October 21, 2025 • 11 mins
Houston Chronicle's Rockets Reporter Danielle Lerner joins Wex and AC to discuss the upcoming season opener, the next big moment for the Rockets plans, teams who coudl compete with Houston in the Western Conference and more!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
It is the A Team Sports Talk seven ninety Tuesday
edition of the program. We's ac Cole Thompson with you
and Danielle Learner of the Houston Chronicle joining us from OKC.
I hear it's lovely this time of year up there,
daniel appreciate the Danielle appreciate the time. And I don't
know that I've been dis excited about a Rocket season
(00:27):
since maybe Chris Paul was traded here at the end
of last decade. Does it seem like there's that air
around the team or are they taking the tone of
their coach like a business like approach. No matter what,
I think they.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Are trying to kind of reflect the business like approach.
But you know, there is that excitement, especially just given
the outside expectations and outside excitement. As much as players
always want to say that they don't care what other
people outside the team think of them, and they don't
care about that stuff, they hear it. They can't help
but here and I think that they do internalize it.
So just hearing that everybody else is really hyped for
(01:06):
this season and has really high expectations for them, and
knowing what they were too able to accomplish, last season
and then adding a bunch of new players, including a
future Hall of Famer and Kevin Durant. I think that
everyone within the organization has championship contention expectations, and so, yeah,
they are excited to get started.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
How do you think this group is actually handling that?
And do you think it's tremendously different than the vibe
or expectation they had going into last year they were
a forty one and forty one team. I think they
knew they were going to be significantly better. I don't
know that their expectations were, well, we'll finish second in
the West and have home court advantage in the postseason.
But clearly the expectations are a little different this year.
(01:46):
How do you think they're handling that as they get
set to begin the season to night, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I don't think I think they're handling it pretty well.
I don't think anyone is, you know, getting too high
or too low, as the cliche goes. But you know,
they haven't even played a game yet, so I think
we'll have to see if that changes as we actually
get the season underway. But right now, it's like, well,
they had four preseason games. One of those really didn't
(02:12):
count at all, and so they think that they know
what they can do. But you know, tonight facing the
defending champions is going to be a really really huge
litmus test to start, and then as they keep going,
it's just going to be okay, how can they adjust
and continue to improve and get better because on paper, yes,
this team looks like it can be a lot better
than last season, but we don't really know until we
(02:34):
see it in action.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Since you brought up the preseason, I was thinking about
this and have talked about this on the show. Was
there something statistically maybe that they did during the preseason
very well that is seducing you into believing, yeah, that's
gonna happen during the regular season.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
I mean, I think that that double big lineup that
we're going to see starting tonight versus Okac in the
preseason game, versus the Pelicans, when they started with that group,
it wasn't the smooth that's starting out. There's definitely some
spacing issues that have to be resolved in the half court,
but overall it was pretty dominant, especially on the boards,
and we already knew that was one of the rockets
strengths last season. It's gonna be even more of a
(03:13):
strength I think this season, especially just with the amount
of size that they have now. In addition to Steven
Adams being out there, you have Clinton Capella, who can
play alongside Albert Shangoon just playing you know, Kevin Durant,
who is listed at six' ten but is really more
like seven foot playing him at shooting guard is just.
Ridiculous SO i think the rebounding is gonna take even
(03:36):
more of a, jump and then you, know you just
look at the scoring. POTENTIAL i think that lineup played
about twelve minutes together in the preseason game versus The,
pelicans and in that span they outscored The pelicans by sixteen.
Points so you, know you already see more offensive firepower
with this, group which is obviously what was lacking last.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Season, yeah having stood right next to both Hakim olaijuan
and And Kevin, DURANT i don't know Why elijuan was
listed at seven feet when he's six foot, ten AND
i don't know Why durant is listed at six to
ten when he is definitely a true seven. Footer but
in that, vein you, know you mentioned the size and
you're gonna get that big lineup. TONIGHT i know there
might have been some talk About Reed shepherd starting at point,
(04:18):
guard and maybe that's an interchangeable. Thing i'm actually kind
of fascinated and maybe you have a little bit more
insight on this into what Emy udoka winds up. Doing is?
This you, know a lot of teams do have that
that starting five doesn't matter what the matchup, Is we're
going with these. Guys does that seem like it's a
fluid situation depending on the, matchup BECAUSE i think a
(04:39):
lot of people might have Thought reed starts, tonight but
instead they're gonna go with that big. Lineup do you
feel like that's gonna be interchangeable or that this is
the lineup that is gonna go with more often than.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Not, NO i think absolutely it's gonna change games game
at least here early in the. SEASON i think perhaps
When Dorian Finney smith comes back and is, healthy which
we don't know when that. Is they've said they expect
him to miss at least a few games in the regular,
season but there's no exact. Timetable i'm going to follow
up on that some more tonight and tomorrow IF i,
(05:10):
Can BUT i think. That, obviously he was a guy
who's expected to potentially compete With jabari in training camp
for a starting spot before his, Injury SO i think
that that could change some. THINGS i think that how
this lineup performs tonight could change some. THINGS i think
(05:30):
that they are going to potentially start read against some smaller,
teams but it definitely is the plan to against teams
that go double, big Like, okay see they're going to
start this lineup With Steven. Adams they might change, that
AND i think it's all kind of going to be
a work in progress and trial and error for these
next few weeks at, least and then they might settle
(05:53):
on a more permanent starting five for the rest of the.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Season Danielle learner of The Houston chronicle beat writer for
The Houston rockets with the Team Oklahoma. Cities they get
set to begin this season, tonight first game of THE nba.
Season you AND i were over at practice, yesterday got
a chance to talk To kevin about the, extension talked
To alpi and E may similarly about, that and obviously
over the weekend had had that opportunity to do. So
(06:15):
that was in advance of the deadline For Tarry easton's potential,
extension which there was no agreement reached on. That tarr
spoke this morning they're In Oklahoma, city curious what you
think about a what he had to say and how
he's handling, this which was very tari like for those
that don't, know But i'll let you share that with,
them and what you think this actually might mean for
(06:36):
his season and his.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Future, YEAH i, mean credit to. Him he seems to
be taking it fairly, well at least, publicly, saying you,
KNOW i understand this was a business. Decision it's not.
Personal it's not going to change HOW i operate this,
season which you, know he was already coming into training
camp kind of gunning for an elevated, role, saying you,
know he wants to be in contention FOR nba Six
(06:59):
man of The. Year you, know of, course last season
he had his best season yet in a lot of,
areas despite not playing more than sixty. Games but you,
know he was then ineligible FOR nba awards because he
did not meet that sixty two game. Minimum SO i,
think you, know he's always someone who likes to have
a chip on his. Shoulder that's kind of his mo
(07:19):
and so you, know he, said there's no ill will
towards The. Rockets he still wants to try and bring
a championship To houston this. Season AND i asked, him
do you want to be A rocket next? Season and he, said, yeah,
yeah of, course you. Know and in a, way that's
not necessarily up to, him Right he's going to be
a restricted free, agent which means that if another team
gives him an offer, sheet The rockets have the right
(07:41):
to try and match, it but they could also choose
to let him walk or just financially be unable to match,
it depending on what the offer. Is so it's a
little bit out of his control at this, point and
all he can do is try and have the best
season that he.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
CAN i think it's telling that when The rocket social
media staff released that video montage of all of the
players reacting to the news That Kevin durant had been,
Traded Tari easton's initial reaction, was WAS i traded? Too?
Speaker 2 (08:12):
YEAH i, MEAN i don't know if that's super. TELLING
i think it's just everyone's reaction when there's a superstar
involved into trade and whoa must have cost a lot
to get that, guy, Right and then that was kind
Of Kevin durant's whole point that starting five documentaries that
he didn't want to go to a team where they
had to gut their entire roster in order to acquire.
Him SO i don't think that's that's the super telling
(08:34):
in that. Instance but Definitely Chari easton is going to
be the subject of trade speculation this season because he
is one of the few tradeable contracts that they have
at least until Mid, december one of a lot more
of their guys will become trade. Eligible but you know
now he's going to be kind of that the centerpiece
of any package that The rockets might go, For and
(08:57):
of course that's going to also depend on how the
back or situation plays out With Ree shepherd and A Men.
Thompson if The rockets feel like they need to explore
the trademarket to acquire a point.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Guard he's reading our.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Minds, yeah as we let you get ready for the action,
tonight a six point thirty ish tip off tonight From Oklahoma,
City i'll ask you, this is there a player you
think will be the biggest positive surprise for This rockets
team that you could pinpoint or is there a bold
prediction you have about the team for this.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
SEASON i try not to get into the predictions game
too much because it's not much of an upside. There
But i'll answer the first, question which AND i don't,
know honestly if this is a surprise at this point
given what he did in the, preseason BUT i Think
Jabari Smith junior is going to be much much more
of a factor when it comes to. SCORING i think
(09:49):
we've already obviously seen what he can do on the defensive.
End you, know he's able to guard smaller, players he's
able to guard bigger. Players he's very versatile in that.
Respect but last, season aside from the playoffs in which
he shot very, well he was Not he didn't have
a super big impact in the scoring. Column you, know
he wasn't one of those guys who you were, like,
oh he's going to take over a. GAME i think
(10:10):
this season you're going to see him in takeover mode
a lot more like you did in the preseason game Against.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Pelicans he has visually put on more. WEIGHT i might
have missed. It has he said anything about a certain
number of pounds he's put on in, muscle because it
totally looks like it when you see him versus last.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Season, yeah he.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Hasn't said anything specifically about, it BUT i agree he
does look a lot. Stronger and that was something THAT
i was hearing even really early in the off season
WHEN i was In vegas For Summer. League you, know
he and a couple of the other guys came by
and we're working out, there and the feedback THAT i
was getting from coaches who were around those workouts were,
like he looks like a monster right. Now and so
(10:50):
that was In, july AND i think that he just
has continued to do that, work AND i think that
getting his extension done really early in the offseason kind
of allowed him him to focus a lot more on
just improving his.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Game when you're following up with The Dorian Finney smith injury,
news could you go ahead and ask that question for?
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Me.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Danielle, THANKS i just want pounds and.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Muscle i'll thank you My venmo and you can venmo
me per.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Question you got. It you got it, Well. Danielle we
appreciate the, time especially on Opening. Day we know you're.
Busy enjoy the game tonight and we'll see you when
you get back here To houston for The friday night home.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Opener thanks Guys.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Awesome Danielle learner of The Houston Chronicle rockets beat writer
with some good stuff right. There will react to. That
get back into Some texans conversation from last night's abysmal
defeat In seattle as we wind down the two o'clock,
hour next the eight On Sports talk seven ninety
It is the A Team Sports Talk seven ninety Tuesday
edition of the program. We's ac Cole Thompson with you
and Danielle Learner of the Houston Chronicle joining us from OKC.
I hear it's lovely this time of year up there,
daniel appreciate the Danielle appreciate the time. And I don't
know that I've been dis excited about a Rocket season
(00:27):
since maybe Chris Paul was traded here at the end
of last decade. Does it seem like there's that air
around the team or are they taking the tone of
their coach like a business like approach. No matter what,
I think they.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Are trying to kind of reflect the business like approach.
But you know, there is that excitement, especially just given
the outside expectations and outside excitement. As much as players
always want to say that they don't care what other
people outside the team think of them, and they don't
care about that stuff, they hear it. They can't help
but here and I think that they do internalize it.
So just hearing that everybody else is really hyped for
(01:06):
this season and has really high expectations for them, and
knowing what they were too able to accomplish, last season
and then adding a bunch of new players, including a
future Hall of Famer and Kevin Durant. I think that
everyone within the organization has championship contention expectations, and so, yeah,
they are excited to get started.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
How do you think this group is actually handling that?
And do you think it's tremendously different than the vibe
or expectation they had going into last year they were
a forty one and forty one team. I think they
knew they were going to be significantly better. I don't
know that their expectations were, well, we'll finish second in
the West and have home court advantage in the postseason.
But clearly the expectations are a little different this year.
(01:46):
How do you think they're handling that as they get
set to begin the season to night, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I don't think I think they're handling it pretty well.
I don't think anyone is, you know, getting too high
or too low, as the cliche goes. But you know,
they haven't even played a game yet, so I think
we'll have to see if that changes as we actually
get the season underway. But right now, it's like, well,
they had four preseason games. One of those really didn't
(02:12):
count at all, and so they think that they know
what they can do. But you know, tonight facing the
defending champions is going to be a really really huge
litmus test to start, and then as they keep going,
it's just going to be okay, how can they adjust
and continue to improve and get better because on paper, yes,
this team looks like it can be a lot better
than last season, but we don't really know until we
(02:34):
see it in action.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
Since you brought up the preseason, I was thinking about
this and have talked about this on the show. Was
there something statistically maybe that they did during the preseason
very well that is seducing you into believing, yeah, that's
gonna happen during the regular season.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
I mean, I think that that double big lineup that
we're going to see starting tonight versus Okac in the
preseason game, versus the Pelicans, when they started with that group,
it wasn't the smooth that's starting out. There's definitely some
spacing issues that have to be resolved in the half court,
but overall it was pretty dominant, especially on the boards,
and we already knew that was one of the rockets
strengths last season. It's gonna be even more of a
(03:13):
strength I think this season, especially just with the amount
of size that they have now. In addition to Steven
Adams being out there, you have Clinton Capella, who can
play alongside Albert Shangoon just playing you know, Kevin Durant,
who is listed at six' ten but is really more
like seven foot playing him at shooting guard is just.
Ridiculous SO i think the rebounding is gonna take even
(03:36):
more of a, jump and then you, know you just
look at the scoring. POTENTIAL i think that lineup played
about twelve minutes together in the preseason game versus The,
pelicans and in that span they outscored The pelicans by sixteen.
Points so you, know you already see more offensive firepower
with this, group which is obviously what was lacking last.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Season, yeah having stood right next to both Hakim olaijuan
and And Kevin, DURANT i don't know Why elijuan was
listed at seven feet when he's six foot, ten AND
i don't know Why durant is listed at six to
ten when he is definitely a true seven. Footer but
in that, vein you, know you mentioned the size and
you're gonna get that big lineup. TONIGHT i know there
might have been some talk About Reed shepherd starting at point,
(04:18):
guard and maybe that's an interchangeable. Thing i'm actually kind
of fascinated and maybe you have a little bit more
insight on this into what Emy udoka winds up. Doing is?
This you, know a lot of teams do have that
that starting five doesn't matter what the matchup, Is we're
going with these. Guys does that seem like it's a
fluid situation depending on the, matchup BECAUSE i think a
(04:39):
lot of people might have Thought reed starts, tonight but
instead they're gonna go with that big. Lineup do you
feel like that's gonna be interchangeable or that this is
the lineup that is gonna go with more often than.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
Not, NO i think absolutely it's gonna change games game
at least here early in the. SEASON i think perhaps
When Dorian Finney smith comes back and is, healthy which
we don't know when that. Is they've said they expect
him to miss at least a few games in the regular,
season but there's no exact. Timetable i'm going to follow
up on that some more tonight and tomorrow IF i,
(05:10):
Can BUT i think. That, obviously he was a guy
who's expected to potentially compete With jabari in training camp
for a starting spot before his, Injury SO i think
that that could change some. THINGS i think that how
this lineup performs tonight could change some. THINGS i think
(05:30):
that they are going to potentially start read against some smaller,
teams but it definitely is the plan to against teams
that go double, big Like, okay see they're going to
start this lineup With Steven. Adams they might change, that
AND i think it's all kind of going to be
a work in progress and trial and error for these
next few weeks at, least and then they might settle
(05:53):
on a more permanent starting five for the rest of the.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
Season Danielle learner of The Houston chronicle beat writer for
The Houston rockets with the Team Oklahoma. Cities they get
set to begin this season, tonight first game of THE nba.
Season you AND i were over at practice, yesterday got
a chance to talk To kevin about the, extension talked
To alpi and E may similarly about, that and obviously
over the weekend had had that opportunity to do. So
(06:15):
that was in advance of the deadline For Tarry easton's potential,
extension which there was no agreement reached on. That tarr
spoke this morning they're In Oklahoma, city curious what you
think about a what he had to say and how
he's handling, this which was very tari like for those
that don't, know But i'll let you share that with,
them and what you think this actually might mean for
(06:36):
his season and his.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Future, YEAH i, mean credit to. Him he seems to
be taking it fairly, well at least, publicly, saying you,
KNOW i understand this was a business. Decision it's not.
Personal it's not going to change HOW i operate this,
season which you, know he was already coming into training
camp kind of gunning for an elevated, role, saying you,
know he wants to be in contention FOR nba Six
(06:59):
man of The. Year you, know of, course last season
he had his best season yet in a lot of,
areas despite not playing more than sixty. Games but you,
know he was then ineligible FOR nba awards because he
did not meet that sixty two game. Minimum SO i,
think you, know he's always someone who likes to have
a chip on his. Shoulder that's kind of his mo
(07:19):
and so you, know he, said there's no ill will
towards The. Rockets he still wants to try and bring
a championship To houston this. Season AND i asked, him
do you want to be A rocket next? Season and he, said, yeah,
yeah of, course you. Know and in a, way that's
not necessarily up to, him Right he's going to be
a restricted free, agent which means that if another team
gives him an offer, sheet The rockets have the right
(07:41):
to try and match, it but they could also choose
to let him walk or just financially be unable to match,
it depending on what the offer. Is so it's a
little bit out of his control at this, point and
all he can do is try and have the best
season that he.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
CAN i think it's telling that when The rocket social
media staff released that video montage of all of the
players reacting to the news That Kevin durant had been,
Traded Tari easton's initial reaction, was WAS i traded? Too?
Speaker 2 (08:12):
YEAH i, MEAN i don't know if that's super. TELLING
i think it's just everyone's reaction when there's a superstar
involved into trade and whoa must have cost a lot
to get that, guy, Right and then that was kind
Of Kevin durant's whole point that starting five documentaries that
he didn't want to go to a team where they
had to gut their entire roster in order to acquire.
Him SO i don't think that's that's the super telling
(08:34):
in that. Instance but Definitely Chari easton is going to
be the subject of trade speculation this season because he
is one of the few tradeable contracts that they have
at least until Mid, december one of a lot more
of their guys will become trade. Eligible but you know
now he's going to be kind of that the centerpiece
of any package that The rockets might go, For and
(08:57):
of course that's going to also depend on how the
back or situation plays out With Ree shepherd and A Men.
Thompson if The rockets feel like they need to explore
the trademarket to acquire a point.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Guard he's reading our.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
Minds, yeah as we let you get ready for the action,
tonight a six point thirty ish tip off tonight From Oklahoma,
City i'll ask you, this is there a player you
think will be the biggest positive surprise for This rockets
team that you could pinpoint or is there a bold
prediction you have about the team for this.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
SEASON i try not to get into the predictions game
too much because it's not much of an upside. There
But i'll answer the first, question which AND i don't,
know honestly if this is a surprise at this point
given what he did in the, preseason BUT i Think
Jabari Smith junior is going to be much much more
of a factor when it comes to. SCORING i think
(09:49):
we've already obviously seen what he can do on the defensive.
End you, know he's able to guard smaller, players he's
able to guard bigger. Players he's very versatile in that.
Respect but last, season aside from the playoffs in which
he shot very, well he was Not he didn't have
a super big impact in the scoring. Column you, know
he wasn't one of those guys who you were, like,
oh he's going to take over a. GAME i think
(10:10):
this season you're going to see him in takeover mode
a lot more like you did in the preseason game Against.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Pelicans he has visually put on more. WEIGHT i might
have missed. It has he said anything about a certain
number of pounds he's put on in, muscle because it
totally looks like it when you see him versus last.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Season, yeah he.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Hasn't said anything specifically about, it BUT i agree he
does look a lot. Stronger and that was something THAT
i was hearing even really early in the off season
WHEN i was In vegas For Summer. League you, know
he and a couple of the other guys came by
and we're working out, there and the feedback THAT i
was getting from coaches who were around those workouts were,
like he looks like a monster right. Now and so
(10:50):
that was In, july AND i think that he just
has continued to do that, work AND i think that
getting his extension done really early in the offseason kind
of allowed him him to focus a lot more on
just improving his.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Game when you're following up with The Dorian Finney smith injury,
news could you go ahead and ask that question for?
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Me.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
Danielle, THANKS i just want pounds and.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Muscle i'll thank you My venmo and you can venmo
me per.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Question you got. It you got it, Well. Danielle we
appreciate the, time especially on Opening. Day we know you're.
Busy enjoy the game tonight and we'll see you when
you get back here To houston for The friday night home.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Opener thanks Guys.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
Awesome Danielle learner of The Houston Chronicle rockets beat writer
with some good stuff right. There will react to. That
get back into Some texans conversation from last night's abysmal
defeat In seattle as we wind down the two o'clock,
hour next the eight On Sports talk seven ninety
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