October 21, 2025 • 7 mins
Vanessa Richardson Joins The Show Before Rockets Season Opener
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
What twenty one on The Matt Thomas Show with Ross
here from Oklahoma City. The only sad thing about tonight
is the fact that our TV family will not be
here to broadcast the game. And game is an NBC,
which means Craig Ryan and Vanessa will make their debuts
Friday when the Rockets take on the Detroit Pistons. Vanessa
(00:20):
is going to join us a couple minutes here on
the show back in Age Town. By the way, Vanessa
is now a national star after a busy ESPN summer.
How are you, Nion lady.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I'm good. I hate not being there in Oklahoma City,
but I will say I've got my iPad out, I
am by the pool and I am about to send
out some fire Rockets content from Space City Home Network,
So you know, life is good. But I definitely wish
that I was there with you guys, no question.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Yeah, we'll look forward to seeing you on Friday.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Hey, you have had a chance to be at about
ninety nine percent of the practices and media availabilities and
kind of behind the scenes. Give us a thought or
two for the audience about your interactions with KD. Mine
has been limited, and that's okay, and I'm okay with that.
But everything I been with him has been it's about basketball,
it's about professionalism. It's not about being a cheerleader or
raw rock guy. It's just I've known what I can
(01:08):
do for this team to help out, and I think
so far he's done everything as advertised.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, I had spoken to him before and interviewed him
before over the years, but this is obviously the most
like up close I've ever been with him. And you know,
a plus person, very nice, very understanding of what the
media does, and has been supportive. You know. He was
great with you and Ross on media day. He was
(01:34):
great with US Space City Home Network on media day
as well, So nothing but good things to say. You know.
I think when you really take inventory of his career,
he has never been known to be the guy that
is super loud and voisterous and giving the raw roth
speeches like that is just not his thing. But he
(01:55):
leads by example and that is in my opinion, even
more important than having a loud, raw raw guy that
makes speeches, because the coaching staff can do that. So,
you know, I think Kevin has been an excellent addition
so far, and I know that particularly the young guys,
have soaked up every single thing that he has said
and have you know, really been learning from him.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
So I asked this to Ryan earlier on the show today.
My pick for like not and I'm going to rephrase
it again not like most improved, but man not on
the radar last year that maybe could be an on
radar guy.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
This year was for me Jabari Smith. Are you with
that or is there even somebody beyond that?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Oh my gosh, I'm so with it. And I've been
in on him since the Rockets drafted him, I think,
and I never try to tell people how to be fans, right,
but like people just are not patient, right. So he
comes into a situation he and you know, Tari are
drafted during you know, the last of some lean years
for the Rockets, which was the play right like that's
(03:01):
it went the way it was supposed to go. But
he he has an unbelievable attitude and in addition to
just all the talent and physical gifts, I mean, he
used to think about the fact that last year he
was a starter and then got injured and was replaced
in the starting lineup with the men, and had a
(03:22):
completely good attitude said, email whatever you need for me,
I will do whatever for the team. And Matt, you
and I both know that would be a problem with
like ninety percent of the guys in the NBA, but
not Jabari. And so not only does he have that
like intangible attitude, but he's gotten a lot stronger. You
can physically see when he is out there. He's gotten
(03:44):
a lot stronger. And you know I he's definitely I
think going to be learning and be you know, hands
on learning from from Kevin, because when Jabbari was being
drafted or being scouted out of Auburn, that was one
of the number one things is like you've got the
same builds as Kevin Durant. So it's a great opportunity
(04:05):
for him, and I absolutely think that this is going
to be a career year for him, Probably the best
year of his career so far, is what I think.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
A few more minutes here of Vanessa richardson Space City,
Home Network and ESPN. You worked the NBA Finals, so
you spent a lot of time in this city. I
don't know if you went to Toby Keith at all.
We did not go there last night, so you'd be
pleased with that. You know it's gone down hill. Dalhil
you were we know, r Ip you were able to
(04:33):
get into the huddles a little bit on occasion with
Mark Dagnall, tell tell the audience about Oklahoma City a
little bit, because you know, look, Jalen Williams is not
going to play tonight.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
That's number eight. He's hurt.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
But that's a lot of a lot of returning guys
from a year ago and just kind of the culture
around that team that you saw for the limited time
during the finals in the Western Finals last year.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Yeah, I would love to say that there's like something
artificial or overrated about it, but their chemistry is very real.
You know, they a really like each other. They all
get along. They've got you know, honestly, it was kind
of similar to the Rockets in years past when everybody
was really young and they all just had this like exciting,
like boyish charm of guys that were living their dream
(05:14):
in the league and were in their early mid twenties
and all of that. But you know, they've got a
great defensive thing going. They've got their own version of
double Big that you saw them running last year, and
so it's a great team. I mean, They're a great team.
And there is a reason that the league is opening
on NBC with these two teams, and it's not just
(05:37):
because that's where Kevin played. These are two very exciting teams,
and you know, the Thunder are the real deal. What
I don't like, Matt because you know me, I'm not
a fan of this. I don't like when we start
talking about dynasties after one championship, like you got to
get another, you got to get another championship appear. So
if I'm like all in on talking about them, good dynasty.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
But yeah, there seven different yeah, seven different championships in
seven years.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
So there there is there's no room for dynasty at
this point.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
So I agree. I agree.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Uh, okay, I'm trying to think. So I askedister Ryan,
I'll ask you who besides Oklahoma City gives you the
hebgb's about who could be the Rockets teams that will
perhaps give the biggest threat to the new supremacy in
the West.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Yeah, in the Western Conference specifically, I think if the
Clippers stay healthy, you know, and there's a lot of
like they have a lot of depth, they have a
lot of depth. Jeff Van Gundy has you know Tyler
has given Jeff Van Gundy the keys to that defense,
and Jeff Van Gundy is crushing it and is meticulous.
And so I think if the Clippers stay if the
(06:49):
clip the big is if, right, but the big if
if they stay healthy. Yeah, like I think the Nuggets
are awesome, but I'm just a big believer. And if
the Clippers stay healthy, you know, now, what would that
look like in the playoffs With James Harden's history in
the playoffs, I don't know. But the Clippers, the Clippers
are the other than the Thunder, the team that if
(07:10):
they stay healthy, I think could be dangerous for everybody.
What twenty one on The Matt Thomas Show with Ross
here from Oklahoma City. The only sad thing about tonight
is the fact that our TV family will not be
here to broadcast the game. And game is an NBC,
which means Craig Ryan and Vanessa will make their debuts
Friday when the Rockets take on the Detroit Pistons. Vanessa
(00:20):
is going to join us a couple minutes here on
the show back in Age Town. By the way, Vanessa
is now a national star after a busy ESPN summer.
How are you, Nion lady.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
I'm good. I hate not being there in Oklahoma City,
but I will say I've got my iPad out, I
am by the pool and I am about to send
out some fire Rockets content from Space City Home Network,
So you know, life is good. But I definitely wish
that I was there with you guys, no question.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Yeah, we'll look forward to seeing you on Friday.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Hey, you have had a chance to be at about
ninety nine percent of the practices and media availabilities and
kind of behind the scenes. Give us a thought or
two for the audience about your interactions with KD. Mine
has been limited, and that's okay, and I'm okay with that.
But everything I been with him has been it's about basketball,
it's about professionalism. It's not about being a cheerleader or
raw rock guy. It's just I've known what I can
(01:08):
do for this team to help out, and I think
so far he's done everything as advertised.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, I had spoken to him before and interviewed him
before over the years, but this is obviously the most
like up close I've ever been with him. And you know,
a plus person, very nice, very understanding of what the
media does, and has been supportive. You know. He was
great with you and Ross on media day. He was
(01:34):
great with US Space City Home Network on media day
as well, So nothing but good things to say. You know.
I think when you really take inventory of his career,
he has never been known to be the guy that
is super loud and voisterous and giving the raw roth
speeches like that is just not his thing. But he
(01:55):
leads by example and that is in my opinion, even
more important than having a loud, raw raw guy that
makes speeches, because the coaching staff can do that. So,
you know, I think Kevin has been an excellent addition
so far, and I know that particularly the young guys,
have soaked up every single thing that he has said
and have you know, really been learning from him.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
So I asked this to Ryan earlier on the show today.
My pick for like not and I'm going to rephrase
it again not like most improved, but man not on
the radar last year that maybe could be an on
radar guy.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
This year was for me Jabari Smith. Are you with
that or is there even somebody beyond that?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Oh my gosh, I'm so with it. And I've been
in on him since the Rockets drafted him, I think,
and I never try to tell people how to be fans, right,
but like people just are not patient, right. So he
comes into a situation he and you know, Tari are
drafted during you know, the last of some lean years
for the Rockets, which was the play right like that's
(03:01):
it went the way it was supposed to go. But
he he has an unbelievable attitude and in addition to
just all the talent and physical gifts, I mean, he
used to think about the fact that last year he
was a starter and then got injured and was replaced
in the starting lineup with the men, and had a
(03:22):
completely good attitude said, email whatever you need for me,
I will do whatever for the team. And Matt, you
and I both know that would be a problem with
like ninety percent of the guys in the NBA, but
not Jabari. And so not only does he have that
like intangible attitude, but he's gotten a lot stronger. You
can physically see when he is out there. He's gotten
(03:44):
a lot stronger. And you know I he's definitely I
think going to be learning and be you know, hands
on learning from from Kevin, because when Jabbari was being
drafted or being scouted out of Auburn, that was one
of the number one things is like you've got the
same builds as Kevin Durant. So it's a great opportunity
(04:05):
for him, and I absolutely think that this is going
to be a career year for him, Probably the best
year of his career so far, is what I think.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
A few more minutes here of Vanessa richardson Space City,
Home Network and ESPN. You worked the NBA Finals, so
you spent a lot of time in this city. I
don't know if you went to Toby Keith at all.
We did not go there last night, so you'd be
pleased with that. You know it's gone down hill. Dalhil
you were we know, r Ip you were able to
(04:33):
get into the huddles a little bit on occasion with
Mark Dagnall, tell tell the audience about Oklahoma City a
little bit, because you know, look, Jalen Williams is not
going to play tonight.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
That's number eight. He's hurt.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
But that's a lot of a lot of returning guys
from a year ago and just kind of the culture
around that team that you saw for the limited time
during the finals in the Western Finals last year.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Yeah, I would love to say that there's like something
artificial or overrated about it, but their chemistry is very real.
You know, they a really like each other. They all
get along. They've got you know, honestly, it was kind
of similar to the Rockets in years past when everybody
was really young and they all just had this like exciting,
like boyish charm of guys that were living their dream
(05:14):
in the league and were in their early mid twenties
and all of that. But you know, they've got a
great defensive thing going. They've got their own version of
double Big that you saw them running last year, and
so it's a great team. I mean, They're a great team.
And there is a reason that the league is opening
on NBC with these two teams, and it's not just
(05:37):
because that's where Kevin played. These are two very exciting teams,
and you know, the Thunder are the real deal. What
I don't like, Matt because you know me, I'm not
a fan of this. I don't like when we start
talking about dynasties after one championship, like you got to
get another, you got to get another championship appear. So
if I'm like all in on talking about them, good dynasty.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
But yeah, there seven different yeah, seven different championships in
seven years.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
So there there is there's no room for dynasty at
this point.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
So I agree. I agree.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Uh, okay, I'm trying to think. So I askedister Ryan,
I'll ask you who besides Oklahoma City gives you the
hebgb's about who could be the Rockets teams that will
perhaps give the biggest threat to the new supremacy in
the West.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Yeah, in the Western Conference specifically, I think if the
Clippers stay healthy, you know, and there's a lot of
like they have a lot of depth, they have a
lot of depth. Jeff Van Gundy has you know Tyler
has given Jeff Van Gundy the keys to that defense,
and Jeff Van Gundy is crushing it and is meticulous.
And so I think if the Clippers stay if the
(06:49):
clip the big is if, right, but the big if
if they stay healthy. Yeah, like I think the Nuggets
are awesome, but I'm just a big believer. And if
the Clippers stay healthy, you know, now, what would that
look like in the playoffs With James Harden's history in
the playoffs, I don't know. But the Clippers, the Clippers
are the other than the Thunder, the team that if
(07:10):
they stay healthy, I think could be dangerous for everybody.
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