bit different for the two players In washington And, atlanta,
respectively because their teams are.

Speaker 4 (01:08:22):
Awful just put him out. There we don't even care
how they.

Speaker 3 (01:08:25):
Performed it doesn't matter because this is the only way
for them to get, better and truly it's the only
way for our team to get. Better but tonight should
Be Reed shepherd's THIRD nba. START i don't have the
starting lineup, yet BUT i feel pretty. Confident with seven
rockets out till you know who's out to just do,
Them i'm pretty confident That Reed shepherd will get another,

(01:08:46):
start and in games started by rookies that have played
at least one hundred and seventy minutes this stretch of,
games he's number one in THE nba scoring, Well, yeah
he's shooting fifty four percent from the.

Speaker 4 (01:09:01):
Floor do HIS g league? NUMBERS i.

Speaker 3 (01:09:03):
Don't people are still bamboozled a little bit by his first.

Speaker 4 (01:09:07):
Game why because the.

Speaker 2 (01:09:09):
Other he weren't like. That, yeah but he had decent
games in other. Outings he would scored like, twenty wouldn't he.

Speaker 3 (01:09:16):
Right i'd rather point out the numbers he's had IN
nba games AGAINST nba talent because the other teams were.

Speaker 2 (01:09:21):
Playing he's not playing AGAINST g league. Talent in THE,
Nba he's playing against the best The clippers had to,
offer the best The thunder had to. OFFER i know
it's funny because it's true at what we're saying about.
Him you know what was the best is Watching Cam
whitmore go down to THE G league and just dunk on,
everybody doesn't matter this. Side he sad that in THE
nba when he gets, in but he can't get.

Speaker 3 (01:09:42):
In So, yeah twenty two and a half points per
game For reid in his two starts so far this,
season fifty five percent shooting, overall fifty three percent shooting on,
threes at eight and a half attempts per. Game that's
those numbers for players that are at his, position then rookies.
Overall from a scoring, standpoint those are again two. Starts

(01:10:03):
there's other players with forty starts and you know many more.
Starts those are using this to my statistical. Advantage these
are best in THE nba type, numbers much better Than
teresa chet as a. Starter he's only he only averaging
twelve point eight points a game when he. Starts reads
averaging almost twenty three points a game when he. Starts

(01:10:24):
get on his level is what you need to. Do
by the, Way zach scored thirty eight and The hawks
win last. Night he's been, really really. Good the second
part of the season is very good against The rockets
not too long. Ago but his team is, awful, Right
And i'm going to the play in tournament in The
Eastern conference.

Speaker 4 (01:10:40):
Because The east.

Speaker 2 (01:10:41):
Sucks which one of those guys is vastly closer to
get AN nba Ring it's not the guy In. Atlanta It's.

Speaker 3 (01:10:47):
Rares it's not. Impossible it has happened many times. Before you,
Know Larry bird is number one overall and he plays
for The. Celtics James, worthy he's playing for The. Lakers
but the third overall pick playing for the fourth best
team in THE nba as a.

Speaker 2 (01:11:01):
Rookie it's not supposed to. Happen when Was Sam cassell
drafted twenties.

Speaker 4 (01:11:06):
Twenty, THREE i, believe or, seventeen that's one of.

Speaker 2 (01:11:08):
Them it was their first round, pick but it wasn't
near the top of the. Draft but his first two
years in the, league ring, ring this is easy. Reserve,
yeah but come, on. Finisher kenny was starting games and
he was finishing them unless always Not game one of the.
Finals Wasn't Sam cassell hitting that three or the other
six against The, Magic but the very next night he went.
Off people forget about that game. Two that was All

(01:11:29):
Sam kassel.

Speaker 3 (01:11:30):
Yep seventeen or twenty. Three he was the twenty fourth
pick in the first round in nineteen ninety.

Speaker 4 (01:11:35):
Three we always nailed. It we know our. Numbers Me
udoka next for real.

Speaker 5 (01:11:40):
The age On Sports talk seven.

Speaker 6 (01:11:42):
Ninety, hey you know we should do this segment what
we should play Emy udoka so THAT i can recover
from what we were talking about during the.

Speaker 3 (01:12:01):
Break rocket stead Coach Immay doka made his weekly appearance
On The Matt Thomas show With ross spoke With. Matt
they are both In la ready to take on The,
lakers last road game of the regular season for The.
Rockets catch the conversation in full Via Sports talk seven
ninety dot com or via The iHeartRadio. App catch it
in part right here With emay's response to nice to
be in the position that you're, in earning your way into.

Speaker 4 (01:12:23):
Deciding how you want to use and rest your. Players,
yeah this's an.

Speaker 11 (01:12:27):
Accomplishment obviously got more to, go but you, know our
guys should be proud of where we're at and the
fact that we earned some rest and are in a
position to pick our own our own destiny and. Fate
instead of having to rely on anybody else or be
in the late season, battles like a lot of teams
are doing right, Now so guys understand that they deserve.

(01:12:47):
It they put in the work to get, here and
now it's a chance to get healed, up rested, up sharpened,
up and give some other guys some opportunities so we
can improve our.

Speaker 4 (01:12:56):
Depth is.

Speaker 7 (01:12:57):
EVERYBODY i, mean by the time that you guys get,
started you feel Like i'll be back to close one
hundred percent is just off time between not only these
games that they may or may not playing in the week.
Off is that is that put you as close one
hundred percent as?

Speaker 11 (01:13:08):
Possible? Oh, ABSOLUTELY i mean other Than All Star, break
you don't get this amount of time off in the
season at.

Speaker 4 (01:13:14):
All and so we got guys nicked.

Speaker 11 (01:13:16):
Up you, know If fred got the, Ankle jabari had
come off the ankle and got a little growing something,
up you got a little back and things here and.

Speaker 8 (01:13:23):
There they could obviously play through if we needed.

Speaker 11 (01:13:25):
To but it's a chance to get healed up obviously
in these. Games don't want to be off too. Long
so we'll get in some work in the next two.
Games but chance to stay, sharp get, rested get, healed
and at this time of, year with that week off
before the, playoffs avoiding the playing is a big advantage as.

Speaker 4 (01:13:41):
Well so is.

Speaker 7 (01:13:43):
There gonna be a big watch party at The Adoka
house On tuesday night to see who you?

Speaker 4 (01:13:48):
Play not a.

Speaker 11 (01:13:49):
Watch, party But i'll be watching alone to see something like. That,
obviously myself and the staff will be preparing for two,
opponents and so we'll have a step ahead.

Speaker 4 (01:13:58):
Regardless of who it, is and then obviously focused and.

Speaker 11 (01:14:00):
Zero in on the opponent once we figure out who it.
Is but it's a little bit different than in years,
past where you may know a week before who you're
going to play based on the. Shootings the plan brings
another element to, that but citing to the fans opportunity
for other teams to sneak. In but we have to
prepare for two as if we're playing featcha.

Speaker 7 (01:14:19):
Them you may have your personal, favorite AND i wouldn't
ask that of you BECAUSE i have my personal, favorite
AND i don't want to give that.

Speaker 4 (01:14:25):
Out too much.

Speaker 7 (01:14:25):
Either but the point being is that you, Know i've
looked at the standing to look at it every. DAY
i look at it fifteen times a. DAY i didn't
anticipate The spurs beating The warriors a couple nights, back
and then they lose that, game and Then memphis loses
To minnesota and that moves up The Golden state of
the six. Spot it's incredible how tight these teams are

(01:14:48):
and how you try to anticipate who you might be,
playing and it would be frankly idiotic to do it
because things could just change here a lot in the
next forty eight.

Speaker 4 (01:14:56):
Hours, yeah that's.

Speaker 11 (01:14:58):
Why ever since probably ten games, out twenty games, out
we've worried about ourselves and wanted to be in this
position to solidify our seed and not have to worry
about anybody or get the. Help and at this, point
to your, point it could be anybody changes on a nightly,
basis and a lot of these teams are playing each
other heads, up so it can change and flip, flop

(01:15:18):
like you, said game to, game night to, night and
so for, us so we worried about. Ourselves we'll figure
out the opponent when it's there and not try to
get too cute and to manipulate. Anything and LIKE i,
said being in the number two seed with the days
off and the rest is that was our, goal be,
healthy be playing our best, basketball be, sharp and then
we've achieved.

Speaker 7 (01:15:35):
That you might not have said this, yet BUT i
know there's going to be a speech coming up from
you about what playoff basketball. Is, Like dylan knows about,
It steven knows about, It fred knows about.

Speaker 4 (01:15:44):
It but you've got a lot of young men that.
Don't so what have you told them from your experience.

Speaker 7 (01:15:49):
About the game of THE nba playoffs that is unlike
a regular season.

Speaker 4 (01:15:52):
Game, yeah that everything's.

Speaker 11 (01:15:54):
HEIGHTENED i think we've done a pretty good job of
building toward that in the last time. Games we obviously
our last eight, GAMES i think seven of those were
against high level, teams playoff, contenders and so we already
had our mindset around starting to shift our mentality towards
that preparing for the. Playoffs so we don't have to
flip a. Switch but what we do is what we,
do and it carries well in the. Playoffs of, physicality

(01:16:16):
the effort that we play, with all those, things they
are great things going, forward but you have to experience
them for the first. Time but at the same, time
keep as simple as just basketball and what we do,
works and what we've done all year the guys have
bought into so at the end of the day that
will carry. Over, Well i'll let the bets talk to
the guys about experience as, well but we'll share our.
Stories but getting out there and getting the feed wet

(01:16:37):
for the first time is the best way to handle.

Speaker 7 (01:16:38):
It you may talk with us for a few more
minutes here on The Matt Thomas show With ross you
may you took The celtics to THE Nba finals and
you played three series and won. Them what is it
like for the? Players just, look video is a huge
part of. It are there a lot of things that
teams will throw at you different wrinkles or is.

Speaker 4 (01:16:56):
It just kind of accentuate the stuff.

Speaker 7 (01:16:59):
That you want to do the meaning is there anything
that the other teams could be hiding that they have
not put out until the?

Speaker 4 (01:17:06):
Playoffs would that surprised you at?

Speaker 7 (01:17:07):
All if teams would make a massive shift or that
just doesn't happen in THE nba right.

Speaker 4 (01:17:10):
Now it's a little bit of.

Speaker 11 (01:17:11):
Both you have to do what you do really well
and then obviously somebody's going to make an adjustment at some.
Point if if what you're doing is, working obviously stick
with it and try to amplify. That but teams that
are struggling will obviously go to, adjustments and that's the
job of the coaching staff to, have you, know PLAN,
ABC D e if you NEED b and for, US

(01:17:32):
i think we've thrown a lot of our guys this,
year mixing some things to keep teams off, balanced off,
rhythm and you don't throw it all out in a meaningless,
game but you save certain things that you've seen worked.
Well and then obviously you have all your stuff in
your back pocket and so if what you're doing, works
you go with it until need, be but expecting other
teams to throw adjustments if they're struggling in a certain
area or trying to take advantage of. Something so it's

(01:17:53):
a little bit of a chess, match of, course much
different than a regular season game where you're preparing for
that team one time and then you're moving on to
The it's back and forth ups and downs of a playoff,
series and a lot of times it comes down to.

Speaker 3 (01:18:05):
That what do you think An Emai udoka hosted watch
party would be? Like because he was asked By matt
would he be having a watch Party tuesday night next?
Week is the seven to eight play in tournament game
for both The east and The. West so the two
teams that finished second in their respective, Conferences boston And,
houston they'll find out who they are hosting in their

(01:18:26):
seven game series that. Night it would be what's the word, Awesome,
yes tremendous. INTENSE i just told you during that we
were talking a little bit DURING i mean we were paying,
attention of, course but.

Speaker 4 (01:18:37):
We were also referenced something he. SAID i was clearly paying.

Speaker 2 (01:18:39):
ATTENTION i was, LIKE i want to hang out with E.
MAY i know it's not going to, happen BUT i
really want. To, like he's Just i'm going to get
a custom shirt made for the. Postseason i'm not telling
you what it, says but it's it's a it's affection
for E.

Speaker 3 (01:18:55):
May twice in his LAST i think three pre game,
conferences maybe one of them was, postgame.

Speaker 4 (01:19:03):
He cracked a. Joke he's happy right.

Speaker 3 (01:19:05):
Now he cracked A draymond, joke, which again he delivers
his comments such a dead, pan very, serious intense sort of.
WAY i was CLEARLY i knew it was a. JOKE
i think he paused and then he, said that was a.
Joke just to make sure because everybody realized it was a.
Joke except he's. Not he's not all dismissive in any.

Speaker 2 (01:19:33):
Way he's actually, LIKE i don't think he's had an
interaction with a media, member and believe, me he could.
Have there's some dumb questions that have been asked of.
Him i'll just leave it at.

Speaker 3 (01:19:44):
THAT a lot of people think That jordan is going
to make Sure bill is not like that this season
getting miked up at. Practice what is she going to? Do,
Hey bill stopped doing. That, done case. Closed that's how that.

Speaker 4 (01:20:00):
Works it. Is now is she going to be at the.
Table that's the only way it's gonna.

Speaker 3 (01:20:04):
Change she's going to be at the dinner table and
the breakfast, table and the lunch, table.

Speaker 4 (01:20:08):
And the sideline table and on the bench. Press she's
gonna be.

Speaker 3 (01:20:11):
Everywhere what's the sideline table, like where you go get taped? Up,
oh the trainer's. TABLE i thought it was a trainer's. Table, yeah, Sure.

Speaker 2 (01:20:18):
Bill doesn't need to get taped. Up his shirt's already
been torn. Properly get him learning about semantics on our. Show,
well it was sideline. TABLE i thought was at the
end table in their. BEDROOM i don't know what's.

Speaker 4 (01:20:27):
That that's. Two we got two more hours here on the, eighteen.

Speaker 1 (01:20:34):
The eighteen On Sports talk seven ninety two Lifelong houston
sports guys Named adham talking Your. Team Adam clinton And
Adam wexler are the eighteen.

Speaker 2 (01:20:55):
Four o'clock hour underway here On Sports docks seven ninety
eight And Space City Home. Network it is the a
team as we get you into the. Weekend it's A
friday edition of the. Program you've Got Ronell blanco going
on The bump tonight just after seven. O'clock he'll hear
that right here On Sports talk seven to. Nine you'll
see it On Space City Home. Network down the. Dial

(01:21:16):
rockets And, laker, WELL i take that, back The lakers
and The rockets skeleton crew getting together On News radio
seven FORTY. Krh everybody But jalen is. Out everybody all,
Right they will feel the. Team but most of the
rotation guys that you're gonna see in the postseason when
the game start to count again for The, rockets they

(01:21:36):
will not be a part of things. TONIGHT i actually
do wonder how many Minutes jalen will play because the other,
Night josh AND i our network Producer josh. C we were, Like,
oh he's just doing this to keep that starting streak.
Intact you, know he started all these consecutive games in a,
row and then he kept, playing and he kept, playing
and he kept, playing AND i think he played into
the second. HALF i think not, okay so he's done

(01:21:58):
a halftime, then still way more minutes THAN i thought
he was gonna play in a meaningless game for The.
Rockets i'll be interested to see how many he plays,
tonight And i'd be very interested to see if what
you say comes to, pass which is that On sunday
in the regular season, finale which again is a two
thirty start for those of you planning to be down
there At Toyota, center it's the final regular season home.

(01:22:18):
GAME i know That fred's not gonna, play BUT i
wonder how many people will be in the lineup for that.

Speaker 4 (01:22:25):
Game, YEAH i just don't just.

Speaker 3 (01:22:27):
GUESSING i think they will probably play that game for
a few, Guys jalen being one of, Them dylan possibly,
another and a. MEN i think those three guys will
play Like jalen did two nights, ago being the starting.
Lineup maybe catch a second run after you check out
for the first, time and that's that none of them
will play in the second.

Speaker 4 (01:22:47):
Half the group we're seeing most of tonight will be out.

Speaker 3 (01:22:49):
THERE i Imagine Steven adams probably has no more regular season.
Minutes he's not listed on the injury, report so he's.
Available was available the other, night and all he did
the other night was take a post Of Dylan brooks
from the. Fans he didn't play in the, game AND
i expect he won't play all the games. Either Vanessa
richardson grabbing that awesome video.

Speaker 4 (01:23:07):
Of steve at.

Speaker 3 (01:23:08):
Work but they're trying to do what you want to
do when this comes. Up happens in THE nfl quite a.
Bit happens In Major League baseball to a lesser degree
with your position players and lining up your. Rotation but
you can't impact your seating. Anymore and while clearly because
you happen to be playing The lakers And, nuggets it's
possible you have an impact on what the rest of

(01:23:29):
the seating looks. Like but you're trying to Get you're
worried about, yourself and that's been the eighty game theme
for this Year's. Rockets they're not playing to this or
looking at that or if the other team does, this
will do. That teams are adjusting to. Them they're taking
care of their own. Business they play a certain way
and teams that better be ready for that or they.
Lose AND i think the same thing from a off

(01:23:50):
the court mental, standpoint standing, standpoint they're playing it the same.
Way we're not worried about how we impact their record
at this point because it doesn't impact our record at.
All we're number, two we're going to be the second.
Seed we're playing the winner of the play in. Tournament
The lakers finish, third, fourth, whatever if The nuggets finish,
third fourth to, fifth, eighth it's, yes it's impacted by

(01:24:10):
what we, do but that's not our, concern and that
to me is still the right way to play.

Speaker 4 (01:24:15):
It because of the play in, tournament things have now.

Speaker 3 (01:24:18):
Changed most years, prior season would, end say On saturday Or,
sunday and the Following tuesday And wednesday you'd have playoff,
games or the season in their best case scenario would
end on A wednesday Or thursday and Then Saturday sunday
they could open up the.

Speaker 4 (01:24:32):
Postseason, well they can't do that.

Speaker 3 (01:24:34):
Anymore they've got to carve out three separate days to
finalize the final seeds in each. Conference you gotta play
the seven eight games On, tuesday you gotta play the
nine to ten games On, wednesday and then the Loser,
tuesday Losers, tuesday and the Winners wednesday they go play On,
friday which also means those teams playing that day are

(01:24:54):
slotted into The sunday. Games the winner Of friday's play
in tournament game wins the eight. Seed so the two
number one, Seeds cleveland And Oklahoma, city they're Playing. Sunday
they are hosting games On. Sunday that is a. Fact
the other six, spots one of which is held by

(01:25:15):
The rockets of the host teams in game, one are.
Unknown there'll be four Games, Sunday there'll be four Games.
Saturday there's only two open spots On sunday right, now.

Speaker 2 (01:25:25):
And it'll be purely dictated upon who The rockets opponent.

Speaker 4 (01:25:28):
Is as to which day they.

Speaker 3 (01:25:30):
Play, well probably, again they're hosting at Home Oklahoma city
And cleveland doesn't really.

Speaker 4 (01:25:36):
Matter they're hosting out On.

Speaker 3 (01:25:38):
Sunday but they're Also Central Time zone Or Eastern Time
zone teams and An Eastern conference team at That The
lakers are going to, host and Another western side of
the country team is probably going to, host but it's
not a given.

Speaker 4 (01:25:55):
Yet it's most likely going to. Happen clippers could.

Speaker 2 (01:25:59):
Be The warriors could be, it but The nuggets Are
nuggets would Be its A western Side for What i'm talking,
about when are you going to start their game on
A tuesday or they're getting the late start if it's In,
denver and then you having the other whatever else is.

Speaker 3 (01:26:13):
There but you, know If memphis And minnesota are the
two teams that end up seven eight when it's all
said and done in the playing, tournament well then it
doesn't impact where games one and two will be slotted
in from a timeframe because they're the they're the road team,
anyway and that, MEANS i, think suffice it to, say
in a roundabout, WAY i think The rockets are opening

(01:26:34):
up their postseason On, saturday.

Speaker 4 (01:26:37):
And then they play two days.

Speaker 3 (01:26:38):
Later they might play On, monday BUT i would guess
they would probably get two days off In houston as
they start. Stackering when you play four games On saturday
and four On, sunday well then you get to the
weekdays and television dictates we're not putting four games on
On monday and four more On. Tuesday, well if three
on this night and three on this, night and then
we'll get down to three or two on the following

(01:26:59):
night and they can start giving you activity every single.
Night but they got a stagger these series that all
start on the same two. Days it won't happen like
that the further they get into the.

Speaker 2 (01:27:09):
Playoffs by the, way a little bit of a best
OF x two point zero just for the purposes of this.
Conversation this is fun with real LIVE x. Posts you're
aware of the account At Lake.

Speaker 4 (01:27:21):
Show.

Speaker 2 (01:27:22):
Yo, yeah it's got like a half a million, followers
which is absolutely. Pathetic but that that hasn't many, Followers
that's WHAT i mean by. That He he wrote the.
Following this was yesterday at like twelve thirty in the.
Afternoon rockets rested their entire team yesterday to Give clippers
a free.

Speaker 9 (01:27:40):
Win.

Speaker 2 (01:27:41):
Tomorrow they will all play versus The, lakers trying to
avoid them in the second round of the.

Speaker 4 (01:27:46):
Playoffs.

Speaker 2 (01:27:46):
Yo, Yeah Fred Van, Vliet Aman, Thompson Dylan, Brooks Tarre
east And Jabari Smith junior And alpera And shangooner not playing.
Tonight don't care about your stupid little theory about avoiding The.
LAKERS i think they're a full go after a. Win
lineup would do what. WELL i think he's saying that
if The rockets were to play their full starters tonight
and then beat The, lakers then that would somehow help

(01:28:09):
them avoid seeing The lakers in the postseason. SOMEHOW i
think that's what he's trying to. SAY i don't think
The rockets care who they.

Speaker 3 (01:28:16):
Play that's WHAT i said yesterday to a QUESTION i
really should be putting an answer. To BUT i want
to paint that, picture and part of how they're playing
their lineups these last three games is also telling you
that very same. Story they're concerned about. Them The lakers
aren't unbeatable To, houston you don't matter that. Much unshut
the name of the other five playoff. Teams same, thing

(01:28:36):
it's the exact same. Thing, yeah they have had enough
success against all of them to feel perfectly fine. About
if we do our, jobs pay our, defense do our,
rebounding make our, baskets we'll be.

Speaker 2 (01:28:51):
Fine but that's that's where my disdain of these two
utterly reprehensible and arrogant fan bases comes into play. Now The,
lakers it's been baked into the cake for years and
years and years and years and years and years because
they're IN. La but The, warriors The Golden State warriors fan,

(01:29:11):
base AND i realize there are a lot of diehards
that were there at The Oracle arena back in the
day When Baron davis was their best player and going
back even further than, that RUN tmc all that. STUFF
i get all that's, fine but they, honestly they might
be almost more obnoxious Than lakers fans at. Times almost

(01:29:32):
it's never going to be eclipsing. Them that's WHY i
want those two to match up in the first. Round
there's still a scenario where it could, happen and actually
The lakers winning against The rockets tonight would help. THAT
i THINK i need one of those two out in
the first round for my. SANITY i can't take both
of them. ADVANCING i can't stand these.

Speaker 3 (01:29:49):
People, denver The, clippers The warriors could all clinch playoff
spots top six spots with results. Tonight doesn't mean they're
going to slote in any particular. Place it doesn't really
help you with the. Matchup memphis And minnesota could lock
in play in tournament, tonight obviously with negative, results and

(01:30:13):
that could get you a little bit closer to Pre
sunday having an idea of what is lined. Up LIKE i,
said If memphis And minnesota lock, in then that's that
The rockets know they're playing On, tuesday and the winner
is who is coming To houston for A saturday Or sunday's.
Game that's that the other matchups will not likely be
dictated by. That and, remember The lakers being three is
really close to being clinched because every tiebreaking scenario is

(01:30:37):
in their. Favor as the division, champions which they almost
certainly will, be that would give them the tiebreaker over
all the teams that could catch.

Speaker 4 (01:30:46):
THEM a win tonight.

Speaker 3 (01:30:49):
Or A clippers loss tonight gives them The Pacific division
title and the tiebreaker that could come into Play, CLIPPERS
i don't.

Speaker 4 (01:30:59):
KNOW i haven't looked up.

Speaker 3 (01:31:00):
YET i make a, big huge board of who everybody's
got coming, up but it's not front of me right.

Speaker 4 (01:31:05):
Now that's all, Right i'm looking it up right. Now i'm.
Scrolling i'm scrolling because you're just gone to the.

Speaker 2 (01:31:11):
Bottom BECAUSE i try to make it easier for the
television viewers all they have to do is take a
peak and there it.

Speaker 4 (01:31:16):
Is clippers are at The. Kings that's not a.

Speaker 2 (01:31:18):
Gimme The kings gave The nuggets all they could handle
the other. Night Because Zach, lavine.

Speaker 8 (01:31:24):
Are you like?

Speaker 4 (01:31:24):
Me you kind of low? Key wish The rockets had
gone out and gotten.

Speaker 2 (01:31:27):
Him Zach lavine would have been good on this.

Speaker 4 (01:31:30):
TEAM i think.

Speaker 3 (01:31:31):
Then they would not have gotten the information needed to
see if the answer was somebody else Like durant Or,
booker which they're now going to get a lot more information.

Speaker 2 (01:31:41):
On Kevin, Durant Devin, Booker Zach. Lavine who would you
want right now going into next year on The?

Speaker 3 (01:31:46):
ROCKETS i, mean you have to recognize What i'm about to.
Say why are You why are you gonna win With Zach?
Lavine why are you gonna win With Kevin? Durant how
many more years of watching each of them not win
with the teams around them do you?

Speaker 2 (01:32:01):
Need because that's the. Key the teams around them have
been crap for the most, part.

Speaker 4 (01:32:04):
Especially zach every team That durant's been.

Speaker 2 (01:32:06):
On, No i'm talking About Zach levine Because i'm the
answer Was Zach. Levine you just didn't say. It that
was the problem. There all, right we will continue to
discuss The. Texans they extended one of their best players earlier,
today and an old familiar face is back on his
old one of his old teams in THE.

Speaker 4 (01:32:25):
Afc that's next.

Speaker 1 (01:32:28):
THE a teen On Sports talk seven. Ninety it is
the eight.

Speaker 2 (01:32:38):
Team Sports talk seven Ninety friday edition of the. Program
mentioned earlier that The texans had Extended Jalen. Peatree their
defense is absolutely. FANTASTIC i think it's gonna get better this,
year just as we mentioned earlier if you weren't, LISTENING
i think just by virtue of them being a year,

(01:33:01):
older that this defensive unit Under Demiko, ryans that has
not had its coordinator replace this, offseason is absolutely going
to be. Better Daniel hunter has been, extended, Obviously Derek
Stingley junior has been. Extended and it's not like THESE
nfl players need security to play. Well in, fact a

(01:33:25):
lot of, them, repeatedly sometimes in franchise, situations are on
that contract year over and over and over again in some,
cases so they're constantly. Motivated BUT i don't know there
is something to be said for feeling, like all, right
we've got this core in, Place we're moving. Forward that's
not something that we're having to worry about or be
looking over our shoulder about in the offseason or during the.

(01:33:47):
Season you could just focus on doing what you do,
best which is being one of the more elite units
in THE. Nfl and, AGAIN i feel like as a,
unit they'll take the next step this upcoming season and
he'd be even better than they were in twenty twenty.

Speaker 3 (01:33:58):
Four, well not a whole lot of room for statistical
improvement some of the areas that most people still look,
at And i'll try to help guide you along to
not only doing, that but they were top five defense
in terms of total yards allowed per. Play they were,
Fourth they were eleventh in same regard rushing yards per,
play second in THE, nfl and passing yards per. Play

(01:34:19):
they also created a boatload of. Turnovers they had a
ton of disruptive. Plays they were playing in the backfield
all season, long and clearly in the first of their
two postseason, games a little bit less so in the
second of their postseason. Games but where can they? Improve
where should they? Improve why will they be? BETTER i

(01:34:40):
think is a pretty important. Question we talked about it
a little bit earlier in the. Show in one area
they were. Good they could get a little bit, better
but they were very. Good they got teams off the
field on a third down pretty good. Rate they were
seventh in the, league and third down percentage. Allowed fourth
down percentage a little bit trickier to gauge because of

(01:35:02):
its relative non, use but they were not very good
in that. Regard when teams went four and on fourth,
down they made it way, way way too, often and
most of the better defenses do a little bit better
job in that. Regard and then when you actually do
have a little bit more data to work, with it's
WHAT i mentioned in the earlier portion of the. Show
This texans defense with essentially the same personnel PLUS. Cj,

(01:35:26):
Gardner johnson Plus Sheldon rankins and maybe minus you know
fully Fought acasi and maybe a piece here or. There
it's roughly the same. Group, certainly the most impactful players
are all, back and we'll see how the injuries dictate this.
Season they were awful in the red zone, Defensively they
were awful in goal to go situations. Defensively if they improve,

(01:35:48):
there and all those other NUMBERS i mentioned stay exactly the.
SAME i would regard them as maybe the best defense
in football because the amount of points they allow is
going to change so, dramatic from fourteen points scored on
two trips to the red zone to six or three
if they can GET i, mean they've got a ton

(01:36:09):
of room for. Improvement WHEN i say, awful they were
thirtieth in THE, nfl tied for thirty this only one
team was worse in gold to go, situations they were
twenty seventh and fourth down percentage. Allowed that's where the
worst defense is in THE. Nfl rest not ones that
are getting paid like this, one and not ones that
are pretty much awesome in every other way you want

(01:36:30):
to slice. It from the giveaway takeaway, standpoint they took
the ball away from their opponents twenty nine times during
the regular, season had multiple enormous turnover. Games remember The
Detroit lions. Game remember the postseason. Game they didn't have
any trouble turning it. Over they were fifth in THE
nfl in. Takeaways they were. Elite that's winning, football that's dominant.

(01:36:54):
Football get those two other things up to where the
whole rest of the defense pretty much any way you
want to evaluate how they played, defensively tough team to run,
against tough team to throw, against tough team to hang
onto the ball. Against but they should have been much
tougher to score.

Speaker 4 (01:37:09):
Against they.

Speaker 3 (01:37:10):
Weren't that's where this defense can needs, TO i should,
say make a major. Improvement twenty one point nine points
per game, allowed middle of the, pack. Fourteenth that's not.
Elite that's not who they have on their. Roster that's
not the type of talent they're paying handsomely. For that
it needs to. Change Kansas city not an awesome team

(01:37:31):
last year compared to previous. Teams they were fourth in points.
Allowed Bo nick's rookie quarterback with The. Broncos his defense was.
Third the team The texans massacred in the opening round
of the, playoffs they were first The. Chargers these are
all teams in THE. Afc The texans should be playing like.

(01:37:52):
Defensively use of points.

Speaker 2 (01:37:54):
Allowed you, said and you pointed out all the ways
they could, Improve BUT i mean the standard is happens
to be the Defending Super bowl champion when it comes
to the. Defense forget what they do on, offense like
that defense was.

Speaker 3 (01:38:07):
Awesome The texans defense was last AMONG afc playoff teams
in points allowed not. GREAT i, mean there's only seven of,
them but the other six.

Speaker 4 (01:38:16):
Were, better including The.

Speaker 3 (01:38:17):
Chiefs chiefs were fourth in THE, Nfl broncos were, Third
chargers were, first The steelers were seventh or, Eighth ravens were,
Ninth bills were, Eleventh texans were.

Speaker 2 (01:38:26):
FOURTEENTH i would argue if this weren't the best version
of The chiefs defense during Their Super bowl, run AND
i think it, is by the, WAY i think it
was this last.

Speaker 4 (01:38:38):
Year they don't they don't even get to the Super.
Bowl there's no question about.

Speaker 3 (01:38:41):
It they know they needed their defense to do things
for them that they've never needed before because their offense was.

Speaker 2 (01:38:46):
Ridiculous likes nobody talked about their insane. Record you ever noticed?

Speaker 4 (01:38:50):
That what do you? Mean, well what was the?

Speaker 2 (01:38:52):
Record last? Year they had like what two losses before the? Playoffs?

Speaker 4 (01:38:56):
One i'm not counting The Carson wentz. Loss that's WHAT i.
Mean they had one.

Speaker 3 (01:38:59):
Loss they lost one. Game they cared about it says
to it says, too BUT i don't have. It it's
like The, rockets people that have a, memory And i'm
going to try to keep it as long AS i.
Can The texans have had seasons like. That did you
care That aj McCahon lost the game he? Started, no
nobody would ever. Care no offense a rock capin.

Speaker 4 (01:39:16):
Lost On wednesday or tonight against the TOW la.

Speaker 3 (01:39:18):
Teams in a couple of, years people are going to
say The rockets had a nineteen win improvement from E
ma's first year to before he got, there and then
they're going to have an eleven win improvement the next. Year,
well they also stopped playing after seventy nine.

Speaker 4 (01:39:33):
Games, yeah it was actually. More if they had, played
they could have.

Speaker 3 (01:39:36):
Been it's sitting at eleven right now and they are
going to their second game with almost exclusively.

Speaker 2 (01:39:43):
Reserves, yeah but going back to The texans this, year
that's that's got to be at least to the defensive.
Side that's the problem. HERE i don't want to be
going into twenty twenty, five or, worse be in twenty
twenty five, saying, well all these things they did on
the defensive side of the, ball and all these things
they did in the, draft and bet the day it

(01:40:04):
didn't matter because the offensive line.

Speaker 4 (01:40:06):
Sucks, AGAIN i really don't think it's going to be
that is the.

Speaker 3 (01:40:09):
Reason but the only significant change they've made that we
know that is going to the only significant change they
made in last year's roster to this year's. Roster plus
coaches is coaching no offensive line coach from last. Year
AND i don't want to pile On Chris, strosser BUT
i think it was just it was a bad hire
to begin, with and it was a bad decision to

(01:40:30):
keep him in year.

Speaker 4 (01:40:31):
Two should let him, go should have.

Speaker 3 (01:40:33):
Either fired him or had him. Retire Nick cayley's going
to do things that will help this. Offense the question
is how much does he have to work Around on
this Offense Bobby sloan had to work. Around these plays
can't be. RUN i can't do anything with this half
of the. PLAYBOOK i can't use. Them there's no way
we can run this play with how our communication is
on the offensive, line how they're being, coached and obviously
how they're. Performing and then a couple of the injuries

(01:40:53):
that we have just don't have enough talent, there and
then the players. Themselves why would The texans offense be
better next? Year with what you're looking at right? Now
the only thing you could possibly lean on here pre
draft is the change in coaching, staff new offensive line,
coach promotion For Cole popovich and a new offensive coordinator

(01:41:14):
And Nick. Kyley you can't possibly nobody The, texans the
Biggest Texans hanks people on the fan, council none of
them can, say, oh, yeah their offensive roster is better this.
Year it is not better, Today there's no question about.

Speaker 4 (01:41:30):
It it is not. Better it is. WORSE i mean
to really reach in that.

Speaker 3 (01:41:34):
Regard, now could they show Me i'm? Wrong could they
play above WHAT i? Think and then are their players
added in the next two. Weeks it's not even that
they also change that, maybe but not the one.

Speaker 4 (01:41:44):
Today what do you? Got, uh they're healthier they.

Speaker 3 (01:41:48):
Were it's not about, health it's about they're worse because
they took a bad offensive line and probably made it
worse from a talent. Perspective there's no arguing. THAT i
can't argue, that, well health what Were what's going to
be healthier this? Year you get you're not getting a
full season at a, Tank. Dell are you're gonna get
five more games out Of nico instead of twelve or,
thirteen you're gonna get?

Speaker 2 (01:42:07):
Seventeen, well don't you think a month's worth Of Nico
collins would have been better when they didn't have.

Speaker 8 (01:42:11):
To last year.

Speaker 4 (01:42:12):
Better but that's the reason the offense is going to be.

Speaker 2 (01:42:14):
Better Joe mixon missing. Games he missed a couple of.
GAMES i thought he missed more than.

Speaker 4 (01:42:18):
That that's now the semantic portion of the. Show what
would you consider it a COUPLE i feel like he
missed at least three, weeks if not a. Month AM i?

Speaker 2 (01:42:25):
Wrong when he went down with that, uh ankle, injury come,
on hamstring?

Speaker 3 (01:42:30):
Injury, oh sell the ankle injury for what it deserves
to be sold. At his bone was, exposed oh when
he was tackled illegally. Uncalled he missed three, games but
he obviously was not one hundred percent for the first
of the games he didn't miss because he missed half
The chicago game because he got hurt in.

Speaker 2 (01:42:46):
It and the next game was The vikings. Game, Correct,
yeah that's why they. Lost it would have, Helped come,
on it would have. Helped, hey If Joe mixon is
out there at, help.

Speaker 3 (01:42:55):
That's a perfect example of why Missing joe mix and
can't change their fortunes for one. Afternoon come, on, man
they got their butts. Kicked, well maybe if they weren't
throwing it so.

Speaker 4 (01:43:04):
Much maybe if.

Speaker 3 (01:43:05):
They didn't Keep Sam darnold from scoring all those, Touchdowns
Joe mixon could have helped with this.

Speaker 2 (01:43:10):
Defense it's going to be better than last. Year see
HOW i did. That it all comes full.

Speaker 1 (01:43:13):
Circle the at On Sports talk seven ninety hell yesterday
on the Program, rex you brought up.

Speaker 2 (01:43:28):
A interesting clip that was floating around the interwebs Featuring Derk,
noovitski the second greatest international player of all, time And
Taylor rooks soon to be even more visible air talent
For Amazon. Prime is she part of THE? Nbc is

(01:43:50):
that like a a hybrid or. WHATEVER i know that
She's Amazon prime and she'll be part of THE nba,
coverage but air hanging, out taking selfies, together that kind of.
Thing and they were also kind OF i think alluding
To Jahn morant's guns celebration that he got fined seventy
FIVE k for. DOING i believe that's what they were.

(01:44:11):
Doing have you seen his new? Celebration?

Speaker 3 (01:44:14):
Uh, YEAH i saw it BECAUSE i wondered if the you,
know last, night the games were on one of their
networks of The National GAME, tnt so you Had jack
And kenny And chuck And ernie out there their last
regular season, broadcast and then you had all your other
shows that come on over the course of the next
handful of, hours whether IT'S NBA tv Or Sports, center
and they're all showing, It AND i felt like maybe

(01:44:36):
there was a part of, them especially those that are
most deeply in bed with THE, nba about how they
were commenting on it or treating. It you, know you
heard the sound effects from THE tnt. Crew, yeah you
see this is only. Here oh it looks like he
pulls the pin and then it explodes and he covers his.
Ears so they were having fun with, it even THOUGH
i still think there's a pretty good likelihood though the

(01:44:57):
nothing's been announced. Today if you go back the wording
of his seventy five thousand dollars fine in the release
that THE nba sent out for his celebration or whatever
you want to call, IT i don't celebrating a made.

Speaker 4 (01:45:11):
Basket these guys are.

Speaker 3 (01:45:12):
Going to make thousands and thousands of them in THE.
NBA i don't know how many of them just need.
Sellies but they said he was fined partially because he
had previously been warned about, this and it is specific
to this, player from his history and from why he
was suspended the first time for actually being involved with gun.
Play let's say so that it's very specific case with,

(01:45:35):
Him BUT i would wonder why would the league not
want to because it's him have something to say again and, say,
MAN i know it's not the, same but, please, well come, on,
man fifty thousand dollars, right here's one.

Speaker 4 (01:45:51):
HUNDRED i, mean they're not going to go.

Speaker 3 (01:45:52):
Down and then one other thing THAT i think it
was that crew that brought it, up might have been somebody.
ELSE i don't think this is the. Case does jaw
and so to speak know what he's doing? Here in
terms of, Man memphis has got to be sick and
tired of. This it cost him time on the, floor
then he had a significant. Injury we've had him for
all these. Years have we really accomplished anything more than

(01:46:14):
say The pelicans did by Drafting zion for different? Reasons
have either of these franchises really truly gotten? Anywhere is
he trying to get in trouble in some? Sense So
memphis finally, says we're gonna send you somewhere.

Speaker 2 (01:46:29):
Else let me ask you, this since you brought it,
up it's a very good, comparison very good, analogy and
we're going into an offseason where The rockets have assets
if he will And i'm not asking if you would,
rather you, know trade For zion Or Jahn morant in this.
Scenario WHAT i am, asking, though is which one of
those would be the most high?

Speaker 4 (01:46:49):
Risk and they're for very different.

Speaker 2 (01:46:50):
Reasons John morant's upside because he's able to stay on
the floor far more often from a health, Standpoint it's no.

Speaker 4 (01:46:58):
Brainer, yeah one reason or.

Speaker 3 (01:47:00):
Another he's missed fifteen games in a season all six,
seasons including this.

Speaker 4 (01:47:04):
One that's not a, huge huge.

Speaker 3 (01:47:06):
Number, no he would have qualified for a postseason award zero.
Times Bradley beal would take that number in the last five. Years,
yeah zero, times, yep including this. Year i'm talking About, Jaw,
yep Not. Zion zion's missed a billion games compared to.
Them BUT i think the risk clearly lies With. Zion
the risk With jaw is less about will he be

(01:47:26):
on the court for either health or suspension, reasons and
more about how good is?

Speaker 4 (01:47:32):
He he is.

Speaker 3 (01:47:33):
Electric he is a butts in seats kind of player
because he's gonna do something that you just don't see
The he's a super unique physical, talent basketball, talent player,
talent but he can't shoot at. All AND i don't
see in year seven that that's going to get any.
Better WHEN i say, SHOOT i pretty much only mean shooting.

(01:47:53):
Threes he's good enough field goals. Shooter he's awesome at
getting to the basket and finishing son assists, again AND
i think maybe the first THING i, do IF i
have taken the risk to get, him is say you
shoot thirty four, percent And i'll let you take six
threes a.

Speaker 4 (01:48:10):
Game you got two. Months if you.

Speaker 3 (01:48:12):
Can't four, Max I'm russell westbrooking, You I'm Janna sano tokoumpoing.

Speaker 4 (01:48:17):
You you gotta. Stop it's a.

Speaker 3 (01:48:19):
Turnover he's too bad at, it and he still does
it almost six a game at thirty one. Percent that's.
Terrible don't do. It he's too good of a basketball
player to settle for a.

Speaker 4 (01:48:29):
Shot he's not gonna. Make what about for the?

Speaker 2 (01:48:31):
Crowd that's instead of you, know The Kevin durantz in the.
World you need a better point guard or a different
point guard or. Whatever he does play that, position but.

Speaker 3 (01:48:40):
You also now put him on the court with the
other four. Players what are who are those other four?
Players and how does it impact what you want from
them or how you want to play with? Them presumably
you're not Moving Amen. Thompson so now they're playing. TOGETHER
i don't see why that can't. Happen have you taken something?
Away and That amend's not playing point because he's really
not gonna ever play point Of jaws on the team
a couple of minutes a.

Speaker 4 (01:49:00):
Night that's pretty much.

Speaker 3 (01:49:02):
It you're Giving memphis Less phoenix. Picks, okay so now
you're keeping the whole corp. Together, well so now.

Speaker 2 (01:49:07):
You're, three you're gonna have to give up. SOMETHING i
just don't, Know LIKE i, THINK i don't know what
it would. BE i don't know what it would, cost
is What i'm. Saying what Makes memphis say? Yes in that,
scenario it would be pretty.

Speaker 3 (01:49:19):
Costly you're talking about a twenty five year old super,
talent and even with the one major SHORTCOMING i pointed,
out he's a good free throw, shooter he's a good,
creator he's a great.

Speaker 4 (01:49:29):
Finisher he's just he's really good at. Basketball this just
In i'm just thinking about that athleticism with this, Core.

Speaker 3 (01:49:35):
You're also give them the throw me the best current
player package The rockets can. Offer you give them a Men,
thompson you give Them jalen and Or, alpi whichever two
of those three you want to give. Them how much
worse did you make The Memphis. Grizzlies they're not, better are?
They they've gotten? Worse so of you, PROBABLY i don't

(01:49:57):
think these teams should be making this.

Speaker 4 (01:49:59):
Deal you're, right But i'm Just i'm trying to figure
out a way to get him.

Speaker 3 (01:50:03):
Here they might be like other teams, though Like Donovan
mitchell got traded From. Utah of course they knew they
were getting. Worse it happens all the. Time they've just,
said we're done with. This this is your six with.
Job Like, phoenix are we?

Speaker 4 (01:50:15):
Great? No are we going to be? Great is it
time to say no to?

Speaker 11 (01:50:19):
That?

Speaker 8 (01:50:20):
Is You're.

Speaker 4 (01:50:20):
Memphis aren't you just a little better in that regard Than?

Speaker 2 (01:50:23):
PHOENIX i Know phoenix is, BAD i get all, that
but you're neither one of you are going to accomplish.

Speaker 3 (01:50:29):
ANYTHING i Think memphis could believe With Jaren jackson junior
parennially one of the best defensive players in the league
and a much better offensive player each, year And Desmond
bayne and a roster that ACTUALLY i think they actually
have a pretty good roster around, them and they found some.
Players all this being, said with what they did with their,
COACH i don't think it's time for them to say

(01:50:51):
blow it.

Speaker 4 (01:50:51):
Up at, all not even.

Speaker 3 (01:50:52):
Close if we're looking at them as a seven eight,
seed they're a winner two of them from being the three.
Seed it's not a horrible place to. Be it's just
a jam Packed west.

Speaker 2 (01:51:02):
Finding Is varral of The, rockets AND i was calling
Them Memphis grizzlies about a player it.

Speaker 4 (01:51:05):
Probably would be For TRIPLE. J it would change your. Dynamic.

Speaker 2 (01:51:09):
Cow could you imagine how good they would.

Speaker 4 (01:51:11):
Be you wouldn't be able to do some of the
things you do.

Speaker 3 (01:51:13):
Offensive, clearly he's not going to, create he's not going
to back down his opponents successfully the way That alprin.
Does he's going to change your defensive dynamic from being
one of the three or four best defensive teams in
THE nba to the number one defense or.

Speaker 2 (01:51:27):
Like they're eighty, points that's what you're getting. Tonight etting
in THIS. Nba you're, okay, fine you're getting ninety.

Speaker 3 (01:51:32):
Yeah one postseason series victory During jaw's time In memphis so,
far and they now are working with an interim, coach
so they've blown part of the team up just a
game or a. Series they've won one. Series oh, okay when
you said, VICTORY i was, like, oh they only won one.
Game great three trips to the. Postseason one of those
trips netted a postseason series, victory and that was three years.

Speaker 1 (01:51:52):
Ago the eight On Sports talk seven Ninety it.

Speaker 2 (01:52:05):
Is THE a Team Sports talk seven. Ninety earlier in the,
Show Cole, thompson our, producer mentioned That.

Speaker 4 (01:52:13):
Jordan, JORDAN i can't not say it like. That if you.

Speaker 2 (01:52:17):
Spell your name stupid that, way the wrong. Way, sorry
there's no, there no such thing. Anymore, really, yes, man
what expells?

Speaker 4 (01:52:27):
It, however they feel like it for just about every.

Speaker 2 (01:52:29):
Name so IF i were to have Named, carson let's
just say.

Speaker 3 (01:52:33):
He Spelled carson with AN e instead of with A
k like a. Moron it's all over the. Place now
it's not all over the. Place carson with AN.

Speaker 4 (01:52:42):
E plays in THE.

Speaker 2 (01:52:43):
Nba the law of averages, says most people the most spell. Popular,
well but all you're doing is making that kid's life. Miserable,
yeah look a look at what happened to, her, cole
her miserable. Life look at her now competing For Miss MAINE.
Usa get, This Bill, belichick what an awful? Life last

(01:53:05):
in her first name?

Speaker 13 (01:53:06):
Exists, okay well how about, this Because i'm one of
those people that can't stand when you spell your Name
jordan with the y end like that is one That.

Speaker 4 (01:53:12):
Bob again another exactly my, point.

Speaker 13 (01:53:16):
But it's also, Okay michael with an e A l
like there are people that spell it that.

Speaker 2 (01:53:20):
One how About, wayne It's, dwayne it's, dwayde that's it's
w let ME i could be with A d in
front of the.

Speaker 3 (01:53:30):
Won a couple of, titles really, famous really. Popular so
maybe people. Followed, no but we've you've never heard of
or seen anybody incorrectly spelling their name the Way Dwayne.

Speaker 4 (01:53:42):
Wade that's not. True i'm asking for that first year
of his.

Speaker 2 (01:53:44):
CAREER i did, it, okay UNTIL i was, like well
this guy clearly just his parents WERE i don't know
what they were, DOING i don't know what they were.

Speaker 4 (01:53:53):
Thinking how about? Now then this worked out. Great we Like,
gabby we like the family. Going WHEN i saw that
FACE i know what they were. Doing yet.

Speaker 3 (01:54:04):
Super famous celebrity types you, too and you're knocking them and,
saying how's this going to work out for? Them after
what their parents did to? Them what If Jayne, wade
Poor Jordan, hudson.

Speaker 2 (01:54:16):
What if Al pacino had named had his parents spell
his name A?

Speaker 4 (01:54:20):
L l? Oh is it?

Speaker 2 (01:54:22):
All there's no examples of, This there's no nobody does.

Speaker 4 (01:54:27):
That there's examples of this every, day and Normal americans.

Speaker 2 (01:54:31):
Live jordan with AN o is the same as saying
al with two. L's that's a totally different, word and
nobody's doing.

Speaker 4 (01:54:38):
That you just gotta say, ah like really. Long you
can do that with with just what l Ah. Exactly
there we.

Speaker 2 (01:54:44):
Go it actually would make sense for him because of
the way he. Talked, ANYWAYS A. C what was your
point of this entire conversation, Before, oh, yeah she's gonna
compete in the twenty twenty Five Miss MAINE usa. Pageant
good for. HER i did not See maine churning out
hotties like. THAT i just don't think Of maine WHEN
i think of really hot. Women what do you think
do you think there's fifty states in our that's not
one THAT i think of the whole. State that's, right

(01:55:06):
the whole like Step, northeast the nearly In canada. State,
yes if you Took, florida one, Hundred, Texas, American, arizona
all of THESE i think of first BEFORE i think
you know, what there's probably hot women In.

Speaker 4 (01:55:22):
Maine do you think you know how pageants work In? America?
Yeah they're every. State are we? Done?

Speaker 2 (01:55:29):
Now when's the last time main one who said.

Speaker 4 (01:55:31):
She was gonna?

Speaker 2 (01:55:31):
Win look it.

Speaker 3 (01:55:32):
Up, well you're allowed to, compete even the dummy to
represent the.

Speaker 2 (01:55:36):
State even the, Dummy miss Teen South carolina was from
a southern.

Speaker 4 (01:55:39):
State all, right let's take a thought about.

Speaker 3 (01:55:41):
This so we have forty nine contestants And Bill belichick's
girlfriend competing for uh MISS. Usa she's Representing, maine but
that doesn't. Matter what matters is of the fifty. Contestants
we'll take a, Poll we'll get a focus group in,
here maybe fire something off on social.

Speaker 4 (01:55:59):
Media do you.

Speaker 3 (01:56:00):
Guys know any of the following fifty? People and her
name will be included along with the other forty nine.
Candidates but please don't look them up or hit them
up On, instagram don't do any, research just do you
know who any of these fifty people are that will be?
Competing and when they get the very intense research back
that they all know one of them and don't know
any of the other forty, nine they'll realize as a,

(01:56:20):
pageant as a, company as an, outfit likely with a
serious media. ATTACHMENT i don't know which network will have
it or If trump will be. Involved, yeah it's very.

Speaker 2 (01:56:29):
Busy you think it might help if she's competing for
as long as, possible long than the sad sex state
Of maine normally has their.

Speaker 4 (01:56:40):
Competitors as you, Say.

Speaker 6 (01:56:43):
Okay is this?

Speaker 2 (01:56:43):
Real what are you doing back? There breaking? News? Uh,
Oh maine has never Won.

Speaker 4 (01:56:48):
Missama nobody, baby nobody said that you can Have Bill
belichick's twenty four year old. Girlfriend i'll take the rest Of.
America let me ask you this.

Speaker 3 (01:56:58):
Question how many times have they entered a competitor all
of the, times which is all that she's.

Speaker 4 (01:57:03):
Doing, yeah but.

Speaker 2 (01:57:05):
But it's, different different exactly because we know her right,
right she actually now has a.

Speaker 3 (01:57:11):
Chance, well but, SERIOUSLY i know you're joking. AROUND i
know our listeners know you're joking, Around.

Speaker 4 (01:57:16):
But who do you?

Speaker 3 (01:57:16):
Think what do you think the previous main competitors have
looked like not Like.

Speaker 4 (01:57:21):
King is he from?

Speaker 2 (01:57:24):
There that's WHY i said, It Stephen. King that guy's falling. Off, Man, fine.
GEEZ i mean have you guys HAVE i have you
guys watched A MISS usa?

Speaker 4 (01:57:35):
PAGEANT i have better things going.

Speaker 3 (01:57:37):
ON i mean they pretty much bad one, thousand like
fifty for fifty on looks, yeah.

Speaker 4 (01:57:43):
Yeah but what about when they start?

Speaker 3 (01:57:44):
Speaking who knows they could get all kinds, good bad
and Otherwise Midland, well just remember AC i don't know
where the talent is Near.

Speaker 13 (01:57:53):
Canada, yeah so they're probably gonna come off as a
way that where you are not gonna like.

Speaker 2 (01:57:57):
It what do you mean do you Like? CANADA i
don't mind. It are you talking about the how they
say a?

Speaker 8 (01:58:02):
Boot? Yeah?

Speaker 2 (01:58:03):
Exactly are you talking about like being under a tyrannical
dictator for their?

Speaker 13 (01:58:07):
LEADER i was gonna say more so about certain dialects
and stuff like.

Speaker 4 (01:58:10):
That Gracie, Hunt Miss kansas in twenty twenty.

Speaker 2 (01:58:15):
One, yes the heiress to The chiefs And Aiden hutchinson's
sister also Win michigan are. Okay common spelling a.

Speaker 11 (01:58:25):
No.

Speaker 2 (01:58:26):
Kidding an uncommon name usually has a common. Spelling why
is it uncommon because not many people have?

Speaker 4 (01:58:31):
It what About ariel The Little? MERMAID i know one
way to spell. IT i haven't seen anybody else spell.

Speaker 13 (01:58:37):
It with A y or triple ease or you have
eight l's on the End ariel WITH E L L.

Speaker 2 (01:58:43):
E i tell he's, RIGHT i. MISSPOKE i have heard. That,
Yeah Daniel, hunter but both are. Correct Daniel. Hunter common.

Speaker 3 (01:58:50):
Spelling, yeah he spells it like ae else is it?
Wrong he only pronounces it? Differently not? Wrong, Hey, daniel
BEFORE i ask my first question of you after the
textans had a tough flaws. Today why do you mispronounce your? Name,
yes it's all, Over it's all. Over forearm would end your.
Life so, like people have gotten into the conversation About Dylan.
Brooks we had it yesterday about what an awesome dude

(01:59:11):
he is and clearly.

Speaker 2 (01:59:12):
Working on My Dylan brooks, impressions is like the nicest guy,
ever so nice unless you're a. Quarterback unless he's probably
nice to them before the game and after.

Speaker 4 (01:59:22):
The game he Helps america caves in their.

Speaker 3 (01:59:24):
Head, yes he strikes me as the type of player
that after he lands on them from a flying position
and crushes them into the turf and they get those
little rubber pellets all over their.

Speaker 4 (01:59:34):
Face he offers a. HAND i fixed that. Sentence he strikes.

Speaker 8 (01:59:37):
You.

Speaker 4 (01:59:37):
Period that's that's the end of that. Sentence all? Right
well is he?

Speaker 3 (01:59:42):
Is he's a violent video game. Character that's basically what he.

Speaker 2 (01:59:47):
IS i need to Get madden on the discount and play.
That it's got to be Like, edie what's About? Madden
can you? Get can you still draw? Blood well you
used to have a. Hitstick now if you're looking for
that kind of, thing you go WITH Nfl.

Speaker 13 (01:59:57):
Blitz, well now you can go play it on a
college football twenty.

Speaker 8 (01:59:59):
Five that's.

Speaker 4 (02:00:00):
TRUE i MIGHT i might have to do.

Speaker 2 (02:00:02):
That so, anyways that is YOUR a team twenty twenty
Five Miss MAINE Usa Pageant, update your first and your
last of the year unless she wins and then it's
maze or if we.

Speaker 3 (02:00:14):
Bring it up again in our next, segment When Chandler
rome joins us to Talk Houston Astros International Pageant Baseball.

Speaker 5 (02:00:23):
The eighteen On Sports talk seven.

Speaker 1 (02:00:25):
Ninety Adam clinton And Adam wexler are the Eighteen Ay.

Speaker 2 (02:00:41):
Straight out five O'clock here On Sports talk seven ninety
it is THE a. Team we are also simulcast On
Space City Home, network where you can watch and on
seven ninety listen to the opener of The astros and
The angels tonight over At Minute Made. Park that is
where we find our weekly, guest as. Promise Chandler rome
with The athletic joining us right. Now he's in a

(02:01:01):
fantastic mood as per, Usual BUT i don't know IF
i can say the same for that. Clubhouse it's been
a rough start to twenty twenty. Five not necessarily, surprising
but maybe surprising in the method in which this early
stretch for The astros has come.

Speaker 14 (02:01:16):
About, Chandler, YEAH i mean it's you knew they'd pitch it,
well and they are pitching it. WELL i, MEAN i
know everyone's going to look at them blowing a five
run lead In seattle the other, day and the bullpen
had been, really really good leading up to. That the
problem is they're the guys that they paid a hit
are not. Hitting Christian walker has not acquitted himself well
early in the cleanup. SPOT i believe he's three for

(02:01:39):
twenty seven with eighteen strikeouts with runners on, base which
is not. Great Jordan alvarez is you, know just not
hasn't really hit his stride. Yet hesak paratus has been
a little bit better, recently but still, not you, know
not getting the. Thump this team is not hitting the
ball in the, ballpark not hitting them on the gap

(02:02:00):
Before Jeremy payne is double on IN i believe the
eighth inning In seattle On. Wednesday before that, double The
astros had nine doubles all. Season they were the only
team with fewer than ten. Doubles, so you, know, look
they've got to Get walker. Going they've got to Get alvarez.
Going Yinor diez is two for thirty three and looks you,
know to put it lost at the. Plate if those

(02:02:23):
guys don't, hit they had no. Chance SO i, mean
they've got to get in their. Track records would suggest
that they are going to get going and they're not
going to.

Speaker 8 (02:02:31):
Be like this all.

Speaker 14 (02:02:32):
Season but if you're looking as to why they are
where they are right, now.

Speaker 8 (02:02:35):
It's because those GUYS i just, said just just are
not doing the job in the middle of the.

Speaker 3 (02:02:39):
Oder we've Seen yiner in the past have a couple of.
DOWNTURNS i don't really think anything like this THOUGH i
don't see too much from a mannerism, standpoint post out
post strikeout that has me super worried LIKE i do
With Christian. Walker and Obviously i've not been watching him
every yet back for the last four years In, arizona
but the level of frustration from him is not hidden

(02:03:01):
at all on his at. Bats how much do you
think it is getting to him and the pressure of
being the new guy we've brought up here a couple of.

Speaker 4 (02:03:08):
Times it seems awfully. Evident, no he said That.

Speaker 14 (02:03:12):
MINNESOTA i mean he said it, that you, know inherent
pressure when you signed a kind of contract he signed
when you when you come over here and you're their
four hole hitter from the, beginning and there is pressure in.

Speaker 8 (02:03:22):
That AND i, think you, KNOW i don't Know Christian.

Speaker 14 (02:03:25):
Walker, Well i'm getting to know, him but you, know
in the way he's spoken to, us in the way
that he's kind of carries, himself you can tell he
wears a lot of when it's going bad like he wears.

Speaker 8 (02:03:35):
IT yea ironer is a little bit. Different like you,
MENTIONED i it's.

Speaker 14 (02:03:38):
Hard he's pretty much the same guy no matter, what
pretty much DOESN'T i NEVER i don't THINK i ever
seen him, Angry so two different ways to go about.
It but tell it's grating On Christian. Walker you, KNOW
i do think there was, something you, know positive On
wednesday he drew two. Walks he had not walked all.
Season this is a guy that is known, for you,

(02:04:00):
know not drawing a ton of, walks but still more
than he was on pace to. Draw so maybe you,
know he's seeing things a little. Better he's not chasing as.
Much and that was even something he said In minnesota
after he hit the, homer was that you, know he
he he knew what pitchers were trying to do to.

Speaker 8 (02:04:15):
Him he just couldn't. React he just, couldn't you, KNOW
i think bearing on him and all it. TAKES i
mean we're so early in the.

Speaker 14 (02:04:26):
Season all it's going to take For walker to maybe
relax a little bit is a couple of stack a
couple of good games in a, row and then you
kind of can settle into a. Rhythm but, yeah right
now he's fighting. IT i know he didn't have a spring.
Training he had a very limited spring training with The Old.
League he can't can't doubt, that but at some point
he's gonna have to produce or they're gonna have to
really consider where he's hitting in the batting.

Speaker 3 (02:04:48):
Order the two hitters on The astros we're talking with
chan in The roma The athletic Covering Major League baseball
and most specifically The. Astros two hitters on the team
with the highest hard hit percentage so far this season
Are walker And Jeremy. Pana they are also the only
two regulars that are over the season if with runners
in scoring, position Does jeremy look any different to you

(02:05:08):
through twelve? Games is it silly for me to ask
about a twelve game simple.

Speaker 14 (02:05:12):
Size it is kind of silly to ask about twelve
games sample. Size BUT i think he's hitting some more.
Lives we haven't seen a ton more ground ball. Outs
the weird thing when you Evaluate Jeremy payne's offense the
last two or three years is like he has gotten
better in a lot of different. Areas like the chase
rates gone, down the whift rate's gone down, considerably seeing

(02:05:34):
more pitches per plate, appearance the on bas is going,
up but the ops has stayed. Samee the slug has
not been where you're looking to. See so he's made
all the strides, everywhere.

Speaker 8 (02:05:44):
But kind of elevating the ball and putting the ball
in the.

Speaker 14 (02:05:47):
Gap and you, know he overhauled his batting stance last,
year came in the spring, training looked great in spring,
training and, look by the, way if this season is getting,
sets please everyone stop obsessing a spring training. STATS i,
Mean Cam smith was the greatest baseball player that's that
ever lived In Great Fruit league, play and now it's.
Not he is decidedly not the greatest baseball player that's ever.

(02:06:09):
Lived Jeremy payna had a wonderful spring and that has
not translated into the first twelve games of the. Season
so take spring training SATs for what they. Are but you,
KNOW i Think jeremy it's weird to evaluate his offense
because he is getting better and doing things peripherally that are.
Good it's just the powers not. There AND i think

(02:06:29):
that's something that we've all been waiting to see from,
him AND i don't know if it'll ever.

Speaker 2 (02:06:33):
Come we're talking To Chandler roam of The athletic here
On Sports talk seven to Ninety Space City Home. Network
Is Brian Abray who's arm gonna fall off from? Fatigue
OR i, mean is that what ails? Him why he
hasn't been as sharp over the last let's just say
season and.

Speaker 14 (02:06:49):
Change they've got, TO i, mean and, Look joe spot
has said in spring training he made no bones about
it that he wanted to not use him as. Much
he wanted to stay away From Josh hater for two.

Speaker 8 (02:06:58):
Innings and then.

Speaker 14 (02:06:59):
You saw on the first twelve games of the Season
Josh haters pitched two innings twice And Brian, brady who's
appeared in half their.

Speaker 8 (02:07:05):
Games that's not.

Speaker 14 (02:07:07):
Sustainable like they're going To they're going to need other
guys to step. Up and it is kind of curious
when you look at the construction of this, Bullpen LIKE
i get it's tough to put a guy Like Logan
Van why in a in a in a tense situation
as a major league, debut and you're probably asking for a.
Disaster but like he's an arm on the. Roster you
look at other guys Like Steven, okert you look AT i,

(02:07:28):
mean like guys that they need to they're going to
they're gonna need to use this whole bullpen if they
want to do What joe spot as stated goal was
is to not Use BRIAN.

Speaker 8 (02:07:37):
A brady as.

Speaker 14 (02:07:38):
Much and to avoid Using Josh hater for more than three,
outs like they're.

Speaker 8 (02:07:42):
Gonna need you, know they're gonna need to use all
eight guys down.

Speaker 14 (02:07:45):
There and it's it seems or it has seen, that
like when they get a lead or when they're in
a tight, game it just does seem like there's this
formula of these are the guys we're gonna, use and
no one else can really enter the. Conversation NOW i say,
that and no one wants to hear, This but like
the first twelve to twenty games of A major league,

(02:08:06):
season a lot of managers use it, to you, know
have some, benchmarks some, barometers really give some guys some.
Tests they put guys in certain situations to see who
they can count on later in the. SEASON i know
these games, count but you can use these first twenty
or so games to really kind of figure out your.
Roster AND i think that's What joe spot is doing
in his. Bullten he's trying to figure out kind of

(02:08:27):
what roles he wants these. Guys and he knows a
bread he's gonna pitch the eighth with the. Lead he
knows haters gonna pitch the ninth in a safe. Situation
BUT i think he's still trying to figure out roles
and at some, point you, know you have to balance
figuring out roles with chasing. Wins and they're not in
a point now where they have to chase every. Win
they're five and. Seven contrary to you, know the doom

(02:08:47):
and gloom out there that they're five and, seven this
is not A they're not in some unsalvageable hole that
they need to chase every win they can. Get SO
i think there needs to be a better balance of,
that like using the whole bullpen and kind of this
time to really go any roles before the stretch and
before like the meat and, grinder and this season really.

Speaker 4 (02:09:06):
Starts next two.

Speaker 3 (02:09:07):
Days you Got Renel blanco making his third start today
and Then gusto making his major league starting. Debut he's
obviously pitched out of the bullpen for The. Astros what
Does renel need to do that he hasn't been doing
to be more successful this? Year and what are you
expecting out Of?

Speaker 4 (02:09:23):
Ryan On?

Speaker 14 (02:09:24):
SATURDAY i just said spring training stats don't, Matter So
i'm going to bring up spring training. Stats Renel blanco
did Not Renel blanco did not have a good, spring
and it has not looked great his first two. Starts
his first start of the year against The, giants he
was he was relatively, good and then In minnesota just was,
inefficient couldn't get out of.

Speaker 8 (02:09:42):
Innings you, know.

Speaker 14 (02:09:44):
He needs to he needs to throw. Strikes he needs
to be around the strike. Zone you, know he doesn't
have BLOW byu. Velocity he doesn't have you, know a
lot of plus plus, Stuff so a lot of it
with him his command and tempo and you, know throwing
up the strike. Zone he's got to do that to
because they need him to go. Deep Because Ryan gusto.
TOMORROW i think if they get sixty pitches out of,

(02:10:05):
him they'd be thrilled.

Speaker 8 (02:10:06):
Soul it could.

Speaker 14 (02:10:08):
If Rent Old blanco goes out here and can only
give you three or four innings and you got to
tax your bullpen, tonight and then you Got Ryan gusto going,
tomorrow you don't know what you're gonna get out of.
Him you maybe thinking you get sixty, pitches they could
really be turned upside down bullpen. Wise If Renald blanco
doesn't go out and really you know, efficient give him
five or six, innings give him some length and then

(02:10:29):
that'll Allow joe a spot to use his bullpen as.

Speaker 3 (02:10:32):
Such, similarly because we just haven't talked about it much
because he's not pitching, here he pitches again over the
Weekend saturday with The Space. Cowboys does everything seem like
it's still on track For lance mccullor's junior to continue
his ramp Up and if he stays, healthy he's going
to be activated and be putting the rotation, in you,
know twenty days or.

Speaker 8 (02:10:50):
So, yeah knock on.

Speaker 14 (02:10:52):
WOOD i, mean he's the results obviously in his last
rehab start were not. Good but you, know you're not
really looking for, results you're looking for. Health you're looking
for how he. Feels and he said, today actually told
me he wants to get four. Innings he's gonna try
to go four innings On saturday and Sugar land round
fifty five to. Sixtyistans, YEAH i would think after this point.

Speaker 8 (02:11:11):
He would need at least two more after this.

Speaker 14 (02:11:14):
One so maybe if all goes, well you can look
and kind of start playing it, out counting it.

Speaker 8 (02:11:18):
Out maybe the end of this.

Speaker 14 (02:11:20):
Month beginning of next, month you See lansom colors in
a major league. Rotation but they're Everything i've gathered. There
they're happy with the, progress he's happy with how he.
Feels he liked better, results but again they're they're focused
now on health and getting him through. This so all
systems are going as of now On Lanso.

Speaker 2 (02:11:37):
Colors that Is Chandler rome with the athletic here on
THE a Team Sports talk seven ninety is we get
you ready for that three game set with The angels in.
Town by the, WAY i haven't gotten your thoughts SINCE
i know that you are into this sort of. Thing
It's City connect. Weekend. Chandler these are the last? Version

(02:11:57):
do you like? Better since you see them so?

Speaker 8 (02:11:59):
Much? OH i like? These the other ones were. PAJAMAS
i like these a lot.

Speaker 2 (02:12:04):
Better how DID i know you would give us a
completely unfiltered view on?

Speaker 11 (02:12:08):
This?

Speaker 8 (02:12:09):
Yep all, Right.

Speaker 2 (02:12:12):
Chandler. Rome that's that's enough out of. You we appreciate.
It we'll catch up with you next.

Speaker 4 (02:12:16):
Week all, Right thanks Such Chandler. Rome you are absolutely.
WELCOME a.

Speaker 2 (02:12:21):
Pleasure pleasure is all on this side of the almost
side of the. TABLE i love that man so. MUCH
i don't know how anybody can.

Speaker 3 (02:12:27):
So is it now just In chandler's mind is it
just The texans who have not trotted out pajamas as.
Uniforms we know The rockets. Have, well that's the THING
i was giving us that The astros did just for
three years, though and only On.

Speaker 4 (02:12:38):
Monday full.

Speaker 2 (02:12:39):
Disclosure chandler likes going To rockets games a. Lot he's
he will, admit he's not the BIGGEST nba. Fan he
doesn't know as, much.

Speaker 4 (02:12:47):
But decades removed from their.

Speaker 2 (02:12:48):
PAJAMAS i wonder what he would think of, them if
he if he's even seen them.

Speaker 3 (02:12:52):
Before And i'll ADMIT i could have guessed it was
only two answers he was going to say he preferred
this version. MORE i would have never guessed that he
thought that's what they looked. LIKE i don't think that at,
all not like. THEM i didn't realize that somebody thought
that's what they.

Speaker 2 (02:13:07):
Reminded and, again WHEN i get answers like, THAT i
am again so glad THAT i asked.

Speaker 3 (02:13:13):
The, Question, yeah and again it's which one do you like? More,
WELL i love them both so. Much but if you're
making me, pick.

Speaker 4 (02:13:20):
No he's gonna gotten that. Round he went the other.

Speaker 2 (02:13:22):
Way he chose, violence and that's what he, did all,
right we will choose to be or to continue entertaining you.

Speaker 4 (02:13:29):
Here on A friday edition Of the.

Speaker 1 (02:13:31):
Eighteen next the eighteen On Sports talk seven ninety.

Speaker 10 (02:13:43):
Got to the street where we began feeling as good
as all there's ken you, know feeling so?

Speaker 4 (02:13:52):
GOOD, heyx, seriously what what are you doing this? WEEKEND
i Will.

Speaker 3 (02:14:00):
I'll be working, tonight and then On Saturday i'm going to,
work and Then sunday i will be, working And Monday
i'll be back here Working rockets basketball tonight on the radio.

Speaker 4 (02:14:08):
Side, SATURDAY i.

Speaker 3 (02:14:10):
Have both a holiday meal with the. Family i'll sneak
that in between pre and post On Houston Astros, baseball
and Then i've Got Sunday's rockets regular season, finale both
locally and on the network.

Speaker 4 (02:14:24):
Side Then i'll be back On. Monday what do you
got in?

Speaker 2 (02:14:26):
Store sounds, relaxing sounds like you won't be Working rockets
tonight or On. Sunday got the The rockets watch party
over At Tom's Watch.

Speaker 4 (02:14:35):
Bar working hard into, That, well it's going to be.

Speaker 2 (02:14:39):
FANTASTIC i wish That la didn't go ahead and just
go the extra mile to make it a nine to thirty.

Speaker 4 (02:14:45):
START i, mean just start at.

Speaker 3 (02:14:47):
Nine go the extra mile by being miles and miles
away on The west.

Speaker 2 (02:14:50):
Coast, yeah but start at nine instead of nine to.
Thirty it's not that. Hard people aren't going to get
there on time. Anyways they're In Los, angeles they're on
the four or, five and they'll get there by halftime
and the.

Speaker 3 (02:15:00):
League so you'll be Over tom's watch bar and join
them over there for all the, fun fantastic grub and
great cocktails over. There all sixteen are fifteen excuse me
games being played, tonight all thirty teams on the. Court
they'll all Take tomorrow off and then we'll have a
final playoff picture Come. Sunday and all those games also

(02:15:22):
are early. Starts The Eastern conference gets started at, noon
The Western conference gets started at two Thirty nuggets rockets to.
Thirty all but one game clearly with fifteen teams in
each league or each conference are exclusive to their. Conference
the very important meeting between The Eastern Conference raptors and

(02:15:43):
their thirty wins and The Western Conference spurs and their
thirty three.

Speaker 4 (02:15:47):
Wins that will also be played On. Sunday, hey there's
Ping paul and ball's at stake, here AS.

Speaker 3 (02:15:52):
I actually heard somebody bring up The texas, state the basketball.

Speaker 4 (02:15:57):
State where are? Things you?

Speaker 3 (02:15:59):
KNOW i know some people thought maybe The spurs would be,
better you know where The mavericks. Are but do you
think The rockets are the best team In? Texas AND
i know it wasn't rhetorical who asked, This it's JUST
i don't. KNOW i know you can be a little
bit removed when you're out on The West coast and
all you know Is Los angeles is.

Speaker 4 (02:16:16):
Stupid you get, stupid not.

Speaker 3 (02:16:17):
Removed it's okay to know The mavericks were in the
title series last year and won The Western conference and
know that that doesn't matter at all because we've played
almost an entire season Since. Angeles and in their, case
they've got a new roster, too because.

Speaker 4 (02:16:35):
Their best player isn't on it.

Speaker 3 (02:16:36):
Anymore, so, YEAH i think The rockets are the best
team In. Texas do you want to ask somebody else
to get some? Confirmation who was?

Speaker 4 (02:16:46):
THIS i need to. Know like the.

Speaker 3 (02:16:48):
Expectations for The rockets were to be, better the expectations
were for The mavericks to see if they could recreate
what they put together late in the. Year because, again
a lot of that team was put together at the,
deadline and then for.

Speaker 4 (02:17:01):
The spurs was just get.

Speaker 3 (02:17:03):
Better and you could argue that The spurs got, better
but there's only five teams that didn't make the playoffs last,
year and they're one of them. Again And i'm not
sure that that's going to change next year, either even
with a full year Of fox and maybe a full
year of a Healthy.

Speaker 2 (02:17:18):
Victor it's not Like fox was leading The kings to
deep playoff. Runs just make sure you guys.

Speaker 3 (02:17:25):
Heard that is WHY i gave it a, pause and
we brought it up About Zach. Lavine he led him on.
One they had one really good. CAMPAIGN i think it's
a little bit unfair knowing where he tried to take
them from the. Brothel they had a bad franchise with limited,
talent and he stuck with them as they got better
and better and better before they continued. There we don't
like having a coach here for more than five, minutes
and went backwards this, year and so they made even more.

Speaker 4 (02:17:48):
Changes they're stuck.

Speaker 3 (02:17:50):
In we're not good enough to, compete and we're not
nearly bad enough to land the top spot in the
lottery with our own.

Speaker 4 (02:17:55):
Chances Devin booker has led a team to THE nba.

Speaker 3 (02:17:58):
Finals, yeah But, Dearon victor Wembin, Yama Stefan, castle And
i'm not sure where else they're gonna lean on their
next best. Player visel's probably that answer. Today Harrison barnes
And Keldon johnson and a few others are ARE nba,
Players but there's a huge drop off AND i don't
know What Chris paul is in THE nba next.

Speaker 4 (02:18:18):
Year if you see AN nba, yeah.

Speaker 3 (02:18:20):
So why are they going to? Ascend can they ascend
past the two teams that are gonna make the play
in tournament that are gonna finish at or below five,
hundred that's still an eight or nine win.

Speaker 2 (02:18:29):
Improvement is whoever they draft going to help that much
that at the?

Speaker 3 (02:18:33):
Top he almost certainly has, to Because i'm not SURE
i Know dearon wanted to be. THERE i don't know
that free agents will also want to be. There they,
might SO i think it'll be a, tough tough spot
for these two. Teams, dallas if they're healthy next, year
it sounds like they're a playoff, Team but, seriously they're
no different than the other.

Speaker 4 (02:18:52):
Six after The, rockets there's two games two.

Speaker 3 (02:18:55):
Wins forty nine wins down to forty seven gets you
from third to eighth in The Western. Conference but that's
seven more wins or six more, wins whatever.

Speaker 4 (02:19:02):
It ends up. Being The dallas didn't get this.

Speaker 3 (02:19:04):
Year kyrie And Anthony davis and whatever else is around,
him do they get those wins?

Speaker 4 (02:19:08):
Back are they in that?

Speaker 3 (02:19:09):
Mix otherwise they're looking at the playing, tournament and clearly
injuries could dictate what else.

Speaker 2 (02:19:13):
Happens, Well, kyrie he's coming back from a catastrophic, injury.

Speaker 4 (02:19:16):
So he's also not playing eighty two.

Speaker 2 (02:19:18):
Games, Correct Anthony davis isn't playing eighty two games because
his Name's Anthony. Davis so Taking Klay thompson's a year. Older,
yeah they Need Max christy to play.

Speaker 4 (02:19:28):
Well they NEED.

Speaker 3 (02:19:29):
Pj washington And Daniel gafford to really be even better
than they've, Been Derek lively to stay, Healthy sasty not
To christie's, kid even Though i'm sure more than Just
Klay thompson thought that and maybe still.

Speaker 4 (02:19:39):
Do and then there's The.

Speaker 3 (02:19:40):
Rockets i'm not telling you they're gonna finish second again next,
year But i'm gonna tell you they have at least
as good a chance to compete in The west as
they did this year unless Some luca like trade happens
for one of these other Six Western conference.

Speaker 2 (02:19:53):
Teams and if The rockets make a trade of any
kind this, offseason it's it's presumably to get better because
they're brain, dead which is What dallas.

Speaker 4 (02:20:02):
Did what's the level of pressure on the team to
win right? Now win a?

Speaker 3 (02:20:10):
Series do not get eliminated as the two seed in
an opening round. SERIES i don't know if it matters
if it's four to three versus four to, one or
If god forbid they get swept out of. It because
these teams are really that close. TOGETHER i don't think
any one team's gonna win four straight against. Anybody But,
patrick how do you address that when you've now reached
the off season sooner than expected and deal with what

(02:20:32):
is ahead Of do we now feel compelled that one
of these discgruntled players or player that's obviously on the
move we need to go get or we need to
make a call to a team that might entertain our
trade offer because of what we can offer. Them maybe
there's a player we're not thinking of they can take
away from. Somebody how much more compelled are they to
do that just based on this year's postseason, results the

(02:20:55):
very first postseason for the team they put.

Speaker 2 (02:20:58):
Together and how about, conversely if they go on a
deeper run than maybe you.

Speaker 3 (02:21:02):
THOUGHT i think that's. Easy if you go on a deeper,
run just keep, it believe in.

Speaker 2 (02:21:06):
It but then you're Basically dallas Minus nico just completely
putting a torch to everything midway through the. Season and
they weren't, like if you told me this, Year nico's
not gonna make that, deal, Right they're gonna keep it.
Together they weren't going back to The Western conference.

Speaker 3 (02:21:24):
Finals And Kyrie irving And Daniel gafford AND Pj washington
And Klay thompson And Derek lively are entering the playoffs
with a forty seven and thirty five team this. Year
they absolutely could make it to The Western conference, finals.

Speaker 4 (02:21:37):
Just like they did last.

Speaker 3 (02:21:38):
Year, absolutely they're no different than all of the teams
in the playoffs except FOR okac had they not made
that deal and obviously Health why.

Speaker 2 (02:21:48):
DO i feel like it's there's like there's some, team
there's there's There's Oklahoma, city and There's, denver and then
that's like that's WHERE i stopped.

Speaker 3 (02:21:56):
As denver put themselves back with everybody else for the
reasons or the coaching.

Speaker 4 (02:22:00):
Jumbers on the, opposite, well do you.

Speaker 3 (02:22:02):
Just automatically believe they won it before With gordon And
murray And jokic And brown is better now and maybe
there's a couple more players that, contrue so they're now
the next best.

Speaker 4 (02:22:12):
Team when you can argue anybody believes, that.

Speaker 2 (02:22:13):
And you can argue year in and year out for
like a five year stretch that you have one, of
if not the best players in THE nba and he's
winning multiple time, MVPs it's a little bit easier to
sell that argument Than, hey, look Then MAVs made a
nice little run that surprised, everybody and before, that it
was The timberwolves making a nice little run that surprised.
Everybody and you know this team and that team making these.
Runs it's Not there hasn't been a dynastic type team from.

Speaker 4 (02:22:38):
The west since The.

Speaker 3 (02:22:39):
Warriors, Yeah jokic has been in The Western conference finals
twice and they won the finals obviously of THE Nba
finals two years ago and two.

Speaker 4 (02:22:48):
MVPs uh.

Speaker 3 (02:22:49):
Huh and only once in the last six years have
they not won their first playoff, series they, advance they
make it to The final four in The west. REGULARLY
i expect the same this. Year, well no matter where
they end, up no no matter what seed they, land
no matter if their game On sunday matters or. Not
with The, rockets three TIME mvp probably finished, RUN i, thought, yeah,

(02:23:11):
YEAH i just he's probably gonna finish in the top
two for the fifth straight.

Speaker 4 (02:23:17):
Year he, is.

Speaker 2 (02:23:20):
And he's somehow. UNDERRATED i don't think he gets enough
love what he's.

Speaker 3 (02:23:25):
Doing he doesn't play IN la while being on The West.
Coast you can, play you can play anywhere on The West,
coast and you'll get no love unless it's IN. La
maybe even just unless it's with The. Lakers if he
wants to complain In, houston he can get some love.
Here i'll give him plenty of.

Speaker 4 (02:23:41):
Love sure many people.

Speaker 3 (02:23:44):
Would i'm sure The rockets would be happy with that,
deal whatever it turned out to.

Speaker 4 (02:23:47):
BE i don't.

Speaker 3 (02:23:48):
THINK i don't Think denver's getting better by Trading Nikali yokis.

Speaker 2 (02:23:51):
WELL i also don't think they got better by firing
their head coach that took him to THE Nba.

Speaker 4 (02:23:54):
Finals but. Whatevs although there are. Undefeated that's.

Speaker 2 (02:23:57):
True, yes they Fired duriko and THEIR. Gm by the,
way all, right we'll get some of the things we
have not gotten. To it's in case you missed. It
it's straight ahead.

Speaker 1 (02:24:07):
The eighteen On Sports talk seven ninety.

Speaker 3 (02:24:15):
Zaf for in case you missed, it and some items
we need to revisit or get into for the first.
Time like as was the case, yesterday The masters is
actually being played on Both thursday And, friday like it
is every. Year most of the participants have finished up
their second, round but not, all Including Ty, hatton who

(02:24:38):
is one shot.

Speaker 4 (02:24:39):
Off the league through. Fifteen Justin rose Your day one.

Speaker 3 (02:24:42):
Leader very likely he will be Your date two, leader
if not by, himself which he is, now BUT i
guess Potentially hatton could get him, tied he could pass.

Speaker 4 (02:24:52):
Him But Justin, rose at eight, under is in the.

Speaker 3 (02:24:54):
Lead Scottie scheffler looking for a third victory at The,
master's coming off very nice performance here In. Houston he
is five under in a group of players tied t,
six a tough finish for The Shell Houston open winner
with a bogie on eighteen min Woo lee is one

(02:25:18):
under today even for the Tournament rory has been phenomenal
so far in two. DAYS i love or except how
he finished yesterday when he took everything he did during
round one and flushed it down the. Toilet double bogie on,
fifteen double bogie on.

Speaker 4 (02:25:38):
Seventeen is that?

Speaker 3 (02:25:39):
Bad, well he was four under through the round up
until that, point and he matched it with another round
today of. Excellence he was six under in his round,
Today so he's six under for the tournament and he
SITS t four after almost two full. Days Scotty, scheffer
LIKE i, mentioned one of the he was in the

(02:26:00):
very last.

Speaker 4 (02:26:01):
Group he is one of the last. Groups he has
got a couple holes to finish OUT t. Six what
else do we have? Today? Cool let me pull up.

Speaker 13 (02:26:09):
My notes because If i've decided to study up on
golf just BECAUSE i want to make sure that we got.

Speaker 4 (02:26:13):
Through it in case you missed. It but you answered
all my. Questions let's go here, Here, oh here we.

Speaker 13 (02:26:17):
Go do you remember last year how THE Nfl draft
actually started at pick number three because we did know
that two quarterbacks are going to be going with the
first two, picks, Right, Yes so the draft starts this
year at pick number three once, again As titans are
expected to pick Cam ward out of The university Of,
miami and then The Cleveland browns are determining which player

(02:26:38):
defensively is a better, Fit Travis huner From colorado Or
Abdul carter From Penn. State according to the Athletics Diana,
russini The giants may hold the final domino that creates
an entire ripple effect that alters the way that we
look at the first round of THE Nfl. Draft that
can stay put draft themselves a. Deep if it's a

(02:27:00):
player Like Abdull carter who just was in the, building
they could go draft sh du and then make it
the funniest quarterback room in the history of THE. Nfl
With Russell, Wilson Jameis, winston and Shadur dion's kid all
takeing reps, one, two and. Three they can go draft
Themselves Travis hunter if he falls. There but it's reported
that whoever they take at number, three if they aren't

(02:27:21):
able to trade, out will determine the rest of THE Nfl.

Speaker 3 (02:27:24):
Draft i'm confused, here, sure And i'll try to walk through.

Speaker 4 (02:27:28):
It we know who the number one pick. Is Cam
ward's getting drafted By.

Speaker 3 (02:27:31):
Tennessee there won't be a trade and they're not gonna
fool us by taking somebody.

Speaker 4 (02:27:34):
Else we don't know who's going number, two, right we.

Speaker 13 (02:27:38):
Know that it's between two players at this, point it
is Between Travis.

Speaker 3 (02:27:41):
Hunter Or Abdull. Carter now the, question, so how are
we getting to The it's Because i'm. Confused how come
the team at number three holds the?

Speaker 13 (02:27:51):
Key what if they don't View Travis hunter the way
That cleveland Views Travis, hunter and so then they take
a quarterback or then they trade. Down let's say that
they're only in love With Abdull carter and then they
don't move down and somebody moves on up for the.

Speaker 2 (02:28:06):
Draft so that's the.

Speaker 4 (02:28:07):
Reason, well doesn't that mean then the team at two
holds the? Keys kind?

Speaker 13 (02:28:10):
Of but it's like also at the same, time it's between.

Speaker 4 (02:28:12):
One of two. Players let's get.

Speaker 3 (02:28:13):
It let's get into the players and the teams themselves
before we go down a rabbit hole of, dumb, dumb
Dumb wexler semantics WHICH i almost took you. Down the
team at two has signed how many quarterbacks this?

Speaker 13 (02:28:25):
Offseason, well breaking news they signed another one, today thirty
nine year, old forty year old he's old. Enough at this,
Point Joe flacco has agreed to a one year deal
to return To.

Speaker 3 (02:28:35):
Cleveland So cleveland has multi million dollar awful injured Quarterback Deshaun.
Watson they Added Kenny pickett earlier this. Offseason hans tiny
dancers in. There, yes piece hands could be, huge his
hands could be. Small he could wear, gloves he could
not wear. Gloves the gloves don't even have to. Fit
i've watched him play. Football he's not very good at
it at THE nfl.

Speaker 2 (02:28:53):
Level so tiny fingers is, There, yes he.

Speaker 3 (02:28:55):
Is and then the team at three similarly has filled
up their quarterback room with. Bodies is this an indication
of what their plans are at two and, three because
none of the five quarterbacks that have added by these
two teams are.

Speaker 4 (02:29:09):
GOOD i don't think.

Speaker 13 (02:29:10):
ENTIRELY i think if somebody is bold enough to want
to trade up to number three to go land a
player that they think is, generational which again we all
hate that. WORD i specifically hate that word more than
any other word that's ever exists in THE. Nfl if
they want to do, that then you move down to,
SAY i don't, know pick number, seven pick number, eight
or pick number, ten there's an opportunity to where maybe
you can talk yourself into Drafting shadur now.

Speaker 2 (02:29:31):
THREE i do believe he is off the.

Speaker 4 (02:29:33):
TABLE i think at this.

Speaker 13 (02:29:34):
Point is Between Abdul carter or it's going to be
Probably Travis.

Speaker 3 (02:29:39):
Hunter the reality of all this conversation, is, well it'll
be fun for all of us doing our draft, show
everybody paying attention to what's going on at the early
portion of the.

Speaker 4 (02:29:46):
Draft it will impact The texans in it.

Speaker 3 (02:29:49):
No way at all because all these players will be,
gone and no matter what other teams traded up and
did whatever they wanted to do at this portion of the,
draft it won't impact The texans' plans who sit at
twenty five and so a five full show week or
five full days next, week and then a couple days
before the first round Through, thursday we'll deliver you this
player could be picked by The texans at twenty. Five

(02:30:12):
at twenty, five there probably are at least twelve or
thirteen names THAT i think we could run. Through so
once a day each, day for every day leading up
to the. Draft now nine days, Out cole will give
you a name not necessarily, here in in case you missed,
it but during the, show this is who The texans
could select at number twenty five and? Why but what

(02:30:32):
else do we have it in case you missed.

Speaker 13 (02:30:33):
It, Well i'm glad that you brought up things that
could affect The texans, draft because if we all talked
about If Shader sanders were to fall outside of the top,
fifteen probably the pick that you're looking at is picked
number twenty one or in that range where maybe somebody
would want to trade on up and take a swing
at The colorado.

Speaker 4 (02:30:49):
Kid here's the.

Speaker 13 (02:30:51):
Problem according To Ian, rappaport The saints suddenly have a
major quarterback question as Starter Derek carr is now dealing
with a shorter.

Speaker 2 (02:30:58):
Injury suddenly quarterback question. Exactly that was my first. Thought
this is the one that does. It but, anyways has
a shorter.

Speaker 13 (02:31:05):
Injury that could affect his ability availability for the, start
if not all of the. Seasons he is currently weighing,
options including the possibility as. Surgery now why is that
important WEX na, Scene, well they sent everyone they set
the kitchen sink out the Border colorado When shooder's pro
day was going, on INCLUDING Gm Mickey, lewis including head
Coach Callen, moore including the director a player, personnel they

(02:31:29):
have done their due, diligence which now means unless they're
riding it back With Spencer rattler or tanking For arch
for two. Years because wex he's not gone pro in
twenty twenty, five he's gonna go in twenty twenty.

Speaker 4 (02:31:41):
Seven we're gonna talk about this for a.

Speaker 13 (02:31:43):
While they're gonna have to go look at getting another
quarterback because it does seem like the days.

Speaker 4 (02:31:47):
Are numbered For Derek carr Out.

Speaker 3 (02:31:49):
Nola as much As i'm not sure if it would
play out this, WAY i do think it could be
huge If sanders is drafted by The, saints, yes and
is what they hope and becomes their franchise, quarterback and he's.
Awesome he's going to be a massive quarterback, personality and
the league will gravitate towards. IT i think fans will
gravitate towards, it and The saints could be a, very

(02:32:11):
very fun team moving forward if that were the. Case
one more item for in case you missed, it because
it applies to something we talked about. Earlier in case
you missed, It Spencer araghetty's injury situation with the broken
digit on his pitching. Hand Dana, brown speaking moments after
we finished up With Chandler rome over at the, ballpark
indicated his. Hopes you know About dana brown pitching. Timelines,

(02:32:35):
granted this is not a major surgery, timeline so hopefully
he's right on track with. This he Hopes araghetty can
get back in six. Weeks six weeks would put you
the final two weeks in change Of. April four weeks,
later you'd be in Late. May that would give you
about a week's lag time For AC's prediction of pitching

(02:32:57):
By june first to be. Correct let's go if that is.

Speaker 2 (02:33:00):
ACCURATE i mean we should have made that bet.

Speaker 4 (02:33:03):
Earlier you didn't want.

Speaker 3 (02:33:05):
To do, it did not want to do. IT i
found something, else but not. That and there you have
it in case you missed it for another. Day another
segment to, GO a couple of items for you when
we get. There on this final, segment.

Speaker 1 (02:33:18):
The a On Sports talk seven ninety.

Speaker 3 (02:33:28):
Right into the final segment of the, SHOW i have
a feeling this was played for a. Reason but IF
i just talk over, it then he'll probably have to
fade it down and whatever fun he was going to
have on the.

Speaker 4 (02:33:36):
SHOW i can put a squash to, that.

Speaker 2 (02:33:37):
Immedialy at least he. Knows at least he. Does at
least he admits that he's, wet blanketing.

Speaker 4 (02:33:42):
Whatever so.

Speaker 3 (02:33:43):
Fun what about making our way? Downtown did you play
this for the name of this?

Speaker 2 (02:33:47):
Song?

Speaker 4 (02:33:50):
WHAT i don't?

Speaker 8 (02:33:51):
KNOW i don't.

Speaker 3 (02:33:51):
Know let me sing along with it and see IF
i can figure it. Out On, seriously, man come, on
do you know that there's a song with a very
similar title THAT i think is the all time worst
song in the history of.

Speaker 4 (02:34:02):
Music it's Not. Friday, no this song is CALLED a thousand.

Speaker 3 (02:34:05):
Miles you're's in the. Video now there's another song with
miles in the. Title, yeah and it's, awful right And
i've said that. Before why are you playing this so
we can get to in case you so we can
get to our ticket?

Speaker 4 (02:34:16):
Giveaway it's our ticket?

Speaker 9 (02:34:16):
Giveaway? Yeah?

Speaker 4 (02:34:17):
What what's the?

Speaker 2 (02:34:17):
Purpose is? Not Vanessa, carlton it's.

Speaker 13 (02:34:19):
Not but because of ac earlier was complaining about the
thousands of miles away for this game, tonight that he
has to go to The tom's watch bar to be
able to watch.

Speaker 4 (02:34:27):
It he's looking forward to that angle it's stupid that
it starts at nine thirty instead of.

Speaker 13 (02:34:31):
Nine but it's a thousand miles, away just like that,
song it's out a thousand miles at least the current
at all times when of our mom with you, bloys
we got.

Speaker 2 (02:34:38):
Our Our WrestleMania credential like, packet like here's where you
need to go to get your, stuff and here's all you,
know basically the stuff that we do. Here because we're
working the event And i'm, realizing oh, yeah we're in
a ridiculous time. Zone you have to get everything at
two pm local time because it starts at four pm local.
Time i'm like a stupid rest of the country later than, us.

Speaker 3 (02:35:00):
Not moving out there anytime. Soon do have tickets for you?
Here appreciate you. Listening that's usually how we give the.
Tickets a, way if you've been, listening you know the
answer our trivia question because it has to do with
something that was set on the, show and usually something
that was set on the show very. Recently it'd be
nice if you guys listen to us for full four
hours every, day or twelve full hours or thirteen full.
Hours Sports talk seven ninety all day every, day or

(02:35:21):
via The iHeartRadio. App but we recognize it's probably an.
Impossibility so if you've recently been, listening you'll owe the
answer to this question if you like to go See
The offspring on Their Supercharge worldwide in twenty twenty five
tour and they'll be joined By Jimmy Eat world And Newfound.
Glory it's coming up On august twenty third at The Woodlands.

(02:35:41):
Pavilion you can find tickets now at ticketmaster dot com
or win them right. Here we got a couple pairs
of tickets for you know the answer to this. Question
you dial us. Up it's seven one three two one
two five seven ninety seven to one three two one
two five seven ninety same number we give out all
throughout the. Day we just talked about it last, segment
WHICH nfl PRESUMED nfl starting quarterback could be facing major

(02:36:07):
surgery and would put his season and his team season
in some serious jeopardy and their potential plans for greatness with.

Speaker 8 (02:36:15):
This.

Speaker 3 (02:36:15):
Haha great, quarterback we just mentioned. Him we just talked about,
him and he has a famous brother here In houston
that played the same position WHICH nfl quarterback could be
headed for surgery putting his team's potential plans in. Jeopardy
if you know the answer to that, question WHICH nfl?
Quarterback that is seven one three two one two five
seven ninety and those offspring tickets can be. Yours side,

(02:36:39):
note we had an opportunity for you to take us
up on our offer to Make iHeartRadio's app work for
you and Make Sports talk seven ninety your number one pre.
Set there many of you followed that information throughout the
day on all of our. Shows send us a screen
cap with that very fact proven screencap Of iHeartRadio app

(02:36:59):
And Sports talk seven nineties or number one pre. Set
we're giving away tickets to a different show over AT Nrg.
Stadium go See Kendrick, lamar and we have a. Winner
many people, asked, well when's the giveaway AND i said
it Was, friday AND i didn't even know when the
giveaway was took place earlier this. Hour so congrats To
tony on winning. That and also big hat tip To

(02:37:20):
tony as his screenshot was sent in at THE a
team's request earlier. Today one of those that responded to
our specific timely shout, out as you heard here on
the program earlier this.

Speaker 4 (02:37:33):
Week so enjoy the. Show picture didn't, Happen, well that's.

Speaker 2 (02:37:36):
How it, worked or you're not entered right, Right, well
in this, case that's the that's how that would.

Speaker 3 (02:37:40):
Go we'll have more giveaways like we have all throughout
this summer of fun that's lasted Into april for you next,
week both on the giveaway side for the week and
daily tickets as.

Speaker 4 (02:37:52):
Well you're a fan of sports, pettiness, Right.

Speaker 3 (02:37:56):
Yeah i'm familiar with social, media so sure what was
in the social?

Speaker 4 (02:38:00):
Media, no but sports pettiness on social media is at
an all time. High oh of?

Speaker 2 (02:38:04):
Course what about, like would you ever even how many
books do you like read when it comes to sport
like sporting figures other than like people that we've interviewed
and they send you the book for, free that kind of.
Thing do you read a lot of sports related books or?
No rhetorical?

Speaker 3 (02:38:20):
Question, okay BUT i know there's kids, listening But i'm,
Sorry i'm not gonna lie to.

Speaker 2 (02:38:26):
You, yes reading is not fundamental For. West what he's
saying you, READ i. Don't, yeah you're, Literate but would
you be surprised to know that in his brand new,
Book Bill belichick does not mention someone specific at.

Speaker 3 (02:38:44):
All former Girlfriend linda no. Mentions that's. Mean Did bill
O'Brien get a?

Speaker 4 (02:38:48):
MENTION i don't. Know josh, McDaniels don't Know Bob. Kraft
there you. Go Thomas, Brady.

Speaker 2 (02:38:54):
NO i Think Tom brady got to. Mention no mention Of.
BOB i like to go To, ORSHAKE Eu asians. Orca
whatever is it called, Arreservation, yeah THAT i like to.

Speaker 3 (02:39:03):
Go get so, seriously the answer was he didn't mention
the owner of The patriots at. All and that's crazy to.
Me is there a summary of what this book is?

Speaker 2 (02:39:11):
About, well it's IT'S i, mean the TITLE i think
tells you like It's life And times or something like.
THAT i actually don't even have the title in front of,
me but it's essentially they. Did they even went back
into The so The Boston globe got like a The.

Speaker 4 (02:39:29):
Art Of Winning lessons from my life in. Football there you.
Go maybe that's. IT i don't.

Speaker 2 (02:39:35):
Know The Boston globe And Dan, shaughnessy who's now been
mentioned twice this week somehow on our, show got his
hands on a preview copy of. It it's only two
hundred and eighty nine. Pages that seems, SHORT.

Speaker 3 (02:39:46):
I thought you won the art of winning a little
bit in two hundred and eighty nine pages In, football.

Speaker 4 (02:39:51):
Noticeably void of the Words Robert.

Speaker 2 (02:39:54):
Kraft he also says The Patriots way does not, exist
which we already knew that from several years of trying
to make it happen here like fetch In.

Speaker 3 (02:40:05):
Houston, YEAH i Think Robert kraft is just like each
of the other owners that he's worked for in THE.

Speaker 4 (02:40:09):
Nfl they all fired. Him that's one way to look at.

Speaker 3 (02:40:13):
Him is it for us for the, week although you'll
hear from both of us over the course of the
next handful of hours and days before we get back
at you On. Monday see if The astros can take
care of business, once, twce twice or three. Times same
for The rockets once or, twice and we'll wait Till
tuesday to see who they got in the postseason For
cole for ac wex, here we'll talk to you.

Speaker 4 (02:40:33):
Again have a great. Weekend we'll talk to you again
On

Speaker 5 (02:40:34):
Monday the eight On Sports talk seven ninety