The Matt Thomas Show with Ross - Rockets Win Their Second Preseason Game, How Is This Jumbo Sized Lineup?

Episode Date: October 15, 2025

Rockets Win Their Second Preseason Game, How Is This Jumbo Sized Lineup?

is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Welcome to a Wednesday edition of the Matt Thomas show. Today coming to you from Atlanta, GA, where last night in Birmingham, the Rockets got to a 3-0 start in the preseason with their victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. That will be, I don't know, topic A of the show, but among the things we'll get to today over the next four hours,

we've got Shut Your Bumass up at 1130, the news at noon, believe it or not, and a lot of you and a lot of Ross and hopefully some of me over the next four hours here on Sports Talk 790. Sports RV, how the hell are you? I'm doing great, Matt. You mentioned the Rockets in the preseason. That was fun with the, what are they calling this lineup? Have you come up with a nickname yet? I haven't.

The jumbo package, I believe, is what Craig Ackerman was calling it last year. Well, see, when I think of jumbo, I think of like girth. Yeah, but it's, you know, with jumbo package, of course. course means when you get three tight-ins in there in the goal line in the NFL. So, I mean, you get three, four centers on the floor. It kind of fits. It's not the worst thing ever. And I like jumbo package. It works. Well, it's funny because I was reading the lineups off during the game last night, 610, 6-11, 6-11. Yes.

And then poultry 6-7 of Men Thompson. Oh, poor little baby, baby of Min Thompson. You own a 6-7. Men Thompson wanted to throw some hands at Jose Avarado last night. Yikes. People around Twitter were saying that he did. Did you see that? All right, so let me be brutally honest. I have spent a lot of time looking at the replays. I didn't have a replay monitor with me in Birmingham last night because we're not in an NBA arena so that's, you know,

they don't have all the technical stuff that normal NBA places do. I was deathly afraid he did throw a punch or at least attempt to. So I was kind of mentally preparing myself to say he's ejected. and I don't know if those carry over into regular season games or whatever. I don't know, and thankfully I don't want to know. But when the announcement was made that Alvarado got the technical foul and that a man got a flagrant one, I thought to myself, well, that's a good sign, right?

That neither one of them got tossed in the game because they definitely got tangled up, and Amel Thompson wanted no part of that. Yes, he's aggressive. As his twin, Oster Thompson said, he was an aggressive child. Well, he's an aggressive adult as well. He's hip tossing people and getting and scrapping and mixing it up. First team all defense.

I love it. You know who loves it the most, of course, is Coach Udoka. Well, I was going to say, I mean, I don't know necessarily, you know, I don't think when a man was talking to EMA during the whole review, like, oh, you should be better than that young fella. No, I don't think that's the case. He's the devil on his shoulder right there. But I will say this.

My guess is as a men continues to grow as an NBA player and becomes more popular. And look, he and Tyler Hero exchanged Pleasantries last year. And look, Jose Alvarado gets involved with Scraped with everybody. So for those of you don't know, he's one of the backup guards for the Pelicans. Scrappy would be the word I would use, maybe. And irritant? Irritant is what I used during the broadcast last night. I actually said he was a better score than Pat Beverly was.

because Alta, I'll do it. Avarado can at least get to the basket and hit some threes. I don't remember Pat Beverly being a prolific store on any point. Bev could do that a little bit. In his prime, in his prime of all primes, he was probably around 10 points per game, right? Yeah, he might have been. He'd be like, oh, well, Pat Bev's got 23 tonight. Okay.

Let me pull this up. Yeah, yeah, around 10, 12. He peaked at 12 points per game with the Clippers in 2018. So he wasn't, you know, 10 games. 10 points a night, nothing to sneeze at at the NBA. Well, I'll say this. In defense of Alvarado, he doesn't foul out as much as Pat Bev did. I mean, Pat would get 4,000, 9 minutes

and be like, oh, no, those are all bad calls, all bad calls. I do love Pat Bev. He would openly hit on my wife on a live broadcast on a summer regular basis, but that's on here nor there. Oh, that was only like two or three times. Isn't it kind of a bit if it's more than once?

If you saw it now, it'd be, oh my God, it'd be not good. not good Pat live in his best life You know it's funny He did try to do the TV bit a couple years ago And I guess the ESPN's like Yeah we're good

Well he's doing his podcast thing I don't know how successful that is But I always see clips of it on Twitter So at least it's doing that Yeah I mean You know Podcasts either are doing amazingly well Or you're wasting your time

It's usually there's only no in between Why you got to build Matt You got to try and build Come on man get those Plinkos and Power bombs back up baby You know what Can I build a brick by brick? Cal, we're not doing a brick and mortar here. We're doing, we do 20 hours a week.

We're fine, I think. Okay. People want to find us anywhere to find us here on Sports Talk 790. All right, so that was going on last night. I did not have, and again, I had no monitor so I couldn't change the channel because, look, let's be brutally honest. Preseason basketball isn't going to be a, you're not trying to treat it like game seven of the NBA finals, although I was during commercial breaks, cussing both teams for letting this game get to within one basket. It was a tie game late, and I'm like, I am not going to call an overtime game.

I'm going to put the head fed sets down and say, y'all can just guess the final score. Thank you, Aaron Holiday, for providing the game winner last night for the Rockets. Yeah, they have to get rid of any kind of rule that allows overtime in preseason basketball. That's ridiculous, number one. And then, I don't know how much, I guess we're going to get, can I just make one comment about the game? Please do. Is the men Thompson going to shoot this? you mean like shoot shoot two for three with three pull up three in rhythm yes it's the beginning

of that game I'm used to yes straight away three I was not above the break as the kids say yeah yeah yeah yeah and nine for nine from the free throw line to me an indicator of a shooter like for example jabari smith junior his three point percentages were bad his first year but he shot 80% as a free throw shooter so you say to yourself okay there's some shooter in him that He can improve those percentages, and he did. I'm in Thompson. I think the last two years, I'll go back and look at it. It's like a men, it's like 68% I think the last two years.

So I'm saying, okay, maybe he's not going to progress as a shooter. So when I see the nine for nine free throws and two for three from three, and he what, he made a corner three in their last game too, it kind of, I'm not saying. I'm just saying. Is he going to improve as a shooter? Because then it's over for the league, quite frankly. I told you 36% 35%

Are you kidding me We'll have a parade in downtown Houston over that And then you'll be way more completely I mean you'll be completely validated And the he We're not trading him in an An honest

A tentes of Kumpo trade I know If he can shoot And I'm not doing that just to prove it to you I'm just saying that I love the guy If he can become a complete player like that Yeah Oof

By the way our friend Jones says The Rockets could call it the power package Power package Yeah I like Joe Jumbo package. Jumbo power extra large. Oh, you know what?

What do you do when you go to get the fries? Not extra sized. Oh, what a size? Super size. You could what a size it? So what a size? Well, Super size.

Super size package. Oh, this is a good one. Darren. I like this, Matt. The 80s we had the Twin Towers. Let's call these guys the skyline. I like that. That's kind of nice.

That's real nice. To both of us or what? Just to me, sorry. At Sports RV. Wait a minute. Oh my God. See, here we go. Only child syndrome.

Go ahead. It ain't only child. How about, you know what? There's two of us on the show. Well, I don't know. He said it to me. Thank you, Darren, appreciate you. Darren's fine.

People send you just you tweets all show long. That's fine. I don't say a word. You should. Oh, my God. No, it's fine. Good God. That was a good one.

Well, let me re-tweet it. And then, We'll see if we got it. And if it works, you know what? I'll let the rockets know and maybe we'll get in. We'll take care of him as long as he follows me on Twitter at SportsMT. Yeah. Okay.

What does it again say it one more time? The skyline instead of the Twin Towers. I like it. I got to be honest. I like it. I like it a lot. You could put the boys behind some buildings in downtown. There's a famous photo of Elijah Juan and Samson.

back in the day. The skyline. Okay. That's why we have the best audience in Houston. Yes, we do. Good stuff, Darren. And thanks for listening at 1009. Yeah, thank you, Darren.

Let me tell you something. We love you 10 o'clockers. We don't know how often you're there, but if you're there, we love you for that. Skyline, okay. Darren. Again, I'd actually pump out your Twitter account if you to send it to me. I don't even know what it is.

gosh. H underscore truth 85. H underscore truth 85. Let's see if he's even following me here. Because if he's not going to get the run. No, ATX hobo girl says he follows me. Yeah, okay. Yeah, it's all good.

No, it's not Skyline chilly, ATX Hobo Girl. No, that sucks. I just think of like the Houston skyline. You know what I just get him all against the skyline. I remember I used to have a poster on my, on my wall of Steve McNair and Air. McNair and like a picture of him in the skyline. Oh, yeah. The skyline, yeah.

So, yeah, literally, I almost chuckled as I was wearing the lineups because it was like, because there have been teams that will go small because they don't have a length. Yes. I mean, because look, Jabari's not going to put his back to the basket too much, although that will turn around jumpers working a little bit for him. But he would never be considered a low-block threat. He's more of a perimeter guy. He's been working on his dribble drive game, too.

We've seen a little bit of flashes of it in the preseason. But if you're smallest guy on the floor, is running point at 6-7. Get at the way. Yeah. And make sure you don't turn the ball over too much. Now the question is, do you do it against little teams to overwhelm them

or do you do it only when it's big teams that you feel like you've got to go mono-mono size ones? Yeah, it'd be matchup dependent. And then, of course, they're going to have the play zone and all that type of stuff. They'll figure it out. It was working a lot last year, and we'll see it again this year,

as we saw in the Pelican game. In Birmingham. So you're in Atlanta. now. Yes. Okay. Got here to the hotel. I think my head

at the pillow at 1.15 year time. Okay. Oh, you're in Eastern time. That's good. Yeah, it's 11-11 here in Atlanta right now. It is, it doesn't make it. Your body just kind of gets, it weirds out to the time zone you're in.

Like, especially when you go, like, when you go west, you feel like you're in a different world. Do you not feel that way? Like, if you're two hours behind, like, the world is just moving ahead, like, The news is late. I've always been Team Pacific Times Zone, and I think I'm in the minority on that.

I think the sweet spot is Mountain. Mountain. I lived in a mountain for three years, and it's really, really nice. But that's still, those 10 o'clock kickoffs for Sunday football. No, see, Matt, you're not a Premier League fan. Some of those games kickoff at 6.30. That means if you're in West Coast, that's 4.30.

That's so funny. It's 4.30 a.m. for Chelsea versus Manchester City. No, no, I'm going to be sleeping in. Can you ever talk soccer in your regular voice? Is that possible? No, I don't think so. I don't think it is either, because anytime we bring up a Irish person's name, what do we immediately do?

Yeah, exactly. Stop right there. In Texas, Texas. Lubbock does sound kind of like an Irish name in Lubbock. Like, if y'all know Brian McTaggart, like I've known Brian for like 25 years. You have? Yeah, oh yeah. We were in school, I think, at the same time.

a little while i don't know any class together but that's beautiful but i've known tags forever but i'm a tagger it's a league city boy there's no dublin in it you know what i mean yeah he's a clear lake boy oh the things we do to amuse ourselves i mean it's 10 o'clock hour it's an entertainment media mat we're here to entertain that we are ourselves at least till noon all right uh 713 212 5 790 it's almost like we need to we need to take care of our special 10 o'clock or some way. We have to save our prizes. We should do like a, we should do like a 1030, believe it or not, one day.

You know what? I will do that next week on the show because I will, I will, those I'll have some time and I'll write it up because I know you're busy between your massive responsive. I'm not that busy. Not these loud. That's until the rocket season fires up for real. Yeah, yeah. Maybe on the, like on the plane home. I'm going to say, Astros out of the playoffs has been nice for my personal life. I'm not off at two every day. For my sports life, it ain't good.

Look at our phone line. are not lit up with Astros I understand I know I like talking sports We are your radio home for your Houston Astros ratings boost

but you know it is what it is I didn't go out there and swing and miss every time runners are in scored position wasn't me mm-mm-mm yeah we need

we need them back by the way are we mentally proposed we're talking about we come back yeah I know go ahead and tease it I know what you're going to say

and no It is what it is. We'll talk about it. Do we have to? I guess. Yeah, we do. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-790.

I'm going to utter a statement, and I've never vomited live on air. It might happen today here on sports. I thought you did after the Rocket Championship. Oh, no, that was before I got on the air. Oh, okay. And I did dry heave three times, but never in the studios. You were drive heaved in a studio?

No, no. Okay. 713, 212, 5 that you know of. You hear a pause like that. That means I had something to say, but I stopped myself from saying it. Innocence is better we're not spoken. 713-212-5-7-0. It is Matt and Ross.

I'm here in Atlanta. Rockets will take on the Hawks tomorrow. And since we're in the 10 o'clock hour, I can say a couple of things that are going to ultimately cost me down the road. What do you mean, Matt? Clips never lie. Don't forget that. Actually, clips lie quite often. I'm about to give you a first world fancy Matt issue. Uh-oh.

That might be an all-timer. Okay. Okay. Your valet wasn't wearing white gloves. No, we had the bus. It was fine. Okay. Here in Atlanta, about three months ago, they did a massive shifting of affiliations with channels.

You know how two's been NBC, 11's been CBS, 13's been ABC for as long as I've lived in Houston, right? Well, in Atlanta, they've moved all them around. For what? Don't know. Philly, you know, contracts and stations who want to grab it, you know. Interesting. It doesn't happen a lot. On the big 2025 broadcast TV?

I know. That's crazy. What is this thing called CBS most young people are saying? Yes. And now you're just confusing your 80-year-old viewers. Well, I'm not 80. Oh, I'm not you, man. You know what I mean.

Yeah, you know what I mean. Broadcast. So I'm going to tell you right now that the very nice TV that I have in my room has most of the channels. Well, they don't have the channel that is the now the new CBS. So in my room I have NBC, ABC, Fox. I have the Ion channel. I have an independent channel, but I don't have CBS. Do you have the Magic City Live feed?

I do not. Oh, dang. That's a good channel. I think you're looking for that. I cannot watch my soaps later today. the price is right because they don't have the channel in my room. And how is this making you feel, Matt? Not great. I brought it up.

You poor baby. All you do is, do you hate watch Price is Right? Be honest. And just talk about how Drew Carey's screwing everything up or not putting the right energy and inflections on things. He's been doing this in aggravating me for 18 years. You know, he has been doing the show? Are you serious?

Has it been 18? It feels like 10 max. it's you know there's things in your life ladies and gentlemen that still gnaw at you whether it's the high school girlfriend that you let get away or the teacher that failed you because they caught you cheating but you really were cheating and hoping to get away with it like mrs franklin back in high school or it was the job that let you go or you know there's just a few things in my life that i have a difficult time sitting with and drew carry hosting the prices right to

me just it tugs it does you know Matt they say pain is inevitable but suffering is a choice but I'm yeah stop if if Drew Carey gets at me the way that it does then my life is pretty good

right? No you can be better clearly he's not losing the job like the first couple years you can be like all right yeah this sucks they're going to fire him he's the worst but 18 years in

it's time to hang them up, Maddie. Okay. It's like people who have been hate watching LeBron for 22 years. I hate listening to Sports Radio and I still do that. That's a problem I got.

I got to get rid of that. Yeah, that's true. Come on, you know how, you don't have to talk about the Adams like that. Weekdays, 2 to 6 on Sports Talk 790. You know what? We should do this more than 10 o'clock hour.

Take more shots at the Adams. Oh, yeah. 10 o'clock is just rip everybody humanly possible. And then we cleanse. ourselves and we're like we're super nice 11 to 2. It's like a therapy session, yeah. Yeah, 10 to 11 is just no holds part.

It's like just get all your aggressions out. Like, for instance, put it this way. If you've had a bad day at the house or you're at your job, I mean, tell me if you're an 8 to 5 person or 9 to 6, whatever the hours may you may be, doesn't it take you like an hour and a half to kind of get going? You don't walk in the office at 8 o'clock, turn your computer on and go, man, I'm going to go make a million dollars from my company today.

You have to kind of nurse, you have to kind of work your way into the, you've got to check your Facebook page, you've got to see if you've got any DMs. on Instagram you got to go to the water cooler and a cup of coffee talk to the boss kiss his ass for 30 seconds and then by 10 o'clock you're ready to do your admit yeah that's how this show is the first hour of the show is like a warm up and then we really get after it's saying 11 o'clock or so that makes sense but as I say that I'm about to give you a statement that's going to hurt it's going to be painful

and there's absolutely nothing that Ross nor myself can do to possibly cure this ill, this pain that I'm about to say. We are going to see the Dodgers and the Mariners in the World Series. I still believe. I don't.

Let's go, Jays. The Dodgers dude through a complete game. You don't even go five innings in a playoff game, much less nine. See, I said this, Apparently the A team got all mad at me. I don't know if it was Clanton or Wex or probably Clanton, but who cares? When I was talking about how the Dodgers just have all these inherent advantages,

they're not even playing the same game. Like Yoshinobu Yamamoto is basically, he's only going to sign with basically one team in baseball. And it's the Dodgers. They're playing a different game. And then he comes into the ALCS and he's throwing complete games. I mean, it's not fair what's going on. It's hard for me. Maybe that should make them hate them more.

But it's like I resign myself to the Dodgers in a way feel inevitable. You know, it's funny because the Astros have spent millions of dollars with their Dominican Republic Academy. And they have been, I don't want to say that one of the first teams, but I want to say going back to 30 years, Ross, they have spent a lot of money in the Latin American countries. trying to develop players. Yeah, but I mean, everybody can do that. And how many, I mean, how many of them, and I guess I should know this, and maybe Mick Tagger can help me out with it, but has that academy really paid off

for the Astros? And I mean, taking a 17-year-old, he grows up, he finishes his school, he plays baseball, he's an astro guy, and then all of a sudden he's 22, 23 years old, he's been in the Astros Academy for the longest time, and man, he's now a star. I mean, that was good money spent on a young man who was looking to prove his life and become a good baseball player

and get education. And the Dodgers don't have to do that. The Dodgers can just go to Japan or any of the overseas countries and say, we can cash whip you. And by the way, the Japanese, the Chinese gravitate towards the West Coast. And I don't know, it's because it's closer,

just the culture? I don't know. But they don't have to do that. They don't have to create these foreign academies like the Astros and some of the other teams have to do a major league baseball. Yeah, the Dodgers have a targeted campaign. They call it paint Japan Dodger Blue. Like that's what they're going for. And they're trying at all costs to sign as many Japanese players. And obviously they have the inherent advantages of a large Asian population in California.

Right. And being close. Seattle does. San Francisco. I mean, there's all those West Coast schools. Close to home for the players because you're on the West Coast. It's not fair. Show you, Otani's been terrible, though. Yeah, he's been, I mean, they're winning with the fact that they, he sucks.

He's hitting 147 in eight games of the playoffs. And there are two home wins away from going to the World Series. Yeah, it's like in 2022. And Altube was horrible at the plate, but the Astros won the one. World Series. It can happen. It takes a team. All right, 1029. So I'm going to utter the statement again. When I utter it to you, I would like you to call in, especially you 10 o'clockers. I'm going to say the phrase again. It will be the Dodgers and the Mariners in the World Series. As Rossi would tell me

oftentimes, I get mad when he does it, but he does it so frequently just getting used to it. How does it make you feel? You get mad when I say that? Constantly. Usually I'm just messing with you Because you know the number one reason why I get mad Is because you don't really care how I feel That's not true It's just a little segue

No, it's not true Matt I do care how you feel Do you really? Sometimes Eh, don't believe me Whoa, no, it's just an honor I do care how you feel, Matt Jonathan, do you believe him?

No, but you used to believe me I care about you Matt I'll tell you, I'll give you a moment That it will explain to you how I care how you feel Are you concerned about the fact I can't watch my CBS shows today. Not really. That's, who cares?

You'll be fine. I watch that piece, the channel two piece, and the way that you, it was the most, I'm trying not to curse. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life. It is so, you and Carly, and she's talking. And the way that you, like, beam with pride when you're looking at her. Oh, it's so, it's so cute. It's amazing.

I'm retweeted to Ed Sports RV. Yeah, I need to thank, again, Randy McAvoy at Channel 2 and Jason Bristol at Channel 11. They both did an amazing job, and I want to thank them very much because it was certainly a very nice surprise. And Ross, again, as God is my witness, get a stack of Bibles, I did not tell those guys to do the story. They came to me separately. I swear to God, I swear to God, because I knew this was coming from you. I didn't say a word. I didn't say anything.

You were thinking it, though. No, I wasn't. No. Jonathan, he's lying. He's absolutely lying. I wasn't thinking anything. I think I saw him roll his eyes on the camera right now. I don't know.

That's not true. No, I was looking there. It was one of the lights flickered. All right. Let's go to the phones next. 7132-1-2-5-790 is 1131 on Sports Talk 790. Matt and Ross with you on Sports Talk 790. I'm here in Atlanta at 10.35.

We've got to shut your ball mess up at 1130. I can't tell anybody got time. for a very spectacular hotel here in Midtown, Atlanta, to come get me some CBS. I'd be rude, right? I can't do that. You can. So they just don't have, it's just there.

It's on in Atlanta, or is it like a, like a Tegna type of deal with here in Houston where certain carriers have an issue? No, no, no, this is just the T. They just, clearly no one hit this hotel cares. Oh, they just never not reprogram the T. They never reprogrammed it. I mean, it's been, I went and Googled it,

and it's been, they'd made the switch in August. I mean, What if you're a falcons fan? You want to watch the Falcons on CBS here? They said the spectravision works. We're good. You get your phone, too. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-790.

It's the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Let's talk to our buddy Koso on the Matt Thomas show on 790 with Ross at 1036. Koso, what's going on? Hey, Mr. Texas, what's up? I just wanted to comment on the, Dodgers Japan connection. When I was there last year, you could not walk a half mile without seeing any L.A.

Dodgers, like hats, shirts, like, it's everywhere. And Shohei is on every billboard. They have these billboards that are like, they basically like talk to you. I mean, it's like in Osaka, they have this place called Donta Bori. And every like sign has like Shohei swinging a bat, talking or doing some type of crazy advertisement. And everyone, I mean everyone, where's a Dodgers hat? It's absolutely crazy.

They are obsessed with San Francisco and L.A. I don't know why they're so drawn to California, but when I was there, I mentioned, I was like, yeah, Texas. And they would just like, their eyes would just enlarge. And they'd be asked me so many questions about Texas, about. trucks, about guns and stuff like that, but they gravitate to California like no other country I've seen before. It's crazy. Well, and I'm afraid that it's going to be a pipeline for the foreseeable future.

Seriously, when you have as many Japanese players that are becoming so popular, you know, they say, well, if this kid wants to go over and play in the United States, once to play Major League Baseball, you never hear, well, you know, the Guardians may be in and on them. The Orioles are showing some interest. It's basically San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and then there's usually one-off team. But you don't hear of the southern teams. You don't hear of the Eastern team.

Now, the Yankees obviously could do that. I mean, they could because they've got a lot of money. But it's a stronghold. And to Ross's point, you can't even get in that war. I mean, I wonder if you could outbid these guys, but you really can't, right? I mean, I guess you could. No. But the Astros is an organization.

organization aren't going to do that. If you're going to go spend crazy money, you might also spend on guys that you know and believe in that have been your homegrown guys. You're not going to try to get into a cash war, trying to outspend some of those West Coast teams that I already have an inherent advantage to begin with. I mean,

I'm Mr. Rockets. I grew up Washington Rockets. I'm a very casual Astros fan, but I can't think of the last, if Houston's ever had like a great Japanese MLB player prospect

picture whatever it is because as far as I know they Japan and California have like this secret handshake it's it's like the love like when I was coming back I had a layover from San Francisco it's just it's just they just love it so much that

they that it's like their dream to get to and Japan's an awesome awesome place but there's this pipeline this dream of being in California it's just it's for them and that's just I don't see you ever letting go. I just wanted to get that two-piece in there for you.

Thank you, Case. I appreciate the phone call. We're screwed, Ross. Yeah. It feels like maybe once or twice every couple of years the Dodgers are just going to not inherit it. I mean, they're paying for these guys. I don't like they're just being gifted them to them.

Yamamoto was signed to a 12-year, $325 million contract by the Dodgers. Astros aren't getting in that game. They aren't. No, if the guy's name was Greg Miller, they wouldn't do that. I mean, much less he's got the, the Far East connection. Plus, they had to pay a $50 million posting fee to his Japanese team.

I mean, the only thing that's ever helped out in that part of the world for a Houston team, obviously is when Yao Ming was the number one pick. But that wasn't because the Rockets all of a sudden said, yeah, we love you. He was the number one pick in the draft, and he was gifted. I mean, Yao Ming's influence would have worked just as well in Memphis as it would have in Houston. Right. And don't forget, don't forget Japanese legend and Houston Astros legend, Nori Aoki.

Where's Kaz Matsui from? I believe he's Japanese as well, yeah. Okay. That's all I got off the top of my head. I mean, he was the Anilfisher's guy, right? Oh, see, come on, man. You don't have to remember him just for that. Can you say that one more time?

I don't think I heard you correctly. Go ahead, Matt. Jonathan, former Astros. player Kaz Matsui had to go on the at that time was called the disabled list because of anal fishers and I will say not having them that I would be disabled as well if I had them what is what is what is um educate me I'm young girl let me get you the uh the medical term okay yeah he it is a small tear or crack in the lining of the anus oh so he

Oh, oh. Yeah. He had to have surgery prior to opening day 2007. He missed two and a half weeks. Yeah, okay. That's a quick recovery. I mean, every day. Every day could be a setback.

You know what I? You did this. You did this. Don't he want to hear it. Can I just say one thing and end the conversation with it? Go ahead, please. When you go to the doctor and you have been cleared, It's like when they say your ACL tear is clear.

Like when John, then when you got hurt and the doctor's cleared you and you went back on the track for the first time. Yeah. You were a little nervous, right? Yeah. If your doctor says your anal fissures are no longer an issue and then it's do what you normally do to resolve your life,

you're a little nervous about that first time, right? Yeah, it might be a little constipated the whole week. Might have to hold it. I don't know. Yeah, but you don't, never mind. I'm done. I'm turning my mic off. I'm literally walking out of the studio.

Don't talk to me. Congratulations to a couple of gold glove finalists from the Astros. Cam Smith and Utility Man, Maricio Dubon. Smith will be up for the right field spot. Dubon for utility. You got it last year. So using these things running patterns. Cam, how about that?

Wasn't even supposed to make the major league roster. Rossi Pink. Wex is just tweeting like a mother. First in zone rating, which, you know, zone rating is very important to me. You're a big zone rating guy. Yeah, 900. Second and fielding percentage at 992. And third and assist was six.

Good for him. Do you want to know where he is in defensive run saves among right-fielders? Who are the other finals? Do you have the other finalists? No, but I'm just, I'm looking at Wex's tweets. Oh, okay. He didn't put, he's not a DRS guy? Dubonnie's got third in American League and outs above average, 19.

Okay. That's it. Yeah, Dubon was really high on the, well, 17th. Adolfs Garcia is another right fielder that's up for the job. Wilnir Abraeu from the Red Sox? Willier Abraeu, he went over to the Red Sox and the Christian Vasquez deal. By the way, speaking of the Red Sox, you see who opted out yesterday? Oh, I didn't.

Alex Breggman? Yes. Wow. Now, what? You said he was? Hold on. I think that's a gut feeling L. Yeah, it is. But if I'm a him, I don't know if I do it.

Now, again, he didn't ask my opinion. I'm sure he's talked to Scotty B. Yeah, but Scotty B ain't going to bat a thousand. Now he bats 900, but he don't bat a thousand. Well, it's crazy. Even when he swings and misses, he got $40 million for one year. It's not best, not of the worst whiff I've ever heard of. That's what they call the feelers choice contract, Ross.

That's more, I don't even. even know what that is. Okay. Breg's, God, it's, I mean, 40 million is really good money. For the next two years.

He must be, oh, man. He must be thinking, I can't get 40 million a year, but I can get beyond the next two. Yeah, he's just looking for a longer total money. Right. He's looking for somebody to pay

for a premium for a couple more prime years and then overpay for his decline. Astros don't want to overpay for Prime. They want to pay for the straight to the decline. Give me straight to the decline. Give me Christian Walker. Let's go. It feels that way kind of with their first base spot, doesn't it?

Jose Abrae. Straight to the decline. Let's go. Raphael Mautera. How do you explain that one? That's just a straight-up mix, right? Well, that was an overpay. That was three good months in his free agent year, and then he got a big fat contract off of that. Hey, they don't win the 22 World Series without him, I don't think. That is accurate.

Appreciate them. But that was an overpay. And everybody said that at the time. Christian Walker deal, we liked. Jose Brayu deal we liked, even though there were some signs of some issues. The only thing we didn't, let me tell you, we'd love the Christian Walker deal. Yes. The only we didn't like about the Brayu deal.

We'd like the Brayo deal was that he got the third year as compared to everybody else's offering just two years. They got the third year and he had just gone from like 30 home runs of 15. So it's like, what's going on here? Now he's in Florida and I believe the Astros are off the hook for his money finally. Thank goodness. It's off the books. So they can go spin, spin, spend, and free agency. So let's do this.

Let's take a look at the future of Alex Breggen for just a second here. If he would have stayed with the Red Sox, and he can go back to the Red Sox, by the way, just because he opts out doesn't mean he's not going to go back to Boston. If he got two years, if he kept at $80 million, and let's say he got another three-year deal worth 50. That would be ultimately three years at 120, two years and then three more years at 50 so that'd be $170 million over six seasons.

My math on that, right? Sure, why not. I'm going to trust you. You're usually pretty good. I am. So he's got to be thinking now if that's what I think my value would be if I went with this train of thought, maybe I can get a little bit more guaranteed and give the optics of I'm willing to take less per year, but just make sure I get paid more of the length of the contract.

Yeah, the Astros offer was 6-156. And see, under my scenario, 3 to 120, play all the three years out, then play three more years at 50, which would be probably would be in his middle-like 30s. That's 170 over 6. So he'd be, and in my philosophy, he'd be making $14 million more by doing it that way. Now, he's hoping he's going to get beyond the total of 170. Because right now he's 40 in. So he needs to get $130 million more in his next contract in order to well surpass what the Astros are willing to pay.

Yeah, that's what the Tigers were offering, basically, 6-170. So he's banking on himself. So if he can get $5.130, yeah, then that's, if he can improve upon $5.130, which he should be able to do, probably? I don't know. Be around there. I don't know. Rossi, oh, God. And again, I'm not an athlete. I don't play in this world, but he just essentially turned it down $80 million in guaranteed money.

Well, yeah. I haven't been to play another inning again. He would have been $80 million already in the books. He must be hoping. He's got to be thinking somebody's going to give him five years out there. You think the Tigers are ready? Yeah, they need offense, for sure. And now that AJ Hinch is locked up in there to be the manager for Detroit, yeah.

Don't you make that a little more of an attractive package? Yeah, I mean, there is something to be said for betting on yourself. I get it. I don't know. I just, but man, Boston, I mean, for his, the monster is your best friend. You're a right-hand-a-hitter with power. You can just close your eyes and hit the one off the monster and get your slug is up super high. Yeah.

Good baseball town. I mean, they embrace him pretty quickly after. you know, being, you know, hated everywhere else. You get to, you get to talk blind to the Yankees 15 times, 12 times a year. Yeah, Alex Breggman is not a big exit Velo guy, which I don't really say that as a negative. That's a testament to how good of an actual hitter that he is. Yeah. That he can be as effective as he is, square up the ball, and he's not going to hit a bunch of rockets like a Yordaun Alvarez or a Shohi O'Hawah Tani or whoever.

In his career, Alex Spragman has never hit a ball 110 miles an hour. So it's possible not that you can be very successful and not be a guy that's just going to just pound the piss out. Earlier this year, I think there was one game or Yordon did that three or four times in one game. Right. So, yeah, it's a testament to how great of a hitter he is. But that's what I'm saying, though, is if you go to, I mean, if you go to Detroit, Detroit's not nearly as hitter-friendly as Boston is. It's one of the more difficult ballparks for baseball.

I wonder how much that matters, I wonder. If you're pregnant. No, no, if you're pregnant, you don't care. They cut the check, you don't take it. Yeah, I'm saying how much does that matter if you are Detroit? What kind of life were you put on this earth to do when you are telling someone that you're going to give that $80 million is, that's guaranteed is, I'm good. Ross, I can't fathom that life. You know, you can fathom being an actor.

You can fathom being a successful business person owning your own company. How do you – what kind of world is that? I mean, I live in this world like 1% of my life. Like, when I'm with the Rockets, I'm in this dream world, Ross. I mean, I am in this ridiculously super awesome hotel traveling on a beautiful plane. I mean, first class accommodating – this is not my life. But this is their life. They live this life.

Yeah, they're living on a different planet than us. It's just so odd That someone is offering me $80 million or offered me three and one 20 and I'm only taking one third of it It's good to get a better deal Yeah, I mean, I feel like that all the time You go to the club and some dude buys like two bottles of vodka and he's spinning like a G and you're like, yeah, that's never going to be me I don't know whether like this guy's living That's not me

It's almost like when I see Durant in the in the lobby or any of these players I mean, hell, Jeff Green, how much money Jeff Green's made in his NBA life? I'm like, man, Jeff Green's not all right. You know what? What do you think he's made? Probably over 150 million, probably more, 200? Gotta be. I mean, been in a league like 17 or 18 years. Let's look it up.

Now you got me curious. You do that while I talk about the great folks at quality home products at Texas. Okay. We'll get to the second hour. Oh, just 100. I want to see if I can. Yeah, sorry. I found it.

102. Jeff, okay, Jeff Green, good dude. Never an all NBA player, correct? Never an all-star. Solid. Second or third guy off the bench, correct? Yeah. $102 million.

Yeah. Uncle Sam took a lot of that, though. He took 38%. Minimum. Yeah. You know what? I hope Jeff Green needs a generator. If he does, I can tell you where I send him.

I can send him over to my friends over quality home products of Texas. This is the Matt Thomas Show. Ross. On the Matt Thomas show with Ross. I'm here in Atlanta where the rockets are on the practice court right now. And it'll be getting ready for their final preseason game

tomorrow night against the Hawks. And you see Men Thompson is hitting the heavy bag. I'm glad it's on my side, Ross. I'll just be honest with you. Yes, sir. He's a menace. He is a menace. See, this is why I wanted to call him the boogeyman,

but nobody liked the nickname. Did we have him on? No. Yeah, we did. Yeah, we did. Oh, I forgot to ask him. Nobody liked it, but it's fine. Well, next year of the media day, you can ask him.

Yeah, we got, next year. I got crushed in the Instapole, so it's fine. You know, we're always trying to find things to, you know, do. You know, we had somebody call us earlier with a new name for the big lineup the Rockets had. The skyline. The skyline. Again, look, I know that the nasty chili is represented. by Skyline, but most people

don't know it's Skyline Chile. Yeah, I didn't think of that at all. I just thought of the Houston skyline. And it's very natural. You can get the Houston Skyline, you can put a picture of them with it. It's perfect. Yeah. And, you know, and Steve, and by way, go tell Steve Adams it sucks. He'll beat you up too.

I don't know how he feels about that. Maybe he doesn't like the nickname. My guess it'll be a followed by a bunch of swear words. Like, that's either really great swear words, swear words, swear word, swear word, or it's really bad swearwords. swear word, swear word. So at the end of the day, if there was like a royal rumble with NBA teams, the Rockets would have to be one of the favorites, right?

Oh, you mean like, who'd be the last to survive in the ring? Oh, absolutely. Like the Rockets, I mean, the Rockets are building his reputation. I mean, I'm a little worried about Kevin Durant snapping in half. No, no, no. Did you see who came to push a man aside? KD was out there. No, he's ready to scrap.

I don't doubt the fighting spanishap. spirit from Kevin Durant. He's still fighting on those Twitter streets. Yeah, I guess he could be, he's going to be a long wingspan, like a Tommy Hurns? He got sideways with somebody, or somebody got sideways with him, like Phoenix Suns glad got rid of you, and he went right after them.

Oh, Lord. Okay. Men Thompson's ready to scrap, for sure. Yeah. Fred Van Blitz's got a bad leg, but Van Blitz, he's out, he'll say, I'll see you here. I'm in the gym working out. And Reed Shepard will bring lemon squares and iced tea.

and a pillow pillow he's going to pillow fight yeah oh he'll throw the pillow around but that's as far as it goes oh you know who you're missing with the

um cam whitmore you're missing a little bit for the for the team scrap I think he would have been good let me give you the front line okay men's going to go yes Stephen Adams is going to go Stephen Adams is going to clean up

you down you have everybody tire everybody out and then Stephen Adam just comes up and clean up duty he like literally grabs somebody and then knocks them over like bowling pins. You know who the peacemaker's going to be. Clint Capella. I was going to say, not Emeadoka.

Yeah, you get the... You know what? If we add coaches into the mix, you're definitely winning. Oh, are you kidding me? I put the belt on Emeadoka right now. Yeah, Clint Capella's not bad. No, no, no. Clint's peaceful Clint. Oh, you think so?

Yeah, he's not... He's not meditating in the corner. All right. Jeff Green is going to be going to be. to be the OG in the back. Like, I got something. I used to do it back in the day. Yeah.

Mm-hmm. He's Georgetown. Oh, Tar He's Eason. As long as his legs okay. Tar Heeson? Oh, Tar Easton will scrap. Oh, yeah. Rockets are winning.

Rockets are winning. I'm declaring them NBA Royal Rumble champs right now. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. If you got a battle royal, you've got a great chance of rockets coming out of that. Let me think. Wemby's getting folded in half. I'm trying to think of other teams.

By the way, did you see Wembeis now? Yokich just wants to go brush his horses. Yeah. They're legitimately saying that Wemby 7-7 now. Bobon said he looks up at him, and Boban is 7-foot-4. Yeah, but you see Bobi was on ESPN yesterday? Yeah. He's like doing the NBA Today show now.

He bounces it. He bounces it. Yeah. Great guy, by the way. Oh, great guy. Gentle giant. Yeah. But if you're Bobby and you look up at somebody, that's a trouble spot. Yeah, they're listening to at 7-5, and people are saying he could be as tall as 7-677.

There was another report. Kevin O'Connor, I think of the ringer, said he thinks he's 7-7. You know the reason why I don't think they want to name him at 7-7? Because his weight isn't that much. And they're thinking, like, B-Poll, you know, it's going to be, he's going to be thin-figured, he's going to be a guy that's going to break easily because of the fact he doesn't fill out his body. It's just hard to be. Go ask Y'amink.

I mean, I try to eat everything on God's Green Earth and he couldn't give any weight. Yeah, there are some guys who reach certain heights who, like, Kevin Durant was listed at 6-9, and he was really like 6-11 and a half, 7-foot. So, Drayette was listed at 610 yesterday. His height fluctuates all the league. He was 6.11 and a half, I thought, when they did the remasure. They did the accurate remasure of everyone. Yeah, I don't know.

Bill Walton never wanted to be 7 foot because he felt like 7 foot, you're a freak. So he was always listed at 611, even though he was like 7-2. Yeah, Elijah Juan, not 7 feet tall, but listed at 7 feet tall. Yeah, there was this guy with this booming voice on PA that would lie to people. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, that's true. That's true. By the way, speaking of the NBA.

I don't know if our audience knows who John Hollinger is. I do. But I would say NBA stats, he came up with player efficiency rating. He was in the Memphis front office for a little bit, and now I think he's back with ESPN. He wrote an article for the athletic. Okay, he's with the athletic now. Yep. He predicted how the West is going to play out this year and he has his top eight teams.

Okay. he has a rocket's at 45 and 37 as the eighth seed hmm what's his reasoning injuries well let me I don't want to read all of it you know what hell yeah I read it they sent it to me so I'll read it

let me see if I can give you fine time yeah take your time Matt and while I've got it right here so why you give yourself a little promotion of some sort no just just listen to the show the Matt Tabba show with Ross 10 to 2 all right well while I'm looking follow me on Instagram at SportsMT.

Okay, well I'll give you some quick breaking news while you're looking. How many sounders? It's probably one, Max. All right, we'll hit it then. What you got? Nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook. Yes?

Has agreed to a deal to sign with Couldn't tell you. The Sacramento Kings. Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management tells ESP, and this is from Sham Sharania. Yeah, that's a one. All right, so he has the Rockets at 45.

He is a Hall of Famer now. And also he takes he's off the Rockets list. That's true. One of the biggest questions of the offseason is whether Houston leaned too hard into the two-center front court. Yes, the trade for Kevin Durain is a headline move. Oh, come on.

Sorry, I'm sorry to cut you off. Sorry, go ahead. I'll react in a minute. Yes, the trade for Kevin Durand is the headline move of the off-season, but for obvious reasons, but when the game start, I'm going to be wondering about the functionality of their huge playing rotation. And he talks about all the big guys.

He says, Thompson will be the key. I'm just paraphrasing because I don't want to read the whole thing, especially operating as a full-time point guard regardless of who checks in on the other end. On paper, the Rockets also only have two guards besides Thompson, and one of them will have to play heavy minutes with a second group of the very least.

Can Reed Shepherd play? Talks about Reed Shepard. Talks about their 10-deep roster. bigger picture, the rockets are still in the midst of the, quote, hard decisions error in their development. Easton is up for an extension, and Thompson will be due for a possible max, extension deal a year from now.

Houston already cashed in its Cam Whitmore stock because it had nowhere to play him, and it put Jalen Green in the Durant deal. It made another consolidation move if it plans on bringing Kevin Durant back after next season. The other hard decision will be whether or not to go another chips-in move like the one for Durant, because Houston's asset pool is amazing, lots of draft picks. Even in the worst case, Houston will be good.

Things may be clunky at times as they work out the fit issues, especially without Van Vleet, but the Rockets were made a must-watch due to the likes of Thompson and Shingoon joining forces with Durant. I'm less bullish on this team than some, and they definitely overdid it on the front court editions

that left them high and dry in the back court when Van Bly got hurt. Still, if they can pull off one more big trade, watch out. they have the spurs better than the rockets this year. Ooh. What? Mm-hmm.

I shouldn't say they. He does. Who's this guy? John Hollinger. He's been an athletics guy. Yeah, I pulled up his wiki. He was the former vice president of basketball operations for the Grizzlies. Call him in us at the athletic.

He came up. If you've heard of player efficiency rating, that basically he came up with that, I believe. Let me tell you. Who's in front, according to John Hollinger. The Lakers are in front of the Rockets. Minnesota's in front of the Rockets. Denver's in front of the Rockets. Okay, well, let's just talk about his reasoning.

Please. On its face for you to say they don't have any guards, that kind of makes, I get it. But what you're looking at, and it's certainly not offensively. You're more worried about them guarding guards on the other side. That's where people are like, oh, they need a two guards. They need two guards. They have guys who can, you know, who can guard basically one through four or one through five,

which Amin Thompson can do, which Tari Isson can do, which Kevin Durant can do because of the length that they have. And then, yes, you can zone up. Being worried about the big lineup, they're not going to trot that out 40 minutes a game. It's going to be matchup dependent, and you're forgetting that Coach Udoka is a very, very smart coach who's going to read and react to what the other team is doing

and adjust in game. And if they're having issues, he's going to drive. If they're getting killed in the zone, he's not going to continue to trot it out. out there. So that is of concerns of the rockets, it is extremely low on my board that they're going to run out the double big lineup too much? No, I'm not worried about that at all. And if John Hollinger follows the NBA, like we've talked about an nauseam, the NBA is positionless for the most part. You get a good point guard, distributor, runner of the offense, but everybody

else can intertwine. They just can. And so, yeah, you're going to start offensive possessions. you're going to run them through Alpern Shungoon, who's a great passer. You're going to run them through a men Thompson who's a very good passer playmaker. Kevin Durant, an underrated playmaker as well. And all three of those guys that I mentioned do turn the ball over too much. And so that is certainly can be a concern. But you have ball handles and you have guys who you can initiate offense with. And I didn't even mention Jabari Smith Jr.

Now he's not going to lock down point guards and shooting guards, but he can more than hold his own as a guy who has a capability of guarding one through five. So it's not ideal with Fred V. Van Vleet out, but I think his concerns, the two biggest points that you, or the two first points that he made, I think are a bit overblown. To the point to where you have that at 45 wins. 45 wins. The number one team he's got in the West this year would be the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here's where I think he loses the credibility. He has the Clippers number two.

Oh, the unction. He has, that's the oldest team. in the NBA. It's a team that has Kauai Leonard who is mired in either taking legal bribes from his owner or hurt. James Harden, who has not

had one good game seven in his entire life as an NBA player. Well, he didn't say they're winning the championship. No, but he has them winning number two, 54 games. Hmm. I don't. Did he, does he have them also in possession

of a time machine. Oh, by the way, yeah, Chris Paul. I forgot about Chris Paul at whatever he has ages. All right, let's, that's, I just want to give that out there to you, so you can take that for what it's worth. That's just one man's opinion, that's it.

I think this. Wait a minute, I forgot they had Brooke Lopez to. What is the average age of the clippers? 76? I mean, I think the 2009 Clippers would have been awesome, but they're playing in 2026. That's the problem. Chris Paul 40, Brooke Lopez 37. Quahillard's 34, but his legs are about 45.

James is going to be in his body. They got 36-year-old Nicholas Batum, too. And don't forget John Collins has been around the NBA a long time, too. All right. Go ahead, John. Fall on that sword. Well, you know, it's one man's prediction. If he would have said 55 wins, we would be calling me a genius.

We would have said he's our best friend. Yes. We should get him on the show. Yes. Why am I doing my Trump? We love him so. He's just the best. Basketball writer ever.

Loves our team. Like I loves America. I don't love you, Trump. I'll leave it for Clinton. 1117. Now the bat, top of the show with Ross. 713, 212-5-790. Manit Ross with you on Sports Talk 790.

I'm here in Atlanta. Ross back at our Houston studio. We've got shut your bomb ass up coming up in about seven minutes from now. There you go. 713, 212-5-790, 7-1-3-212-5-7-99-0. We were talking a little bit about the NBA. We got baseball, and we are mentally preparing ourselves for the Mariners and Dodgers to play in the World Series.

I still believe. Let's go Jays. George Kirby's throwing for the Mariners. Shane Bieber for the Blue Jays. It's not been great in the play. No, Shane's ERA in the playoffs has been 6.75. He's only pitched two and two thirds innings. Oh, is that bad?

Five hits, two runs. No, five hits, two strikeouts. Yeah. His whip is 2.25. Small sample size. George Kubit. He's bouncing back, maybe. Ten innings.

At Mariners lineup, it's not deep at all. And they're due to be a bat at home, right? Is that we're going to go with? Yes. they were supposed to be bad on the road and they swept the Astros. We are so... Laugh through the pain, baby.

We are so incredibly spoiled. That we are, we have, we have basically begged for a national team of Canada to help us out of this conundrum we're in. Let's go Blue Jays. Come on, baby.

Come on, Springer. Imagine if you got 45,000 people at Rogers Center. And I mean, there's, There can't be more in about 25 Mariner fans in the entire building. And you go there

and Seattle kicks your butt twice, including scoring double-digit runs in game two of the series? It'd be like Ross being up three, down three, two, up three-two going at home

for the chance to win the world. All right, don't say that. Now you're really pissing me off. Oh, he's got the Brewers, oh, who are going to Los Angeles to play it. Oh, hell.

That's why we're in a sports doldrum. We got nothing's going right now we got the texans going to play the seattle seahawks on monday night have we talked enough about how good jackson smith and jigba has been for the seattle seahawks i don't think we have i got to be honest with you i you know now congratulations to derrick stingly for getting engaged yesterday oh he did yes congratulations to him cool yes he's and jigba is really good eight for one

162 against Jacksonville. The week before that, 8 for 132 against Tampa. A poultry 4 for 79 against Arizona. 5 for 96 against New Orleans. And in the week one at Pittsburgh, or no, the last game of Pittsburgh, excuse me, I'm going, I think I'm going on the wrong order. No, no, I was the right order.

914. In the Pittsburgh game, he was 8 for 103. this season he's got on the year he's got 26 receptions for 431 yards he's averaging 16 and a half yards a reception and he's got i mean he's filthy he he's the best guy they'll face right receiving wise this year hmm i guess i'd have to go up the schedule but yeah he's he's been great this is uh i mean he basically broke out last year and there were people in the fantasy community community down on him. And I'm like, he's the only target over there for

Sam Darnold. Like, he's going to be really good. And he has been good. And I would say Sam Darnold so far has exceeded expectations. He's literally by a lot of the metrics, you know, I know you're a big EPA guy Matt and PFF grade and all that type of stuff. He's been one of the best, Sam Darnal's been one of the best quarterbacks in football.

For a second team. Actually has. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, he was left for dead in New York. He goes in Minnesota resurrects his career and they're four and two in Seattle. And they're like, Geno Smith, who? Honestly, there. Yeah, a lot of people said

getting rid of Gino Smith was a mistake that Sam Darnel is only good because of Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota and him being a good play caller. And Kevin O'Connell, was kind of fed up with Sam Darnel by the end of that season, if you remember, I think he's,

you know what, might be missing a little bit more now. He's been trotting Carson Wince out there. Ooh. When's McCarthy? How long is McCarthy going to be out for? I think he's close to coming back. I don't know if it's...

I think he's close. But he wasn't even that great when he came back when he was first starting. He was okay. Yeah, I mean, he's a first year starter. Yeah. Yeah, I guess I'd have to look at J.J. McCarthy's status, but I'm not exactly sure.

I mean, Jack, Smith and Jigman, not the biggest guy. He's only 6 foot 197, but boy, he has been literally unstoppable. We're going to call softy next week. He's going to have his team in the Waltz series. Are you really going to do that? Yeah, we have to. I'm going to walk out.

go to the enemy camps. We always want to find out what's going on in that other city. We just do. It's part of our bit. And, you know, here's the question. I think Softie has me muted on Twitter. Why? Because I think a lot of people meet me on Twitter.

Okay. Because I do say a lot of Go Blue Jays. I do not take shots at Seattle, but I don't root for them. Wouldn't you think one time he'd see and go, man, what are you doing? So what if he comes on the show next Monday And I say I'm wishing you guys the very best Do you think he's going to believe me? Because the Twitter proof would say otherwise

I don't think he's muted you He follows 1,100 accounts A lot of people to follow Yeah but I mute a lot of people myself I mean you taught me how to mute now See you love it don't you? I'm team mute I used to be team block And I'm just team mute

Especially now that they changed it 130,000 followers for Softie. Man, we're getting a big celebrity on. Well, that's not, I feel like, yeah. Sure. All right, let's do this. Let's get, oh, this is the most cathartic half hour of the week right here. Mm-hmm.

Would you like to tell some people to shut their bum asses up? I would. You got some people already. What's going on your world? You got a nice life. I don't know nothing, actually. I'm going to come up with a break in between the post-game shows. I'm chilling.

Life is good. Life is great, actually. Yeah, I know why your life is great. Bastard. 713, 212. 5's, of course, you're going to Walmart

and getting those groceries. Yes, sir. Walmart Plus, free delivery. Get that spanglish in real quick. Just do it one time for us. What? Do you want some haritos de tamarindo? Oh, is that amazing, ladies and gentlemen, right there?

Your door within an hour. Did you know, by the way, you also, with Walmart Plus, get to pick a streaming service. You get either Peacock or Paramount Plus with Walmart Plus for free. And you're just chilling on the couch. Yes, sir.

Get some chorizo de San Manuel. That's the good stuff. Let me tell you. If Ross wanted to get a little part-time job, he could just whisper sweet nothing spanglish into your ear. Hmm. How much should I charge for that? It all depends.

Hmm. I mean, seriously, I could, I whisper Duke's stats into Kim's ear and she goes crazy. Oh, really? Mm-hmm. Like Lou Aldang's field goal percentage? Girl, Elton Bram back in the day. By the way, Zion Williamson looks pretty good.

I saw him working on the bike after the game last night. Okay. Well, did he get hurt in the game? I didn't. No, he just, no. He actually was playing in the fourth quarter, ironically, enough. Thanks for watching, Ross. And listening.

Ain't everybody getting time? Hey, everybody getting time for that. Hey, everybody getting time for that. 713-212-5-7-90. If you are out about today, and you have something that has bugged you, whether it's at the office, whether it's your wife, whether it's your best friend, whether it's your girlfriend, whether it's your cousin that lives in Tulsa. You want to tell them to shut their bumasses up?

You can do it right now at 713-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-7-90. Also, if there is somebody that's at your office that talks to you for 11 to 12 minutes in a row, while you're trying to either eat or focus on your job and your partner doesn't come rest, you? You can say anybody got time for that. Everybody got time for that? I'm trying to bring up what happened last week, but you know what?

Sometimes you've got to do that. I apologize already. You did. That's true. A heartfelt, genuine apology. Okay, maybe not a heartfelt, but it was genuine. It was fine. It was fine. It wasn't good enough.

Well, nothing's good enough for you. That's true. All right. Hold on. Let me check something. 713-212-5-790. This is the most cathartic 30 minutes of the week you'll find the Houston Sports Radio. Jonathan, what's the matter with you?

You know, after you read a couple segments ago, this has been on my mind for a while, but I'm just going to say it, all these sports media personnel that have these fears of certain teams or this high and mighty about a certain. player, Kaufkartch, Archmanning before the season even starts, dude, nobody

has time for this. If you're not going to be at practice and actually give actual analytics about what's going on and writing about what's at that program, there's no point in that. And it really is just a clickbait, and you're trying to get money off your social media accounts. It's really,

it's very old, and I'm really tired of hearing stuff like that. Because it seems that, preys isn't having started. We're talking about, oh, Rockies don't have it doesn't matter it's talking the spurs are better just because when it be almost grown a couple of height inches it doesn't make sense to me

I don't know why they do it and jump the gun so fast ain't nobody got time for that ain't nobody got time for that all right I got something here the big 12 clapped back at Brent Venables for saying that the big 12 sucks wali Oklahoma was in it yes

the big 12 clapped back and now people are getting mad at the big 12 for saying you guys are a conference you should not act that way Twitter is about blank talking in some respects. Especially when your social media, yeah. And Brent Venables took a jab at the Big 12 conference. What was the Big 12 supposed to say? Oh, I guess you were right.

We did suck when you were in our league. So to anybody criticizing the Big 12 for talking about Brent Venable's record against Big 12 schools, while Oklahoma still in the Big 12, I say, shut your bum ass up, mate. Shut your bum ass up, man. It's mostly OU fans that are all salty because they lost. and their coach is mid mid mid great coordinator

oh you fans not a great head head head shit your bum ass up oh you fans not a great hit hit your bum ass up man blame lincoln riley just blame him yeah somehow it's Lincoln riley's fault yeah I mean i know lincoln's piggy bank is really big right now but he thought he thought he thought going to the old big old pack 12

be a nice easy ride over there to the college football playoff until the pack 12 disintegrated well he's still getting like 12 million a year so yeah He's, you know, and oh, another one for you. I hate these conferences that are complaining about the travel, Cal having to go to Stant to Wake Forest or USC having to play at Illinois or Penn State having to play at, you know, at USC. Brough, you sign these deals.

You have these mega conference. You welcomed in these cross-country. Shut your bum ass up if you're unhappy about it. Shit your bum ass up, man. Back in my day, the Big 12 was all within fire, or the Southwest conference all within plane, bus drives and short plane rides. The good old days, many. Things have changed. And everybody went and chasing the biggest dollars.

Biggest TV deals, biggest money. I do not feel sorry for the fact that Duke has to play at California this week or whoever it is. I don't. you could have told Cal and Stanford and we don't need you. You could have said that. Ooh, SMU Boston College. That's not the ACCC.

Well, that's what you created when you invited SMU. Mm-hmm. I just think it's so cute that everybody wants to come back and retroactively discuss how things used to, how great things used to be. Well, then you don't want to stop expanding. I don't know.

I just, I find everything about college athletics right now to be completely 100% hypocritical. every single layer of it. It's getting worse and worse and worse. There's nothing authentic in college football, except when you put the TV on on Saturday and watch the games. Then you don't think about it for a few hours. Yeah, and the ratings are great, and they don't care.

Do you see the biggest rated game of the weekend that? Oh, you Texas? Of course. You see the second biggest game of the weekend? Go ahead. Oklahoma State, Houston. Not correct, there's Bama Mizzou. He had it ready.

I did have it ready. Thank you very much. I knew you were going to say that. Well, I mean, it was perfectly timed on my part. No, it wasn't. Because you're wrong. Let's see, they weren't third. They weren't fourth, fifth, or sixth. Well, I mean, no, it's because the wrong people had the little monitors in their hands.

It's just not big time football. That's okay. It is big time football. No, it's not. 713, 2, 1, 2, 5. No, it's fine. It's fine. It is fine.

Yeah, I mean, look, we're going to be on the, what are we playing this week? We're on FS1 this week. That's good. FS1, 4K? I love that Fox does stuff in 4K. You know what? Let me do that real quick. All these other networks, Fox has stuff dedicated to be in 4K.

ESPN does it sometimes, ABC slash does it sometimes. CBS very rarely, NBC as well. Y'all need to get on the same page. It's 2025. Yes, I paid for a 4K TV, so I want 4K programming. Ain't anybody got time for y'all being lazy. he bringing us up to date into 2025 with 4K programming.

Ain't nobody got time for that? Just sick of it. You have a to $26. Man, see, Jonathan didn't have to do that. That's only two hours. That's only two hours of working. You see how he's ramped this up since the SFA lost, Matt?

You noticing that? He knew this. They lost it. They left down in the street. I'm just, you know, I got it for right now. He said they lost the battle, but I'm going to win the war. I told him not to argue with me about SFA. I told him his team had no chance.

And he certainly ramped up the shots at the U of H Cougar program. And quite frankly, I'm okay with it. I'm bitter. I love it. You're learning from the best, Jonathan. Stay bitter. You know what? I'm the one that's the wise one of this duo, and you're learning from the wrong person.

Are you sure about that? Hold on, Mr. Hold a Grudge. I am a holder grudge guy. That's true. Call you Petty M.T. All right. Listen, everybody. This is your last opportunity.

I mean, let's go. If you want to join us, 713, 212, 5, 790. Don't do that. Maybe we're off air. Maybe 790's not working today. Well, that was yesterday. Oh, okay. Oh, the Longhorn line moved.

It was 10 and a half to now 12 and a half for Kentucky. You said 14, Maddie. I did. I didn't stutter either. You call you the line mover. You know what I am? Yeah. Because I'm Mr. Texas, and I got to support the state schools.

You're not Mr. Texas, number one. Yes, I am. By the way, pillow fighting championships are on the Ocho again. This is fantastic. Well, I don't think I got that channel. Remember when Colin Coward said he moved lines? What an ego that guy had? I mean, I like him, but he doesn't move anything except inaccurate in statements.

Yes. Uh-oh. Our buddy is up next. We've missed him after a week of his beloved Yankees. Yeah, he didn't get in with him. When the Yankees won a game, we heard from him. And they lose two straight and that. The Yankees are out in the playoffs.

Mm-hmm. James and Garden Oaks, we were expecting you to call last week. Where were you? Things to take care of because, you know, my wife, I had to take care of my wife, but I have to, you know, it's just some of the other shows. I listen. Is that us or him? Yeah, I think it's.

I think with you. I don't speak with nobody else, but I only speak. James are going to have you call back, my brother, because you got a back connection. I think it's our, yeah, hang up on them. I think it's our phones. Let me fill the void real quick. Quick, Matt. This is still what you brought up yesterday. Not yesterday. Last segment. You mentioned the Oklahoma Sooners and people crying.

Were you mentioning specifically this guy? Have you seen this guy John E. Hoover? No, I've not. Okay. He covers the Sooners for SI, but I don't even know what that even means if he's affiliated. That doesn't really mean much. Because there are people who cover the rockets for S.I. Well, he is clutching his pearls over this Big 12 thing. Okay, folks, it was one tweet from the Big 12 account. It pointed out a fact that Brent Venables lost eight conference games in two years in the Big 12. Look at this guy.

But for the Big 12 conference to seemingly try to whitewash over OU's history as a Big 12 member and act like Oklahoma isn't all that great is a gross recollection of history at best and an immature pot shot at worst, certainly unbefitting of a statement from a Power 4 conference's official social media feed. Shut your bum ass up. Listen, even more. The Big 12's unprompted response is unprofessional, unacademic, unappreciative, and sophomoric. Frankly, one of the many reasons that Castiglione and the Sooners have long wanted out of the league.

Wee! John Hoover, shut your bum ass up. Are you seriously a grown man crying over a social media tweet that pointed out a fact? Are we, as the kids would say, dead ass here? you serious? Away. You wrote a thousand word article about a simple tweet

from Big 12. This is the tweet. Coach Vinnable lost eight conference games in his two seasons in the Big 12. Factual. Factual. Yeah, there was none of it. His terrible offensive

play calling and game decision. None of that. It was just... Yeah. They didn't say it's 1154. No, you sucks. Which they should have. Yeah, sorry.

Go ahead. Why do you all get to have that to your What do you mean? Anytime there's a time reference, and the OU sucks comes out, right? I mean, why can't I say it's 1154? I don't know where that tradition came from. It's just from a, they teach you,

they teach you when they, it's orientation, I believe, they taught us that, Matt, and all the chance and all the other stuff. It's like Seattle getting all grumpy by having the 12 man. Aggie's like, hold my beer, I got 12 man down here too. I don't know. Does anybody else do the, it's this time and,

and blank sucks. I don't even know of any of else doing that in sports. I don't think. No, obviously, it's not the most inventive chant ever. Oh, you sucks. OU sucks. But, you know.

Our buddy, Sam, has that company that makes the OU sucks beer. I mean, Lord. It's just what you say to OU. So what do you say to Aggie fans if you say it's at that time? Poor Aggies.

Poor Aggies! Poor Aggies! That's what you do. not me i wouldn't do that that's that's classless yeah because i mean when we think of the classy gestures made it's sports rvy leads that chant on that all right last call and uh we had to try to get james and garden oaks but the dreaded line two kicked in we're on we're working on it right now getting this phone number uh scanned out oh you really good no yeah yeah tom was tom was immediately on the way right now for real let me let me tell you all something about tom klein okay

Is he in the studio with you right now? No, he just left him. Okay. He's back. We're going to try it again? All right. We love Tom. Tom's an engineer, and Tom is pulled in 100 different directions, and we thank him for his great work.

Our offices are, you know, they're 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-70. All right, we're going to try this one more time. James and Garden Oaks, I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sorry the Yankees were out in the division series. That's okay, Matt. Look, I, you know, I have my, you know, just like anybody else, I pray and everything, but reality's set in. So it's all good.

But I do got some loose and everything to share with you guys. I don't think it's going to be too long, but Kyle Tucker will be another one of these guys joining the Yankees ranks. So that I hope both of the team to be a much stronger team, especially from the left side. Yeah. Well, anyway, Matt, you. Take care, okay? Thank you, sir. New York.

Can we handle that? Are we going to be okay with Kyle Tucker beating Yankee if that happened? I'm really going to have to choke down that Habachi. You're going to eat it still. That'll be fine, but I'll have it. We don't do it with tears in my ass. Well, you don't want those tears hit. This scallion pancake is delicious.

I hope the tears. Can I get the grill and it starts a grease fire and it hit you? Can you pass me the soy sauce, Matt? Can you add more garlic for that? Tower. Mmm, yeah. Onion Volcano. Coming at you.

I'll take some more saki. You know what? Real quick before we leave the segment, ain't nobody got time for Matt having low fries at a burger joint and then yelling at the staff. Oh, no, I wasn't right on that.

Yeah, at the staff. Yelling at the staff. Y'all going to do this happen. I was like, hold up. Oh, this was great. This is great. Go ahead. Lay it out, Matthew.

All right. So we went to a high-end burger place. Yes. And I bought the meal for everybody. That's the point. It wasn't cheap. It wasn't cheap. That's kind of the point.

No. The point was that... The point is if you pay, I'm on your side on this part. If you pay what you paid, you need to get what you ordered. The burger was the most expensive part. The fries weren't cheap, but they weren't like astronomical. That's true. The problem was,

So I got my curly fries from this place. And it was in a, what do they call it? What do they call it a boat? Yeah. Paper boat. Paper boat. And they weren't, the paper boat wasn't full. So I yelled the guy.

What did you do with the, you had some more fries. Yeah, well, you basically said, got to fill these fries up more. Yeah. Something like that. Yeah. How he said, y'all got to fill this some more. I was a little taking aback, quite frankly. What I should have done.

I didn't snitch on you. I wasn't going to bring this up. You're getting dry snitch. I'm getting dry snitch. That's fine. What I should have done is, I should have gotten up. I said, is this the regular size order of fries? I would have been, if I was the worker at this place, which I'm not going back because of that,

I would have been embarrassed and have given me some more fries. Instead, the guy just laughed it off. Ha, ha, ha, ha. Yeah, to be fair, you have a very valid point. Well, then why you used to that? You'd have to yell them. I had to yell them. I paid that several dollars for 60% of a paper boat of fries. Well, let me tell you, I am McDonald's go back and add more fries to my fries thing.

If you don't, yeah, if I'm buying a large fry, I want a large order of fries. Don't change. I would change. I was like, I'd get a move from this table. as I get older I get I got less of a filter I'm just going to tell you that right now all right

12 o'clock sports talk 790 we got the news and you are terrible Jonathan did it I was right by the way I'm going to say that again you were in the right look you were in the right

the right I said the fries were a little low you shorter them on the fries a little bit this is the Matt Thomas show with Ross 1205 in H-Town, 105 here in Atlanta. This is our number three of the Matt Thomas show with Ross. We take this program today until 2 o'clock.

We want you to be involved in one of three ways. One, by you getting your voice on this radio show by dialing up as long as our lines are okay. 713-212-5-790. 7-13-212-5-7-90. 7-1-3-2-125-79. You could also follow us on Twitter at SportsMT and at SportsRV and follow Ross on Instagram at SportsRV. All part now for the news at noon.

Wow, thank you, Matt. I appreciate you. All right, Matt, well, of course, the reason for you being on the road, you're in Atlanta now last night. You were in Birmingham. You said it's a 30-minute flight? 35 altogether, yeah. Oh, wow.

That is quick. 130 to 128. Your Houston Rockets defeat the New Orleans Pelicans. They go with the jumbo package lineup. Are we calling the Skyline instead of the Twin Towers? I'm not sure. But your starting lineup for the Houston Rockets last night? Alperin Shingoon, Stephen Adams, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, and Amin Thompson. Six foot seven, Amin Thompson, the shortest of the rockets starters last night, Matthew.

Yes, sir. John Hollinger thinks it could be a hindrance for the squad. 45 and 37. Now, could that be a possibility? Of course, you could even, I mean, if teams are littered with injuries, you can go 30 and 52. But if this team stays relatively healthy, avoiding catastrophic injuries. Now, so far we've had one so far this year, hopefully not another one. But if you stay away from any other serious long-term injuries, this team still, to me, Ross, minimum is a 50-win back.

basketball team. I would say, yeah. The only thing is the West is extremely tough. The West is just, I mean, it's, it's a gauntlet. What's tougher than a gauntlet? I don't know. It's ridiculous. I mean, it's just one battle after another.

So, I'm not going to argue with you on that. Worried about the Western Conference. All right, anyways, elsewhere, Matthew, in the news. Yeah. Two Houston Astros nominated for the Golden Glove Award. Awards. Marisu Dubon, who has won the utility Golden Glove before, is nominated for the award again. And how about Cam Smith, fresh out of Florida State, shouldn't even have made the team if they were, well, better built. But he did, and he performed well, especially at the play at the beginning.

But all year long, he was very good in right field. Teams learned not to run on him. He was great in terms of fielding percentage, defensive runs saved, outs above average, all those type of things. Cam Smith and Marisa Dubon named finalists for the 2025 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards congratulations to them congratulations to them good luck in

26 and frankly one guy may be here one may not four outfielders in Astros history have won a golden glove shall I quiz you or you want me just give them to you four outfielders

Springer? No. I'll give you one in the 80s, one in the, well, 70s actually, sorry. Cedennial? Yes, there you go, Cesar Cedano. One very recent. In the outfield.

A Kyle Tucker? Yes. And one... What would you even call that? That was the middling malaise. It was after the golden era of the World Series and then before the recent Renaissance. Oh, like 2009-ish?

Mm-hmm. Not Hidalgo. No. My first guess would have been Willie Tavaris, but it wasn't him. I give up. Nimitz Legend. Oh, Michael Born? Michael Bourne.

Wow. Good for him. And Space City Home Network analyst. I don't think of it. Right? Oh, he's not on there one? I don't think so. Oh, well.

Former Space City Home Network analyst. There you go. Former Space City Metro. I mean, he might be there. Yeah, Michael Bourne, good dude. Lips and King would have a matter, ironic. Oh, really? We don't ride pool anywhere. You guys breaking bread or what? No, we haven't gone to dinner yet. We could. That's okay. Maybe he's eating at the Matt Thomas booth and you don't even know it.

At Big City Wings, that'd be a smart idea in his part. There you go. I got a little bit of breaking news. It's probably a one-sounder. Okay. The Big 12 Conference has issued a public reprimand. are you serious Texas Tech and fine Kansas following their game

on Saturday I thought you were going to say they reprimented their admin and I was going to be like no no no that guy's making $11 an hour he can't be reprimanded More than that I hope Texas Tech and Kansas were both fined $25,000 tax fine is

for repeated instances of objects being thrown out of the playing service i.e. tortillas while Kansas has been fine for disparaging comments about the conference in a member institution and an inaccurate statement regarding a pocket knife by head coach Lance Leopold. What? What? Yes.

What did he say about a pocket knife? You know what? Let's take a break. I want to do a little more digging because I know the pocket knife story is out there. I just don't want to, I don't want to erroneously put it in context. So let's come back and figure. out what's going on. But apparently somebody, a Texas Tech fan through a pocket knife towards a Jayhawk's

sideline. Yeesh. Kansas coach claims Texas Tech fans through pocket knife at staff. You know what? I'm sorry, Red Raiders fan. This doesn't surprise me. We were literally talking about this. Wait a whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Okay, go ahead. Now the statement says that that's an erroneous state. Okay, that it didn't happen. Yes. But why would Leopold throw that, and the Lance Leopold, the coach at Kansas, just randomly throw out the term pocket knife? Well, this headline from,

this headline from 19 hours ago says Texas Tech confirms pocketknife found on field during Kansas game. But was it thrown, though? That's the question mark. All right, Texas Tech fan. What's y'all doing? Can't you all behave yourself? Your team's top 10 in the country.

Can't you just be happy with that? Okay, so it wasn't thrown? Okay. Well, I don't want to jump to conclusions. Well, no, I'm saying, I mean, I would assume that when the leak on the conference says it's an inaccurate statement regarding a pocket knife that Lance Leopold was given some info that was bad intelligence. And I think before you probably go in front of a microphone saying what exactly happened, you probably should double check to make sure the pocket knife was actually thrown. Okay. Yeah, okay, okay.

So he was fine for that being an inaccurate statement. Yes, he was fine, not for saying it, but for saying an inaccurate statement. You know what? Yeah, he should apologize. He should be fine if that was incorrect information. And the tortillas, I mean, it's kind of an old bit to me. I know, I guess the question is, is it okay to throw the tortillas as long as they don't land on the field. But the whole point is you don't throw them in the stands to each other. You throw them on the field, the litter of the field.

Yeah. I mean, they got bored and Lubbock and came up with this. It is. That's really the case. They're just bored. Yeah. All right. Can we even think of another school that throws anything on the field?

No, the only thing I can ever think of, and I know we're late here, is when back in the day when the Red Wings in Detroit would get, when you had a player score a hat trick, they would throw octopuses. Oh, yeah, octopuses are hats too. You're supposed to throw your hat, right? Yeah, but I don't know how they smuggled octopuses inside the old jopuses. Joe Lewis Arena in the Olympia. Is it Octopi?

I don't know. Depends on if it has a Latin root or not, Matt. I'm lower now. Now it's a bad pay greater. Me, I don't know. I think it's Octopi. Come on, Red Rider fan. I know you're out there.

James Bond would say something else. Who would? James Bond. Oh, I know what he would say. Time out. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-2-1-2-790. If you want to join our program,

Now we're getting reprimands by the conference and we're getting $25,000 fines. Look, I love you, Texas Tech. You know how much I feel about your campus and your city. Maybe it's time to get rid of the bit. Everything has a shelf life, right? Yeah, I guess that's for Red Vrader fans to answer. Would the school step in and say something? Because they seem to be very proud of it, right?

Isn't there, the AD was making their hashtag 15 to 1 and it was about getting voted against throwing stuff on the field? The AD has zero issues with it. The AD also wanted to call TDECU Stadium Red Raider Nation or whatever home game, and it wasn't the case at all. So you lose on that one. I don't, I was there. Don't you, there. I was not there.

I wasn't about you. You're misinterpreting my, that was for you taking shots at Texas Tech. Not for saying you're lying, not just for saying you're lying about the percentages. You're off base. Matt and Ross with you. here on the Sports Talk 790, 713, 212-5-790, 7-1-3-212-5-790.

On Twitter, you can follow us there at SportsMT and at SportsRV. We do have game number three of the American League championship series tonight. Please go Blue Jays. I mean, if Toronto, I mean, Toronto's got a better offense. We haven't seen it in the series so far. Seattle's been crushing the ball. they have a great offense too you're right

one of my saying I'm trying to talk myself into existence on this it's not green I'm feeling good about it Nailer's been great life is pain cow Raleigh's been

just okay right and Julio Rodriguez hit a big three run shot in game two your lineup is so frigging deep it's ridiculous yeah

it's not I mean this is just problem is I'm worried about this being a long-term issue I know we have had different World Series champions into the last handful of years. I mean, I'm a little nervous at Saddle's not going to go away for a while. Cowrally's got an OPS of a thousand in the playoffs.

So he's not doing it necessarily with home runs, but he's doing with a bunch of other things. He's got two home runs, yeah. Let's go Dodgers. Oh, don't even say it. By the way, the Spanish Voice of the Rock is Adrian Chabori. Oh, no. He's friends for a long time. I told him, let's go.

Dodgers. You know what he said to me back? We don't need you. Oh! Out. He said, we don't need your cheating fan base to support us. That's funny. It's not funny at all. I was offended for like 30 seconds until the plane took off and I fell asleep. Oh, okay.

Am I right, though? I mean, seriously, that's what he said to me. We don't need you cheaters. Now, again, he doesn't represent all a Dodger fan base. So I want to make sure I'm clear on this. But I thought it was really rude to him to say those things. I mean, don't you want as many people on your side? Or is it like it's you and me against the world?

I don't know. I don't know how Dodger fan thinks. I just don't. Okay. Well, weren't the Dodgers alleged cheaters too? Oh, yeah. Mookie Betts? I mean, on that Red Sox team, correct?

Does he root for Mookie Betts? Yeah. Oh, it's hypocritical. Don't worry. No, but I thought the Dodgers. cheating didn't well a josh reddick kind of hinted at it and i think it was eric crats or somebody else who said it well i'll say this major league baseball players have hinted at a lot of things but nobody wants to throw anybody into the bus directly it's it's the subhinting basically is what it is

right we do that in life if we oh i know this i like i remember when i was growing up and this is oh that school definitely cheats to get that athlete how's that kid going there i mean I'll give you a great example. Baylor basketball. Remember how good Baylor basketball was for like 10 years? It's still pretty good, right? Well, it's like, no, but none of these kids are going to go to Waco, Texas, to this small private school Baptist school that doesn't party,

doesn't drink, and doesn't believe in extra curricular activity when the lights go down. And how do they do it? And then everyone's like, well, Scott Drew's got to be cheating. Well, Scott Drew has been checked and overchecked and checked, and he's never been caught cheating ever. I mean, they've been behaving themselves. As far as we know. That's what I'm saying.

You get a lot of that as far as I know. Yeah, you can't prove a negative. You can't prove that they're not cheating, or you can't convince somebody of something when they've already entrenched and already am believing it. Yeah. But that's okay. So I just something I wanted to bring up is that, you know,

I think Major League Baseball has said that for a long time, is that the thought is the Astros were just the ones that got caught. The Astros had, well, they had the rat. If you could replay the 2017 investigation, if you have no rat, Ross, you still don't have a story, correct? Right. Tell me where Mike Fires isn't the integral part of this. And if you eliminate Mike Fires from this conversation, there's no asterisk. There's no loss of draft picks.

A.J. Hinch is probably still the manager. Jeff Lennon-O for sure is still the general manager. that is a great what if if jeff luno was still the gm or the astros where would they be right now well probably it doesn't matter i guess well think about this they would be in a j took over in 15 so he would have been there he would have been the manager for the astros for over a decade he'd been finishing it was 12th season luno was before that how often do you have general managers and managers in any sport, much less baseball stick around for,

I mean, LaRusa and Tori, who else has been long around? Bruce Bochie's been around, but they have also had to move teams. You know what I mean? It wasn't, to be, I don't think we could be that naive to think that these two gentlemen would have stayed right where they would have been. It'd be nice, because they were the ones that helped construct. the heyday of the Astros. But my past

knowledge of other teams say that to keep the general manager and the coach around the manager that long, doesn't seem like to be very likely. As long as you keep winning, you'll be there. Well, it wouldn't have been so abrupt. I mean, you just fly out of just firing the guys, you know? Yeah.

No. Is Luno still working on his soccer teams? Oh, yeah. Good for him. Yep. He still is. 713, 212, 5790.

So we went from Seattle to the Dodgers to 2017 and what could have been in one conversation. We owe you an apology, Houston, Texas. We just took you to the lowest depths of baseball depression. Go Brewers. Go Blue Jays.

Go Brewers! I wonder if we can say, could we send some like some messages to the people of Toronto like man we we know you can do it the people of the players anybody I don't care anybody in that clubhouse I don't think they need our motivation they need to focus on the game they need to focus on hitting George Kirby it looks like he's George which George is going to be more of a factor in tonight's game George I like where you went there George Kirby I like that what is believe oh believe it not today is

all things about DeAngelo, right? Sure. You've been working on that? Yes. I don't believe that to be accurate at all. Okay. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-2-790.

The Matt Thomas show Ross continues. We're with you to 2 o'clock this afternoon here on Sports Talk 7. I've got to clean up a couple of things here, Ross. A friend of the show, X-R co-worker Grant, who is the ultimate Texas tech fan, says Subdic Line Pocket Knife. He sends me an email. fake news, Kansas H.C. is soft.

I don't know. I mean... If you got fin versus saying false statements. Yeah. I mean, that's... There's a difference. I mean, soft gets complaining about the tortillas, but if you're saying that you got a pocket knife directed and it wasn't true, that's where you should get fined.

And if you're the AD at Kansas, do you make your coach pay that or do you pay... You say, I got you on this. It's $25,000. I mean, that's... I mean, Leopold, I'm sure it's making a few million dollars, so he could definitely afford it. He can afford it. Yeah. And then our buddy Craig Avladi sent me a text.

It says, he says, I'm about to say something I don't necessarily agree with, but you know what? Each have their own opinions. The best we can hope for is a earthquake on the West Coast, the cancel the World Series. So we're looking for earthquakes are not natural disasters. They're just, what would you call them? It's a natural disaster. It is a natural disaster. You know what?

Earthquakes cause a lot of pain. I mean, I can look at, we're all going to have a little bit of a pain with Seattle or Los Angeles celebrating. I get it. I don't want, I don't think we want earthquakes. But there's other people that may be thinking it. They mean to, out to you there, Craig, but, you know, that is what it is. Ouch, yeah, you and had a shot it's not by name. Geez.

Okay, it was his name was Mark. Ready and Will on Twitter. upset. He's calling Lance Leopold a clown. Also says it's been going on for 40 years since Spike Dykes, but Tech has an NIL spinning spree and is seeing success from it, and now tortillas are an issue. Coincidence, no injuries have ever occurred,

no tortilla assaults, but it's now detrimental to the game. Yeah, I can't imagine if you've ever been hurt by a tortilla, you would tell you. No, somebody's not even getting hurt, but I mean, somebody's got to pick that stuff up. I guess somebody's picking up trash anyway, But no, no, sorry, no. You're the only ones that are throwing food items on the field.

It's ridiculous. It's been ridiculous. It's not the first time it's come up about the tortillas. Nobody has ever said, don't they make them sneak in the tortillas? They've been trying to ban the tortillas for years. Well, I think you need to air quote the term sneak. Well, why? Because let me take you this.

Because they're not really looking that hard, right? That's the reason why. Yeah, well. Let me ask you this. If you don't bring a bag to the game And you're just a Joe fan Where are you putting those tortillas? You know where

In your crotch? Well, armpits You cannot walk You cannot walk into a stadium With your shoulders Clinch to your side Because you're trying to protect tortillas Why not?

Because that would look awkward You don't have to clinch them You just hold them there Hold your arms to your side Just put your arms at your chest that is not a fluid motion that you would have you put them in your underboob well i mean i guess you you could you know what you could also do you could also take a safety pin and pin them to your your shirt underneath your shirt you walk in on pin them and then you got the tortillas that way

that feels like just too much it feels like just too much effort for something it's not the greatest bit in the 80s they were throwing soda lids so they've upgraded the tortillas i guess I mean, it's been ridiculous since it's been happening. So, I mean, nobody's ever said, unless literally only Red Raider fans think it's great. Everyone else is like, what are these weirdos doing? Yeah, I don't know if anybody finds it funny anymore. Maybe it's funny a couple times of now, it's just, but again,

if you go to Texas Tech person, you tell them that you said, that's just part of what we do. And as long as we can hurt nobody and we're winning football games, leave us a hell alone. Hell, Ross, if you're going seven and five, I would be throwing tortillas myself. Yeah, I guess you got to fill the time somehow. That's true.

Normally the scoreboard's going ringing up like a pinball machine. Another touchdown given up by that Texas Tech defense. I thought Coach's actually going to as a defense. Nothing to do in the middle of nowhere Lubbock. Bad program. You got to throw tortillas. I'm not saying it's a bad program. I still have lower.

In their history. Well, yeah, it's not. Relative to other programs. When's their last conference championship? In what? Well, they went to the final four in basketball, so they give them that. In football. Not that I've been alive, right?

I'm going to look it up. Because now all the Red Raider fans are getting salty on Twitter. You're looking. It's taking you a while. Yeah, it's taking a while. Google's like, we weren't around last time the Texas Tech won a football championship. Stunner on 74. Oh, so it's been only...

That was when like eight, didn't everybody have, like, those are co-championships. Last outright conference championship was 1955. Woo! In the board of conference. No, they're in the border conference. Whatever that is.

Well, we've won the border conference in 1955, and this is the story at Red Raider History. Great friend of the show, sending us some mean tweets, telling us what we can do to ourselves. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Okay, get over at Red Raiders. You're literally the only fan base

that throws a bunch of stuff every game. You're smuggling in these nasty, funky tortillas, poking holes in them and throwing them all over the place. Nobody likes it. I've never thought much of it, except if it delays games. Stana, what do you got going on today? What's going on, Matt Ross?

Hey, I know y'all talk about them tortillas, but I don't know how to get them in the game either because, hey, you can barely get stuff in a game at a humble game. I mean, you can't get nothing into the humble game, But I was calling about the 2017 team. Man, would any of those guys be, would anybody complain about them if they're playing on other teams right now? Well, they are playing on other teams.

I mean, that team has players all over the place. Yeah, I mean, like if Al-Tuby go to Boston. They booed him every time he's in Boston. and would they be happy if he's on there now? Would they be like, oh, we got out to him? He's not a cheater no more. You know, they cheer Bregman. Yeah, they cheer Bregman in Boston.

I mean, if Breggman goes to play third base for the Yankees, they'll be cheering him. I mean, there's hypocrisy is all over the place. That happens in everything. You hate it. You hate that guy with any team he's on, as long as if he's on your team. Like, for instance, Dylan Brooks, I mean,

enemy number one in the NBA when he's playing for Memphis or playing for BBC. Houston Rocket, just DB to be in DB. Right, right, right. I'm just, you know, I just think, yeah, like you said, hypocrisy, because I hear it all the time, even the announcers are doing it. So, just one of those days. All right.

Well, thanks, Senator, for the phone call. Yeah. Well, who's on that team? Who's still around from that team? Springer, Altuvae, Bregman. Correa. Correa. Yeah.

Minnesota fans in Bucherea when he was a twin. I guarantee you that. Lance McCullors, Jr. No, he's always been an Astro, Ross. I'm just saying he's still active. Oh, I see what you're saying. Okay. One more year of that, by the way.

One more year. $18 million. Going to be money while spent when he wins 17 games next year. Let's see. Dallas Keikles knocking around in the minor leagues. Oh, Charlie Morton? Yeah, nobody booed Charlie Martin.

Charlie's America's hero. Uncle Charlie's great. Tony Kim, him recently retired, but he was cheered by the A's fans when he got his, you know, two home runs a year. They were just, he was just happy to say. Oscar Hernandez? Yeah, it doesn't really count. He played one game.

That, as I said, he doesn't really count. Come on now. No, we in sports are hypocritical to the player. Like, you know, Pat Beverly hated everywhere he went, but when he was on your squad, you loved him. Yes. Danny Ainsch way, way before that. was a guy that you hated. It happens all the time.

Dylan Brooks. I brought up Dylan Brooks already. Oh, you did. Sorry, I was thinking of the 2017 Astros roster. Sorry. That's fine. I was looking up Luke Gregerson. I don't think.

Ooh, Luke, was he the set-up guy? Michael Feliz. I forgot about Michael Feliz. Stop. What? Frankie Tuesday, Frances Martes. The legendary Tony Sip? Oh, man, Tony Sip.

Here's a name. Do you remember this name? Yandel Gustave. Nope. You don't? Mm-mm. Remember Tyler Clippard and his Rexbex?

Yes. Remember he was supposed to be this great middle reliever and he wound up just being so mid here? Yeah. Happens. Jeff Luno didn't bat a thousand. Who was the other guy

that was the Astros picked up a couple of years ago that was supposed to be there? He was in Seattle, I want to say. Oh, Raphael Montero. No, no, no, no, no, no. He was a Yankee.

He tried to come back and got hurt. Wasn't another reliever in the mix that was... Oh, the setup guy. Y'all are driving around. Well, Matt, I know it's this... Oh, I know who you're talking about. Yeah, and he was hurt. Please come to our rescue.

There was a K in there somewhere. Oh, Kendall Grayman. Yeah, see? Kenno Grame. There we go. I got it. Thank you for the K. We did it together, yeah.

Yeah, you can have credit for that, for sure. That was old Kendi Graveman doing. I wonder if you know when the Astros had their Astro Fest, if there's any Kendall Graveman jersey, you can go by. I bet you we could. I bet you could too. I'll see you there. I may be busy.

Yeah, no. I don't really work that, but that's okay. Yeah, but I mean, if I'm around, I'll do it. 713-1-2-5-7.9-0. 7-1-2-1-2-5-7-9-0. If you want to follow us on Twitter, we'd love to have you. It's at SportsMT, at Sports RV.

And, of course, our station account is at Sports Talks. I'm believe it or not today, DeAngelo, all things about him. And I'm afraid to check Twitter. I hope we're not getting any slander from any more Texas Tech fans. I mean, they're kind of the minority on this. I mean, again, I love Texas Tech. I love Lubbock. But if I'm going to fall on my sword, I'm going to fall my sword on tortilla tossing,

that's all I'm asking. I mean, it's not that big of a deal, certainly because, I mean, I don't have to deal with it. No, used to, though. Let me tell you old Texas Longhorn Fing, you had some tough trips to Lubbock over those years. They did quite well in Lubbock most of the time.

I remember one time a little late-night game. I remember they beat them like 52 to 14 and okay, we can bring up the history. There's got to be something. Mac Brown's lost in Lubbock before. Yeah, of course, yeah. The Crabtree catch is basically 2008 is their one shining moment when they didn't even win

the conference that year. Congratulations, Red Raiders. your one shining moment was a game where you went and got you got your you got your goods thrown by oh you later that year and didn't even go to the conference championship congratulations oh by the way we got a rocket who we hate or people hated that's now loved you don't think you you hated Kevin Durant as a Golden State warrior oh he's char he's champion

I loved Kevin no personally loved Kevin Durant the whole way what's up there you go Matt and Ross with you at 1252. We've got to believe it or not coming up in less than an hour from now. We have, you know we need Ross. We need a football game. We need a Texan's game. It's coming, Maddie.

Monday, baby. It feels like forever. And here's the reality. Are we going to be in a spot where if we go to 18 game schedule, are we going to have two by weeks per year? You would kind of think that's be part of right? Is this just inevitability? Are they going to 18 no matter what?

What do you think? I don't think no matter what, but I would, but I definitely think it's more likely than not. Because it just feels like a, look, we live, we are a sports talk world that relies on what just happened last night. And when the Texans haven't played since that game with Baltimore was October the 5th. What are we? We're like 10 days and we're still like five days left until the Texans play again. Yeah. Yeah.

I just wonder at what point does the attrition from the injuries Does anybody take notice? Because now there's injuries all over the place And it seems like nobody cares. No. I mean, they talk about player safety And they talk about those types of things

And taking care of everybody But they just keep piling up games They keep making, I mean, they had, what, Christmas on Wednesday night And all these bad quarterbacks Keep going back out there And backup quarterbacks And I mean, Fred Warner just dislocated his ankle

What Nick Bosa got hurt? on the Niners earlier this year as well. I mean, Malik Neighbors torn ACL, all these other injuries. Tyreek Hill had a bad injury and it just piles up and piles up and like, yeah, whatever. Because we still watch. We still pick up our fantasy teams. We hit the waiver wire and pick up whoever the backup is and we're big come on even fans or whatever.

And we just keep moving on, I guess. It's crazy that the unstoppable machine that is the NFL. It is the unstoppable machine. It's also a machine that doesn't, you know, the. The backups in the NFL, you know, they're really bad. It's Joe Flacko versus Aaron Rogers on Thursday night of football tomorrow. But I'll, look, I'm not even necessarily worried about Aaron Rogers. Aaron Rogers has been more than suitable as a quarterback for Pittsburgh.

Was it Justin, what's the game in the Jets? Justin Fields. Justin Fields. He's not great. He has a job in the NFL, Ross. He's terrible. He got a big contract. They signed him to, he got benched.

benched in Pittsburgh, and then he got like a two-year $40 million contract or something like that from the Jets. Yeah, two years 40. 30 guaranteed. Yeah. He's not good. He'll never be good. And yet he found a place to go because people are willing to take a win. Poor Aaron Glenn.

Aaron Glenn's been set up to fail. It's an inside job. This ain't right. So you're calling your shot that he's going to get a long-term tenure on this. No, I'm saying he's been set up to fail. It's like when the Lakers hired Byron Scott, they're like, yeah, we'll get this guy for a couple. He's like, honestly, the Rockets and Steven Silas. He should have, well, that's going to happen something.

To hire this guy to get us to the guy. I mean, I kind of feel bad for Aaron because, I mean, again, so widely respected as a defensive coordinator. And now it's just like he can't lead a team. People are worried about his leadership. I mean, it's just a mess. it is and it's an absolute mess not that we're worried about the Jets but I gotta be honest

and look we're trying to get through these murky waters of playoff less baseball and the rocket season can't come fast enough but even though the excitement of next Tuesday will be in play we've got a lot of work to do to get this city to be NBA ready to go we're a regular old mundane game against the Denver Nuggets or the Utah Jazz

or the Oklahoma City Thunder is going to really move the needle we need to winning the Texans to win some games. And you know what? Their rumors are out there. They're looking for a running back. We've got pretty frequent game-to-game rockets talk when they were really humming. Yes.

And Kevin's going to do that. I'll tell you what, being in Birmingham, you know, yesterday it was supposed to be New Orleans home game. Because that's their G-League city. And Zion Williamson's a star, right? People know who John Williams. Kevin Durant got 15 times the applause and anybody else on the court. And that's for any rocket and any member of the Oklahoma City, the Northern. one's Pelican, Scott.

You have, you know, we always talk about people being fans of teams, or players rather than teams. You have one of those guys, one of those shortless guys. And, I mean, when's the last time the rock? I guess you're going back to Chris Paul and James Harden, where there are people across the country who are fans of your player and come to see your guy. And I'll give Katie credit.

And like, I don't have any relationship with him. Hopefully I can create something. we're all besties what do you mean hey he said he said arch bandy he was going to turn it around an SEC play and he also said that he didn't wash your hand his hand after seeing you I know back in the day it's true

there was frankly a warmth between the two of you that I that was a little bit jealous of sorry Matt well I think you had the UT ties you both had one year there and you were moved on yeah if you see my profile pick on my Instagram at Sports RV you can see him smiling into my eyes

lovingly or and just regular I mean, bro love? Somebody asked me, they said, have you showed on the video of you announcing the Golden State team? I already told you this before. Those guys don't care about the lineups, that kind of thing. I mean, that was low-key, perhaps my most iconic moment as a PA announcer, or people still send me all these, they send me messages, hey, you're on the CBS head.

It's in the rotation. They put, like, it's honestly a great feather in your cat, Matt, because all these aggregators and stuff, they put things in a rotation, and they put them up like every three months just because they know for a fact it's going to get a bunch of likes and mentions and comments and stuff like that.

They know it's going to go viral. I'm sure there's some kind of social media manager term for it. Like it's going to go re-viral or you can rehash it or whatever. Right. Right. It's one of those moments. And it's so strange. The strangest part of it all is that I've done that.

I did it for years that way. And the only reason why it became such a big deal was because TNT carried the lineups. Hmm. By the way, when you start seeing these games on NBC, they'll be carrying the lineups. NBC is not necessarily trying to reinvent the wheel, but add a little oomph to their television broadcast of the NBA.

Some people are already upset with the presentation and the use of Roundball Rock. What are they mad about? They want to make it a little bit big. Remember the laser peacock would come up and it would be like, and it would have this little prelude. They kind of just go straight in. Yeah.

They're kind of just going straight into the song. But we'll see when the actual regular... We'll see on Tuesday. Tuesday. Yeah. And I was trying to think of the exact date. Yeah. Tuesday's 21st.

How they roll it out? Let's go, baby. So do I have to stand during Oklahoma City's ring ceremony or can I sit and be like the conscience of... You can sit and pout? Yeah. I'm going to pout. Are you kidding me?

I mean, they earned it. They were the best team all season. They're one of the best teams in history. In terms of point. They had the best point differential ever all time, right? But you know, I'll tell you this about this. We'll quick before we get the top of the hour. If Shake-Gilders Alexander is going to the free throw line 14 times again per game,

that's going to get really irritating. Get your time of catch your breath. It got bad last year. Well, the good thing is the rockets are better defensively. They're going to be physical without fouling. Or actually, they're so physical that the refs are like, eh, we can't call everything. Yeah.

All right. let's get the final hour started of the Matt Thomas Show at Ross. What are y'all thinking about today? Are you all in the sports malaise? I mean, we're not in a malaise. No. Tons of stuff to talk about, Matt. Tons of stuff.

All right, we're going to let you lead off the one o'clock hour with your topic. The top top of the one o'clock hour. Okay. You ready? Yeah. DeAngelo, believe it or not, 150 today. Mm-hmm. 713-2-1-790.

7-1-3-2-2-7-90. This is the Matt Thomas show with Ross. Matt and Ross with you on Sports Talk 7.91 hour left to go. We've got, believe it or not, at 150, all things about DeAngelo. We have the game number three in the American League Championship Series tonight in Seattle with the Mariners up two games to none. Rockets on the practice court to today.

Just wrapping things up, we'll be back at action tomorrow against the Atlanta Hawks to close up the preseason. Next Tuesday is the start of the regular season. The Texans are on the practice field today, getting ready for Monday night's game against the Seattle Seahawks. And again, those of you that were worried about being on ESPN Plus, two things. Number one, Channel 11 is going to have the local broadcast of it, so you're safe on that. And number two. I thought you said 13, or is it 11?

I did. I thought 13 would by de facto get it, but I saw somebody said Channel 11 is getting it. Which is weird because ABC owns Channel 13. Maybe they sold it out. Who knows? But it doesn't really matter at this point because if you're not. If you don't live in the Houston area and you're worried about buying, it's on the mainstream ESPN network now.

So they have bumped it off the ESPN Plus. All right. I think a lot of it's because ESPN Plus is so many people have it now, that it's just kind of like, what do we, we're not, no one's going to go, oh, I got to buy that ESPN Plus package so I can watch the Texans and Seahawks at 9 o'clock Central Time. I am. I know you are.

I'll be in Oklahoma City, ready to watch that. Wonderful. Break it down. All right. So what do we got for here to start the 1 o'clock hour sports? Yeah, Matt, we can talk about the rockets and their win over the New Orleans Pelicans. And a couple of intriguing things to me about this team. They went with the jumbo package lineup with Amin Thompson as the shortest player. I mean, how much are we going to see that in a starting lineup?

I'm curious we can talk about. How much are we going to see that as far as minutes during a game? There already was, oh, I lost the tweet. There was a guy in an NBA reporter talking about how, the Rockets won that lineup. The jumbo lineup outscored the Pelicans like 70 to 35 or something like that during the game. It was a beatdown with the jumbo lineup for the rockets.

And also a couple of things I'm interested in. The shooting prowess of one of them in Thompson, so far so good, even though it is early in the preseason. And Reed Shepard in his role, he was three for six and three yesterday with 13 points as well. I thought for Reed it was not, again, not a star set of. that page, but it was like, give me that for Reed

every night, and I'll be more than happy. Does that make sense to you? I think so, yeah. 19 minutes, 13 points. Did turn the ball over four turns. I would say if we're looking for an Achilles heel, it would be the turnovers. Six of them for Alpern-Shingoong, three for a men, Thompson, four for Reed Shepard.

To your central point, the plus minuses. Now, that's not a real indicator, but it's a, it's a metric. It can be flawed, for sure. For sure. So, when you when you're on the floor and your team scores, you get plus points. If you give up points, you lose points. So you obviously want to be on the plus minus side.

Last night, Stephen Adams, in 24 minutes on the floor, had a plus 26. So the team was 26 points better, right? Am I reading that right? 22 points better than when he wasn't on the floor. Jabari Smith was a plus 23. A lot of that because he was doing the scoring himself. He had 26 points last night. Kevin Orant was a plus 13

Alperin Shangoon was a plus 17 even though he turned the ball over six times and Men Thompson was a plus 11 conversely Clint Capella and Josh Akogi were both minus 23s Aaron Holiday was a minus 13 JD Davis who was trying to make that backup backup guard spot was on the floor

12 minutes and it was a minus 12 so there you have it Come on JD yeah it was it was Nate Duncan who was putting up the stats of the Houston Rockets, how effective they were. He's calling it the hashtag double big for life lineup. Just outscoring New Orleans,

sorry, I had the numbers kind of off, way off. 73 to 47. With Adams and Shungoon in together. With Jabari Smith, it was 54 to 30. You can love on that, but it's not going to happen a lot. I don't think it's going to happen a lot. It's going to be matchup dependent. You can't play it against everybody.

If you wanted to do it, do it and you didn't have Stephen Adams available to you, could Clint Capella do it? I don't know, is Clint a little longer than I think so? I think that's one of the reasons he was brought in. Absolutely. For them to try it. I'll give you this, they're going to at least try it. And Coach you don't know if it works.

I mean, it's so funny. That so many people were off, like John Hollinger from the athletic was off put by that. Yeah, but okay, again, you have versatile defender. You guys got like a men Thompson can guard and you're, first of all, you're going to play zone. Kevin Durant can guard guards. Now, how effective in this stage of his

career is up for debate, but a men Thompson can guard anybody. Jabari Smith Jr. doesn't do poorly against guards. Shingun and Adams, okay, but you're generally zoning up. You're not playing like switch everything manned defense in those in those lineups. Thompson can guard multiple positions. Jabari Smith gives you a professional defensive effort. Tari Isan is going to just make your life miserable as much as he can when he plays. Kevin Durant isn't a plus defender anymore, but he certainly lengthwise is going to just still be a presence, right? You harassed shooters. I mean, everybody basically has like a seven foot plus wingspan on that lineup.

Because we talk about height as well. But one of the things we need to talk about, too, of course, is wings. I'm pretty sure I'm in time since the wings is over seven foot. He's got decent wings. Reed Shepard, he intercepts passing lanes pretty well, all things considered. That was one of his calling cards when he was playing college basketball at Kentucky, was that he's not going to be the speedy enough guy to go over there and collapse on people. people, but if he knows a pass is headed that way, he's had, he had, what do you have last night?

He had, let's see, looking at his numbers here. Reid had one, you know, one steel four turnover is not great, but he can, he can stop a ball away if he needs to, had a block shot too, as a matter of fact, on a perimeter three. Yeah, so wingspan-wise, you have a men Thompson seven-foot, Kevin Durant's seven-foot plus, Jabari Smith as well, and Adams and Chingun have, I mean, yeah, so you can, you can zone up with that. And I'm going to be honest with you We're just naturally, Ross and I are just naturally excited about the season coming up.

It's intriguing. How's the big lineup going to work up? Yeah, Can I'm in Thompson make that leap? Is Reed Shepard going to be able to grow? I'm, of course, I'm just a big Rockets fan and basketball fan in general, but yes, it's intriguing to me. Let me tell you something. You know who's not intrigued? There's about 15 teams in the NBA that are already thinking about 60 losses.

I guarantee you Charlotte Sports Radio is not getting into a deep, bright breakdown of what the what the Hornets are going to do this year. We got something special potentially. Is it guaranteed? No. Is the West ferocious? Absolutely. But, I mean, coming off of just what the team did last year, everybody should be excited.

713-212-579. If you want to get in on the conversation, we are more than welcome to have you on this radio show today. 7-13-212-5-7-90. As I mentioned, Texans are back on the practice field. We've got an interesting slate of college football weekend of college football coming up. And by the way, you were talking earlier about the television ratings. The SEC dominates viewership in college football. That's no breaking news.

But, you know, it's always the thought Ross is it's the SEC and it's a Big Ten and everybody else. The SEC is pulling away from the Big Ten when it comes of viewership. You know who's noticing that? Greg Sankey. Absolutely. Greg Sankey is like, oh yeah. It's like, oh, you want to be one in one A, huh? Big Ten's like, yeah, we're brothers.

We're in this together. We? Yeah. No, Greg Sankey's like, I will dictate what we do for the future of college athletics. And Big Ten, if you want to come along, that's fine. I'm not sit your ass on a Big Ten network and I'll see you later. Mm-hmm. Now you've got private equity companies trying to buy these leagues.

Oh, my God. I didn't know that. This is horrible. You know what private equity? They're just, their businesses. Yes. Well, that's what they are already. But, I mean, just getting worse and worse.

You know what private equities do, Ross? I don't know if you know this or not. They buy companies and they trim the fat. Maximize profits. So with no disrespect to what Vanderbilt's doing this year in football, if a private equity firm buys Vanderbilt, they're going to tell Vanderbilt and Kentucky in South Carolina to get the hell out. if a big 10

if the big 10 is bought by private equity they're going to tell Illinois shoot go away Northwestern we don't need you go go running a little private league it'll be interesting to see this how kind of a lot of this shakes out in five and ten years and down the road

but I feel like you and I doing this show five or ten years ago like man I can't wait for this thing to shake out five or ten years and you know what we do watch the games on Saturday we've and everything else we still do but there have been massive changes I mean this NI stuff and all this conference realignment and I mean

yeah what is the next shoot a drop? If you really wanted to get the crystal ball out, the next shooter drop is the splitting up of the NCAA. Taking the 25 or 30 teams that are the ones that draw the 8.8 million viewers,

the ones that fill up the television contracts and they're saying we're not going to give it to everybody. You don't get a piece of this. Yeah, they've already kind of effectively locked out a lot the schools, but you can't, man, would you make a league of like the 30, basically make it like a professional league, the 30 to 32 best programs

historically in some kind of mega conference where it's almost like the, where you have conferences and divisions. Yeah, it's just insane, just absolutely insane. All right, 116. If you want to chime in, we want to hear from you. Ross and I have talked a lot to each other. We like each other's company, generally speaking. but we want to hear from you as well. 713, 212, 570. 713, 212.

Do I hear you smirking back there? Nope. I did, I think I did a hair of smir. I was gasping. You okay? Yeah, I'm great. Jonathan, give him some CPR. I'm just watching a wiffleball championships on the Ocho right now.

I'm not qualified, so you might have a broken rib trying to do CPR. You know what I? Please don't break my ribs. I don't mean to get all serious. I already got a sore oblique just from literally laying the wrong way. I think we should all learn CPR. Yeah. Don't you think?

I learned it. in like high school, I think. Yeah, I haven't had a CPR lesson since 1992. I don't know what the hell I'm doing. Yeah, we should, yeah, we should get somebody in here. I think you have to go out 160 beats per minute. You can do it for free, right? Can't get some EMS people, you can go out here, CPR, CPR class.

We should do to a celebrity CPR. I'll bring a shahdi in from MLB. You can bring somebody in. You can cut the check for that. 124 on Sports Talk Center. I let's go to the phone to talk of the great people of Houston, Texas. Ryan, you're on 790. Thank you for winning. What's on your mind this afternoon?

Yes, thank you for taking my call. I actually have three questions. The first pertains to Texans, the last two, pertains to Rockets. My first question with the Texans, if the Miami Dolphins called right now to have a trade for two-uds, straight up for C.J. Strout, will you be doing it? And my second question is, with the Rockets, where do you rank them among the Texas NBA teams this year

and who would your top three be? And I'll shut up and listen. Thank you, Ryan. Okay, number one, tour for CJ. I'm assuming I'm doing multiple lines of cocaine during this, or would I be completely sober? Mushrooms? Here's what I would be.

I'd be sniffing glue. There you go. I'd be taking large amounts of roofies, and I would have the blood alcohol level of that guy that was eating a sandwich at A&M over the weekend. Feel about right? It's about right. Okay.

Second question was about the Texas teams. Rockets one? Mavericks 2, Spurs 3. Now, granted, a lot of that Maverick would be whether or not Anthony Davis is healthy or not. You could make the argument for any team being in any position. But I put it as Rockets 1 now. You absolutely could, for sure. I mean, when...

Wimby is he's looking stronger, taller, and of course the question is always going to be, is he going to be able to stay healthy? But as long as he's on the floor, he's going to be ridiculous. He just is. Yeah, I mean, he played 46 games last year.

His three-point percentage improved. If he can shoot 35, honestly, 35% from 3, which he did last year, and if that gets even better, I don't even want to think about it. He's basically 24 and 11 and basically going to be a defensive player of the year candidate every single year he's going to finish top three in the defensive player of the year.

Every year he's healthy, every year. Yeah, look, I think discounting him because of his body is foolish. Yeah, we can't, well, we can't predict injury, Matt. I know, but there have been he doesn't. There's a long storied history of precedent of guys, his, height who've broken down. Who is the healthiest guy, 74, 75 plus?

Okay, well, let's think about the seven footers we gave a damn about in our life. Samson, numerous problems back after his career. Yao Ming, serious problems. Seven foot, you can kind of be okay

if you have the body like Yokic carries that baby fat is all right? Yeah, but he's listed at 7.5. Let's think of guys like seven, I mean, I guess was Mark eating pretty durable? Markine was durable, but he also didn't have to command anything on the offensive side. He was just primarily a shop locker and a rebounder. Let me go look up Arvita Sabonis.

I mean, we're having to dig through here. Well, the problem is a bonus. His best days in the NBA was before he joined the NBA. Yeah, and then he still didn't play a ton of games. He played at least 38 for Portland. He was playing like 60 to 65 to 70 games. a year. David Robb.

How tall was David Robinson? He's like 7-7-1, I think. So no. Ashim to be, it just wasn't it good. No. What about about? Robinson had a great NBA career. Sean Bradley played a while.

Was he always... But he wasn't very good. But he was a terrible offensive player. Biggest problem for those guys when you get the 7374 Rossi is carrying the weight. They just can't put enough weight on. Sean Bradley was playing a lot of games until he was 32. But was never considered anybody that you could use offensively, for sure. No, he was playing 11, he never, yeah, he was playing like 10 to 15 minutes per game as to end of his career.

Yeah. All right, 713, 212-579 if you want to chime in. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-2-790. 128 is our time. Rossi, our buddy, King Tarril 34, gave us a good example. Chris Taps for Zingis of the Atlanta Hawks, so I'll see here tomorrow night.

He can't stay healthy. He's 7-2. He's been breaking down, yeah. Was he 73? 7-2? 7-2, they list him yet. Can score? He's got 900 blocks in his NBA career and 903-pointers.

That's pretty good. That's a great combination, but imagine if he had been able to play. And by the way, I was not able to confirm what you said about him when we talked about him last week. Chris Tops? Yeah. Porzengis? I didn't say anything about that.

him about why he was missing with mystery illness oh was this me you were talking with this about I thought it was you I thought we were talking about because you know he got he was gone for a lot of the playoffs of the Celtics and they're like where is he and they're not feeling good what's the matter with me?

You got the flu cold COVID? No no no no that's it so I'm gonna say because I just couldn't there were some mean rumors about there out of there about him I remember the mean rumor but I actually actually can't remember exactly what it was. I'm not going to say it on there.

Let's go to the phones. Talk to Vince in Midtown at 136. Hi, Vince. Hey, guys. How are you all doing? Hey, I want to ask Matt what his impression of Jordan Poole was yesterday because, be frank, I was watching the game. I didn't even realize Poole was playing.

And, you know, I heard the name Poole, but I wasn't sure was the same guy. And then the second half, I realized it's him. And it's like, he's not. not jacking up shots. He only shot 10 shots. He seems very subdued. So what was your take on seeing him, you know, playing for the New Orleans Pelicans now?

Yeah, I don't think he's anything different. I think he is. He is who he is. He's going to be a guy that's going to be easy to trade, doesn't make a lot of money, scores a lot of points, but I don't think he's going to get you over the hump at anything. I mean, he's going to run point for them and does a pretty decent job. But, yeah, I really. I mean, he was in Washington and just scored a bunch of points, and the team sucked the no-end, so there was nothing there.

And then obviously he had that well-documented altercation with Draymond Green. And, yeah, I also said, I haven't heard, like, this kid is misunderstood. I mean, you know, I hate him already because he's the one that hit the shot against the Cougars and against Michigan met way back then. Cougars were going to the tournament. So if you think I'm going to shed a tear from him now. Yeah, no, I just, I think he's very talented. It just seems like his head is just, just,

totally out of whack. I did a little bit of checking, and I would say that he is not, Rossi, as we would like to say, a program builder, put it that way. Yeah. Program builder. Right. Thanks for the phone call, Vince.

It's a good conversation point. Yeah, he can score, no question, but hell, Ross, there's so many guys in sports that are just, the statutes look great, but they're not going to do anything for you. The intangibles are not going to be, are not going to to be there.

So, yeah, I don't anticipate to, I think the Pelicans are going to be mid-team at best. First of all, Zion's got to play 70 games. We know that he doesn't do that. Hey, he's done it before. Allegedly.

It took a bonus game, but, you know, if you want to continue to fall on your sword on that one, I'll be funny. It's just funny to say. I know. man i mean the pelicans aren't without talent yeah

Dejante Murray's not going to be back for a while he's still hurt Trey murphy's good Herb Jones is a solid NBA player I would have taken Trey Murphy for the Rockets in a heartbeat Herb Jones is a fun name to say it sounds like you're talking about the 1970s like how many herbs are there right now in this world

herberts no I'm just talking plan old herb. Yeah, under the age of 25 or no, I guess he's 27 now, I just pulled it up. Okay, under the age of 30, can you name a herb? Justin Herbert. Nope, doesn't count.

No, I can't. It's him. That's it. You know what? Herb used to be the bit back in the 70s. Now it's Jalens. That's true. 49 Jalens running around this world everywhere. You go. It all spelled 49 different ways. You got that right.

Stephen with us at 139 on seven out of here in Atlanta GA. Hi, Stephen. Hey, guys. How are you doing today? Appreciate it. You got it. Good.

Yeah, so I haven't been able to watch or listen to most of the preseason games. And I just wanted to kind of get your guys' takes. Like, obviously it's preseason, so you don't want to put too much into it. But what are some of the things that you've seen that you really like, obviously besides K.D. And a rocket's jersey. but like what are some of the things that you've seen that maybe could be issues with this team in the regular season do you think that they are going to have trouble scoring on nights where kd is like sitting out for load management just kind of wanted to get your your takes on what you've seen so far and uh i'll listen and hang up appreciate it guys

thank you uh what would be the storylines for me would be how much better reed shepherd is today than he was all last year. And I'm not going to get that figured out during the preseason. How much EMA goes to the double big lineup and what combinations happen to that? Is Amin Thompson's perimeter

game in the preseason, Ross? You brought this up earlier in the show. It's been frankly spectacular, but again, three preseason in game does not make a great season. Small sample size? Very small sample size. Shooting motion's looking good. Jabari Smith has got a brand new contract because he wants to live up to that and so far. Very small sample size. He's

that what else uh dorian finney smith when he's healthy and ready to go what kind of impact does he make does he level things out in terms of adding another guy off the bench or do you can use spot start him when you're going against some different types of lineups it's it's been kind of fun honestly i've enjoyed it but still too many too many question marks because not because of the rockets is because what is life going to be without fred van v vat i mean it isn't a crazy Ross week we got a fair amount of Fred van bleed hate last year why is he shooting so much why is he doing this all the guy did was

first of all was your best offensive player in the golden state playoff series yeah there are bad takes when they were happening and then yeah in the playoffs he he shut the haters up he certainly did and he's 35 minutes even when he's not scoring and you can't shoot he is important to this team and unfortunately he's gone for the year yeah so who who inherits

those backup minutes. And how much do you want, do you want a men-Thompson running point? How much can Reed Shepherd to do that? Do you want a hybrid? Do you even want Reed-Shepard? I mean, is Reed-Sheper in the starting lineup? Is he a first, is he backing up a men? Does the men start the game at the two-garden and flip over to the point?

Like what they used to do when they used to have Chris Paul and James Hart on the floor at the same time? Well, yeah, when you say who's going to be point, you're saying who's going to initiate the offense. You can initiate offense with Kevin Durant. You can initiate offense with Alpern-Shingon or Min Thompson or Reed-Shepard. Yeah, you've all got. ball, I mean, Albert and Schengue and a half dozen times

brought the ball up in front court yesterday. And he'll do that again. I mean, I turned it over six times. Let's not, let's not bringing that in the case. It's part of the equation.

Because the assisted turnover ratio for Fred was excellent. Excellent. I mean, there were nights where he'd have like nine assists and one turnover. I mean, you're supposed to be three and a half to one.

Two and a half's really good. Three and a half to one put you in, not a leap, but put you in upper echelon point guard, anything above that, and you are just, you just take tremendous care of the basketball. So, Fred, we miss you. I miss Fred being around. Fred was always so nice on the postgame show.

I always told you this. He didn't, we didn't care where, what city we were in. He wanted to see me. That's beautiful. I would be like 500 feet away from the basket. Where are you at? Upper deck, way up high, nose bleeding. Oh, there you are.

He sees me. Never offered me a tissue. though. James in League City at 143 on 790. Hello James. Hey, Matt, how you doing? Good, sir. How are you? Good. I just want to see what your thoughts are about Darren Womack. Who is Darren Womack? You don't know, Darren Womack, Matt? This is the Matt Thomas show?

Yes. No, I was just giving you a hard time. I just wanted to call and just now's your buttons a little bit. Hey, great show, man. Okay. Wow. Who is Darren Womack? Well, I've just Googled it. One of them died in 2025.

Oh, geez. All right. Let's move on. Let's go on. I know Bobby Womack. Who? Bobby Womack. Okay. Oh, come on, Matt.

Bobby Womack had the hits. Mac the Knife? No, not that guy. I guess they're supposed to be... Was I supposed to read between the lines and the Darren? I don't even know who Darren Womack is. I think he was just making up a name and messing with you. Oh, did it work?

No. Let's play, believe it or not, it's next. 713-212-5-790. 7-1-3-212-5-7-90. I want to tell you about Sethi's fine jewelry. Ross, I don't mean to put something on you, but we've been doing something every Wednesday for the first handful of weeks of the NFL season. Uh-huh.

Yeah. What's going on with our Texans offensive line grades? PFF, baby. Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you wanted to do a quiet storm. What's a more Bobby Womack. They're a little Bobby Womack for you. We're going to do some...

Oh, is that what the guy was asking about? I don't know. No, he said Darren Womack. A lot of babies conceived of Bobby Womack in the 70s. What group do you think you were consumed? What? You heard me. Let's see, 1984.

Probably the Gap Band. So I am June 6th. 72, which means what my mom and dad would have been October 71. Oh, Johnny Mitchell, maybe? I don't think I want to ask. As a matter of fact, I'm not going to ask. Well, you brought it up. You're talking about baby making.

Yeah, I did, but I didn't say, what song were you conceived to? I don't know. It's taking it a little further. I hope people don't know. what were we talking about before all this Bobby Woback time? BFF grades Oh okay

I know I was supposed to be looking something up but you want this right now? No, we'll save it for tomorrow. Okay. Well, I mean, they didn't play last week. So they had to move up, correct? Could have got any worse. Yeah, well.

Five minutes left to go on the show. What should we do? We should play America's fastest growing sports radio game show we simply call it B, leave it or not, and here's how it works. You'll call 713-212-5-7-90. 7-13-212-5-7-90.

Today's edition of Believe it or Not is about all things about DeAngelo. I'll read your statement about DeAngelo. Statements completely utterly accurate. You'll say this. Belie bit. If his name is erroneous, full of bunk and made up, you will say this.

Not. Two, believe or not, on DeAngelo, will win you tickets to see the Houston Cougars take on the Arizona Wildcats. 11 a. This Saturday at T-D-E-C-U stadium for tickets that you can't win. Which you need to buy, you need to go. UHcougars.com slash tickets or call 713-go Cougars.

It's Cougars and the Wau-Cats Saturday. 11 o'clock, win them, or pick up those tickets at UHCougars.com. Let's play. Let's start with line number one. Ryan on 790. Ryan, you're ready to play, believe it or not? Yes, sir, believe it. DeAngelo was a multi-instrumentalist.

He played the piano, the drums, and the guitar, and even conducted music. Believe it or not. Believe it. Statement number two for the win. DeAngelo was a three-time winner of the Amateur Night at the famed Apollo Theater. Three-time winner. Believe it or not? Believe it. Yes.

It took a little long there. Yeah, you can look at it. That would take him while, right? I trusted him. Aaron on 790. Aaron, what was your favorite part of today's 10-2 radio show? The whole damn thing. DeAngelo only produced three studio albums.

All three were nominated for R&B album of the year with two wins. Believe it or not? Not. That's a believe it. Believe it. Thank you for playing, though. John on 790. John, what song were you conceived to?

I have no idea. In 1996, DiAngelo successfully sued Universal Music Group to get released from his exploitive recording contract. Not. Not. Statement number two for the win. DeAngelo regretted making the video for how does it feel where he posed nude. He lamented on his new status as a sex symbol and became a recluse. Believe it or not?

Not. Believe it. Ross, did you ever see that photo? Don't you hate when you become a sex symbol? Yeah, I've seen the video. It was very famous back in the 90s, Matthew. Did it disturb you? I turned it off.

All right. Ron on seven. The ladies liked it. I'm sure they did. Ron on seven, are you ready to play, believe it or not? Believe it. In 2021, DeAngelo's Untitled How Does It Feel Video was named by Rolling Stone magazine

as a number seven music video of all time. Believe it or not? Believe it. That's right. Meliative. Statement number two for the one. DeAngel's. struggle with drug and alcohol addiction and even being arrested for a DUI and drug possession back in 2005.

Believe it or not? No, he gets. Unfortunately, it's all believing. We're quick on 790. Ryan, you're ready to play, believe it or not? Ryan, only won. Of course he's not ready to play. He's ready to hear he won.

Let me go to Clinton. Clinton, you ready to play, believe it or not? Clinton? Believe it. All right. In 2023, Rolling Stone placed DeAngelo number 75 on the list of the 200 greatest singers of all time. Believe it or not. Not.

That's a believe in number 75. All right. Thanks. I'm ready to play today. Uptown appliance repair. Reminding you again, 281-758-99-78-28-28-28-8. 258-99-79-78 for simple issues like a water filter replacement to fixing that sub-zero refrigerator. It's not cooling.

or getting that dryer vent cleaned out. Fully certified, in-house technicians for courteous expert assistance, and that comes to you from Uptown Appliance Repair. 281-78-9978. That's 281-758-9978. Or online at Uptown AppliancesPair.com. Up next, it's Clayton, it's Wex, so they're going to entertain the hell out of you for the next four hours.

It's all part of the A-T. Talk to you tomorrow here from Atlanta on Sports Talks. seven nice.