WEBVTT 1 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:11.919 Welcome aboard, Welcome to another Space City Saturday on Sports 2 00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:15.800 Talk seven ninety Dad Matthews Live and local h Town 3 00:00:15.960 --> 00:00:20.239 breakdown of the world that matters to you, the Houston 4 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:21.239 sports world. 5 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:23.000 All these great Houston fans here. 6 00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:27.039 We love you all, So finish up on that to 7 00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:27.640 do list. 8 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:31.559 Slut up the cooler because you can't drink in talk 9 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:33.960 sports all day if you don't start. 10 00:00:34.039 --> 00:00:38.159 Now bear me the eight. This is Space City Saturday. 11 00:00:38.280 --> 00:00:42.399 It's insane. Here's seven nineties Dad Matthews. 12 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:47.399 Anyway, we go here from the Fertida Center on the 13 00:00:47.439 --> 00:00:51.119 campus of University of Houston. Later on today you're gonna 14 00:00:51.119 --> 00:00:55.119 get to the coves and the Iowa State cyclones coming 15 00:00:55.159 --> 00:00:57.960 your way over on at KPRC nine point fifty. But 16 00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:02.880 I'm here inside the jim Nantz Media Center inside for 17 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:06.120 Tida Center. Dan Matthews here, Space City Saturday. We get 18 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:09.920 going here and weatherwise, I mean, I can't think of 19 00:01:10.200 --> 00:01:13.840 a better place to be today than inside the Fortda 20 00:01:13.920 --> 00:01:17.680 Center because I mean it is yucky outside. I threw 21 00:01:17.719 --> 00:01:20.879 it out on Twitter yesterday that's I'm done with the 22 00:01:20.920 --> 00:01:26.079 cold weather. Like the cold weather has come and it's overstated. 23 00:01:26.079 --> 00:01:28.239 It's welcome I think we're all ready for it to 24 00:01:28.599 --> 00:01:31.920 take off and take a walk. So that's that's what 25 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:35.000 we're dealing with here. But it is a good day 26 00:01:35.040 --> 00:01:38.480 to be able to sit inside, watch some basketball and 27 00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:41.560 see the Kougs try to pick up their twenty third win. 28 00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:42.359 Of the season. 29 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:46.439 Twelve forty five is when the coverage over on KPRC 30 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:49.000 nine to fifty is going to get going. But we 31 00:01:49.040 --> 00:01:51.959 are here, and if you follow us on Twitter and 32 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:54.920 that's at Sports Talk seven ninety, you saw that I 33 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:58.560 posted the pictures of both the game day bus but 34 00:01:58.959 --> 00:02:02.319 also to Jais Rhys Davis and the crew out there 35 00:02:02.319 --> 00:02:05.400 with ESPN on the court as I was coming to 36 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:08.639 get settled in here in the Jim Nantz Media Center, 37 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:10.879 but going to be a good game. A couple of 38 00:02:10.919 --> 00:02:14.439 more weeks of the regular season left, and a couple 39 00:02:14.479 --> 00:02:16.120 of weeks from now, U of H and the rest 40 00:02:16.159 --> 00:02:18.120 of the Big twelve going to be up in Kansas 41 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:21.039 City for the conference tournament, and then before you know it, 42 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:24.840 it's Selection Sunday and we get this thing going all 43 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:28.400 over again and seeing if the Koogs can be able 44 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:32.400 to finally capture the elusive national title. So we'll be 45 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:35.080 talking a lot of U of H today here on 46 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:35.759 the show. 47 00:02:35.879 --> 00:02:36.919 Might be joined at some. 48 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:41.439 Time by Joseph d'Arte of the Houston Chronicle. He might 49 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:44.560 drop by and talk a little bit of U of 50 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:47.360 H with him, but he's busy with all the game 51 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:49.719 day stuff happening right now. So that's going to be 52 00:02:49.800 --> 00:02:52.560 kind of a play it by ear programming note for 53 00:02:52.599 --> 00:02:55.560 you all over here on Sports Talk seven ninety. So 54 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:59.199 we are actually going to be cutting at ten minutes 55 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:03.400 early today because at eleven fifty that's when Robert Ford 56 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:05.879 and the crew on the Astros Radio Network they're going 57 00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:08.960 to hit the air as the Astros starting off spring 58 00:03:09.080 --> 00:03:10.199 training action today. 59 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:12.360 And it's going to be a split. 60 00:03:12.120 --> 00:03:15.520 Squad for the Astros, as you're going to have half 61 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:17.960 the crew there in West Palm Beach and the other 62 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:21.000 half is out in Port Saint Lucie taken on the Mets. 63 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:24.120 But the crew that's going to be at Cacti Park 64 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:27.000 of the Palm Beach is taking on the team that 65 00:03:27.039 --> 00:03:31.560 they share the spring training complex with the Washington Nationals, 66 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:33.319 and of course going to have it right here on 67 00:03:33.360 --> 00:03:36.120 Sports Talk seven ninety, but also going to have it 68 00:03:36.520 --> 00:03:39.520 TV wise, so with our partners over at Space City 69 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:43.680 Home Networks. So that's where the Astros will be today 70 00:03:43.879 --> 00:03:47.120 as they start their at twenty twenty five at campaign 71 00:03:47.319 --> 00:03:49.520 not in earnest that's going to be happening in about 72 00:03:49.520 --> 00:03:51.520 a month and a half when we get going at 73 00:03:51.560 --> 00:03:55.439 four excuse me, when we get going for the start 74 00:03:55.479 --> 00:03:58.080 of the season, as late in March is. 75 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:00.080 When the season will get underway. 76 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:04.000 So that's what we have with the Astros coming up 77 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:05.520 a little bit later on. We'll be talking a lot 78 00:04:05.560 --> 00:04:07.919 of Astros here in the first hour, as you know, 79 00:04:08.479 --> 00:04:11.680 we ought to do here on Space City Saturday, because 80 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:14.080 I mean, you know, it's the team that most of 81 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:17.519 us here care about, but also, I mean, just so 82 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:19.800 many things to talk about with this team, whether it's 83 00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:23.519 Jose Altuve out in left field, whether it's roster spots 84 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:28.360 to be one Brendan Rodgers being added. And also going 85 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:31.639 to let you hear from a couple of the newest 86 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:34.600 Astros a little bit later on in the show, as 87 00:04:34.879 --> 00:04:37.800 Christian Walker had a chance to sit down with Matt 88 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:40.040 Thomas and Ross phil Reale out in West Palm Beach 89 00:04:40.120 --> 00:04:42.279 earlier this week. So we're gonna have that for you 90 00:04:42.759 --> 00:04:45.959 and we'll be getting into a lot of astros talk 91 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:47.759 as the show goes along. 92 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:49.480 You know what we do around here. 93 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:52.399 You get involved on the phone lines if you want 94 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:55.519 to someon one three, two, one two five seven ninety 95 00:04:55.600 --> 00:04:57.439 is the number to get in on the phone lines. 96 00:04:57.480 --> 00:04:59.600 You can also get at me on Twitter if you 97 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:02.040 don't want to put the voice behind it on the 98 00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:04.920 phone lines, that's fine, Hey, no worries about it. I'll 99 00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:07.639 you know, interact with you on Twitter as well. And 100 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:10.399 I'm at Dan Matthews. Hou is where you can find 101 00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:13.759 me at Dan Matthews. Hou is where you can get 102 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:15.480 at me on the Twitter spheres. 103 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:19.600 So that's from there. But also too, we're. 104 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:21.519 Five minutes into the show, hadn't even mentioned what happened 105 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:23.600 over at Toyota Center last night as a game you 106 00:05:23.639 --> 00:05:26.639 heard right here on Sports Talk seven to ninety Rockets 107 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:29.360 with a six point win over the Minnesota Timberwolves one 108 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:33.120 twenty one fifteen. Nice night from Jalen Green thirty five 109 00:05:33.160 --> 00:05:38.120 points out of him. Also, you know along the away 110 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:41.680 in the game, Alprin Shingoon twenty four points, thirteen rebounds, 111 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:45.439 yet another double double before the All Star. 112 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:46.839 On the Rockets roster. 113 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:51.120 And it was also the return of Jabari Smith Junior 114 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:52.839 played the most minutes. 115 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:55.360 Out of you know, most of the guys on the 116 00:05:55.399 --> 00:05:56.240 floor last night. 117 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:59.279 Well actually Jalen Green edged him out by a minute, 118 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:01.000 but thirty eight minutes off the bench. 119 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:02.480 So no restrictions out. 120 00:06:02.279 --> 00:06:06.439 Of Jabari Smith Junior since coming back from the broken finger, 121 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:10.480 and fifteen points out of him, nine rebounds, couple of assists, 122 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:12.959 and also had a block shot in the game. Did 123 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:16.319 turn the basketball over five times, but still plus twelve 124 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:19.439 in the plus minus category, so good to have him 125 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:22.079 back in the fold. Still no Fred van Vliet though 126 00:06:22.279 --> 00:06:24.560 for the Rockets. They're trying to get him up back 127 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:27.879 here in short order. And you know, we played yesterday 128 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:29.680 on the A team. You might have heard it Tom 129 00:06:29.720 --> 00:06:33.199 Haverstrow who covers the NBA, talking about teams that could 130 00:06:33.199 --> 00:06:35.759 possibly make a deep run in the playoffs, and he 131 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:38.639 said the Rockets, because he threw out the numbers. 132 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:40.079 They're what thirty and thirteen? 133 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:42.959 I believe when you have both Shingoon and Fred van 134 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:46.399 Vliet on the floor and they're four and eight without them, 135 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:48.480 well now they're five and eight because they won last 136 00:06:48.519 --> 00:06:50.879 night without one of the two on the floor, but 137 00:06:51.079 --> 00:06:52.519 having Shingoon out there. 138 00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:53.800 Was very nice. 139 00:06:53.920 --> 00:06:56.240 And you know, I think another guy that deserves some 140 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:59.759 kudos for his performance last night Aaron Holiday. The eighteen 141 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:01.959 minut he gave you off the bench ten points out 142 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:05.439 of him. But he may Udoka first game out of 143 00:07:05.480 --> 00:07:07.079 the All Star Break going a little bit of a 144 00:07:07.079 --> 00:07:10.920 tighter rotation at two. As you know, really it was 145 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:14.480 only a Smith junior and also Holiday as the guys 146 00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:16.759 that got the bulk of the minutes off the bench, 147 00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:19.439 as you only got seven minutes out of Jayshaun Tate 148 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:22.839 and five out of Steven Adams, so most of the 149 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:26.560 guys on the floor playing a good amount of the 150 00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:27.839 minutes in the game. 151 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:29.399 And you know, you. 152 00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:33.000 Get Tarry Easton who will probably be down for tonight 153 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:37.439 up in Utah. And as the Rockets a back to back, which, 154 00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:39.480 by the way, can we pick a bone here? 155 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:43.000 Really quick? Permission to do that? Whose bright idea was. 156 00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:46.360 It with the NBA to have the first two games 157 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:48.079 out the gate out of the All Star break for 158 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:50.399 the Rockets be a back to back, and not only 159 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:53.360 a back to back, but a home and road back 160 00:07:53.399 --> 00:07:56.879 to back. Like where's the common sense here? Like how 161 00:07:56.920 --> 00:07:59.800 about like have you know the Rockets and Jazz playing 162 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:03.399 in Houston tonight as opposed to you know, I mean, 163 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:05.199 if you're going to do it back to back, that's fine, 164 00:08:05.279 --> 00:08:08.480 but you know, make it consistent right out of the break. 165 00:08:08.519 --> 00:08:11.199 I mean, you know, have have it either be home 166 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:13.240 and home or road and road. I mean, you know, 167 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:14.240 who would have. 168 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:17.000 Really complained last night if the Rockets, say had opened 169 00:08:17.079 --> 00:08:19.600 up the All Star break in Phoenix and then tonight 170 00:08:19.839 --> 00:08:21.959 you know, playing in Utah or even in Denver and 171 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:23.639 then you know, the same deal there. 172 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:25.879 So that's just what I can't understand. 173 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:28.480 But anyway, it's going to be a late one out 174 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:31.319 there in Utah, and the Jazz are one of the 175 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:34.639 you know, the lowly teams in the NBA. So the 176 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:37.080 Rockets are definitely hoping that they can be able to 177 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:39.720 pick up two quick wins right out of the gate, 178 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:42.240 and we'll see if they are able to do that. 179 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:45.200 So again, that's coming your way a little bit later 180 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:48.960 on tonight. And you know, it's a full sports schedule 181 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:51.799 here today for us here on Sports Talk seven ninety, 182 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:56.200 but not only with US, but also over on KPRC 183 00:08:56.559 --> 00:08:59.919 nine fifty is another place that you can be able 184 00:08:59.919 --> 00:09:03.399 to to catch some of the action. Today, So a 185 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:07.960 full slate across the board tonight, and not only with 186 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:13.639 the Rockets, but also to with you know, ut basketball 187 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:15.600 coming your way a little bit later on, which by 188 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:17.600 the way, that's gonna be over on KPRC nine to 189 00:09:17.720 --> 00:09:20.519 fifty as well. So just to kind of run through 190 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:23.799 what we have here on our stations today. As I 191 00:09:23.840 --> 00:09:26.120 mentioned the Astros coming your way here in about an 192 00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:28.559 hour and a half, eleven fifty is when that's gonna 193 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:30.519 get started them taking on the Nationals there in West 194 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:33.159 Palm Beach. And then I mentioned the Koog's game that 195 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:35.799 they're gonna be taken on at Iowa State that's coming 196 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:39.200 your way at twelve forty five, and that's gonna be 197 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:42.080 over on KPRC nine to fifty. Same deal with the 198 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:45.480 South Carolina and Texas basketball game coming your way a 199 00:09:45.519 --> 00:09:46.480 little bit later on. 200 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:48.440 And the Rockets and Jazz. 201 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:51.480 I'll get you started with Rockets launch pad coming your 202 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:54.759 way at seven point thirty, so we'll have that and 203 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:57.720 then get you into the game. And as I mentioned, 204 00:09:57.759 --> 00:10:01.080 hopefully the Rockets are able to pick up a good 205 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:03.559 win there on the road. But it was good to 206 00:10:03.559 --> 00:10:05.519 see them back on the floor last night. I mean 207 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:08.919 looked like a rested and refreshed team. I don't think 208 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:11.919 anybody can dispute that, because I mean, this was a 209 00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:15.120 team that was scuffling in the worst way going into 210 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:17.039 the All Star Break, and I mean, you had that 211 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:20.159 awful game against the Golden State Warriors and you had 212 00:10:20.200 --> 00:10:22.200 to he meet U Dooka after the game saying, yeah, 213 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:25.120 you know, some guys looked like they probably you know, 214 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:27.919 we're already at the All Star break, paraphrasing him, of course, 215 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:31.000 but still, I mean, this was a team that was, 216 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:34.120 you know, struggling mightily, not only with injuries, but just 217 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:39.440 with poor play, a lot of turnovers, just poor basketball really, 218 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:42.720 and all of a sudden able to take that time 219 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:46.559 away from the floor, get refreshed and rested and now 220 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:50.000 back out there and thirty five in twenty one on 221 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:54.360 the season, so trying to improve that mark. Fred van 222 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:58.480 Vliet already out for tonight's game for Utah Collins Sex 223 00:10:58.600 --> 00:11:02.320 in his game time decisions. We'll see what happens with them. 224 00:11:02.440 --> 00:11:05.240 But I mean, this is a Jazz team that only 225 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:08.440 has thirteen wins on the season. But as we found 226 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:11.559 out though, during that rough stretch, the Rockets had where 227 00:11:11.559 --> 00:11:14.200 they went two and seven in their last nine games 228 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:16.840 before last night. I mean, you know, there were a 229 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:19.080 couple of games in there against the Brooklyn Nets, and 230 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:21.879 the Brooklyn Nets are about the same as the Utah Jazz. 231 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:25.399 So I think that probably the messaging inside the locker 232 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:28.000 room before the game tonight is don't take these guys lightly. 233 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:30.600 They want to be able to, you know, mess up 234 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:32.720 the good thing that you have going right now. So 235 00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:37.120 this is the stretch that the Rockets really need. I mean, 236 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:39.480 you know, you're gonna be taken on the Jazz quite 237 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:43.000 a few times here in the later you know, parts 238 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:46.200 of the season, and the Rockets, of course trying to 239 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:50.320 get even up further into the Western Conference standings. Is 240 00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:53.600 currently right now, there's a game ahead of the Lakers 241 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:56.240 for the four spot and the Western Conference there are 242 00:11:56.240 --> 00:12:00.360 two games back of the Denver Nuggets, and also two 243 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:04.440 games back of the team that's in their own Division 244 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:07.279 two as well, the Memphis Grizzlies, as they do have 245 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:10.159 the season series over the Grizzlies, so even if you 246 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:14.679 finish up the regular season tied with Memphis, you get 247 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:17.720 that spot ahead of them. So, I mean, you know, 248 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:19.159 it's one of those things and I was thinking about 249 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:21.879 it this morning. I mean, this is so important for 250 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:24.360 the Rockets to get either the two or the three, 251 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:26.639 because I think if they get either of those, they 252 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:28.759 have a pretty clear path to be able to get 253 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:31.519 to the Western Conference. I mean, you know, you've got 254 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:34.919 the Minnesota Timberwolves there in the play and round. I mean, 255 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:37.639 that's a dangerous team. The Mavericks starting to play good 256 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:40.440 basketball two as well, so you got to see what 257 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:43.759 happens with those group of four, with the Warriors and 258 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:47.360 Kings also in there, and you've got the Stuns lurking, 259 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:49.279 and I mean, I guess you could say even without 260 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:53.399 Victor Wimbenyama, the Spurs aren't too far behind. But still, 261 00:12:53.879 --> 00:12:56.559 I think that probably concern yourself more with the first 262 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:59.399 few teams that I mentioned there that are currently seven 263 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:02.600 through ten. But you know, it's also too, I mean, 264 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:05.080 a different conversation that we're having about the Rockets right 265 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:06.879 now than we've had in past years. 266 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:08.399 So that's a good thing. 267 00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:10.240 I mean, you know, to be able to talk about 268 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:13.080 a team that's in playoff contention, it's not something that 269 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:14.840 we've had the last few years. I mean, we had 270 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:17.200 it a little bit last year, but still I think 271 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:19.960 that most of us probably were looking at and saying, yeah, 272 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:22.559 you know, playing around, that'd be nice. But if it 273 00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:25.559 doesn't happen, well, at least you had a marked improvement 274 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:28.200 in a huge step forward from what you've been the 275 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:30.159 previous year. Is when you're in the middle of phase 276 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:33.120 one of that rebuild, and now the rocket's trying to 277 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:36.279 be able to take the second phase even up further. 278 00:13:36.360 --> 00:13:38.559 And I guess the third phase would be making the playoffs. 279 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:41.720 So hopefully they are on the doorstep of doing that. 280 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:43.799 But as I mentioned, we're gonna be a lot of 281 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:46.720 astros here in the first hour of the show. You 282 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:48.919 want to get in on that conversation, you can do so. 283 00:13:49.039 --> 00:13:51.440 Sub one three two one two five seven ninety. Once again, 284 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:54.600 that's sub one three two one two five seven ninety. 285 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:57.120 And once again, like I said, I am here inside 286 00:13:57.159 --> 00:14:00.799 the jim Nantz Media Center, inside the Fortita Center on 287 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:03.360 the campus University of Houston is the Koubes taking on 288 00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:06.399 the Iowa State cyclones. A little bit later on today 289 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:10.080 again over on KPRC nine fifty twelve forty five, that's 290 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:12.240 when that coverage of the game and a one o'clock 291 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:15.960 tip here inside the Fortida Center, So looking forward to 292 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:18.919 seeing some good basketball this afternoon and also to some 293 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:21.360 good basketball tonight. Just talking about the Rockets there for 294 00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:24.120 a second, so we'll get into them as the show 295 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:26.879 goes along. And also too, as we've been talking about 296 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:30.240 the past couple of days here the Texans in the 297 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:34.080 stadium situation, that's fair game as the show rolls along. 298 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:36.919 So if you got some thoughts on that, absolutely throwing 299 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:38.720 my way. We we'll chop that up too if you 300 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:41.639 want to do that. So all of that is at 301 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:44.440 your veil again the number sev one three two one 302 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.039 two five, seven ninety. 303 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:47.240 As we're just. 304 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:50.360 Getting started here on Space City Saturday. But coming up 305 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:54.720 next the Astros conversation. The criticism of this guy is 306 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:57.519 something that I just really cannot understand, and I think 307 00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:59.799 you'll know what I'm talking about on the other sides. 308 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:02.240 We'll do that right here on Space City Saturday, on 309 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:04.240 your home of the Astros and the Rockets, Sports Talk 310 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:04.919 seven ninety. 311 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:10.919 It's Space City Saturday on Sports Talk seven ninety. 312 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:15.960 Sports Talk seven ninety, Space City Saturday, live here inside 313 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:20.240 jim Nance Media Center, that's the Fertida Center you've h 314 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:24.600 taken on Iowa States at one o'clock today again twelve 315 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:27.000 forty five, when we're gonna get started with the game 316 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:32.000 coverage over on KPRC nine point fifty. Astros also going 317 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:34.200 to be on your radio today right here, Sports Talk 318 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:37.840 seven ninety so Robert Ford, Steve Sparks and the crew 319 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:41.039 calling the Astros and the Nationals there from the Cacti 320 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:45.039 Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach. And 321 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:47.879 I mentioned too, it's a split squad action as it 322 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:50.799 seems like most of the veterans that are likely going 323 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.960 to be breaking camp on the twenty six man roster, 324 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:55.960 it seems like they made the trip over to Port 325 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:58.679 Saint Lucy to take on the Mets today as Channel 326 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:02.399 Rome posting the lineup for that one, so we'll see 327 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:05.720 who's going to be behind Ryan Gusto, who gets the 328 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:08.679 start today for the Astros there in West Palm Beach. 329 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:13.120 So that's where spring training action gets going. And speaking 330 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:15.240 of the Astros, want to get into that conversation here 331 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:17.559 again if you want to weigh in, and I think 332 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:20.080 after I throw out this topic you probably will want 333 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:22.480 to way in. Someone three two, one, two five seven 334 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:24.679 ninety is the number to get in on the phone lines. 335 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:27.879 What's what the criticism of Dana Brown Like, I really, 336 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:31.039 just for the life of me, can't understand why people are, 337 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:35.720 at least a section of Astros fans are so dissatisfied 338 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:39.399 with the Astros GM. I mean, from our perspective, the 339 00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:41.799 media perspective, I don't think you can ask for a 340 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:45.240 better guy on the job. He does his weekly visit, 341 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:47.919 which not a ton of gms do as so we're 342 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:51.159 able to have him every week over on the Sean 343 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:54.759 Salisbury Show, and pretty much anytime you see him there 344 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:56.840 behind the batting cage or you know, on the field 345 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.679 before a game, if you've got a question for him, 346 00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:01.960 he's willing to applo you on that. And again that's 347 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:04.039 not what a ton of GMS do. I mean, you'll 348 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:06.079 even have some guys that you've got to go through 349 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:09.440 the team, they'll avoid you do all of those different 350 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:11.559 types of things, and I mean it's pretty much a 351 00:17:12.359 --> 00:17:15.359 you know, impossible feat in its own right to be 352 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:18.480 able to track down an executive of a team and 353 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:20.880 then finally you get them, and you know, maybe it's 354 00:17:20.920 --> 00:17:23.119 not necessarily the answers that you're hoping to get. 355 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:25.920 So that's from that perspective, but it's also too. 356 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:29.079 I mean, he did have some huge shoes to fill 357 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:30.279 when he took over the job. 358 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.400 Jeff Luno. 359 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:34.920 It's undeniable the job that he did when he was 360 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:37.559 in charge of that part of the team. I mean, 361 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:40.160 you got a world championship, probably two of them, because 362 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:43.359 of the vision and the execution that he put into 363 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:45.480 the job. And then James Click able to do the 364 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:48.319 same thing. Some of the great trades that he made. 365 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:50.519 I mean, you don't have yinor Dias in your lineup 366 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:53.440 right now without James Click pulling off a trade that 367 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:55.519 all it cost you was Miles Straw going to the 368 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:58.359 Cleveland Guardians, and in return you got philm Maton, who 369 00:17:58.359 --> 00:18:00.640 gave you some good things on the mound while he 370 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:04.200 was here in an Astros uniform. And obviously, janer Dia 371 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:06.480 is a guy that is trending to be an All 372 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:08.640 Star at some point in his career, one of the 373 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:11.480 better hitting catchers in the game right now. So that 374 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:14.319 was a nice pickup. But I mean it is also 375 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:17.400 something that I think Dana Brown gets blamed for that's 376 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:20.319 not necessarily his fault. And one thing that I saw 377 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:24.240 somebody point out is somebody said, oh, it was the 378 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:28.160 unrealistic hope that he was giving Astros fans that they 379 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:30.519 were going to bring back Alex Bregman. We must be 380 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:33.240 listening to two different Dana Brown's than in that regard, 381 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:37.359 because I think, if anything, he was tamping down expectations 382 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:39.799 that Alex Bregman would be back here at some point 383 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:41.720 this season. As a matter of fact, the point that 384 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:43.440 I brought up with that person who brought it up 385 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:46.359 on Twitter is I said, I was at the media 386 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:48.440 event at the Astros throw every year before they head 387 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:51.000 out to West Palm Beach for spring training, and he 388 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:53.599 was talking about Alex Bregman in the past of saying, 389 00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:55.839 when you lose a guy like Tucker and Bregman, I 390 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:58.400 mean that should have been the giveaway right there of Hey, 391 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:01.000 guess what, despite any effort, we're not going to have 392 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:04.799 number two in an Astros uniform going forward. Estakpretis is 393 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:07.240 our third baseman now, like get used to it, get 394 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:09.640 to know it, and that's the way the situation is 395 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:12.960 going to be going forward. But it's also too from 396 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:15.319 the efforts of Dana Brown. Why I think he's done 397 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:19.160 a fantastic job as the Astros GM of the draft, 398 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:22.400 and I've told you what his strategy is for the draft, 399 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:25.119 and it's very similar to the way that he handled 400 00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:28.119 things when he was in Atlanta with the Braves. And 401 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:32.759 this is a strategic approach of draft up the middle. 402 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:37.079 Draft catchers, draft a lot of pitchers, draft center fielders. 403 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:40.720 And with that last part right there, it is a 404 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:44.279 situation where you're looking for roster versatility. At that point, 405 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:47.039 you can draft a guy that comes out of high 406 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:49.960 school or college and they're a middle endfielder, they're a 407 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:52.640 center fielder, and you can put some weight on them. 408 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:54.680 Put him over at third base, put him, you know, 409 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:56.480 over at first base, put him in right field, put 410 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:58.559 him in left field. You know, just be able to 411 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:01.759 have that chance to be able to, you know, move 412 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:04.720 them along as they go through the minor league system, 413 00:20:04.759 --> 00:20:07.759 playing different positions, and you know, therefore, when you get 414 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:10.200 him up to the major league level, they're not just 415 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:12.920 a guy that's played one position their entire life. There's 416 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:16.240 somebody that you know, is Joe Aspota looks at his 417 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:18.279 lineup card is able to say, Okay, I can plug 418 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:20.160 that guy out and right I can plug him out 419 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:22.640 in left field, and you know, a guy that's a 420 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:26.559 shortstopper a second basement and mostly you know, shortstops is 421 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:29.559 what he goes with there. But I mean, you know, 422 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:33.720 being able to create some sort of versatility all throughout 423 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:36.279 the minor league system and the elephant in the room, 424 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:38.160 I think when it comes to Dana Brown. 425 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:40.359 Is what he had to do when he took over 426 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:40.920 this job. 427 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:44.319 I mean the two off season signings that the Astros 428 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:47.920 had made, not through him, but through somebody that was 429 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:49.599 the acting GM at the time. 430 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:51.680 I mean, Brown finally. 431 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:53.599 Came along and when he gained the trust of Jim 432 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:55.920 Crane said we're not going to Grin and Barrett with 433 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:58.799 these guys on the field anymore. You know, Raffael Montero, 434 00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:01.319 he's not getting it done. We're going to DFA And 435 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:02.720 they brought him back and they have him in the 436 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:04.400 minor league system and we'll see if he's able to 437 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:07.119 break camp this year. But money be damned, I mean, 438 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:08.720 you need to win ball games when it's all said 439 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:10.920 and done. You need to be able to throw strikes 440 00:21:10.920 --> 00:21:12.880 and get outs on the mound, and that's not what 441 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.680 he was able to do. 442 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:16.960 And then the same deal with you know, Joseah bray you. 443 00:21:17.119 --> 00:21:19.720 I mean, I think the Astros tried their best, but 444 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:22.720 they finally got to a point where they just said, yeah, 445 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:25.319 this just isn't working. We wish you the best, and 446 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:27.960 if you get back in the Major League baseball, well, 447 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:30.279 you know, hopefully you're able to figure some things out. 448 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:32.920 But with your advanced age and you know, just the 449 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:35.480 swing looking like it's slowing down, all those different things, 450 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:38.480 we just don't see a path that this is going 451 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:41.000 to get any better. And we'll just eat the money 452 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:43.799 and go from there. And that's the part of all 453 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:47.240 of this that I think that people are hung up 454 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:51.039 on is thinking that this last offseason the Astros took 455 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:54.119 the cheaper approach of trying to build this team. Well, 456 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:57.279 I mean, for starters, they had to because of where 457 00:21:57.279 --> 00:22:00.720 they are against the competitive balance tax. Also too, I 458 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:03.200 mean for the money that you already have on the 459 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:06.720 books having you know, you're sending out money by trading 460 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:09.799 away Ryan Presley and that creates a huge need in 461 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:12.400 the back end of the bullpen. But I mean it's 462 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:15.079 also for all of the criticism that he had last 463 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:18.160 year for how can you trade Joey loperfdo Will Wagner 464 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:22.079 and the crew that you sent up to Toronto for 465 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:25.079 a rental for you, say, Kakuchi, Well, the Astros don't 466 00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:27.279 win the West last year without you, say Kakuchi, that's 467 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:30.599 number one. That's for starters, And I mean, you don't 468 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:33.519 make that deal. You're probably talking about the Seattle Mariners 469 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:36.400 winning the West and the Astros not even getting to 470 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:38.839 the wild Card round to lose to the Detroit Tigers. 471 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:41.519 That would have been Detroit taking on Seattle at that point, 472 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:44.200 so you know, the streak of making it to the 473 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:46.519 postseason winning the Ale West that would have been out 474 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:48.640 the window. So he knew that a move had to 475 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:51.319 be made. Time he did what was needed to be 476 00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:53.400 able to make the move. And while it hurt to 477 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:56.359 see Loperfdo go away, you know, at the same time, 478 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:59.519 I mean, you know you're you're not putting yourself in 479 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:03.319 position to compete for the Aos. So I had zero 480 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:07.000 issues with that. But the flip side of it widely 481 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:09.680 lauded for what he got in return for Kyle Tucker. 482 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:13.000 I mean, I think, if anything, it was a even 483 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:16.200 better trade for him in that regard of what you 484 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:18.960 get in return of now your top prospect. Cam Smith 485 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:22.759 also to Kyle Tucker, you know, was going to be 486 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:25.799 in a walk here as is, and I mean you 487 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:30.039 had a slim to none chance with Alex Bregman being 488 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:31.759 able to bring him back this year, you had no 489 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:34.200 chance at being able to bring back Kyle Tucker next year. 490 00:23:34.279 --> 00:23:37.759 And Dana Brown went against what the Astros norm has 491 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:40.519 been for players in a walk here. Usually in the 492 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:42.400 past it's been now, let's let it ride and then 493 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:45.240 we'll see what happens in the offseason. He knew without 494 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:47.400 a shadow of a doubt. Okay, kind of like we 495 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:51.200 talked about with the Yusai Kakuchi trade, that the Astros 496 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:53.839 can compete this year and they can win with Kyle Tucker. 497 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:56.079 But then after that, what are we talking about. You're 498 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:59.279 having to try to supplement through trades and also through 499 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:03.359 free agency with one less trade chip going forward, and 500 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:05.720 while you have them under club control, go ahead and 501 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:07.839 get the most you can right now. And that's what 502 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:11.079 they decided to do. And you're able to, as I mentioned, 503 00:24:11.160 --> 00:24:12.880 get Smith back. You're able to get a guy that 504 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:17.359 plays really well to Dyke in Park in East Okperetis, 505 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:20.759 who has great pull power and somebody that people believe 506 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:22.640 playing in that ballpark this year could be a thirty 507 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:26.920 plus home run guy in an Astros uniform. And also 508 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:29.359 to getting Hayden was Nesky, I mean somebody they feel 509 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:32.640 pretty good about, you know, being able to go through 510 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:36.440 the pitching program that the Astros have with Josh Miller 511 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:38.480 and the crew over there that have been able to 512 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:43.440 have a reclamation project or two during their time in 513 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:47.400 the Astros systems. So I mean fantastic trade right there, 514 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:51.559 going out and finally getting a solid first baseman, something 515 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:54.440 the Astros have not had since twenty twenty two when 516 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:58.559 Julie Guriol was last in an Astro's uniform. I mean, 517 00:24:58.599 --> 00:25:00.799 you had some good things in twenty three, you know, 518 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:03.319 later on the season from a bray you, but then 519 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:05.960 you had an absolute hole over there last year. I mean, 520 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:08.559 you liked what John Singleton was able to give you 521 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:12.000 at times, but you're not a postseason contender with John 522 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:13.720 Singleton over at first base. 523 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:16.400 And it was something that kind of surprised. 524 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.279 Me a little bit when they went out and got 525 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:19.680 Christian Walker, because I thought with all the money they 526 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:21.240 had tied up in a bray you over there, that 527 00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:23.319 they were just going to say, hey, let's kind of 528 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:26.279 platoon it for one more year, and then the following 529 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:28.359 year we'll make a run at it. So I mean, 530 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:31.680 without seeing what the free agency crop is out there, 531 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:33.960 I think that they probably looked at it and said, yeah, 532 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.559 it's not gonna be that great next year, so let's 533 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:37.960 go ahead and lock up our guy now, and we'll 534 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:40.400 be able to go from there with you know, having 535 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:43.640 a good solid first basement over there. So for all 536 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:45.480 the moves that he's made and for all the messes 537 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:48.240 he's had to clean up, I think that if nothing else, 538 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:50.440 I mean, you know, it's one of those things too. 539 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:52.559 When I brought this up with wex off the air, 540 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:55.359 Adam Wexler, you know, he had said, okay, well, let's 541 00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:57.839 also look at it as if he hadn't done anything, 542 00:25:58.160 --> 00:26:00.960 like you know, how how would people look at Dana Brown? 543 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:03.359 And I said, I think they look at him just fine. 544 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:05.640 I mean, I think if nothing else, he's been able 545 00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:08.799 to find good fines out there in players, and you 546 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:10.640 know also too, I mean, I think the most recent 547 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:12.880 example is a guy that's been a two to sixty 548 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:15.599 plus hitter his entire career and a Gold Glove winner 549 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:17.200 that you were able to get on a one year 550 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:20.519 deal earlier this week in Brendan Rodgers, and I understand 551 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:23.640 what his splits are at Corsfield. Away from Corsfield, all 552 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:26.160 of that, that's fine, But look at the Astros track 553 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:28.519 record of being able to bring guys in, get them 554 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:31.359 through their system, get them with their hitting coaches, the analytics, 555 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:34.279 everything else that they've been able to put forth with 556 00:26:34.359 --> 00:26:36.880 players in the past and seeing the results. I mean, 557 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:39.759 a few years ago you traded for a little known 558 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:42.880 utility player from the San Francisco Giants and Mauricio Dubon 559 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:45.160 and now he's become really kind of one of the 560 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:48.319 cornerstones of your team going forward, and you were fully 561 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:52.319 prepared before adding Rodgers to have him likely be the 562 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:56.079 every day, almost every day second basement with Al Twove 563 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:58.720 out in left field. So I think he's done a 564 00:26:58.759 --> 00:27:01.880 fantastic job. I mean, I know that he's got some detractors, 565 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:04.880 and I mean, being a GM in any sport is 566 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:07.480 one of the most thankless jobs known to man, because 567 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:09.880 it's kind of like quarterback and football. You can throw 568 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:12.400 four four touchdown passes in a game, but you throw 569 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:14.960 that interception late, that's what everybody's gonna remember about you. 570 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:17.599 And I mean it's kind of the same thing that 571 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:21.119 executives in any of the major sports have to deal with, 572 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:23.599 and you know, Dana Brown's not excluded from that. 573 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.839 So I get all of that. 574 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:27.200 But I mean, if you're looking for perfection out of 575 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:29.319 the job, I don't think you're ever gonna find that. 576 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:32.079 I think you're gonna be sadly disappointed. So been very 577 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:35.880 pleased with the work of Dana Brown during his time 578 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:38.200 with the Astros. Again, if you want to get in 579 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:40.079 on the phone lines, you can do so Sebone three 580 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:42.359 two one two five seven ninety. Once again, that's Sebon 581 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:46.200 one three two one two five seven ninety. As I 582 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:49.160 mentioned earlier this week, Matt and Ross were out in 583 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:51.160 West Palm Beach. They had a chance to catch up 584 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:55.920 with many members of the Astros organization, Dana Brown, Joe 585 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:57.880 a spot up. But coming up next, we're gonna hear 586 00:27:58.000 --> 00:28:01.400 their conversation they had with Christian Waller has mentioned him 587 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:03.759 as being one of the newest Astros added over the 588 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:06.440 off season. Really good conversation out of a guy that 589 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:09.279 I think is going to become a clubhouse leader for 590 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:12.559 this team. So we'll hear from him coming up next, right, 591 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:16.119 here on at Space City Saturday. Is again Dan Matthews 592 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:20.000 here at the Fetida Center inside the Jim Nance Media Center. 593 00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:22.319 By the way too, before we go to break, shout 594 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:26.160 out to Jeff Conrad and the U of H sid 595 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.000 department here. 596 00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:30.160 Jeff's a consonant pro and. 597 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:32.920 He has treated us really well over the years and 598 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:36.160 able to set us up here today inside the Nance 599 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:39.480 Media Center. So appreciate that and always want to give 600 00:28:39.480 --> 00:28:42.039 a shout out to JC whenever have a chance. So 601 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:45.680 we'll here from Christian Walker next right here on Space 602 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.839 City Saturday, as that's. 603 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.240 Coming your way. 604 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:49.640 Right here, Dan Matthews here on your home of the 605 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:52.319 Astros and the Rockets, Sports Talk seven ninety. 606 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:59.160 Exact Space City Saturday on Sports Talks. 607 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.599 Space City Saturday. 608 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:03.599 Jeez, roll along here from the Fortita Center again a 609 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:06.599 little bit later on today Houston taking on Iowa State. 610 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:11.200 Dan Matthews here inside the Jim Nance Media Center and 611 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:15.240 college game day happening out there. So while we hear 612 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:18.920 from Christian Walker, might head out there and see what's 613 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:22.799 happening out on the floor inside for Tita Center. Is 614 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:26.960 a lot of exciting stuff here and also to Astros Baseball, 615 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:29.640 coming your way an hour from now is when we 616 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:32.359 will start the coverage from there in West Palm Beach 617 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:35.079 between the Astros and the Nationals. 618 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.799 But speaking of. 619 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:38.960 Christian Walker, we're gonna hear from him right now, the 620 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:42.599 newest Astro on a new three year deal to play 621 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:45.480 first base, and the early returns from Joe Aspata and 622 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:47.160 everybody have been incredibly positive. 623 00:29:47.400 --> 00:29:49.839 I think you really enjoy this visit that he had with. 624 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:53.400 Matt Thomas and Ross Villarrial where the conversation started with 625 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:56.400 the guys asking Christian, hey, you know, a little bit 626 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:58.000 of an interesting offseason for you. 627 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:59.440 What was different about this one? 628 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:05.359 Definitely quiet periods and and crazy periods of the off season. Fortunately, 629 00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:07.000 we had a little bit of leverage coming in, so 630 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:11.240 I wasn't too worried about, you know, if if somebody 631 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.880 was gonna call, It was just a matter of finding 632 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:14.880 the right fit and the place that that I wanted 633 00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:15.160 to play. 634 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:15.279 There. 635 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:18.079 There's not a lot of chances and opportunities in the 636 00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:19.720 business side of things these days to get. 637 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.359 To pick where you play. 638 00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:22.359 Yeah, try to pick a place where you want to play. 639 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:25.279 So so we were we wanted to use that to 640 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:28.799 our advantage, and you know, Arizona was great, but but 641 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:30.599 it was pretty far from home for us. We live 642 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:33.680 in South Carolina, so so going into the off season, 643 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:35.839 my wife and I had Houston circled. It was a 644 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:37.759 city that we were excited to be a part of 645 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:40.960 and just super pumped when when the front office reached out. 646 00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:44.559 And what's it been like for you getting here, getting 647 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:47.880 acclimated obviously first full team workout here today, but from 648 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:50.079 the outside looking in and now kind of being here 649 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:51.720 for a little bit, getting to know the guys that 650 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.799 the the Astros. 651 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:56.240 It's the club clubhouse, he feel for you. Yeah, it's great. 652 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:59.319 It's uh, you can tell winning is is at the forefront. 653 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:02.000 But in the same sense, you know, at this time 654 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:04.119 of the year, it's just getting back into the swing 655 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:06.720 of things, and it's it's a pretty lighthearted attitude. 656 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.079 I think. 657 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:09.240 You know, you see guys working hard and getting their 658 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:12.039 reps in, but also you know, joking around and having fun. 659 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:14.400 It's it's a it's a good time of year. We're 660 00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:16.640 all we're all got the itch after a long off 661 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:18.880 season and uh, you know, being being back in the 662 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:21.559 good weather and playing playing baseball again is what we want. 663 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:24.480 Did Judy recon about the astros An organization when you 664 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:26.839 knew they were on the short list for yourself. 665 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:29.079 A little bit, a little bit other than the obvious things. 666 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:31.960 You know, it's it's cool, uh, you know, meeting a 667 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:35.799 guy like Bagwell, getting to have some conversations with him, 668 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:40.119 how much pride he has for this organization. And you know, 669 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:42.480 he said something today he's been wearing this this uniform 670 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:45.759 since nineteen ninety so so here and hearing little things 671 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:48.680 like that really reminds you of the culture and uh, 672 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.880 you know, the the winning tradition. 673 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:53.839 Three straight gold gloves for yourself. First of where are they? 674 00:31:53.880 --> 00:31:55.359 I mean, do you have them in your at the house? 675 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:57.160 Or where where can I find the gold glove of yours? 676 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:58.720 Yeah, they're they're in the house. I have a little 677 00:31:58.759 --> 00:32:03.039 workout room upstairs with some some gears, some bats that 678 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:05.599 I've had signed by guys and some teammates, and and 679 00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:07.720 they're in there, you know, on the on the. 680 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:10.000 The trophy rack if you will. Who was your first 681 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:13.160 baseman idol growing up? That's a good question. 682 00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:19.319 So I didn't actually start playing first base until college. 683 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:22.839 Growing up, high school, middle school, I was I was 684 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:24.400 in infielder, but mostly third base. 685 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:26.680 You know, I loved watching Scott Roland. He was he 686 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.160 was my guy. 687 00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:28.960 I got a chance. I was a Phillies fan growing up, 688 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:31.519 so he came through Philly and and you know, watching 689 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:33.960 him was was a lot of fun. And then and 690 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:36.359 then Ryan Howard. You know that that first year he 691 00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:39.039 had that rookie year, broke onto the scene and that 692 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:40.559 was that was a lot of fun to watch too. 693 00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:40.759 I was. 694 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.759 I was in high school for that. 695 00:32:41.839 --> 00:32:44.440 When we were growing up, and probably you as well. 696 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:47.680 A lot of the first basemen were big stye guys. 697 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:50.119 Just find a place for him. First of all. 698 00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:52.720 I grew up watching Jeff Bagwell, so I knew there 699 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:55.599 was intricacies to it, uh, Juligiel before a couple of 700 00:32:55.640 --> 00:33:00.359 years before your same situation. The art of playing first base, thankfully, 701 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:02.279 I think is no longer just put. 702 00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:02.759 The fact out there. 703 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:06.039 It's a skill holding runners on fielding your position. Well, 704 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:08.480 tell me the biggest adjustment for you going from the 705 00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:09.799 left side of the to the right side of the 706 00:33:09.880 --> 00:33:12.079 infield and being able to say, yeah, I want to 707 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:13.000 own this part of the field. 708 00:33:13.039 --> 00:33:13.680 Yeah. Absolutely. 709 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:16.799 I think what helped me was was playing on the 710 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:18.599 other side of the enfield at one point and knowing 711 00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:21.359 what it's like to feel like you have to make 712 00:33:21.359 --> 00:33:23.000 a perfect throw, feel like you got to hit somebody 713 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:24.759 in the chest over there for them to make the play. 714 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:27.480 And you know, I pride myself on not being that guy. 715 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:29.559 I want to be somebody that, you know, my shortstop 716 00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:31.119 can lay out in the hole and come up and 717 00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:32.960 throw from his knees and know that if he gets 718 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:35.000 it close, we're going to make the out. That that 719 00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:36.720 always helped me as an infielder, know when I had 720 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:39.039 somebody over there. So you know, that's something that's important 721 00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:40.079 to me playing first base. 722 00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:43.079 Now, Grescer Walker, newest Houston astro with us here on 723 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:44.960 the radio program. 724 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:47.279 Very excited that you came here because. 725 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:49.160 We were all anxious about what's going to happen with 726 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:52.359 Alex and figuring out with Kyle and whatnot. When you 727 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:55.440 finally signed on the dotted line. Tell me what it 728 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:58.279 was like trying to find your teammates, know what was 729 00:33:58.319 --> 00:34:00.960 going to be there, and honestly, this infield is going 730 00:34:01.039 --> 00:34:03.680 to be completely different. How long do you think it's 731 00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:05.640 gonna take? And is there gonna be a magic day 732 00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.519 that you're go all right? 733 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:08.320 We as a collective group know what we're doing in 734 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:10.440 here now, it's hard to pick a data. I think 735 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:12.719 I think Tony Perry's cheek is gonna do a great 736 00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:15.199 job of making sure we get quality reps out there together. 737 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:19.239 I think practicing fast is important. Yeah, you know, feeling out, 738 00:34:19.239 --> 00:34:22.719 feeling out each other's range and and you know, like 739 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:25.559 something little like knowing that you know, Juban is such 740 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:28.679 a great arm Uh. But but trying to figure out 741 00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:30.159 his arm action. Does he does he cut it? Does 742 00:34:30.199 --> 00:34:31.840 he does he does he throw it clean? You know, 743 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:34.159 is it is it a true ball? Does it have armside? 744 00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:37.760 You know, everybody has the has their tendencies. So so it's, uh, 745 00:34:37.920 --> 00:34:39.480 it's fun to get to know, you know, some new 746 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:41.880 really really good infielders. How long can that take to 747 00:34:42.199 --> 00:34:44.360 get used to in that climation this time of the year, 748 00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:48.320 it happens pretty quick. It's uh, it's never really a struggle. 749 00:34:48.360 --> 00:34:50.880 It's just you know, before we know it here, we're 750 00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:53.800 gonna have hundreds of ground balls together and you know, 751 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:56.159 hundreds of double plays that we've turned on the backfield. 752 00:34:56.239 --> 00:34:58.920 So it happens quick, i'd say, here, and you know, 753 00:34:58.960 --> 00:35:00.599 about a week or so, we you all start feeling 754 00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:01.639 pretty comfortable with each other. 755 00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:04.320 You have a lot left in your career, But once 756 00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:06.880 the clock turns thirty and beyond, did you have to 757 00:35:06.880 --> 00:35:10.360 adjus getting ready for this season, getting maybe a little 758 00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:12.199 sooner as compared to maybe when you're in your twenties 759 00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.679 coming up in the game. 760 00:35:14.719 --> 00:35:15.519 I mean, yes, I know. 761 00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:17.920 I think there's there's a side of it where the 762 00:35:17.920 --> 00:35:20.599 more time you spend around the game, the more you 763 00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:22.599 know yourself and you know your routine and you know 764 00:35:23.719 --> 00:35:25.920 what you need to be ready for a season. Sprint trainings, 765 00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:28.920 it can be. It can be a long amount of 766 00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:30.239 time and it can be short. 767 00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:30.639 It's a right. 768 00:35:30.639 --> 00:35:33.280 It's like some years you feel like you just you're 769 00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:35.159 not clicking. You're not clicking, and then all the opening 770 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:37.719 day comes and it's it's it's it's lightning, and and 771 00:35:37.760 --> 00:35:40.239 then other years it's like by ten at bats in 772 00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:41.519 you feel like you're in a good spot and you 773 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:43.639 could go to opening Day the next day. So it's 774 00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:47.239 you know, the the the age or anything like that. 775 00:35:47.239 --> 00:35:49.599 That's that's that's nothing that's on my radar. My body 776 00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:52.480 feels good. I spend a decent amount of time in 777 00:35:52.480 --> 00:35:54.519 the weight room. It's something that I pride myself on 778 00:35:54.599 --> 00:35:57.519 It's it's helped me stay on the field for a while, so, 779 00:35:58.679 --> 00:36:00.880 you know, feeling strong, feeling feeling ready to go and 780 00:36:01.199 --> 00:36:03.360 looking to looking forward to playing a lot of games. 781 00:36:03.559 --> 00:36:05.920 Your overall thoughts about playing it at what Dyke and 782 00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:08.039 Park now you've been there obviously a few times over 783 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:08.480 your career. 784 00:36:09.119 --> 00:36:11.400 Very excited. I like the dome field. I think that's cool. 785 00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:14.719 I think I think the consistency in the environment, knowing 786 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:17.079 you know that the weather in Houston and the rain 787 00:36:17.159 --> 00:36:19.000 I'm sure, I'm sure it can come as in quick 788 00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:21.079 and the humidity and all that. So knowing if there's 789 00:36:21.079 --> 00:36:24.079 a home game we're playing, that mental uh, just just 790 00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:26.679 knowing what to expect, getting into a routine. You know, 791 00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:29.039 there's there's nothing like waking up on a gloomy day 792 00:36:29.039 --> 00:36:30.440 and trying to figure out if there's going to be 793 00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:32.719 a delay or if you're hitting VP on the field 794 00:36:32.719 --> 00:36:34.960 and this and that. So so I'm looking forward to that. 795 00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:37.480 And then you know, the fans. It's something that's always 796 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:39.239 stuck out to me coming in as a visiting team, 797 00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:41.239 is playing in front of the fan base. 798 00:36:41.760 --> 00:36:44.239 What was your conversation's been like so far with Joe's 799 00:36:44.199 --> 00:36:47.599 Spott because I mean, as you know, first base was 800 00:36:47.760 --> 00:36:50.440 in flux for the last couple of years. Now you like, 801 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:52.079 give you a big hug, say, I'm happy to put 802 00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:54.519 you at first base every day. Any conversation is also 803 00:36:54.519 --> 00:36:55.880 about DG and can. 804 00:36:55.800 --> 00:36:59.440 You play left field? Yeah, we're trying to figure out 805 00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:01.400 leftover man. The mother wants to play left field. 806 00:37:01.400 --> 00:37:03.920 Of Parlan and I actually coming up with a few 807 00:37:03.920 --> 00:37:05.480 different teams. There was a lot of really good first 808 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:07.760 basement in front of me, so I have played left field. 809 00:37:07.800 --> 00:37:08.519 Oh that's glare. 810 00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:09.559 We got funks head. 811 00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:13.480 Here we go, hopefully when you just started a controversy 812 00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:16.960 and see it because it's not it's not pretty out there, no, 813 00:37:17.079 --> 00:37:18.880 I mean, I mean d H and cool like if 814 00:37:18.880 --> 00:37:21.880 that's something where you know, it's a way to maybe 815 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:23.719 take a day and and and get the legs back 816 00:37:23.800 --> 00:37:25.679 under me. But but honestly, I like to be out 817 00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:27.000 in the field. I think it helped me stay in 818 00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:30.039 the routine offensively and you know, stay moving, and it's 819 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:32.159 it's something that I've I've just grown up doing. I 820 00:37:32.239 --> 00:37:34.119 enjoy I enjoy being out in the field for sure, 821 00:37:35.079 --> 00:37:37.239 But but yeah, I think I think there's something too, 822 00:37:38.280 --> 00:37:40.280 uh coming in and feeling valued. You know that that 823 00:37:40.320 --> 00:37:42.119 makes you excited to play and makes you excited to 824 00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:46.639 prove everybody, everybody right, You know that the standards are real, 825 00:37:46.679 --> 00:37:49.480 the expectations are real, and it's it's something that that 826 00:37:49.519 --> 00:37:51.440 you crave as as a big leaguer. You want do 827 00:37:51.480 --> 00:37:53.039 you want somebody to put pressure on you and and 828 00:37:53.159 --> 00:37:55.280 you have to go out and prove it. So you're 829 00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:58.039 South Carolina or native Yeah, no, no, no, I grew 830 00:37:58.079 --> 00:37:59.599 up grew up at just tell Us out of Philly. 831 00:37:59.719 --> 00:38:01.239 Oh gonna say, because I was like, you have no 832 00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:03.880 accent whatsoever. You have a Philly accent, of a South 833 00:38:03.920 --> 00:38:05.280 Carolina accent, none of that. 834 00:38:05.400 --> 00:38:08.719 Yeah, yeah, they've they've both kind of disappeared. I I 835 00:38:08.760 --> 00:38:10.880 went to school there obviously, and and just fell in 836 00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:13.239 up with the area and never left. But grew up 837 00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:14.639 just outside of Philly, the. 838 00:38:14.679 --> 00:38:17.760 Same city as Mike Piazza and Gino Arima. Do your research, Matt, 839 00:38:17.800 --> 00:38:19.360 Come on, yeah, Telly, let's sort it by the way. 840 00:38:19.400 --> 00:38:21.800 We know, we know you. We know your dog's names too. Yeah, 841 00:38:21.800 --> 00:38:22.360 that's true. 842 00:38:22.360 --> 00:38:26.320 What was it Dottie and uh Jack Jackson, Millie Millie 843 00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:29.000 we had we had there's a cat. Oh, Okay, yeah, 844 00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:31.119 she's she's a she belongs to the neighborhood. 845 00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:33.960 Oh really, the neighborhood cat. Yeah, she's just so under. 846 00:38:33.920 --> 00:38:36.280 What part of South Caroln do you in Columbia itself or. 847 00:38:36.199 --> 00:38:38.119 We do just north of Columbia. We're like, we're like 848 00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:39.239 fifteen minutes from campus. 849 00:38:39.320 --> 00:38:42.400 So can you walk around town in cognito or do 850 00:38:42.239 --> 00:38:42.440 you do? 851 00:38:42.480 --> 00:38:43.760 People stuck at the grocery store. 852 00:38:44.199 --> 00:38:46.719 They they they recognized me for sure, But it's it's 853 00:38:46.719 --> 00:38:49.519 it's more from the game Cock days than from pro ball. 854 00:38:49.559 --> 00:38:52.800 The braves of the team there, so so everybody knows knows. 855 00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:54.119 The game Cocks more than more than that. 856 00:38:54.159 --> 00:38:55.719 Did they realize how many home aren't you hit in 857 00:38:55.760 --> 00:38:56.480 the last five years? 858 00:38:56.559 --> 00:38:56.960 Yeah? 859 00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:59.880 Yeah, Arizona. Arizona was cool. It's a crazy thing getting recognized. 860 00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:02.639 It's humbling and all that. But but back home in 861 00:39:02.679 --> 00:39:05.719 South Carolina, it's it's mostly from the from the national championships. 862 00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:09.559 Okay, uh As, I've never been to talk Kilana apparently 863 00:39:09.639 --> 00:39:12.320 quite an experience. I mean for football basketball, the women's 864 00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:13.159 team never loses. 865 00:39:13.199 --> 00:39:14.239 I mean, I don't know that's all about. 866 00:39:15.920 --> 00:39:20.079 Yeah they did, they did any s SEC smack talk 867 00:39:20.159 --> 00:39:21.880 in the clubhouse at this point, not. 868 00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:22.559 Yet, not yet. 869 00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:22.960 I'm sure. 870 00:39:23.000 --> 00:39:25.639 I'm sure it'll start once, especially when football season starts 871 00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:27.719 back up, but but nothing, nothing so far. 872 00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:30.559 Well, we're very happy to have you here. Such a 873 00:39:30.679 --> 00:39:32.760 nice surprise when you came here. I mean, I mean, 874 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:34.639 we're anxious, but this is. 875 00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:35.400 Kind of new to us. 876 00:39:35.480 --> 00:39:38.840 We we've known Briggs, we've known you you'rely Goarly a 877 00:39:38.880 --> 00:39:41.639 couple of years ago, and we've had JV and Kyle Tucker. 878 00:39:41.719 --> 00:39:44.000 This is, uh, you're actually coming on at a bad 879 00:39:44.039 --> 00:39:46.480 time because I think they're all your teammates trying to 880 00:39:46.480 --> 00:39:47.159 figure out what the. 881 00:39:47.159 --> 00:39:48.239 Vibe is going to be right now. 882 00:39:48.320 --> 00:39:51.639 Yeah, Yeah, it's a it's a fun time. It's it's uh, 883 00:39:51.840 --> 00:39:53.920 you know, guys, guys come and go. It's it's part 884 00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:57.239 of the business side of things. Unfortunately, you know, you 885 00:39:57.280 --> 00:39:59.480 never want to lose guys, especially people who you know, 886 00:39:59.519 --> 00:40:01.360 we're staple in the lineup and a part of a 887 00:40:01.400 --> 00:40:03.880 lot of successful years. But I think there's a there's 888 00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:07.679 a cool opportunity about that of being able to keep 889 00:40:07.719 --> 00:40:11.480 the success going with a different group of guys, different responsibilities, 890 00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:15.199 different roles. And so far the clubhouse has been great 891 00:40:15.360 --> 00:40:18.119 and I'm looking forward to, you know, Continuing to. 892 00:40:18.079 --> 00:40:20.199 Metch, he alluded to the DH for let you run. 893 00:40:20.280 --> 00:40:21.719 Do you like the DH once in a while to 894 00:40:21.760 --> 00:40:23.199 get off your feet a little bit? Or is that 895 00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:25.480 you just I need to be at I'm in the lineup. 896 00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:26.559 I need to be at first base. 897 00:40:26.639 --> 00:40:28.920 So I mean, I would much rather be at first base. 898 00:40:28.960 --> 00:40:32.280 But I would rather be in the lineup than not 899 00:40:32.360 --> 00:40:34.840 at all. A full day off, yeah, period, So you know, 900 00:40:34.880 --> 00:40:36.800 if that's a way to get some at bats and 901 00:40:37.119 --> 00:40:39.880 help the team on days where you know, maybe we're 902 00:40:39.880 --> 00:40:41.559 trying to rest up the legs or something like that, 903 00:40:42.239 --> 00:40:45.159 for sure, very very interested in something like that. But 904 00:40:45.159 --> 00:40:46.719 but if it was my call, I'd be at first 905 00:40:46.719 --> 00:40:47.119 every day. 906 00:40:48.159 --> 00:40:52.440 There you go, Christian Walker joining Matt Thomas and Rossville 907 00:40:52.519 --> 00:40:55.639 Reale earlier this week there in West Palm Beach. 908 00:40:55.760 --> 00:40:57.199 So good stuff from him. 909 00:40:57.400 --> 00:41:00.000 And if you miss any of that conversation with Christian Walker, 910 00:41:00.320 --> 00:41:03.880 you can of course check it out on the new 911 00:41:04.159 --> 00:41:08.079 and improved Free iHeartRadio app where of course you can 912 00:41:08.119 --> 00:41:11.880 have us as a pre set there, the fast forward function, 913 00:41:12.119 --> 00:41:14.280 all of those different types of things whenever you're listening 914 00:41:14.280 --> 00:41:17.480 to podcasts, whether with us here on Sports Talk seven 915 00:41:17.559 --> 00:41:21.480 ninety or any of our iHeart Radio properties that are 916 00:41:21.480 --> 00:41:23.440 on there, you can be able to do that. I 917 00:41:23.440 --> 00:41:25.920 mean this thing I'm telling you for my money and 918 00:41:25.960 --> 00:41:28.360 a guy that listens to a lot of podcasts is 919 00:41:28.400 --> 00:41:31.280 about as good a medium as you're going to find 920 00:41:31.360 --> 00:41:33.679 in terms of being able to get everything that you want. 921 00:41:33.719 --> 00:41:35.199 And we pretty much have everything on there. 922 00:41:35.280 --> 00:41:38.280 So you want some good music, bingo right there for 923 00:41:38.440 --> 00:41:41.679 you on the free, new and improved iHeart Radio app. 924 00:41:41.719 --> 00:41:45.239 All right, coming up next the Astros outfield situation, some 925 00:41:45.880 --> 00:41:49.000 massive question marks and all three spots. We'll dive into 926 00:41:49.000 --> 00:41:52.079 that as we close out the first hour. Also to 927 00:41:52.599 --> 00:41:55.639 if it's not here, coming up next maybe even the 928 00:41:55.679 --> 00:41:58.840 next hour, Joseph d'orte from the Houston Chronicle. I think 929 00:41:58.840 --> 00:42:00.280 it's going to stop by and join us for a 930 00:42:00.280 --> 00:42:03.039 few minutes, so look forward to being able to catch 931 00:42:03.079 --> 00:42:05.199 up with him. As again we are live here at 932 00:42:05.199 --> 00:42:08.159 the Fertida Center as the kop is going to take 933 00:42:08.199 --> 00:42:11.079 on Iowa State a little bit later on this afternoon, 934 00:42:11.119 --> 00:42:15.119 as we'll continue to move along here on Space City Saturday, 935 00:42:15.280 --> 00:42:17.360 Dean Matthews here on your home of the Astros and 936 00:42:17.360 --> 00:42:20.639 the Rockets Sports Talks seven ninety. 937 00:42:21.639 --> 00:42:25.400 We now return to Space City Saturday on Sports Talk 938 00:42:25.480 --> 00:42:26.519 seven ninety. 939 00:42:26.559 --> 00:42:31.559 Talks seven ninety Dan Matthews here live at the Fertida Center. 940 00:42:31.679 --> 00:42:33.920 As a couple of hours from now, you of h 941 00:42:34.039 --> 00:42:36.639 and Iowa State cann be taken on each other here 942 00:42:36.880 --> 00:42:39.440 inside the Fratida Center and we will have that over 943 00:42:39.519 --> 00:42:42.599 on kPr C in nine point fifty. Is the crew 944 00:42:42.880 --> 00:42:46.360 put it on that broadcast at twelve forty five and 945 00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:49.920 full sight of games today across not only here but 946 00:42:50.039 --> 00:42:54.239 over on KPRT nine fifty as well as mentioned exactly 947 00:42:54.360 --> 00:42:57.280 an hour from now, it's gonna be Astros baball hitting 948 00:42:57.360 --> 00:42:59.159 here and spring training acting. 949 00:42:59.199 --> 00:43:01.079 It gets under one of. 950 00:43:01.000 --> 00:43:03.880 The guys trying to fight for a spot on this team. 951 00:43:03.920 --> 00:43:06.000 A little bit of bad news this morning. I mean, 952 00:43:06.360 --> 00:43:09.159 you're gonna have injuries in there during spring training. Usually 953 00:43:09.199 --> 00:43:11.800 it's mostly on the pitching side, as we've found out 954 00:43:11.840 --> 00:43:16.360 with Caleb Boards, also with Sean Duban and even the 955 00:43:16.360 --> 00:43:18.199 guys too who are trying to make their way back 956 00:43:18.239 --> 00:43:22.360 and a Lance McCullers and also Luis Garcia. But Taylor 957 00:43:22.440 --> 00:43:26.480 Tremmel running the bases yesterday strained his right calf and 958 00:43:26.719 --> 00:43:28.440 the club says he's going to be out for a while, 959 00:43:28.639 --> 00:43:33.320 so we'll see what happens with him trying to make 960 00:43:33.360 --> 00:43:35.280 this club. But he's a guy that's trying to vie 961 00:43:35.320 --> 00:43:38.239 for some playing time in that outfield this year for 962 00:43:38.280 --> 00:43:41.159 the Astros. That without Kyle Tucker. Oh, let's call it. 963 00:43:41.119 --> 00:43:41.559 What it is. 964 00:43:41.679 --> 00:43:44.239 I mean, you know, you think you know what you 965 00:43:44.320 --> 00:43:47.679 have in Chas McCormick out there in right field. But 966 00:43:47.719 --> 00:43:50.480 the problem is last year was a little bit of 967 00:43:50.519 --> 00:43:52.960 a concern for you where you're kind of like, oh man, 968 00:43:53.000 --> 00:43:54.639 did the league catch up with him and he just 969 00:43:54.760 --> 00:43:57.760 wasn't able to make the adjustment, but able to make 970 00:43:57.800 --> 00:43:59.400 some adjustments over the off season. 971 00:43:59.519 --> 00:44:02.599 He says he feels good. The club likes what they've. 972 00:44:02.360 --> 00:44:05.960 Seen from him already with some of those offseason tweaks 973 00:44:06.000 --> 00:44:08.519 that he made to his swing and to his plate approach, 974 00:44:08.599 --> 00:44:11.360 and you know, hoping that he is able to be 975 00:44:11.559 --> 00:44:14.199 a factor for this team in at twenty twenty five. 976 00:44:14.360 --> 00:44:17.119 And with Jake Myers, I mean, it's one of those 977 00:44:17.159 --> 00:44:20.719 things with him that it's defense first, and that's first 978 00:44:20.760 --> 00:44:22.239 and foremost why you have. 979 00:44:22.239 --> 00:44:22.960 Him in the lineup. 980 00:44:23.119 --> 00:44:25.679 I mean, he's almost kind of, you know, to a 981 00:44:25.719 --> 00:44:29.119 certain point of he's not an offensive liability like Martin 982 00:44:29.239 --> 00:44:32.840 Maldonado was. But it was also to people questioning Dusty Baker, Hey, 983 00:44:32.840 --> 00:44:34.599 why do you continue to throw that guy out there? 984 00:44:34.719 --> 00:44:36.440 If you've seen the way that he handles a pitching 985 00:44:36.480 --> 00:44:38.159 staff and the way that he calls a game. Yeah, 986 00:44:38.199 --> 00:44:39.920 that's why I have that guy out there is because 987 00:44:40.199 --> 00:44:43.280 he's incredibly valuable from that perspective, And I mean it's 988 00:44:43.320 --> 00:44:44.920 kind of the same with Myers. He does give you 989 00:44:44.920 --> 00:44:47.639 a little bit more with the power, but the strikeouts 990 00:44:47.639 --> 00:44:50.679 are high, and the batting average it's not great, and 991 00:44:50.760 --> 00:44:53.440 you know, all the other offensive metrics still same deal 992 00:44:53.480 --> 00:44:56.320 with that. So you know, he's a guy that you 993 00:44:56.360 --> 00:44:58.320 know is going to be the nine hole hitter for 994 00:44:58.360 --> 00:45:00.280 this team this year and you're just hoping that you 995 00:45:00.320 --> 00:45:03.000 get just a little bit more offensively out of him. 996 00:45:03.119 --> 00:45:05.519 But the left field situation. 997 00:45:05.360 --> 00:45:08.760 I mean, it was even with Alex Bregman, you know, 998 00:45:09.079 --> 00:45:11.760 way out of the picture. You were, you know, trending 999 00:45:11.800 --> 00:45:14.840 towards having Jose Altuve out there and left and that's 1000 00:45:14.840 --> 00:45:18.199 where he's continued to work throughout the first week of 1001 00:45:18.480 --> 00:45:20.639 spring training. He's not going to be on the field 1002 00:45:20.800 --> 00:45:24.119 playing in games. According to what Joe spottas said yesterday, 1003 00:45:24.320 --> 00:45:26.519 for about another week, same deal with most of the 1004 00:45:26.760 --> 00:45:29.639 veteran guys going to be able to kind of get 1005 00:45:29.679 --> 00:45:32.880 them getting some work, live vps, all of those different 1006 00:45:32.920 --> 00:45:35.800 types of things on the backfields there in West Palm 1007 00:45:35.840 --> 00:45:39.679 before you get them into live action. But they also 1008 00:45:39.760 --> 00:45:42.039 too want to continue to get him some work out 1009 00:45:42.039 --> 00:45:44.719 there and left. And it's also I think, you know, 1010 00:45:44.840 --> 00:45:48.679 again the internal discussions that you've heard Dana Brown mentioned 1011 00:45:48.679 --> 00:45:52.039 with us numerous times. That was something that you know, 1012 00:45:52.079 --> 00:45:53.960 even Joe Spotta had told us a few weeks ago 1013 00:45:54.000 --> 00:45:56.159 at FanFest over at DIYK in Park that they had 1014 00:45:56.159 --> 00:45:58.480 talked with Altove about this, and he said, yeah, hey, 1015 00:45:58.519 --> 00:46:01.239 look helps us win ball game, then I'm all for it. 1016 00:46:01.519 --> 00:46:04.039 And not only that, I mean it's also to the 1017 00:46:04.119 --> 00:46:07.239 declining defense that he's had over at second base the 1018 00:46:07.320 --> 00:46:09.639 last few years that they felt like they needed to 1019 00:46:09.639 --> 00:46:12.159 improve that part of their infield and a way to 1020 00:46:12.199 --> 00:46:15.119 do that is to have Valtuve playing elsewhere. And we've 1021 00:46:15.119 --> 00:46:17.559 seen players in the past make a move out to 1022 00:46:17.599 --> 00:46:20.400 the outfield. I mean, you know a couple of examples 1023 00:46:20.400 --> 00:46:24.480 that come to mind. One current is Fernandelo Tatis with 1024 00:46:24.639 --> 00:46:26.480 the Padres. I mean, he was a guy that was 1025 00:46:26.519 --> 00:46:28.400 supposed to be one of the best young shortstops in 1026 00:46:28.440 --> 00:46:31.280 the game, had some injury concerns, and they said, all right, 1027 00:46:31.400 --> 00:46:34.159 kind of like what the Angels just did with Mike Trout, 1028 00:46:34.199 --> 00:46:37.159 move them out to right field. And that way he's 1029 00:46:37.239 --> 00:46:40.440 not exerting as much physically where he's not going to 1030 00:46:40.519 --> 00:46:43.840 break down health wise, and you're able to continue to 1031 00:46:43.880 --> 00:46:46.079 have him in your lineup. And that's what the Angels 1032 00:46:46.119 --> 00:46:49.599 are hoping that they can have at Arvale this season, 1033 00:46:49.719 --> 00:46:51.880 is a healthy Mike Trout now that he's no longer 1034 00:46:51.920 --> 00:46:54.280 in center field. And I mean we saw Chipper Jones 1035 00:46:54.320 --> 00:46:55.679 do it a few years ago with the Braves when 1036 00:46:55.679 --> 00:46:58.400 they added Vinnie Castilla. They asked him, Hey, you cool 1037 00:46:58.400 --> 00:47:00.559 with moving out to left field. He said, yeah, sure. 1038 00:47:00.599 --> 00:47:02.400 I mean, you know, I've done a lot of good 1039 00:47:02.400 --> 00:47:04.280 things over here at third base. But if that's gonna 1040 00:47:04.280 --> 00:47:06.719 help us win ball games, then absolutely, I'm all for it. 1041 00:47:06.800 --> 00:47:09.360 And seems like those have been the reports all across 1042 00:47:09.400 --> 00:47:11.519 the board for AL two ve. I like to which 1043 00:47:11.760 --> 00:47:15.159 Chandler roam throughout on Twitter yesterday too of L two 1044 00:47:15.239 --> 00:47:18.079 A walking with the outfielders coming in, and said, the 1045 00:47:18.119 --> 00:47:22.400 outfielders are coming through, so already adjusting it to his 1046 00:47:22.480 --> 00:47:25.519 new life in an Astros uniform. And it's gonna be 1047 00:47:25.840 --> 00:47:28.280 interesting to see number twenty seven out there at Dykin 1048 00:47:28.360 --> 00:47:31.679 Park in front of the Crawford boxes, so I'm sure 1049 00:47:31.840 --> 00:47:34.559 he will probably be well received by the fans out there. 1050 00:47:34.639 --> 00:47:38.119 So we'll see what it looks like with jose Al 1051 00:47:38.159 --> 00:47:42.280 Tuove out and left here coming up soon. But that's 1052 00:47:42.480 --> 00:47:45.159 our one in the books. Our two coming up again. 1053 00:47:45.199 --> 00:47:48.159 It's gonna be a shortened hour because at eleven fifty 1054 00:47:48.199 --> 00:47:50.559 we're gonna break away and get you over to the 1055 00:47:50.599 --> 00:47:54.760 Astros radio network for the Astros and the Nationals spring 1056 00:47:54.840 --> 00:47:58.960 training action underway there in West Palm Beach, So we'll 1057 00:47:58.960 --> 00:48:02.360 have that. But coming up next might be joined by 1058 00:48:02.559 --> 00:48:06.000 Joseph Dwarte. But if he doesn't swing through, well let's 1059 00:48:06.000 --> 00:48:08.880 get into the Texans Stadium situation, because I know a 1060 00:48:08.920 --> 00:48:11.199 lot of you have some thoughts on that, and I 1061 00:48:11.239 --> 00:48:13.280 do as well share some of them with you the 1062 00:48:13.360 --> 00:48:16.119 other night on the Nightcap. But we can do that again. 1063 00:48:16.159 --> 00:48:18.199 The number to get in someone three two, one, two, 1064 00:48:18.239 --> 00:48:20.920 five seven ninety. Once again, that's some one three, two, one, 1065 00:48:21.000 --> 00:48:24.880 two five, seven ninety as again our one in the books, 1066 00:48:24.920 --> 00:48:27.159 right here Space City Saturday, right here in your home 1067 00:48:27.159 --> 00:48:36.880 with the Astros and the Rockets. Sports Talk seven ninety. 1068 00:48:37.840 --> 00:48:41.920 Welcome aboard, Welcome to another Space City Saturday on Sports 1069 00:48:41.920 --> 00:48:45.800 Talk seven ninety Dan Matthews Live and local h Town 1070 00:48:45.960 --> 00:48:50.239 breakdown of the world that matters to you, the Houston 1071 00:48:50.440 --> 00:48:51.480 sports world. 1072 00:48:51.280 --> 00:48:53.039 All these great Houston fans here. 1073 00:48:53.199 --> 00:48:57.039 We love you all, So finish up on that to 1074 00:48:57.119 --> 00:48:57.639 do list. 1075 00:48:58.159 --> 00:49:01.280 S loot up the tooler, because you can't drink in 1076 00:49:01.400 --> 00:49:03.960 talk sports all day if you don't start. 1077 00:49:04.039 --> 00:49:08.159 Now bear me in the eight. This is Face City Saturday. 1078 00:49:08.280 --> 00:49:12.599 That's insane. Here's seven nineties Dan Matthews. 1079 00:49:13.199 --> 00:49:14.000 Indeed it is. 1080 00:49:14.800 --> 00:49:18.960 As we continue here our two of Space City Saturday. 1081 00:49:19.039 --> 00:49:22.960 Dan Matthews here with you at the Ftida Center where 1082 00:49:22.960 --> 00:49:25.760 the Kog's going to be taking on Iowa State. A 1083 00:49:25.840 --> 00:49:27.880 little bit later on, a couple of hours from now, 1084 00:49:27.960 --> 00:49:30.960 that game will get started and again at twelve forty 1085 00:49:31.000 --> 00:49:33.559 five you can start to hear the coverage over on 1086 00:49:33.639 --> 00:49:38.320 KPRC nine to fifty between U of H and Iowa State. 1087 00:49:38.719 --> 00:49:40.480 The Coog's a seven. 1088 00:49:40.199 --> 00:49:42.119 And a half point favorite in this one and the 1089 00:49:42.239 --> 00:49:45.719 top ten matchup tonight here inside for Tida Center. So 1090 00:49:45.880 --> 00:49:48.360 it's gonna be a good game, no doubt about it. 1091 00:49:48.519 --> 00:49:50.440 And looking forward to seeing And I said seven and 1092 00:49:50.480 --> 00:49:52.960 a half, that's where it started. The sharp's coming in 1093 00:49:53.119 --> 00:49:56.280 huge on you of h as U of H now 1094 00:49:56.320 --> 00:49:58.559 up to an eleven and a half point favorite according 1095 00:49:58.559 --> 00:50:03.119 to ESPN bet, So it'll be a fun afternoon of 1096 00:50:03.159 --> 00:50:06.000 basketball here a little bit later on tonight here on 1097 00:50:06.079 --> 00:50:07.800 a Sports Talk seven to ninety, you're going to have 1098 00:50:08.000 --> 00:50:10.960 the Rockets and the Jazz. Nice little win for them 1099 00:50:11.039 --> 00:50:15.239 last night at Toyota Center one twenty one fifteen over 1100 00:50:15.440 --> 00:50:19.360 the Minnesota Timberwolves. So they start the proverbial second half 1101 00:50:19.440 --> 00:50:21.320 of the season. I mean that was game number fifty 1102 00:50:21.360 --> 00:50:23.280 six on the year. You play eighty two in a 1103 00:50:23.360 --> 00:50:26.360 regular season, so do the math a little over halfway 1104 00:50:26.519 --> 00:50:30.639 through this season. But the Rockets a nice game out 1105 00:50:30.639 --> 00:50:33.639 of them last night, and they'll take on the thirteen 1106 00:50:33.760 --> 00:50:37.239 win Utah Jazz a little bit later on tonight, so 1107 00:50:37.440 --> 00:50:39.840 you can hear that here starting at seven thirty with 1108 00:50:39.960 --> 00:50:43.440 Rockets launch pad right here on Sports Talk seven to ninety. 1109 00:50:43.480 --> 00:50:47.559 But again we've gotten into a lot of Astro's discussion. 1110 00:50:47.599 --> 00:50:49.960 I wanted to get into some of the news that 1111 00:50:50.000 --> 00:50:53.599 broke a couple of days ago from Jonathan m Alexander 1112 00:50:53.880 --> 00:50:58.079 and the crew over at the Houston Chronicle of the 1113 00:50:58.440 --> 00:51:01.239 Texans stadium suation. I know a lot of you have 1114 00:51:01.280 --> 00:51:03.199 some thoughts on that if you want to weigh in, 1115 00:51:03.239 --> 00:51:05.639 and Dylan McGinnis also part of that story. One to 1116 00:51:05.920 --> 00:51:09.880 be able to give proper attribution to that. But the 1117 00:51:09.920 --> 00:51:14.599 Texans pretty much right now face with two options. Number one, 1118 00:51:15.400 --> 00:51:20.320 try to be able to renovate NRG Stadium and improve 1119 00:51:20.360 --> 00:51:23.239 it as much as possible, or even to start doing 1120 00:51:23.280 --> 00:51:27.840 the kicking the tires scenario of start looking at places, Hey, 1121 00:51:27.920 --> 00:51:30.920 if we were to build our own thing, like where 1122 00:51:30.920 --> 00:51:33.639 else could we go? And I mean, you know, there's 1123 00:51:33.760 --> 00:51:37.760 a lot of different things, voting referendums, also to approaching 1124 00:51:37.800 --> 00:51:41.039 the county, all of those other types of options that 1125 00:51:41.079 --> 00:51:44.519 are out there. So that's what the Texans are dealing 1126 00:51:44.559 --> 00:51:47.320 with at the moment. But one of the things that 1127 00:51:47.360 --> 00:51:52.000 I think probably started to raise some antennas when it 1128 00:51:52.039 --> 00:51:54.440 came to this scenario was when the Texans a few 1129 00:51:54.440 --> 00:51:57.719 weeks ago hired Mike Toeman as their new team president. 1130 00:51:58.280 --> 00:52:02.639 And immediately to see the background on Toneman and you see, oh, 1131 00:52:02.960 --> 00:52:05.880 oh okay, yeah, he helped open up the stadium there 1132 00:52:05.920 --> 00:52:09.239 in La same deal two with the Raiders in Vegas. 1133 00:52:09.519 --> 00:52:12.599 So he has, as it quotes in the story, an 1134 00:52:12.639 --> 00:52:17.280 extensive history in stadium developments. So immediately when that happened, 1135 00:52:17.440 --> 00:52:21.440 I shot out some texts to some you know, colleagues 1136 00:52:21.440 --> 00:52:24.079 in the industry, and I was like, this doesn't really 1137 00:52:24.159 --> 00:52:26.639 seem like it's by mistake that this guy is here. 1138 00:52:26.679 --> 00:52:29.639 Like we've been hearing, you know, rumors that the Texans 1139 00:52:29.639 --> 00:52:33.159 wanted to do some improvements to NRG Stadium and that 1140 00:52:33.199 --> 00:52:35.400 they were going to try to get working on that. 1141 00:52:35.440 --> 00:52:36.159 Here pretty soon. 1142 00:52:36.320 --> 00:52:38.719 But I also when I saw that, I said, I 1143 00:52:38.760 --> 00:52:41.800 think this guy's here to try to convince those in 1144 00:52:41.920 --> 00:52:44.800 power that's, hey, you know, this stadium is. 1145 00:52:44.800 --> 00:52:45.400 Not good enough. 1146 00:52:45.559 --> 00:52:48.400 We need to be able to play somewhere else here 1147 00:52:48.440 --> 00:52:51.880 in the coming years. And I think that, you know, 1148 00:52:51.920 --> 00:52:54.400 at least the story points out that that is a 1149 00:52:54.480 --> 00:52:55.400 real possibility. 1150 00:52:55.519 --> 00:52:58.800 So as the story states. 1151 00:52:58.360 --> 00:53:01.920 In the Houston Chronicle that one point four billion dollars 1152 00:53:02.039 --> 00:53:05.920 is needed over thirty years at NRG Stadium, according to 1153 00:53:05.960 --> 00:53:09.719 a recent assessment, to be able to improve the stadium, 1154 00:53:10.000 --> 00:53:12.519 so the Texans could look at it and say, all right, 1155 00:53:12.519 --> 00:53:15.079 do we improve this thing or do we just go 1156 00:53:15.159 --> 00:53:18.599 ahead and look elsewhere? Because if that type of money 1157 00:53:18.639 --> 00:53:20.400 is going to be spent, why wouldn't we just do 1158 00:53:20.480 --> 00:53:24.760 the ask for an entirely new venue. And the Harris 1159 00:53:24.760 --> 00:53:28.840 County Houston Sports Authority is currently paying one billion dollars 1160 00:53:28.840 --> 00:53:32.239 in bonds to help build NRG Stadium and that's going 1161 00:53:32.280 --> 00:53:36.440 to be paid off by twenty fifty six. And also 1162 00:53:36.599 --> 00:53:40.039 to that's part of you know, the funding for dyke 1163 00:53:40.119 --> 00:53:44.559 In Park and for Toyota Center as well, and the 1164 00:53:44.960 --> 00:53:48.400 Sports Authority themselves would not have the money to be 1165 00:53:48.440 --> 00:53:50.119 able to finance a new stadium. 1166 00:53:50.280 --> 00:53:52.559 So that's the other part of it. 1167 00:53:52.280 --> 00:53:54.519 Is that, you know, it'd be the Texans going to 1168 00:53:54.719 --> 00:53:58.360 the Harris County taxpayers and saying, hey, you guys, cool 1169 00:53:58.400 --> 00:54:01.039 with fronting the money for us to build an entirely 1170 00:54:01.079 --> 00:54:03.039 new venue. And I know a ton of you out 1171 00:54:03.039 --> 00:54:05.039 there have said absolutely not. I'm not gonna have my 1172 00:54:05.039 --> 00:54:07.639 property taxes and everything else go up because you want 1173 00:54:07.679 --> 00:54:09.440 a shiny new toy to be able to get Super 1174 00:54:09.480 --> 00:54:12.159 Bowls here, and you know, to be able to call 1175 00:54:12.199 --> 00:54:15.639 your own, because, as I mentioned the other night, there's 1176 00:54:15.679 --> 00:54:18.119 one thing that is a constant across sports when it 1177 00:54:18.119 --> 00:54:21.159 comes to billionaire owners is when somebody else has a 1178 00:54:21.159 --> 00:54:23.559 shiny new toy, well they want their own as well. 1179 00:54:23.719 --> 00:54:27.079 And I'm assuming that probably Cal and Hannah have gone 1180 00:54:27.119 --> 00:54:29.920 around to other new venues around the league and also 1181 00:54:29.960 --> 00:54:32.679 to seeing some of them that have you know, nice 1182 00:54:32.679 --> 00:54:35.719 little mixed use developments outside and that they're able to 1183 00:54:35.719 --> 00:54:38.079 control that revenue and be able to add that to 1184 00:54:38.159 --> 00:54:41.000 their bottom line and say, yeah, hey, you know I 1185 00:54:41.039 --> 00:54:43.280 want that too. I want to be able to, you know, 1186 00:54:43.519 --> 00:54:46.199 earn as much as possible and be able to, you know, 1187 00:54:46.840 --> 00:54:49.719 you make this investment even better. And you know that's 1188 00:54:49.880 --> 00:54:53.360 something else that the Texans might decide. 1189 00:54:53.559 --> 00:54:55.880 So see some of you wanting the weigh in on 1190 00:54:55.920 --> 00:54:56.599 the phone lines. 1191 00:54:56.639 --> 00:54:58.000 If you want to do that, you can do so 1192 00:54:58.039 --> 00:55:00.119 someone three two one two five seven. 1193 00:55:00.880 --> 00:55:03.239 But I mean you also have to consider. 1194 00:55:03.159 --> 00:55:06.360 That, you know, this is a scenario that I think 1195 00:55:06.400 --> 00:55:09.119 probably has a little bit of a trained response from 1196 00:55:09.159 --> 00:55:12.800 some remembering the old oiler days of you know, when 1197 00:55:12.880 --> 00:55:15.519 Bud Adams and crew were trying to get the oilers 1198 00:55:15.559 --> 00:55:18.400 in New Stadium and it was his dealings with the 1199 00:55:18.400 --> 00:55:21.360 county and with the city of Houston. That really kind 1200 00:55:21.360 --> 00:55:24.000 of rubbed them the wrong way that they were just like, okay, fine, 1201 00:55:24.079 --> 00:55:26.400 if Nashville is flirting with you, go to Nashville, Like, 1202 00:55:26.480 --> 00:55:26.960 we don't care. 1203 00:55:27.000 --> 00:55:28.719 At this point, you've clearly. 1204 00:55:28.440 --> 00:55:31.159 Given up on putting a product on the field that 1205 00:55:31.559 --> 00:55:35.119 you necessarily care about, you know, winning ballgames, and actually 1206 00:55:35.159 --> 00:55:37.440 want to do the best you can here in Houston. 1207 00:55:37.559 --> 00:55:39.199 So if you want to move on, then move on. 1208 00:55:39.920 --> 00:55:41.199 You know, no harm, no foul. 1209 00:55:41.639 --> 00:55:43.639 And they said, all right, fine, we'll do that, and 1210 00:55:43.679 --> 00:55:44.800 that's exactly what they did. 1211 00:55:44.920 --> 00:55:46.840 I don't envision the Texans doing the same thing. 1212 00:55:46.960 --> 00:55:50.239 I think the McNair's you know, relationship with the community, 1213 00:55:50.519 --> 00:55:54.400 I mean while fractured at times, and you know, Ac 1214 00:55:54.559 --> 00:55:56.199 brought up that point the other day on the show, 1215 00:55:56.239 --> 00:55:59.519 and he's not wrong. Where you know, the Jackie Easter 1216 00:55:59.639 --> 00:56:02.760 be yere that did a lot to you know, harbor 1217 00:56:02.800 --> 00:56:07.320 some ill will towards the fans and also towards you know, 1218 00:56:07.440 --> 00:56:10.320 just the fan reaction to the team as well. So 1219 00:56:11.119 --> 00:56:13.400 I mean, you know, I think that that's been part 1220 00:56:13.440 --> 00:56:16.480 of it. And you know, ever since then, with the 1221 00:56:16.559 --> 00:56:19.639 hiring of Demiko Ryans and also winning on the field. 1222 00:56:20.079 --> 00:56:23.800 That's improved things as well. And you know, all of 1223 00:56:24.000 --> 00:56:28.239 a sudden, a hot item again, and when you're hot 1224 00:56:28.280 --> 00:56:30.519 and you have the popularity, that's the time to be 1225 00:56:30.559 --> 00:56:32.800 able to go and do the ask for people to 1226 00:56:32.880 --> 00:56:33.360 be able to. 1227 00:56:33.320 --> 00:56:34.280 Front the money for you. 1228 00:56:34.519 --> 00:56:37.719 So you know, I mean, I think this thing is 1229 00:56:37.800 --> 00:56:40.400 going to be an ever changing story. In terms of 1230 00:56:40.480 --> 00:56:43.239 the Texans leaving, I don't envision that being the case. 1231 00:56:43.280 --> 00:56:45.039 I mean, where else could they go? And there there 1232 00:56:45.079 --> 00:56:47.679 are no other major markets that would be able to 1233 00:56:47.719 --> 00:56:50.440 support the team at this point. They're pretty much all 1234 00:56:50.480 --> 00:56:53.719 taken up by the league. So you know, I think 1235 00:56:53.800 --> 00:56:56.599 that option is off the table. But Montgomery County for 1236 00:56:56.719 --> 00:56:59.400 Ben County, Yeah, that's a possibility too as well. I 1237 00:56:59.440 --> 00:57:01.639 mean we've seen teams do that in the past. I 1238 00:57:01.639 --> 00:57:03.559 mean when I was in Atlanta, the Braves did that, 1239 00:57:03.679 --> 00:57:05.719 going to Cobb County and saying, hey, will you build 1240 00:57:05.800 --> 00:57:08.440 us a brand new stadium? They said, yes, absolutely we will. 1241 00:57:08.960 --> 00:57:12.119 So if you want to get in on this topic, 1242 00:57:12.199 --> 00:57:14.239 you can do so again. SEB one three two one 1243 00:57:14.280 --> 00:57:16.599 two five seven ninety. Once again, that's SEB one three 1244 00:57:16.679 --> 00:57:19.079 two one two five seven ninety. Lets you all build 1245 00:57:19.119 --> 00:57:21.320 up on the phone lines as we'll get to you 1246 00:57:21.360 --> 00:57:23.679 on the other side, as we'll continue this conversation right 1247 00:57:23.679 --> 00:57:26.239 here on your home of the Astros and the Rockets. 1248 00:57:26.280 --> 00:57:27.320 Sports Talk seven. 1249 00:57:27.199 --> 00:57:34.280 Ninety Space City Saturday continues fine Sports Talk seven ninety. 1250 00:57:37.159 --> 00:57:41.760 Sports Soox seven ninety Dan Matthews here live inside the 1251 00:57:41.880 --> 00:57:45.280 Jim Nance Media Center at the Fertida Center, where about 1252 00:57:45.280 --> 00:57:47.800 an hour and a half from now, the UH Cougar 1253 00:57:47.880 --> 00:57:52.000 is taking on the Iowa State Cyclones number five versus 1254 00:57:52.159 --> 00:57:55.599 number eight, So good top ten matchup to be able 1255 00:57:55.599 --> 00:57:58.320 to watch today, and you know we're getting into the 1256 00:57:58.559 --> 00:58:01.559 Texans Stadium converce here if you want a wigh in 1257 00:58:01.719 --> 00:58:03.199 on that. I know a few of you of one 1258 00:58:03.280 --> 00:58:05.800 or two. Martin John see you guys right there. Get 1259 00:58:05.800 --> 00:58:07.719 to you all here in just a second. But seven 1260 00:58:07.719 --> 00:58:10.039 one three two one two five, seven ninety is the 1261 00:58:10.119 --> 00:58:10.519 number two. 1262 00:58:10.639 --> 00:58:12.960 Get in there, you know. 1263 00:58:13.360 --> 00:58:16.440 Speaking of today's game, I mean, if you guys listen 1264 00:58:16.519 --> 00:58:18.760 to us on the A Team or you listen to 1265 00:58:19.119 --> 00:58:22.360 the Matt Thomas Show, you guys hear about great sponsors 1266 00:58:22.400 --> 00:58:25.199 of both of those shows. But Big City Wings can't 1267 00:58:25.199 --> 00:58:26.519 think of a better place to be able to watch 1268 00:58:26.639 --> 00:58:30.480 today's game. So Sam and the crew at the numerous 1269 00:58:30.519 --> 00:58:34.079 locations around the city, they will be able to take 1270 00:58:34.079 --> 00:58:36.079 good care of you and be able to watch. 1271 00:58:35.840 --> 00:58:38.000 The Koogs or maybe a little bit later on the night. 1272 00:58:37.840 --> 00:58:40.480 You want to go watch the Rockets or even along 1273 00:58:40.519 --> 00:58:42.880 with the Kougs if you want to see some Astros 1274 00:58:43.000 --> 00:58:46.239 spring training action on TV on Space City Home Network, 1275 00:58:46.519 --> 00:58:50.480 go check out any of those great locations. And they're 1276 00:58:50.480 --> 00:58:52.960 a great sponsor of us here on Sports Talk seven ninety. 1277 00:58:53.000 --> 00:58:56.519 We appreciate them a lot. And you know also too, 1278 00:58:56.639 --> 00:58:59.880 if you want to join Big City Wings and you've 1279 00:59:00.159 --> 00:59:01.760 got a business out there, you want to do some 1280 00:59:01.840 --> 00:59:04.880 advertising with us, we'd love to have you here on 1281 00:59:05.079 --> 00:59:08.039 Sports Talk seven ninety. If you ever have any questions, 1282 00:59:08.119 --> 00:59:12.400 hit me up Dan Matthews at iHeartMedia dot com is 1283 00:59:12.639 --> 00:59:15.639 where you can hit me up. And also too, you know, look, 1284 00:59:15.760 --> 00:59:17.920 I mean, we've done some great things here on Space 1285 00:59:17.960 --> 00:59:19.360 City Saturday with the Creek group. 1286 00:59:19.760 --> 00:59:20.679 Appreciate all of them. 1287 00:59:20.719 --> 00:59:22.119 Going to be out there actually in a couple of 1288 00:59:22.199 --> 00:59:25.239 weeks for the Chili Cookoff. I think over at Onion 1289 00:59:25.280 --> 00:59:27.840 Creek is where we're doing it this time. So looking 1290 00:59:27.880 --> 00:59:29.920 forward to being able to do that. So, yeah, hit 1291 00:59:29.960 --> 00:59:33.480 me up Dan Matthews at iHeartMedia dot com and I 1292 00:59:33.480 --> 00:59:36.440 gotta tell you too. I mean, when you're an advertiser, 1293 00:59:36.599 --> 00:59:38.320 it's not just about Hey, you know. 1294 00:59:38.320 --> 00:59:39.960 You're giving us money to talk about you. 1295 00:59:40.039 --> 00:59:42.079 I mean I've kind of learned in this business that 1296 00:59:42.519 --> 00:59:44.480 you know, treat them like family, treat them like friends. 1297 00:59:44.559 --> 00:59:46.519 I mean, you know, because that's exactly what you are. 1298 00:59:46.639 --> 00:59:50.719 You are somebody that can you know, be both of 1299 00:59:50.760 --> 00:59:53.119 those things with us, and you know, definitely want to 1300 00:59:53.119 --> 00:59:56.400 make sure that you know you're appreciated to as well. 1301 00:59:56.480 --> 00:59:59.360 So get to you on the phone lines here really quick. 1302 00:59:59.360 --> 01:00:02.079 Before we get Joseph Warte from the Houston Chronicle in 1303 01:00:02.440 --> 01:00:04.719 with us. Martin and Angleton wants the weigh in on 1304 01:00:04.760 --> 01:00:06.320 the Texans Stadium situation. 1305 01:00:06.440 --> 01:00:08.880 Martin, What's what's going on, buddy? Hey? 1306 01:00:09.000 --> 01:00:09.199 Dan? 1307 01:00:09.760 --> 01:00:14.320 I thought that there was an option of of the 1308 01:00:14.760 --> 01:00:18.440 taxes being raised to pay for this through the visitors 1309 01:00:18.440 --> 01:00:22.360 in convention bureau type situation where visitors into the city, 1310 01:00:22.880 --> 01:00:27.440 like hotel taxes and whatever other taxes that visitors pay. 1311 01:00:27.920 --> 01:00:29.840 I thought that that was a bible option. 1312 01:00:30.719 --> 01:00:32.280 Yeah, I mean they've done that in the past. 1313 01:00:32.320 --> 01:00:36.000 I mean, obviously that's how then Enron Field was built 1314 01:00:35.840 --> 01:00:38.000 at dyk In Park. I think they did the same 1315 01:00:38.039 --> 01:00:42.400 thing for Toyota Center and even for NRG Stadium as well. 1316 01:00:42.480 --> 01:00:45.119 But I mean I think they're kind of tapped out 1317 01:00:45.119 --> 01:00:47.760 on that. Martin is the problem. I mean, it's one 1318 01:00:47.760 --> 01:00:50.000 of those Okay, you can continue to raise those, but 1319 01:00:50.039 --> 01:00:53.519 then it starts to hurt your tourism and I mean, 1320 01:00:53.559 --> 01:00:55.599 you know, people they come here. I mean, it starts 1321 01:00:55.639 --> 01:00:58.320 to become a situation of you come here, you run 1322 01:00:58.360 --> 01:01:00.960 a car, you you know, you you get a hotel room, 1323 01:01:01.000 --> 01:01:02.920 and you see you know, you're getting taxed out of 1324 01:01:02.960 --> 01:01:04.960 the gord for that, and you're just kind of like, well, 1325 01:01:05.000 --> 01:01:07.119 do I even want to go back there if I'm 1326 01:01:07.119 --> 01:01:09.199 going to have to pay all those fees. So, I mean, 1327 01:01:09.239 --> 01:01:10.920 I just I think that they're kind of up against 1328 01:01:10.960 --> 01:01:13.960 it with that. I mean, it almost kind of sounds 1329 01:01:14.000 --> 01:01:16.079 like and somebody brought this up in the comments when 1330 01:01:16.079 --> 01:01:18.960 we posted the video from the A team when I 1331 01:01:19.000 --> 01:01:22.760 was in Atlanta and the Falcons built Mercedes Benz Stadium. 1332 01:01:22.920 --> 01:01:25.280 They had said it from the beginning, it's a private 1333 01:01:25.519 --> 01:01:28.320 public partnership where some of the money is going to 1334 01:01:28.360 --> 01:01:31.000 come from the city, from Fulton County, but also too 1335 01:01:31.039 --> 01:01:32.920 that Arthur Blank ponied up a lot of money of 1336 01:01:32.960 --> 01:01:35.039 his own and said, yeah, I want this thing to 1337 01:01:35.079 --> 01:01:37.440 become a reality, and that's how they were able to 1338 01:01:37.480 --> 01:01:39.639 do that. And the Texans as of right now, I 1339 01:01:39.639 --> 01:01:42.360 mean the story you know states they only pay four 1340 01:01:42.360 --> 01:01:46.400 million dollars a year in rent to rent NRG Stadium. 1341 01:01:46.639 --> 01:01:49.880 The county owns the stadium. The Rodeo owns the stadium, 1342 01:01:50.360 --> 01:01:53.440 so it's this them as a tenant. And I mean 1343 01:01:53.480 --> 01:01:56.159 they've got one of the best, you know, rent structures 1344 01:01:56.199 --> 01:01:58.079 in the league, and I think they kind of want 1345 01:01:58.079 --> 01:01:58.880 to continue doing that. 1346 01:02:00.800 --> 01:02:05.039 Well, okay, I just thought it was still still uh 1347 01:02:05.199 --> 01:02:05.760 an option. 1348 01:02:05.840 --> 01:02:06.039 I don't. 1349 01:02:06.079 --> 01:02:09.719 I don't, I don't. I mean, all these businesses that 1350 01:02:09.800 --> 01:02:12.280 come in they have it has to do with oil 1351 01:02:12.320 --> 01:02:15.800 and gas and natural gas and stuff like that. These conventions. 1352 01:02:16.280 --> 01:02:18.280 I don't think they're going to worry about that too 1353 01:02:18.360 --> 01:02:21.440 much because the companies are paying a lot of that, 1354 01:02:21.599 --> 01:02:24.840 I think for their employees to come into Houston for 1355 01:02:24.920 --> 01:02:28.840 stuff like that. But yeah, oh well, I just thought 1356 01:02:28.840 --> 01:02:31.199 i'd throw it out there. I hope it gets built. 1357 01:02:31.239 --> 01:02:34.400 I hope it gets built because it attract it attracts 1358 01:02:35.199 --> 01:02:39.079 UH super Bowls and this and that and UH and UH. 1359 01:02:39.159 --> 01:02:42.400 Anyway, that's definitely the goal for sure. Appreciate the call 1360 01:02:42.519 --> 01:02:44.480 Martin Again. If you want to join Martin on the 1361 01:02:44.480 --> 01:02:46.360 phone lines, you can do so seven one three two 1362 01:02:46.400 --> 01:02:48.599 one two five seven ninety. Once again, that's seven one 1363 01:02:48.639 --> 01:02:52.920 three two one two five seven ninety. But as promised 1364 01:02:53.119 --> 01:02:55.039 us said that we would be catching up with this man, 1365 01:02:55.079 --> 01:02:56.559 we're gonna do that right now. 1366 01:02:56.760 --> 01:02:56.960 Uh. 1367 01:02:57.000 --> 01:03:00.679 He is Joseph d'Arte Houston Chronicle joining here on a 1368 01:03:00.800 --> 01:03:04.440 Space City Saturday for UH takes on Iowa State number 1369 01:03:04.480 --> 01:03:07.719 five against number eight. Joseph, appreciate the time, man, It's 1370 01:03:07.760 --> 01:03:10.199 good to see you again. It's been a while since 1371 01:03:10.360 --> 01:03:12.719 we've been able to catch up. But you know, with 1372 01:03:13.000 --> 01:03:15.039 this game today, I mean, this is a UH team 1373 01:03:15.239 --> 01:03:18.400 that all season long has been playing good, consistent basketball. 1374 01:03:18.440 --> 01:03:21.559 There was the scuffle a little bit out in Las Vegas, 1375 01:03:21.599 --> 01:03:24.159 but aside from that, it's been a pretty good run 1376 01:03:24.199 --> 01:03:27.280 for them this season. Is there anything necessarily that surprises 1377 01:03:27.320 --> 01:03:29.039 you about this experienced team. 1378 01:03:29.679 --> 01:03:32.280 Well, you know, you mentioned, you know, the four and 1379 01:03:32.320 --> 01:03:34.480 three start, and they were sort of feeling their way 1380 01:03:34.480 --> 01:03:35.079 through things. 1381 01:03:35.119 --> 01:03:37.280 Had a new point guard, and Miles Susan. 1382 01:03:37.440 --> 01:03:40.639 But I think it surprised me is the level that 1383 01:03:40.679 --> 01:03:43.360 they they've sort of taken control of the Big twelve. 1384 01:03:43.440 --> 01:03:46.440 I mean, you're fourteen and one. You want to believe 1385 01:03:46.480 --> 01:03:49.760 it's eighteen of the last nineteen overall. So since that 1386 01:03:49.880 --> 01:03:52.119 Vegas trip here, your only loss is by one point 1387 01:03:52.119 --> 01:03:55.679 to Texas Tech. So they can play defense. We all 1388 01:03:55.679 --> 01:03:58.719 know that they force turnovers and now they can shoot, 1389 01:03:58.760 --> 01:04:01.719 and that's the rest to be for a deep march run. 1390 01:04:01.800 --> 01:04:03.079 So I'm not sure if I'm surprised. 1391 01:04:03.119 --> 01:04:05.280 I think it's just we knew they'd be good at 1392 01:04:05.320 --> 01:04:07.719 some point, because that's what Keilvin Sampson does. I just 1393 01:04:07.760 --> 01:04:12.599 think that the manner that they've sort of taken control 1394 01:04:12.639 --> 01:04:14.360 of the Big twelve races has been a little bit 1395 01:04:14.400 --> 01:04:14.920 of a surprise. 1396 01:04:15.519 --> 01:04:17.519 How key is Emmanuel Shark to this team? 1397 01:04:17.960 --> 01:04:19.039 Oh he's huge, you know. 1398 01:04:19.440 --> 01:04:21.440 You know, he had gone through a little bit of 1399 01:04:21.440 --> 01:04:25.239 a mini slamp, been dealing with a foot injury, and 1400 01:04:25.440 --> 01:04:27.480 you know he's zero for ten going into the second 1401 01:04:27.480 --> 01:04:29.880 half against Arizona State, theeld that I had over the 1402 01:04:29.960 --> 01:04:32.360 last two games, and then he hits four to three. 1403 01:04:32.400 --> 01:04:35.400 He's just like that boom boom boom boom. And that's 1404 01:04:35.599 --> 01:04:36.960 when this team is at its best. 1405 01:04:37.000 --> 01:04:39.599 You know that LJ. Crier is your consistent score. 1406 01:04:40.079 --> 01:04:43.239 You've got Milos who's really turned into a really good score. 1407 01:04:43.480 --> 01:04:46.239 You need Emmanuel Sharp and Keilvin Sampson said as much. 1408 01:04:46.280 --> 01:04:49.000 They're at their best when he's at his best. So 1409 01:04:49.320 --> 01:04:51.119 they've got to have him. And I thought it was 1410 01:04:51.159 --> 01:04:53.360 a good sign and Timpy that he started to turn 1411 01:04:53.440 --> 01:04:54.840 things around again. 1412 01:04:54.960 --> 01:04:57.920 Joseph Dwarts He joined us here inside the Jim Nance 1413 01:04:57.960 --> 01:05:01.360 Media Center for Tita Center ahead of today uh and 1414 01:05:01.679 --> 01:05:05.440 Iowa State basketball game. You know one guy too that 1415 01:05:05.480 --> 01:05:07.280 I think is kind of an unsung hero of this 1416 01:05:07.320 --> 01:05:10.159 team is Juwan Roberts and what he's. 1417 01:05:10.000 --> 01:05:10.519 Able to do. 1418 01:05:10.920 --> 01:05:12.440 I mean, you know what you're gonna get from him 1419 01:05:12.519 --> 01:05:15.000 on the offensive end, but it's mostly the defensive end. 1420 01:05:15.000 --> 01:05:16.719 I mean, how much of a key for this team 1421 01:05:16.760 --> 01:05:17.039 is he? 1422 01:05:17.440 --> 01:05:20.480 Well, you know, you you just look at the experience 1423 01:05:20.519 --> 01:05:22.480 and he's a six year guy. You don't see that 1424 01:05:22.960 --> 01:05:25.920 very often, but you know, he's the glue that keeps 1425 01:05:25.920 --> 01:05:29.199 things together. And especially in the front court. You've got 1426 01:05:29.400 --> 01:05:35.000 guys like Jojo Tugler that look up to him and J. J. 1427 01:05:35.159 --> 01:05:37.679 Vier or Francis has has come along with the help 1428 01:05:37.719 --> 01:05:39.960 of Jay One. But you know, he's a guy that 1429 01:05:40.239 --> 01:05:42.840 not only does he play on the defensive end, they 1430 01:05:42.960 --> 01:05:44.840 go through him a lot on the offense and they 1431 01:05:44.880 --> 01:05:48.000 try to make things happen, and when teams try to 1432 01:05:48.039 --> 01:05:50.039 take it away like they did on the last trip, 1433 01:05:50.360 --> 01:05:53.840 at opens up things for the guards. So huge part 1434 01:05:53.880 --> 01:05:56.880 of the team. And what's amazing, Kelvin's been here eleven years. 1435 01:05:57.039 --> 01:05:59.559 Jaywan Roberts been here for six of those years. He 1436 01:06:00.159 --> 01:06:02.119 has about two hundred and eighty six wins. Roberts has 1437 01:06:02.119 --> 01:06:04.320 about one hundred and fifty of those. So that just 1438 01:06:04.360 --> 01:06:08.000 shows you the impact and the imprint that he's had. 1439 01:06:08.320 --> 01:06:10.679 And the funny thing was Kelvin joke the other night 1440 01:06:11.440 --> 01:06:13.639 he was probably about a one point seventy five star 1441 01:06:13.800 --> 01:06:14.559 when they recruited. 1442 01:06:14.599 --> 01:06:15.199 I mean, he. 1443 01:06:15.079 --> 01:06:17.880 Didn't give him that too. Jay Wan'll tell you he 1444 01:06:17.960 --> 01:06:18.400 was a three. 1445 01:06:18.440 --> 01:06:22.360 But it just shows you they develop and the player 1446 01:06:22.400 --> 01:06:25.000 eventually turns into a star. 1447 01:06:25.840 --> 01:06:28.480 And you know, as I was walking into the building today, 1448 01:06:28.639 --> 01:06:30.679 you know, was listening to the game day crew out 1449 01:06:30.679 --> 01:06:32.440 there on the courts and I think it was Seth 1450 01:06:32.480 --> 01:06:36.280 Greenberg that they had showed the twenty twenty one Final 1451 01:06:36.320 --> 01:06:39.519 four banner and he said, this team's better than that 1452 01:06:39.559 --> 01:06:40.280 twenty one team. 1453 01:06:40.320 --> 01:06:41.639 I mean, are you seeing the same things? 1454 01:06:42.280 --> 01:06:44.119 You know, that was a really good team, and I 1455 01:06:44.159 --> 01:06:46.639 think since then those are what the others have been 1456 01:06:46.679 --> 01:06:51.599 measured against. But shooting wise, I think it can be better. 1457 01:06:51.880 --> 01:06:54.960 I think from one to eight, one to nine they 1458 01:06:55.079 --> 01:06:58.800 are deeper. But until you get to the tournament and 1459 01:06:58.840 --> 01:07:02.880 you actually do it that those are big shoes to compare. 1460 01:07:03.199 --> 01:07:05.440 But I think that if you look at the way 1461 01:07:06.000 --> 01:07:09.239 the whole nation is set up right now in which 1462 01:07:09.280 --> 01:07:12.119 teams could factor in, Houston's on a very short list 1463 01:07:12.559 --> 01:07:15.119 of schools that could win it. And it's just a 1464 01:07:15.159 --> 01:07:17.400 matter of you got to stay healthy, and that has 1465 01:07:17.440 --> 01:07:19.800 not happened for them, and you've got to get hot, 1466 01:07:19.840 --> 01:07:22.280 and you got to be consistent. And I think those 1467 01:07:22.320 --> 01:07:26.880 things will happen because Kelvin sort of, you know, demands it. 1468 01:07:27.039 --> 01:07:29.119 You just got to stay healthy and that's the key, and. 1469 01:07:29.280 --> 01:07:30.559 I mean a huge part of that. 1470 01:07:30.679 --> 01:07:33.519 And you know, having conversations with you know, U of 1471 01:07:33.679 --> 01:07:35.880 h fans about this is it seems like that's been 1472 01:07:35.920 --> 01:07:38.400 the issue the last few years. It's just this demanding 1473 01:07:38.480 --> 01:07:41.440 physical style they play well, there's a shelf life to that. 1474 01:07:41.559 --> 01:07:43.400 I mean, as you pointed out, I mean we've seen 1475 01:07:43.440 --> 01:07:44.840 it play out. We saw it play out that way 1476 01:07:44.920 --> 01:07:47.440 last year when they got to the sweet sixteen. But 1477 01:07:47.639 --> 01:07:49.719 do you think that maybe there is a little bit 1478 01:07:49.760 --> 01:07:52.239 of tweaking with the rotation that we've seen from Kelvin 1479 01:07:52.239 --> 01:07:54.440 Sampson this year to kind of, you know, be able 1480 01:07:54.480 --> 01:07:56.719 to keep those guys as fresh as possible done stretch. 1481 01:07:56.800 --> 01:07:59.280 Well, that was the that was the question asked this week, 1482 01:07:59.320 --> 01:08:02.000 and he admitted that somebody like l J. Cryer, he'd 1483 01:08:02.000 --> 01:08:04.199 like to get him some more in and out of 1484 01:08:04.239 --> 01:08:08.039 the game to give him a breather. Beyond that, you 1485 01:08:08.079 --> 01:08:10.000 want to keep some type of rhythm going this type 1486 01:08:10.000 --> 01:08:12.599 of year, so you're not just gonna mass sub and 1487 01:08:12.880 --> 01:08:15.480 hold guys out. You're not gonna pull back, so to speak. 1488 01:08:15.679 --> 01:08:18.359 But I think you do try to find your moments 1489 01:08:18.399 --> 01:08:21.479 where you're not pushing a guy thirty five thirty eight. 1490 01:08:21.319 --> 01:08:21.920 Minutes a game. 1491 01:08:21.960 --> 01:08:24.640 And unless these games are really tight, I don't think 1492 01:08:24.640 --> 01:08:26.159 he'll see that the rest of the way. I think 1493 01:08:26.159 --> 01:08:29.039 you will see him being selective, trying to get some 1494 01:08:29.079 --> 01:08:32.960 guys some breathers because you know they don't practice. It's 1495 01:08:32.960 --> 01:08:35.000 not the same in November and December as it is 1496 01:08:35.039 --> 01:08:38.680 now in terms of practice. And so the whole theory 1497 01:08:38.760 --> 01:08:41.800 of does this just cause them to break down in March, 1498 01:08:42.279 --> 01:08:44.479 I'm not buying that Jamal shed was just a freak 1499 01:08:44.560 --> 01:08:47.600 injury with his ankle. Guys like Sasser when he had 1500 01:08:47.640 --> 01:08:51.520 his shoulder, you know, those happened during the season. So 1501 01:08:51.560 --> 01:08:54.319 you could say that it's just wear and tear the grind. 1502 01:08:54.359 --> 01:08:58.199 But Kelvin's not going to change a lot. He just 1503 01:08:58.319 --> 01:09:00.720 may may kind of finesse things a little bit and 1504 01:09:00.760 --> 01:09:03.960 get some guys some extra breathers between now and the 1505 01:09:04.000 --> 01:09:05.520 start of the tournament again. 1506 01:09:05.640 --> 01:09:08.399 Joseph to Warte, Houston Chronicle join us here at Fatida 1507 01:09:08.439 --> 01:09:10.760 Center here on Space City Saturday. 1508 01:09:11.000 --> 01:09:13.000 And you know, with. 1509 01:09:13.079 --> 01:09:15.119 The u of H basketball program, now, I mean you 1510 01:09:15.159 --> 01:09:17.560 talk college sports, you gotta talk name, image, likeness, you 1511 01:09:17.600 --> 01:09:20.600 got to talk just what's the new landscape in sports? 1512 01:09:21.520 --> 01:09:24.000 Is part of you kind of surprised that Kelvin's been 1513 01:09:24.000 --> 01:09:26.760 able to keep this going with all of those things 1514 01:09:26.800 --> 01:09:29.239 at their disposal. And not only that, I mean transfers. 1515 01:09:29.239 --> 01:09:31.880 We've seen guys leave this program and go other places. 1516 01:09:31.920 --> 01:09:33.960 I mean, how impressive has it been that he's been 1517 01:09:34.000 --> 01:09:35.960 able to keep this going with having to deal with 1518 01:09:36.000 --> 01:09:36.840 those two factors. 1519 01:09:37.000 --> 01:09:39.239 Well, on the transfers, I believe it's only one or 1520 01:09:39.279 --> 01:09:42.239 two like starters that they've had that have actually left 1521 01:09:42.319 --> 01:09:44.359 guy like a Caleb Mills a few years ago. 1522 01:09:44.720 --> 01:09:45.479 But in terms of. 1523 01:09:45.560 --> 01:09:49.359 NIL, they're on a different level. You know, football at 1524 01:09:49.359 --> 01:09:55.800 most schools is the top NIL earner, but basketball sort 1525 01:09:55.840 --> 01:09:58.840 of does their own thing here and they don't have 1526 01:09:58.920 --> 01:10:01.359 the exact number, but I've been told, you know, top 1527 01:10:01.399 --> 01:10:04.279 tier schools usually have at least a four million type 1528 01:10:04.319 --> 01:10:08.359 of NIL budget or what they have for their players, 1529 01:10:08.800 --> 01:10:11.479 and you know it hasn't stopped them. They have three 1530 01:10:12.199 --> 01:10:15.119 ESPN like Top twenty top twenty five guys that are 1531 01:10:15.119 --> 01:10:18.680 coming here next year. And on top of that, you know, 1532 01:10:18.800 --> 01:10:21.560 Kelvin made it a point to say, these guys aren't 1533 01:10:21.600 --> 01:10:24.119 coming here necessarily for NIL, They're coming here for the 1534 01:10:24.159 --> 01:10:28.000 opportunity and what this program provides with the thinking that 1535 01:10:28.000 --> 01:10:29.800 that NIL is going to be on the back end. 1536 01:10:29.880 --> 01:10:32.279 It may be, and their pro contract it may be 1537 01:10:32.720 --> 01:10:35.399 in year two or three, but the NIL when it 1538 01:10:35.399 --> 01:10:38.720 comes to Kelvin Sampson's program is not the main. 1539 01:10:38.640 --> 01:10:40.039 Draw or the enticement. 1540 01:10:40.079 --> 01:10:43.720 There are many other things that they that they offer 1541 01:10:44.159 --> 01:10:46.520 before they even talk in IL. 1542 01:10:47.439 --> 01:10:50.520 And you know up there today saw Willie Fritz was 1543 01:10:50.960 --> 01:10:54.000 up there with the football team. And last year I 1544 01:10:54.039 --> 01:10:56.920 think they did some impressive things. But you know, this 1545 01:10:57.000 --> 01:10:59.600 coming year, I mean, is bowl game of possibility for 1546 01:10:59.640 --> 01:11:00.000 his program. 1547 01:11:00.560 --> 01:11:02.039 Lune At schedule. I think it should be. 1548 01:11:02.199 --> 01:11:02.479 You know, I. 1549 01:11:02.800 --> 01:11:06.960 I think that just the way it sets up, you know, 1550 01:11:07.039 --> 01:11:09.520 you could be two and zero to start, you could 1551 01:11:09.600 --> 01:11:12.399 win all three non conference and then you know, depending 1552 01:11:12.399 --> 01:11:14.199 on whether like Oklahoma. 1553 01:11:13.680 --> 01:11:16.800 State or you see back after really bad seasons. 1554 01:11:16.960 --> 01:11:19.600 You know, I put them in that minimum six win 1555 01:11:19.760 --> 01:11:21.880 category which gets you in the bowl. I think this 1556 01:11:21.960 --> 01:11:25.000 is a possible seven and five type team. I would 1557 01:11:25.039 --> 01:11:29.039 be shocked just based on bringing in an experienced quarterback 1558 01:11:29.079 --> 01:11:31.920 in Connor Wegman and upgrading the old line in some 1559 01:11:31.960 --> 01:11:34.359 other areas that this would be a team that would 1560 01:11:34.399 --> 01:11:37.119 either stay at four wins or just be at five. 1561 01:11:37.159 --> 01:11:38.520 I think this is a bowl team. 1562 01:11:39.319 --> 01:11:39.720 Very good. 1563 01:11:39.880 --> 01:11:42.520 Joseph, do Towarte again. Houston Chronicle will join us here 1564 01:11:42.720 --> 01:11:44.000 at Fertida Center. 1565 01:11:44.279 --> 01:11:45.640 Joseph's could see again. Man. 1566 01:11:45.800 --> 01:11:48.760 It's always great to catch up with you and appreciate 1567 01:11:49.159 --> 01:11:50.520 your work with chronicle. 1568 01:11:50.600 --> 01:11:51.399 Thank you for having me on. 1569 01:11:51.560 --> 01:11:54.079 All right, there you go, Joseph dowarte again, join us 1570 01:11:54.119 --> 01:11:57.000 here at the Fertida Center. All right, so we talked 1571 01:11:57.039 --> 01:11:59.279 to Astros, we've talked Rockets, We've talked to you of 1572 01:11:59.479 --> 01:12:01.680 h We talked pretty much all of it today. If 1573 01:12:01.840 --> 01:12:04.039 you want to weigh in on any of those topics, 1574 01:12:04.039 --> 01:12:06.039 you can do so. Someone three two one two five 1575 01:12:06.119 --> 01:12:08.279 seven ninety one. Skin at someone three two one two 1576 01:12:08.760 --> 01:12:11.359 five seven ninety one. More segment to go before we 1577 01:12:11.760 --> 01:12:15.039 step aside for Astros baseball that's coming up next right 1578 01:12:15.079 --> 01:12:17.079 here on your home of the Astros and the Rockets. 1579 01:12:17.119 --> 01:12:18.560 Sports Talk seven ninety. 1580 01:12:20.319 --> 01:12:24.479 Welcome back to Space City, Saturday one. Sports Talk seven ninety. 1581 01:12:26.760 --> 01:12:27.960 Sports Talk seven ninety. 1582 01:12:28.520 --> 01:12:32.880 Dan Matthews here with you live inside the Jim Nants 1583 01:12:32.960 --> 01:12:37.640 Media Center here at the Ftida Center. UH taken on 1584 01:12:37.920 --> 01:12:41.159 Iowa State. Shout out to Joseph d'Arte who joined us 1585 01:12:41.520 --> 01:12:44.039 last segment. Good conversation with him, getting into a little 1586 01:12:44.039 --> 01:12:47.319 bit of UH basketball as well as the football program, 1587 01:12:47.640 --> 01:12:50.479 trying to get them back to their winning ways. Says 1588 01:12:50.960 --> 01:12:53.279 A few years ago, nice little trip to the Peach 1589 01:12:53.359 --> 01:12:56.520 Bowl went over Florida State and ever since then, you 1590 01:12:56.600 --> 01:12:58.720 of H trying to get the program back to that 1591 01:12:58.880 --> 01:13:02.039 level yet again, and full confidence Willie Fritz can do that. 1592 01:13:02.199 --> 01:13:04.640 Huge fan of him, huge fan even going back to 1593 01:13:04.800 --> 01:13:07.960 his Seam Houston days and even with what he was 1594 01:13:08.000 --> 01:13:10.640 able to do at Tulane getting them to the Cotton 1595 01:13:10.680 --> 01:13:13.279 Bowl a couple of years ago beating USC, so you 1596 01:13:13.399 --> 01:13:15.479 know that he is able to build up a program 1597 01:13:15.600 --> 01:13:17.600 and hoping he can do that here at EU of 1598 01:13:17.840 --> 01:13:20.399 H a few more minutes here on the show, you 1599 01:13:20.439 --> 01:13:21.960 want to get in on the phone lines, you can 1600 01:13:22.000 --> 01:13:24.560 do so. Subone three two one two five seven ninety one. 1601 01:13:24.600 --> 01:13:27.239 Skin at subone three two one two five at seven 1602 01:13:27.399 --> 01:13:30.880 ninety mentioned. You know the Rockets taking on at the 1603 01:13:31.000 --> 01:13:33.079 Jazz tonight and I little went for them last night, 1604 01:13:33.119 --> 01:13:37.560 still without Fred van Vlietz. And usually with ankles, especially 1605 01:13:37.680 --> 01:13:40.880 to basketball players, you're probably looking at about a month 1606 01:13:41.239 --> 01:13:43.760 that you need for that injury to be able to 1607 01:13:43.800 --> 01:13:46.000 heal up before you feel like you're able to get 1608 01:13:46.039 --> 01:13:47.840 that explosiveness and get. 1609 01:13:47.760 --> 01:13:49.720 Back to action the way that you want to be 1610 01:13:49.800 --> 01:13:50.720 able to get back to it. 1611 01:13:51.279 --> 01:13:53.479 And that's you know what the Rockets are kind of 1612 01:13:53.520 --> 01:13:56.279 counting on with Van Vliet, I mean, trying to get 1613 01:13:56.359 --> 01:13:58.560 him healthy enough. And you know, I talked about it 1614 01:13:58.600 --> 01:14:01.199 earlier what he means the team not only from an 1615 01:14:01.239 --> 01:14:03.800 offensive end, but also too. I mean some of those 1616 01:14:03.840 --> 01:14:06.720 defensive breakdowns we've seen late in games before the All 1617 01:14:06.800 --> 01:14:09.439 Star break, where you know, I think you could probably 1618 01:14:09.479 --> 01:14:12.319 point to not having Fred van Vliet out there is 1619 01:14:12.680 --> 01:14:15.520 what allows for some of those breakdowns to happen. And 1620 01:14:15.840 --> 01:14:18.359 I mean you've seen teams cutting into the basket, being 1621 01:14:18.399 --> 01:14:21.159 able to get you know, offensive rebounds, all of those 1622 01:14:21.199 --> 01:14:23.880 different things and just how important he is. And I 1623 01:14:24.000 --> 01:14:26.600 mentioned too that Haberstrow stat that he threw out that 1624 01:14:26.840 --> 01:14:30.560 this team, when they have both Shingoon and Van Vliet 1625 01:14:30.920 --> 01:14:33.479 on the floor, they're thirty and thirteen, and with the 1626 01:14:33.560 --> 01:14:35.760 win last night, they're now five and eight. When you 1627 01:14:35.840 --> 01:14:37.720 don't have both of those guys out there, you were 1628 01:14:37.760 --> 01:14:40.479 able to have Alpi and what he was able to do. 1629 01:14:40.760 --> 01:14:44.199 But still, I mean, you know, without Van Vliet you 1630 01:14:44.239 --> 01:14:47.000 miss a lot in terms of the offensive sets and 1631 01:14:47.359 --> 01:14:50.720 just you know, just overall just general organization out there, 1632 01:14:51.039 --> 01:14:51.560 I feel like. 1633 01:14:51.680 --> 01:14:52.920 Is what you lose without him. 1634 01:14:52.960 --> 01:14:55.279 And you know, the funny thing is, and I talked 1635 01:14:55.319 --> 01:14:58.039 about this with Jackson Gatlin a few weeks ago when 1636 01:14:58.039 --> 01:15:00.800 we had him on Rockets launch Pad. You know, he 1637 01:15:01.119 --> 01:15:02.960 brought this up on his podcast that I feel like 1638 01:15:03.000 --> 01:15:06.239 people look at Fred the wrong way, and it's the 1639 01:15:06.319 --> 01:15:09.039 shot selection, it's the misshots, all of those different things. 1640 01:15:09.439 --> 01:15:13.239 I get that, but his point is incredibly valid. That's 1641 01:15:13.279 --> 01:15:15.720 not what he's supposed to do. He's not supposed to 1642 01:15:15.760 --> 01:15:19.199 be the guy taking the crucial shots late in games, 1643 01:15:19.239 --> 01:15:21.880 in close games. You're wanting that to be Jalen Green. 1644 01:15:22.119 --> 01:15:24.359 Now you're probably wanting that to be you know, a 1645 01:15:24.479 --> 01:15:26.640 Men Thompson. I mean, you saw it at the end 1646 01:15:26.680 --> 01:15:28.760 of the Memphis game that that play was drawn up 1647 01:15:28.840 --> 01:15:31.680 to go to a men Thompson, and Memphis did a 1648 01:15:31.720 --> 01:15:34.000 great job of saying, no, we saw this guy do 1649 01:15:34.079 --> 01:15:36.600 it a couple of nights ago in Boston. We can't 1650 01:15:36.640 --> 01:15:38.359 let this guy beat us. And they took him out 1651 01:15:38.359 --> 01:15:41.359 of play and you saw, you know, the last ditch 1652 01:15:41.439 --> 01:15:43.760 effort that they had, and people were, oh my god, 1653 01:15:43.800 --> 01:15:45.680 why would you go to Fred in that situation? And 1654 01:15:45.800 --> 01:15:47.600 it's like, well, I mean, where else you gonna go, 1655 01:15:48.279 --> 01:15:51.039 you know, in terms of inbounding the basketball. So I 1656 01:15:51.199 --> 01:15:54.359 just think that you know, sometimes it's undue criticism to 1657 01:15:54.520 --> 01:15:56.600 him in terms of that part. 1658 01:15:56.479 --> 01:15:56.960 Of his game. 1659 01:15:57.119 --> 01:16:00.159 I mean that's almost kind of like, you know, I 1660 01:16:00.239 --> 01:16:02.640 was talking about with Josh C last night before I left, 1661 01:16:02.800 --> 01:16:06.199 and you know, I said, that's like blaming Mauricio Dubond 1662 01:16:06.279 --> 01:16:08.720 for not coming through in a crucial runners in scoring 1663 01:16:08.760 --> 01:16:12.600 position situation after jose Al Tuove struck out, Like you know, 1664 01:16:12.680 --> 01:16:15.399 what are we doing here? Kind of is is really 1665 01:16:15.640 --> 01:16:17.199 I think the name of the game at that point. 1666 01:16:17.279 --> 01:16:19.800 I mean, you know, it's you're you're blaming the wrong 1667 01:16:19.880 --> 01:16:22.279 guy for the wrong thing. You know, if he comes 1668 01:16:22.319 --> 01:16:24.079 through in that spot, then you're happy about it. But 1669 01:16:24.119 --> 01:16:27.239 if he doesn't, you're like, well, you know, offensively, probably 1670 01:16:27.279 --> 01:16:28.560 not one of the best guys you want to have 1671 01:16:28.600 --> 01:16:31.560 in that situation. So I think that that's you know, 1672 01:16:31.640 --> 01:16:34.760 really all part of it too as well. But you know, 1673 01:16:35.000 --> 01:16:38.199 like I said, one fifteen win last night, that was 1674 01:16:38.239 --> 01:16:40.439 good to see out of the Rockets says, you know, 1675 01:16:40.560 --> 01:16:43.479 you want to see them be able to take a 1676 01:16:43.560 --> 01:16:45.880 good positive step forward out of the All Star break. 1677 01:16:45.920 --> 01:16:48.439 I mean, you saw a team that, even with injuries, 1678 01:16:48.800 --> 01:16:53.039 was just physically worn down at the end of you know, 1679 01:16:53.199 --> 01:16:55.800 the first half of the season. And I mean this 1680 01:16:56.000 --> 01:16:58.479 was a team that as soon as the final buzzer 1681 01:16:58.600 --> 01:17:01.920 hit in the Warriors loss, they were kind of like, 1682 01:17:02.039 --> 01:17:04.239 oh man, thank god we're here. We get a week 1683 01:17:04.319 --> 01:17:06.880 to be able to rest up and get back to action. 1684 01:17:07.159 --> 01:17:09.560 But you know, it was good to see a good, 1685 01:17:09.840 --> 01:17:12.159 strong third quarter out of the team last night and 1686 01:17:12.199 --> 01:17:15.680 a good strong fourth quarter two as well, as it 1687 01:17:15.880 --> 01:17:19.359 was a close game at the half, but then able 1688 01:17:19.439 --> 01:17:23.159 to outscore Minnesota thirty to twenty six in the third, 1689 01:17:23.239 --> 01:17:27.560 and then also to neither team necessarily that impressive offensively 1690 01:17:27.720 --> 01:17:31.079 in the fourth quarter. But I mean, Anthony Edwards, what 1691 01:17:31.239 --> 01:17:32.880 can you say about the guy? I threw it out 1692 01:17:32.920 --> 01:17:36.760 on Twitter last night. He's as close to Kobe Bryant 1693 01:17:36.960 --> 01:17:39.039 as we have in the game right now in terms 1694 01:17:39.119 --> 01:17:43.279 of just his shot making ability, his explosiveness, his competitive drive. 1695 01:17:43.600 --> 01:17:47.199 I mean, it count me in the same category with 1696 01:17:47.359 --> 01:17:49.760 Adam Clanton of being a huge fan of that guy 1697 01:17:49.880 --> 01:17:51.399 and then a huge fan of him even. 1698 01:17:51.319 --> 01:17:54.239 Back to his brief college career that he had, and 1699 01:17:54.439 --> 01:17:54.920 you saw it. 1700 01:17:54.920 --> 01:17:56.520 Even back then that he was going to be somebody 1701 01:17:56.600 --> 01:17:58.600 that was going to be pretty tough to deal with 1702 01:17:58.840 --> 01:18:02.279 in the league. That's definitely been the case. But thirty 1703 01:18:02.359 --> 01:18:05.920 seven out of him last night. I mean, you know, 1704 01:18:06.039 --> 01:18:08.279 but you were pretty much able to limit the damage 1705 01:18:08.399 --> 01:18:11.199 outside of him. I mean, you know, Jayden McDaniel's twenty 1706 01:18:11.239 --> 01:18:14.159 one points out of him, nas Reed, nice player for them, 1707 01:18:14.399 --> 01:18:17.800 twenty two out of him. But you know, as I've 1708 01:18:17.840 --> 01:18:20.680 mentioned numerous times, Jalen Green, he is the key to 1709 01:18:20.760 --> 01:18:22.960 this offense and when he is able to put up 1710 01:18:23.000 --> 01:18:26.319 points well, then wins usually follow. And he was able 1711 01:18:26.359 --> 01:18:28.399 to do that last night, thirty five out of him. 1712 01:18:28.800 --> 01:18:32.399 Another double double yet again out of Alprin Shingoon, twenty 1713 01:18:32.439 --> 01:18:35.720 four and thirteen out of him, and you know, kind 1714 01:18:35.800 --> 01:18:37.880 of you know, a guy that's starting to get a 1715 01:18:37.920 --> 01:18:40.560 little bit of that reputation too of being a you know, 1716 01:18:41.000 --> 01:18:42.880 if a game is on, well then he's going to 1717 01:18:42.920 --> 01:18:45.479 get a double double. Is a men Thompson. He was 1718 01:18:45.520 --> 01:18:47.560 able to do that again last night, seventeen and ten 1719 01:18:47.760 --> 01:18:51.680 out of him. So good performance out of the Rockets. 1720 01:18:51.720 --> 01:18:54.560 Hopefully they can carry it over to tonight. I know 1721 01:18:54.640 --> 01:18:57.239 you're gonna be without Fred van Vliet, have to believe 1722 01:18:57.640 --> 01:18:59.640 with it being a home and road. 1723 01:18:59.520 --> 01:18:59.960 Back to back. 1724 01:19:00.159 --> 01:19:04.039 Probably no Tarry Easan, probably Seemdal four Steven Adams, So 1725 01:19:04.239 --> 01:19:06.359 we'll have all that for you again a little bit 1726 01:19:06.439 --> 01:19:09.720 later on for Rockets Launch Pad when we hit the 1727 01:19:09.760 --> 01:19:13.800 airwaves at seven point thirty, but mentioned the Astros too 1728 01:19:14.159 --> 01:19:16.720 as the Stros split squad. 1729 01:19:16.600 --> 01:19:18.600 Action going to get started at today. 1730 01:19:19.199 --> 01:19:21.479 The game you're going to hear here on at Sports 1731 01:19:21.520 --> 01:19:23.600 Talk seven ninety is going to be the one started 1732 01:19:23.640 --> 01:19:26.359 by Ryan Gusto. They're at Cacti Park of the Palm 1733 01:19:26.399 --> 01:19:30.359 Beaches between them and the Nationals. Does look like those 1734 01:19:30.439 --> 01:19:33.800 I mentioned Chandler Romes tweet a little bit earlier. That 1735 01:19:34.199 --> 01:19:36.720 seems like most of the veteran guys, like I saw 1736 01:19:36.880 --> 01:19:39.800 Dubon McCormick, some of those other guys, they're in the 1737 01:19:39.880 --> 01:19:42.960 lineup over in the Mets game as they're going to 1738 01:19:42.960 --> 01:19:45.079 be playing them over in Port Saint Lucy. 1739 01:19:45.600 --> 01:19:47.199 So we'll have that for you. 1740 01:19:47.359 --> 01:19:49.680 But I mean, you know, it's an Astro's team trying 1741 01:19:49.720 --> 01:19:52.720 to be able to find their way back into the 1742 01:19:52.840 --> 01:19:56.000 postseason yet again. I mean, you know, it's also too 1743 01:19:56.600 --> 01:19:58.760 listening to Joe a spot a talk with not only 1744 01:19:58.840 --> 01:20:01.560 Matt and Ross earlier but also too with the media 1745 01:20:02.039 --> 01:20:03.760 of talking about, you know, everything they had to do 1746 01:20:04.079 --> 01:20:06.520 last year to be able to get into the postseason. 1747 01:20:06.560 --> 01:20:08.159 I mean, you know, the last couple of years has 1748 01:20:08.239 --> 01:20:11.600 been a coming down to the the you know, the 1749 01:20:11.640 --> 01:20:15.399 the last stretch there of the season. And you didn't 1750 01:20:15.439 --> 01:20:17.800 have to go all the way until the final day 1751 01:20:18.000 --> 01:20:21.840 of the season this past season, but still it was 1752 01:20:22.000 --> 01:20:24.319 a you know, really tight race that you had with 1753 01:20:24.439 --> 01:20:27.039 the Seattle Mariners because of how far you fell behind 1754 01:20:27.079 --> 01:20:29.000 in the beginning. And that's something that they're trying to 1755 01:20:29.640 --> 01:20:32.800 guard against here this season and you know, not having 1756 01:20:32.880 --> 01:20:35.800 to try to really sprint there those last three and 1757 01:20:35.840 --> 01:20:38.520 a half months. And you know, it was when we 1758 01:20:38.640 --> 01:20:40.920 had Jeff Blum and studio with us, we were talking 1759 01:20:40.960 --> 01:20:43.560 about this and you know, kind of like we were 1760 01:20:43.600 --> 01:20:45.279 just talking about with the Rockets going into the All 1761 01:20:45.319 --> 01:20:47.119 Star break. I think that's what you saw from the 1762 01:20:47.159 --> 01:20:50.279 Astros last year is that once they got to the postseason, 1763 01:20:50.359 --> 01:20:52.399 they were just gassed. I mean it was, you know, 1764 01:20:52.640 --> 01:20:55.800 you're you're playing at such a high level for so 1765 01:20:56.000 --> 01:20:59.520 long and you face up, you know, against a really 1766 01:20:59.600 --> 01:21:03.000 tough and the Detroit Tigers, who had the pitching staff 1767 01:21:03.039 --> 01:21:05.479 they had and just playing the baseball that they were. 1768 01:21:05.760 --> 01:21:08.279 It was just a bad scenario for the Astros. And 1769 01:21:08.800 --> 01:21:11.399 hence the early exit last year. So trying to be 1770 01:21:11.439 --> 01:21:16.000 able to build up a good start here in twenty 1771 01:21:16.079 --> 01:21:19.720 twenty five. I mean, you know that obviously, no Alex Bregman, 1772 01:21:19.880 --> 01:21:22.800 no Kyle Tucker, but you know you enter in some 1773 01:21:23.119 --> 01:21:25.680 new guys. I mean, you know East Soakperetis. It sounds 1774 01:21:25.760 --> 01:21:28.239 like that minute made Park's gonna benefit him really well. 1775 01:21:28.359 --> 01:21:31.159 Same deal with Christian Walker. And you know we had 1776 01:21:31.199 --> 01:21:33.800 that conversation with Matt Thomas that we played for you 1777 01:21:33.960 --> 01:21:37.960 last hour, and you know it was a lot to 1778 01:21:38.359 --> 01:21:41.560 be able to see what those guys were, you know, 1779 01:21:41.720 --> 01:21:44.600 can be able to do here in an Astros uniforms. 1780 01:21:44.640 --> 01:21:47.840 So we'll see how they are able to build up 1781 01:21:47.880 --> 01:21:52.159 here as we get close to this season coming up next, 1782 01:21:52.439 --> 01:21:55.319 we'll squeeze in a couple more minutes with you here 1783 01:21:55.439 --> 01:21:58.359 on Space City Saturday before we step aside for Astros 1784 01:21:58.439 --> 01:22:01.840 Baseball again, Dan Matthews here at the Fortida Center before 1785 01:22:02.119 --> 01:22:04.920 U of H takes on Iowa States As we'll have 1786 01:22:05.039 --> 01:22:07.520 that for you over on KPRC nine to fifty starting 1787 01:22:07.560 --> 01:22:10.239 at twelve forty five. So we'll come back next right 1788 01:22:10.279 --> 01:22:12.439 here on Space City Saturday, here in your home of 1789 01:22:12.439 --> 01:22:13.439 the Astros and the Rockets. 1790 01:22:13.479 --> 01:22:14.640 Sports Talk seven ninety. 1791 01:22:16.720 --> 01:22:20.680 This is Space City Saturday on Sports Talk seven ninety. 1792 01:22:29.880 --> 01:22:30.960 Sports Talk seven ninety. 1793 01:22:31.640 --> 01:22:34.720 Dean Matthews here with you for just a matter of 1794 01:22:35.239 --> 01:22:38.880 mere second, says we'll have Astros baseball coming up for 1795 01:22:39.039 --> 01:22:43.079 you here in a few minutes. Mentioned too that the 1796 01:22:43.239 --> 01:22:45.399 U of h Iowa State game it's gonna be over 1797 01:22:45.479 --> 01:22:49.279 on KPRC nine fifty starting at twelve forty five and 1798 01:22:49.319 --> 01:22:52.800 then one o'clock tip here inside for Tita Center. But 1799 01:22:53.279 --> 01:22:55.319 been a lot of fun here today. I want to 1800 01:22:55.359 --> 01:22:57.960 thank Melvin Brown back in the studio. 1801 01:22:58.079 --> 01:22:59.880 Great job by him as always. 1802 01:23:00.399 --> 01:23:03.880 Also to Joseph d'Arte joining us here from the Houston Chronicle. 1803 01:23:03.920 --> 01:23:05.720 Always great to be able to catch up with him. 1804 01:23:06.399 --> 01:23:09.840 And you know, just looking forward to some good basketball 1805 01:23:09.920 --> 01:23:13.239 here and again coming your way tonight. Seven point thirty 1806 01:23:13.520 --> 01:23:16.520 Rockets launch Pad is gonna be a coming to your way. 1807 01:23:16.560 --> 01:23:18.279 I'll have that for you, and then we get the 1808 01:23:18.640 --> 01:23:21.319 Rockets and the Jazz from there in Salt Lake City, 1809 01:23:21.439 --> 01:23:24.199 and then I'll be talking to you afterwards on Rockets 1810 01:23:24.319 --> 01:23:27.520 rap too as well. So speaking of rapping, that's what 1811 01:23:27.560 --> 01:23:29.319 we're gonna do right here, is we're gonna put a 1812 01:23:29.359 --> 01:23:32.800 boat on this edition of Space City Saturday. Again, thanks 1813 01:23:32.840 --> 01:23:35.119 to all of those of you who joined us on 1814 01:23:35.199 --> 01:23:37.479 the phone lines too as well. Have a great rest 1815 01:23:37.520 --> 01:23:40.680 of your Saturday, watch some good basketball. Cruddy out there weatherwise, 1816 01:23:40.880 --> 01:23:43.560 so you know, muddle up, be able to watch us 1817 01:23:43.560 --> 01:23:46.840 some good basketball, and be able to enjoy the rest 1818 01:23:46.960 --> 01:23:47.680 of this weekend. 1819 01:23:47.760 --> 01:23:50.039 Warmer weather is ahead. We got that for us, so 1820 01:23:50.600 --> 01:23:51.520 we'll have all of that. 1821 01:23:51.920 --> 01:23:54.319 But until next Saturday, I'm Dan Matthews here in your 1822 01:23:54.359 --> 01:23:57.079 home of the Astros and the Rockets, Sports Talk seven 1823 01:23:57.199 --> 01:23:57.439 ninety