Vanessa Richardson on 2024-25 Rockets, SCHN broadcasts, and more

In the start of a new series profiling Houston’s game broadcasters, Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network (SCHN) joins Ben and Paulo to discuss the 2024-25 Rockets and beyond.

Topics include her insights on organizational leaders such as owner Tilman Fertitta, head coach Ime Udoka, and GM Rafael Stone; expectations for the upcoming season; favorite player and staff interviews; behind-the-scenes intel on her job and SCHN; and more.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Cheers, Rockets fans, Welcome to the lagger Line, an exclusive
podcast from the home of the Rockets, Sports Talk.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
Seven ninety.

Speaker 1 (00:15):
The logger Line. It's proudly served to you by car
Box Clutch City lagger It is God Oh Red Nation.
Get Ready, Ready, Get Ready. The lagger Line starts now.
Welcome aboard.

Speaker 2 (00:39):
Ben Doubo's here, Paolo Alps there, thanks for checking out
another new episode of The logger Line, as always served
to you courtesy of Clutch to the log of Carbock Brewing.
As we're recording this in mid September during the dog
days of the NBA calendar, We've got a special guest,
Vanessa Richardson's sideline reporter for the Houston Rockets on Space
City Home Network, and Vanessa, it's a good time to

(00:59):
have you on. I've wanted to get you for a while.
But we're now approaching your two year anniversary with the Rockets.

Speaker 3 (01:05):
Correct, yes, correct, And I'm just like, it's hard to believe,
but I just feel so fortunate because it has been
so much fun.

Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, it looks like you're having fun when you do
these broadcasts, and of course last year was a lot
more fun than the first year. With the team winning
a hot more games. But one thing I wanted to
start off by asking you. So, you're not a newcomer
to the Houston sports media space. You had worked with
Houston's NBC affiliate KPRC for a few years. You had
done almost a year with the SBN ninety seven five

(01:35):
doing sports talk for radio, so you had some exposure
to the Rockets and the Houston sports teams before taking
this job. Yet everything you saw was as something of
an outsider. Now the last couple of years, you've been
sort of the ultimate insider and that you are the
link between fans as the team, you travel with, the team,
you do nearly every game. Why have you learned about

(01:58):
this team in this frame in your two years as
the ultimate insider? That's maybe different than your perception over
all those years when you were an outsider in Houston
sports media.

Speaker 3 (02:09):
Yeah, well, thanks for having me on. You both know
how I feel about you and just love the way
that you guys cover the Rockets. It's different when you're
with a non assiliate. And you know, when I was
with KTRC, I was obviously not like covering the Rockets,
but the Texans, the Astros, College football. We did a
Friday night high school football show, so it was a

(02:31):
lot And then when I was with ninety seventy five
now Media ESPN Radio, which I loved, you know, that
was a lot of football when it was only a
two hour show a day, so a lot of times,
you know, we wouldn't get to talk about as much
basketball as I would have liked. So it is definitely different,
and in a great way. I love the privilege of

(02:54):
being the person that can interview these players after, you know,
some of their biggest career moments, and for the guys
that are young, some of their biggest life moments, and
getting to be with them on the road and see
their hard work and meet their families and how much
their families have poured into them. It's just been really incredible.

(03:14):
So I feel super thankful. And you know, if you
asked me what I've learned about the world it's franchise,
I would just say, really good people behind the scenes,
and that includes of course the Fertidas and rafel Stone,
but you know, there's a lot of amazing women that
work in the franchise, and you know that you've never

(03:35):
seen and it's just a franchise. Full of really good
people that I think are trying to do things the
right way. And it's been cool last season to see
a lot of those things come to fruition and the
hard work and the paying for years turn into a
season that fans were proud of.

Speaker 4 (03:53):
I think those those good vibes and in fact, the
chef could tiple bind the scenes definitely translates to just
as someone who what is obviously don't five definitely translate
to the outside as well. So obviously, our first year
with the team, we were basically thanking or we weren't good.
They claim that they weren't thanking, but they kind of were. Uh.

Speaker 2 (04:12):
And then your second.

Speaker 4 (04:13):
Year we were obviously no. Around five hundred, we were
fighting for the playoffs for a bit, and now hopefully
this year we're going to have a better team. How
was the difference between when the team was you know,
down pad versus when they were you know, on the rights.

Speaker 3 (04:27):
Oh my gosh, I mean and this is nothing against
you know, the former head coach of the Rockets, Steven Silas.
This is nothing against that staff and nothing against the players.
The situation was what it was, right, But when I
went to Summer League last season. So twenty twenty three summer,
I got to see my first practice won by in

(04:50):
Berga and his staff, and I was like, whoa. I mean,
it was a one eight and culture, it was a
on ability, it was discipline, it was you know, and look,
the best thing about e Bay is like he doesn't
like I can report that because he literally will say
it at the press conference. Right, if you're not playing

(05:11):
break fence, no matter who you are, you're not playing.
And if you're not getting effort, you're gonna be on
the bench. And so to see that shift one eighty
essentially overnight was incredible. And if he brought in a
staff of people Ben Sullivan, Royal Ivy, Thiago Splitter has

(05:33):
left for pairis that Thiago was a huge part of
the staff. And you know, the reason that I was
so excited to do that Meet the Coaches series is
because it's just a really great staff full of young,
hungry guys that all played you know, a noumble college.
Most of them played professionally overseas or in NBA, and
so it just was a one eighty immediately. And you

(05:57):
know what a testament to the Rockets too, because it's
the players obviously that Rofelle picked and they see and
his staff scouted and and you know, you get the
Tari easans and you get the players that are just
evolving into something that's really cool to see on a
night to night basis. And so it was really cool
to see that from the get go and I and

(06:19):
it's all e the chain. We're immediately apparent.

Speaker 2 (06:23):
And I'll note that that Coaches series obviously it airs
on Rockets All Access on Space City Home Network. But
if you're not in the Houston market, you've got those
videos at Vanessa richardson Media, your YouTube.

Speaker 3 (06:35):
Channel, correct, yeah, at the YouTube channel or RAS. So
we've we've gotten to speak to Ben Sullivan, yel Ivy,
Tiago Splitter, Garrett Jackson, and then we just finished with
Cam Hodgers and Cam you know, was in Turkey with
Apparin for seven weeks this summer. And then of course
we have some coaches that we haven't gotten to yet.
So between the coaches the guys that are player development,

(06:59):
there are a lot of really important pieces to this franchise,
and I just I really enjoy getting to shed a
light on those guys and show that to fans.

Speaker 2 (07:09):
In terms of that shift in culture. So Imi Udoka
was a big part of it, but so too were
the players they brought in in late June or early
July of twenty twenty three. And this is no disrespect
intended at all to Eric Gordon, who is basically the
loan veteran on that twenty two to twenty three team
the first year that you were in Houston. And also

(07:30):
he was the loan veteran and he had a little
bit of a contractual dispute at that time, there was
uncertainty on whether he would stay with the team. Obviously,
he did end up getting traded at that season's trade deadline.
And so even though I do think Eric Gordon certainly
was a veteran, also brought a defensive presence. At the
same time, when you're just one of eleven, one of fourteen,

(07:52):
whatever it may be, then it's pretty tough for that
to shift the overall culture as opposed to last year.
It's it's not just e May, but you bring in Fred,
you bring in Dylan, You sign Jeff Green, shock Landeal,
guys that have been there, done that. You draft Amen Thompson,
even though he was a rookie a men brought a
defensive culture vibe day one, that's just the player that

(08:15):
he is. How much did those additions sort of shape
not just the encore product, but the vibe off the
court as well, because it just feels like if you're
one of those young guys, and you know, it's not
like we're calling out any of the young players, because
lots of young NBA players struggle on defense when they're
first getting started in the league. That comes with the territory.
But all of a sudden, if everyone around you, like Fred,

(08:37):
like Dylan, like Jeff, if they're competing their butts off
every possession, it becomes a lot harder if you're Jalen Green,
if you're all for in Shongoon to take a possession off,
and so nobody wants to be the wink link. So
how much did those guys that were brought in play
a role in, you know, changing the culture and helping
hold everyone to that higher standard.

Speaker 3 (08:57):
Yeah, it was. It was huge. And I think people think, oh, well,
every veteran mentors young players, like what's across sports. I
could think of examples like breastsarbon Aaron Rodgers, where that's true,
like not every veteran who's going to take young guys
under their wings. And the impact that Jeff Green had
on Jubbari's Smiths Junior and Tari Easan, and the impact

(09:19):
that brand van Vliet had on just the element of
professionalism alone was huge. And then you have Dylan Brooks
who comes in with a lot of intensity and people
can say whatever they want about Dylan, but he wolds
his teammates to a standard. And you know, Josh Brandia
was an underrated piece of that veteran leadership and the

(09:42):
way loved him, yeah, and the way he stepped up
when when Alpi got hurt and and just with a
lot of humility said, I mean he even said it
to me postgame. I believe in san Antonio said nobody
can replace Alpi, but you know, I'm trying to do
the best I can. And just what a great example
the veterans set. And now something that I know Roshell

(10:03):
and email, and that's Roteita is really wanted rules strong
veteran leadership and think about everything that reads Shefford is
going to be able to learn from tread. You just
can't say enough about the veterans, You really can't.

Speaker 2 (10:17):
Another thing that shifted between your first and second seasons
was the launch of Space City Home Network. The channel
used to be AT and T Sports Net Southwest, and
so a lot of people didn't necessarily notice to shift
other than the branding, because obviously the carriage agreements with
Direct TV, with comcasts with u Verse, whoever the providers

(10:37):
may be, are still in place. However, Space City Home Network,
unlike the previous AT and T Sports Dot RSN, Space
City Home Network is actually owned fully by the Rockets
and the Astros, and so there's a little more team control.
And so we talked about that coaches series earlier. I
think that's something that's newer in part because you do

(10:57):
have a little more off season content with Space City.
How much of a difference has that made with the
overall coverage that you can provide now that the RSN
is you know, not that there wasn't a team stake before,
but there's a much larger steak with the teams, the
Rockets and the Astros now.

Speaker 3 (11:13):
It's so nice of me to know this slot because
like you said, you know, there's always been the affiliation
and the teams care about what is on Space and
Home Network, but now it's on with Fertida and Jim
Crane oh, and network. It is really cool to see
that partnership grow even more. And so we did some

(11:34):
things last year like my Meet the Coaches series or
you know, weked up players and Rocket fans absolutely loved that.
So I'm looking forward to seeing that curtain ship continue
to grow since we are under DAC leadership now. And
you know, I can't say anything specific, but I think
fans should be very excited about the future and also

(11:55):
thankful because if anybody knows anything about the regional network landscape,
there are a lot of standbases that are wondering where
am I going to be able to watch my team?
Who is going to own it? You know, there are
things happening, you know, and ford with different So the
fact that film and Britita and Jim Cray took matters
into their own hands and the people that work with

(12:15):
them as well, and said, you know, let's learn how
to run a regional network. In addition to all of
the other responsibilities we have, Let's learn how to run
a regional network. And that's incredible and it is a
service to the fans. And I think Rockets Innesters fans,
like you said, Ben, like those kind words. I do

(12:36):
think that they're noticing that the content is even better.
So again I can't say anything specifically, but we're going
to have some litely sund things coming at this season
for sure.

Speaker 4 (12:46):
So simp you begun with them the team with the
Houston Rockets, what was the moment you were most nervous before,
you know, either going live or having an introduced scheduled.
What was the moment that you were the most you know,
nervous for or throughout the first year that you've been
with the Rockets.

Speaker 3 (13:04):
Oh, most nervous. I would say, that's a really good one.
I Fortunately I worked in TV long enough to to
where I don't usually get into a pile of nerves.
But I would just say, you know, any time we're
about to go on and it's an important moment, you know,

(13:24):
a player's career high, or you know, reporting something that
I want to get right, I mean all, then it
gets some butterflies. So yeah, there have been a lot
of really sun interviews that I've been and yeah, I
don't know how that I like have.

Speaker 2 (13:39):
One for that. Sorry, Yeah, no.

Speaker 4 (13:41):
It's it's sotually cool because so we see obviously more
of the finished product and obviously have a lot of
experience going into it, and it always, you know, comes
across like everything is under control, and sometimes people forget
people forget that.

Speaker 3 (13:55):
You know, No, it's true, and yeah, you know, and
it's funny you say that, because like there's more that
goes into a moment than people think. So, you know,
for a postgame interview, I'm telling Rocket Security and Rocket
Public Relations who I'd like to get, and then I'm
talking to my producer in the truck, and then the
producer is telling the graftics guy and the director Okay,

(14:17):
Vanessa's going to get him. N let's get his score
bug ready with how many points and rebounds and assistancy
ad and then and telling mckin and me and him
didn't get down for me? And then, you know, if
it's more complicated than people think.

Speaker 4 (14:31):
So from the people that you've gotten to interviews so far,
who are your favorite people to interview? You can name players, coaches,
whoever you want. What are the best interviews out of
the squad.

Speaker 3 (14:42):
I don't know that I can say best without sounding biased,
but I think you know.

Speaker 2 (14:49):
Let me rephrase that a little bit. What interviews have
stood out the most to you from your first couple
of years.

Speaker 3 (14:55):
Okay, yes, and did one week Jabari after the Buckets
won in Oklahoma City and it was I believe, their
tenth win in a row, and it was great for
a couple of different reasons. Those ten wins came in
different ways, which I thought was was really important, and
that when in particular, was a team win if I've

(15:17):
ever seen it, But it was also symbolic of where
the Rockets are. It was also symbolic of Alph the
fact that this team was heading in the right direction.
You don't go on a ten game win streak, I
don't care what people say. You don't go on a
ten game win streak out of nowhere, and you don't
increase the wind till the like they did by coincidence.
So that was just a special night. I remember Tilman

(15:39):
and Patrick Fertita waiting outside of the locker room.

Speaker 2 (15:42):
Oh yeah, I remember the videos.

Speaker 3 (15:44):
Yeah, And I took that video and Tilman stuff the
hand of every Rockets coach and it was just pure
joy of like, this is going in the right direction.
We made the right hires, we made we brought in
the right veterans, and obviously I'm that's what I'm thinking
I'm not saying that's what Jillon was thinking, but it
was just incredible to see ten wins in a row

(16:05):
that progress at that night against Oklahoma's freaking city. It
was just really special, and I think it was indicative
and special to me too also because you know, people
can say whatever they want about Jabbari. Jabari's a good
NBA player, and it's going to continue to develop, and
I want anybody to get their showing, and I want
fans to be how hard all of these guys worked

(16:26):
and how dedicated they are, and so that when.

Speaker 2 (16:29):
Was special for sure. Yeah, I think Jabori is a
guy who's sort of symbolic for this whole era of
the rebuild, going from Phase one to Phase two, because
obviously year one was a little rockier than some of
us expected. Perhaps we should have expected it when you
look at you know, even if he was drafted third,
he's actually like the youngest guy in his entire draft class.

(16:49):
He had just turned nineteen going into the NBA, and
you know, he's a little thin, or was at least
for his position. So of course there were going to
be some ups and down. He's getting used to the
longer three point line, and so see him take a
big leap in year two. Actually low key one of
the better moments of I would say the last two seasons.
Obviously last year had a ton with the Oklahoma City game,

(17:10):
I think being at the top of the list, but
I would say, you're one that Saint Patrick's Day game
when Jabori had the buzzer beater against the Pelicans. It
was right after I'm sure you remember you're from Indiana,
and so we had that huge game against the Pacers
against in India a couple of games before that, and
so it was sort of you could see in real

(17:32):
time the light bulb coming on. And I think, unlike
this past season, that March was one in which we
were sort of ready for the offseason because we knew that,
you know, that was going to be turning the page.
They e maay hired, Well, we did what was e May,
but we knew, you know, more than likely a new
coach was coming. There was going to be new leadership.
They had all this cap space so they could bring
in additions, which that became Fred and Dylan, and we

(17:53):
just knew that things were going to get kicked into overdrive.
And obviously last year was the result of that. But
JABORI having those flashes swards the end of the year,
and I think he had a nice interview with you
after that game as well. Was just sort of the
light bulb coming on and you could sort of see
the light at the end of the tunnel if you're
a fan, and so that stood out with me. Another
guy that I think his interviews with you are always

(18:14):
fantastic is all for in Shangoon. I think certainly everybody
remembers the forty five points ad against Wemby the San
Antonio game in March. I also think of the New
Orleans game he had a career high thirty six or
thirty seven, But that was the walk off interview right
before Christmas where Tri joined him and they yeah and
did the All Star Star. Yeah. So that was good.

(18:37):
But one of the things that always makes the allp interviews,
and I'm curious your perspective on this, one of the
things that always makes them so memorable. So he has
done amazing work in his first three NBA seasons at
learning English. Everyone knows the basics, but he's gone from
just being able to listen to his teammates and hear
signals from coaches to being able to communicate just like

(19:00):
we do as people born in the States. He's gotten
really really good at It actually reminds me a little
bit of you know, with the Astros, a big part
of their culture, they had so many Latin American infielders.
In a few years back, Alex Bregman went the extra
mile to become fluent in Spanish so that he could
communicate with them, and that's been a huge part in
sort of, you know, building that culture and Shingoon getting

(19:21):
to a point where he's not just you know, understanding
basic commands in English, but is literally one of the
guys that really helps him in the locker room. And
also it's funny but when sort to tie it back
into your interviews, so with him in sort of the process,
every year he gets a little bit better, but it's

(19:42):
still a process of getting to, you know, where we
are as English speakers, his interviews can be a little
more blunt. So whereas some guys sort of you know,
choose their words carefully, Shangoon I feel like he has
less of a filter because he's still learning the language.
So the LP and are really really blunt. And so

(20:02):
just for that selfish reason I like all these interviews
just because he's so blunt. You see what we're getting.

Speaker 3 (20:07):
Yeah, oh, and yeah, No, I think it's a great point, Ben,
because honestly, I don't think people understand how hard it
is for these players. You come over to the US
learn a different language. Mind you, they are away from
their family, away from their friends, away from everything that

(20:29):
is comfortable to them, and they still take the time
to learn the language. And then you also have to
learn you have to learn the slang. And because slang
is a big part of any locker room, it's a
big part of life in general. And so I'm really
proud of everything that Alfred has done. And you know,
the resources that the Rockets gave him to learn has

(20:51):
been fantastic. And you know, it's it's a vulnerable thing
to put yourself out there. It is a vulnerable thing
to do an interview in a way language that isn't
your first language, and to do that interview in front
of thousands and thousands of people that are watching. That's
a lot. And yeah, I mean, Keen is very honest
and very blunt, but he's so thoughtful and all the

(21:14):
hardware chiefs put in this past summer with the guys
and the player development guys at the rock Up scent
to Turkey. I think is gonna just do one girst thing.
So I'm really excited for Albu.

Speaker 2 (21:24):
Yeah. Absolutely. And while we're on the subjects of the Rockets,
we've talked a lot about players, but you get some
behind the scenes access to the leaders of the organization
as well. And I'm curious your perspective on Rafel and
e May in particular, because it feels like to me
those two have been a really nice mix. And it's
not to say that Rafel and Steven weren't, but I

(21:48):
think and of course this was before your time. It's
important to remember when Steve Silas was hired in late
twenty twenty, circumstances were very different for starters. During a
lot of that coaching st which is right after the
bubble in September of twenty twenty, Jerald Moriy had not
even officially left now he knew he was going to,

(22:10):
and so as I understand it, he was sitting in
on the meetings, but Rafell was sort of leading them.
But Raffel wasn't even fully in that chair yet. And then,
more importantly, at the time, the Rockets still had James
Harden and Russell Westbrook, two former MVPs under contract. They
were hoping to make things work with the James. It
was a veteran leaden team. There were hopes that Stephen

(22:30):
and James could be something similar to what Stephen did
with Luca in Dallas in terms of being sort of
the heliocentric cub of the offense. And then everything flipped
to it felt like a rebuild overnight in early twenty
twenty one. So it's not so much to say that
rafel and Steven Silas were a bad fit. It's more,
in my opinion, the circumstances changed dramatically within a span

(22:53):
of a few months from when Stephen Silas was hired
and then the job became much more difficult than anyone anticipated. However,
with the second hire, which took place in April of
twenty twenty three, when Rafel Stone's fully in charge, knew
the situation, had a plan for what things would look
like moving forward, it really feels like that that mix

(23:13):
of a fel at e may has been extremely productive.
What's your assessment of I guess their personalities, knowing them
behind the scenes and why do they seem to, you know,
work so well together as far as being in alignment
between the front office and the coaching staff.

Speaker 3 (23:28):
Yeah, I mean, look, I can't speak for either one
of them, obviously, but just from what I've seen, I
do think that they get along really well. And I
think that the main thing that has been said, and
it might sound cliche or it might sound like I'm
reading from a PR sheet, but it's one hundred percent true,
is that everybody has the same vision of where the

(23:50):
franchise is, where it needs to be, where they want
to go next. When Emay was hired, we heard Tillman
saying we are in shase two and so I just
think that every body is on the same page about
the important veterans, about the importance of drafting well, and
you know, they're they're working well together. And I think
that it is obvious to fans. And I don't feel

(24:13):
what sport you're talking about, I don't know what team
you're talking about. When you feel like the owner, the GM,
the coach, the coaching staff, the president, the business ops,
when you feel like everybody is on the same page
and there is no friction and there's no drama and
there's no reports coming out and who's leaking this? And

(24:35):
you know when you just feel like everything is in tandem,
that that's a great feeling as a fan, and I
think Rocket Stands should have that feeling. So, yeah, they're
both they're both basketball junkies, and obviously they both both
with fell and e May have so much experience in
the game and in the NBA. You know where Seal's

(24:57):
been with the Rockets for so long and then e May,
I mean today not a Lackey but coach Klovich and
then bouncing around the different stops before he of course
got this head coaching job, one that he earned, would
be an understated that. I mean, he's been fantastic with
the guys. So I think anytime in a corporation or
especially in sports, when you feel like the owner, the GM,

(25:20):
the president, the coach, the staff, everybody is on the
same page and has a shared vision, was it. Samy
feels thankful for that because there are not a lot
of situations like that in sports, as we all know.

Speaker 2 (25:35):
Yeah, and so quickly follow up on that one thing
that I've noticed with both of them. You know, they
both have a certain intensity to them. They take their
jobs very seriously, but they also know when they need
to pull back, and it's not that uncommon to see,
you know, em a crack at joke with a ry smile,
like while he's intense, he knows the value of relationships.

(25:57):
I've talked with Rafel about that as well as and
you know, I thought there was a really revealing quote
this week, so Kelly Eco at the Athletic to the
story on the death of Carol Dawson, longtime Rocket assistant coach,
former general manager. So rest in peace and obviously well
wishes to his family, but the quote that Raffell had

(26:17):
to Kelly in that he's a Houston Rockets legend. I'm
lucky to have had the chance to get to know
and work with him. He's someone I learned a lot from,
particularly his ability to use humor to make his point
and connect with people. That's a timeless quality that not
many people possess, and it was cool to get the
chance to observe. And that's something that low key I

(26:37):
think the Rockets are better at than people on the.

Speaker 3 (26:40):
Side like Rafelo.

Speaker 2 (26:42):
The it comes across in these extended interviews like you're
one of the only people who gets to sit down
with them, those of us that are in the scrums,
so to speak, like we'll get to ask a couple
of questions here or there. You're one of the only
people who gets to talk to them for you know,
extended period, sometimes for ten to fifteen minutes. You get
to sit down and talk to them. And while all
they're serious at the same time, like they know when

(27:03):
to turn on the other side their personality as well,
and that's an important part of you know, connecting with players, right.

Speaker 3 (27:08):
Well, I appreciate that, and I definitely think, especially within
the last couple months of this season, you definitely saw,
first of all, they're base, very honest people and they
will shoot you straight, but yes, they understand relationships. And
when I did my interviewed with Ben Sullivan, who of
course is the lead assistant, who's you know, well known
for being really good with helping players get their shot right.

(27:31):
We learned under Chip England all of you know, all
of that wonderful those abilities that the Rockets are really
reaping the benefits from. When I did my Meet the
Kirchis series with Ben Sullivan, I asked him, and I'm paraphrasing,
but it was something like when you get a player
and you're trying to help them with his shot, what
do you start with? Do you start with the mechanics,
do you start with the stats? Blah blah blah, And

(27:54):
Ben said, you start with the relationship, and that is, honestly,
I think a mindset that e May has, that Rachelle has. Look,
they're both very professional and they are very intense, but
I can just tell you with somebody that is at
practices and at shoot arounds, there are really fun sides
to them. And you know, I think that the Rockets

(28:16):
are in a really great spot right now in large
part thanks honestly to those two and the way that
they work well together.

Speaker 4 (28:23):
For sure, You've talked about multiple parts of your job.
I'm wondering, on any given game they preferbably maybe a
home game, what does it day in the life of VNESSA.

Speaker 3 (28:33):
Richardson look like, yeah, I always love this blessing because
it's like usually not what people say. So I go
to shoot around, which is in the morning, I finalize,
you know, whatever interviews I need to do or nuggets
of information that I would like for that night. I
usually try to get one or two guys off to
the side so that I could have something beyond just

(28:57):
what the players have told all of the media, because
if I'm just regurgitating that, I'm not adding anything to
the broadcast. So I usually get one or two players
off to the side, and then I go back to
the hotel. I try to get a workout in, and
I finalized my notes for the game, so by then
we know, for the most part, we have a good

(29:17):
idea of and we'll be playing and we will not
be playing. And then I do a phone call with
my producer and we discuss some of the big storylines
of that game. I of course showered, get ready, and
then I do the agrida, and we do a pre
game press conference with coach e Dooka, and then there's

(29:40):
the visiting coach's press conference, and then of course we
have our pregame show on SPA City Home network that
is led by previn Isshenberler, The Life Gerald Green, mixed
appearances all that as well, and sometimes I'll do a
hit for the pregame show and talk about some of
the big topics of the game. I can go back

(30:01):
to the locker room if I want to and talk
to some guys, but for the most part. Usually by
then I have everything I need and I don't want
to bug the guys, so I tend to just kind
to read them b and then honestly and tip off,
I do sign interview with a coach, and then of course,
if we win, I do a postgame interview. Then we

(30:24):
do a postgame press conference with email Udoka and go
to the locker room and get interviews postgame. Then those
air of course on our post game show on Space
City Home Network. And then depending on if it's a
road game, we typically go home right after the game
or go on to the next city, which is you know,

(30:45):
can be crazy. It can mean we're getting in at
three am or whatever. If it's a phone game, obviously
I just go home. So I try to and you know,
build in some time as well to help post the
interviews that we do. We're you know, engaged with fans.
But yeah, game day is always a lot, but obviously
I would not change it.

Speaker 2 (31:07):
And on the subject of travel, one thing I want
to underscore. So a couple of years ago, I believe
it was your first season that the Rockets got their
own plane.

Speaker 3 (31:14):
Correct, Yes, oh my gosh.

Speaker 2 (31:17):
And it it's so nice like it's nice. Yeah, and
the Rockets one of the only teams that fully owns correct.

Speaker 5 (31:24):
Yeah, there's most teams charter, which is where you have
a you know, a United or a Southwest plane and
you're the only ones on it, and you still lead
a private airport.

Speaker 3 (31:37):
But it's but the private plane.

Speaker 2 (31:40):
Is yeah, and I want to highlight that because this
is not, you know, the only Tilman Pertita investment the
last couple of years. You've got that. Obviously, the new
practice facility is gonna well, it's been unofficially open for
a few months now. We know players has been working
out there in the off season, but officially it's going
to open up October first when training camp starts. So
you've got the new practice facility, way larger, way more infrastructure.

(32:03):
You've got obviously a top shelf coaching staff. We've talked
about Emay at nauseum on this pod, and for good reasons.
He's one of the best coaches in the NBA. And
so while you do have a salary cap on the
roster in the NBA, you do not have a salary
cap on some of these other things like the you know,
the travel, the practice facility, the coaching staff. It just

(32:24):
comes down to what ownership is willing to invest. And
it feels like, especially the last couple of years, like Tilman,
Pertita has done a really nice job of investing around
the margins, doing the little things that make this franchise,
you know, attractive to people around the league. Right, Oh my.

Speaker 3 (32:40):
Gosh, I mean a seventy million dollar practice facility, which
is what you know, Ti Len Pertita said at that
press conference, a seven sixty seven private aircraft. And that
means that the seat you can extend them all the
way back, that the players have room for their legs,
their couches that they can sleep on. It is just

(33:03):
such a comfortable way to travel. You know, you have
the team sending three player development guys to Turkey for
three weeks to trade with Albrynshngun. There has been so
much investment. It has been well sought out. It has
been very intentional. Nothing is random, nothing is just hey,

(33:25):
we should try this, and is well sought out and
the practice facility is unbelievable and the players are already
loving it, the staffers already, I'm sure loving it. But
that word investment, I think is really important because there
are owners of sports teams that just skate on by

(33:46):
and don't seem like they're involved or like they care. Tillman,
his son, Patrick and that entire family, they genuinely care
about winning, They care about Houston, and you know, seek
about what that practice is can do for free agents. Right,
Houston is already a desirable place. People love Houston. They

(34:06):
love the food, they love the culture. You know, the
whole tax situation in Texas doesn't hurt. And now you
have a state of the art practice facility, and oh yeah,
you will be traddling all with sided playing. You have
a team that is on the up and up and
has unbelievable young players. I mean, it's just I think

(34:28):
I think it different agizes such a good spot and
that was because of as you said, I'm myriad a socors,
great coaching, you know, great veteran additions, but also these
investments that tilmyn Pertita has made.

Speaker 2 (34:42):
Yeah, and you mentioned earlier, but just want to highlight space.
City Home network is another one of those investments. Obviously,
there's things the teams are willing and able to do
now that they were not able to do before since
they have control of that network. It's to build a
better fan experience, and of course you build a better
relationship with the fans, then that benefits the team in
a myriad of ways. So before we go back to

(35:03):
talking about the Rockets and some more basketball specific items
of discussion, we talked about the travel. We talked about
a day in the life, one little fun thing I've
got to ask you about. So when you're on the road,
there's a small group these days, even including media that
go on the trips. Now traditional media. You know, you

(35:24):
have Jonathan Fagan from the Chronicle at most of the games,
but he's not travel on the team plane. He's going coach.
So for the most part, on the road these days,
because economics and the media industry are what they are,
it's the team broadcasters that are there on an every
game basis, and so there's a certain kinship that comes
from that. Obviously yourself, Craig Ackerman, Ryan Hollins, Matt Thomas

(35:47):
on the radio side. There's a few other people within
the Rockets that we won't mention here because obviously our
audience probably doesn't know who they are. But the more
forward facing roles, people like you and Craig and Matt
and Ryan that our audience knows because they see or
listen to on a frequent basis. When you go on
these trips and it's just you guys. It's not like

(36:07):
in Houston, where you know, you go to the arena,
but then when you're at the arena, you can go
home like you've got each other and not much else.
So obviously there's a lot of time to kill, there's
a lot of bonding, a lot of might be some
annoying things in there too, but let's stay on the
fun side. Give me one worky thing about each of
those other three broadcasters, Craig, Matt, and Ryan. People might

(36:34):
not know that you have learned about them from your
travels the last couple of years.

Speaker 3 (36:40):
Okay, I love this, and I let me just start
by saying I work with the best and most support
of men. Matt Thomas is my seat buddy, SOB and
I sit next together a year's next to each other
on the plane. Fun sapped about Matt Thomas. Matt loves
nineteen seventies music. He loves nineteen eighties music, and I

(37:02):
think his cutoff is nineteen ninety two. He does not
I mean when I saw that he'll show me the
song she's listening to, and it's all you know, the Eagles,
Sonny and Cher, Kenny logns, you know, and I like
a lot of but when I tell you, this man
does not know anything after the nineteen nineties and actually

(37:24):
the nineteen nineties and Martney pushing yet I introduced him
to Jase Lucris songs. The reason I'm not gonna say
in this podcast, but okay, you know it's we have
a lot of funnel on the road, and I interviewed
up till was trying to introduce him to some raffles
and get him a little bit more modern. But that
is absolutely my guy and so funny. But nineteen seventies

(37:47):
music for a lice, Okay, Craig Ackaman, Craig, Hello Kitty,
We love Fellow Kitty and Ed and M music and
which is great. But when you look at Craigs, you
don't immediately think, hey, that guy would loves Hello Kenny
and d M. You know, it's just he has very

(38:10):
athletic interests and he's so funny, so funny, and Ryan
is two months act about Ryan. You'll hear me on
the broadcast sometimes say welcome to this edition of Ryan's Friends.
And that is because Ryan Holland, between playing in the NBA,
being involved in the you know, the video game Mad World,

(38:34):
he owns part of a clothing company called New Music Clothing.
He is from LA and just being in LA and
knowing the La scene, Ryan Hollands knows more random people
than anybody I've ever been in my life. And so
there's your Ryan sunset to welcome to this edition of
Ryan's Friends. And you never know who Ryan will talk

(38:56):
to court side. And they're just the best. I mean
if you spend more time with these people than you
do your family during the season, So I feel super
fortunate and they're all just and they all would have
plenty of fun thoughts about me, which who's.

Speaker 2 (39:10):
The best karaoke singer between the four films?

Speaker 3 (39:12):
Me and if not, Flose is the human juke boss.
And as Craig maybe went out on the broadcast, didn't
need I didn't need the words. We did a karaoke night,
me and Matt, Ryan and Craig in Toronto. We written
out of karaoke room and we all sang anywhere from

(39:34):
eight to twelve songs. Yeah, and it was it is epic.
And I did put the list out on Twitter and.

Speaker 2 (39:42):
Videos unfortunately have not been shared.

Speaker 3 (39:44):
Videos have not been shared. But I fell and Rockets
fans vote on a poll who had the best karaoke
song list?

Speaker 2 (39:53):
Yeah, I remember you won at the very end. And
so just to follow up quickly on Craig, he is
fascinating to me simply based on the extent of his hobbies.
So obviously Craig is he's a fantastic broadcaster, and he
does his home work. You can tell he watches you know,
not just Rockets games, but other teams as well. He's

(40:13):
dialed in. But his story, so obviously he's got his
home life. But growing up, he was not a basketball guy.
He was a baseball player. Now he plays hockey still,
as I understand it, he's like a rerect league in
the off season. So he grew up played baseball, he
plays hockey. His home, in addition to you know, being

(40:34):
married and everything that comes with that, his home was
basically a zoo. As I understand that with correct you know,
they're huge.

Speaker 3 (40:40):
Animals, multiple animals.

Speaker 2 (40:41):
Yes, So you know, I'm someone like I have like
two or three hobbies and that sort of fulfills me
and keeps me going. It feels like Craig has like
eighteen hobbies. It's just ridiculous, Like how does he have
enough time.

Speaker 3 (40:54):
In the day. There, They're just random, right, like oh right,
your hollo. They're just two and you play by the way,
I'm desperate to meet to watch him play hockey, and
I really want to watch him get into a fight.
I feel like, I feel like you could scrap it
out both show.

Speaker 4 (41:14):
But really, I gotta I thought. I mean, I'm not
saying he couldn't, you know, hold his own, but I
totally thought you was like total He totally struck me
as total bust of fistic he'd do anything before before
he got into the But but if he plays hockey,
I mean, obviously from Europe.

Speaker 3 (41:30):
If you play, you have to be able to It's
I don't care even if it's rectly. But no, I
mean there those three are like so funny and so nice.
And you know, when you start a new job, we're
really especially one like this, we rely on your co
workers and shun ways to help you, and they've they've
all just been great about helping me out. So I

(41:50):
love them all dearly.

Speaker 4 (41:52):
Yeah, I think obviously, you know, being from you know,
across the ocean. I've had a few opportunity to interact
with both, with both Craig and Ryan. I actually the
first year I started, you know, doing stuff kind of
content with the Rockets, we were doing the spaces and
and Craig On's I mean Ryan, we used to be

(42:13):
there like basically every week, but Craig once showed up
and was like there for like six hours something crazy.
After that, I was like, there's there's no way, there's
no way he's he's been here for that long. And
actually I think I learned if I'm not mistaken. Obviously,
don't want to put outtake news, but I think I
had something in common with him because he said that
he loved to get home after the game and just

(42:35):
eat dry cereal, like he would eat cereal without the
milk with Sonny that I do.

Speaker 2 (42:40):
Interesting.

Speaker 4 (42:41):
Yeah, So those are more you know, Craig fun fat
If I'm not, I hope I'm not getting that wrong,
but I'm pretty sure that was the case.

Speaker 2 (42:49):
Remember that too, Yeah, Yeah, and dry cereal.

Speaker 3 (42:52):
Craig Ackerman added to the list of odd hobbies he has.

Speaker 4 (42:57):
So yeah, oh I remember, because that was before I
was actually going to go to Houston, and I asked
them if he had any show that he would recommend,
because you obviously serial data is much different from Cereal.
Here in Europe, it's much more sugary typically in the US.
But yeah, just let's just move on to a different question.
So I see, obviously have the chance to stuff with

(43:19):
the Rockets, but you do stuff with the astros, and
sometimes you fill in and you do the role that
Julia does. How different is it to do, you know,
to go from an NBA broadcast when malmilb one obviously
the place is very different, I imagine.

Speaker 3 (43:34):
Yeah, I mean Filly in for Kevin Ashintalder in studio
and then Julia a steeled reporter. You know, baseball is
just a different sport. And I say it, I feel
super fortunate to be able to do both. Obviously, I
think cover dextros with KPRC and their you know, amazing
years that they have had. You know, when I arrived

(43:54):
in twenty nineteen, one of the first things I covered
was the World Series to the Nationals unfortunately lost. But no,
I mean, look, it's Houston. Sports are on the up
and up, and so I don't cover the tips in
but I used to and to see what they've been
able to do with CJ and to Meekko has been
amazing and uh, you know a stars, I don't know

(44:15):
stars differences. The preparation is similar. It can be longer
days at the ballpark depending on how long a game
goes and when I'm especially when I'm in studio doing
pregame and purst game. You know, our post game is
an hour long, so fans have like been long gone
by the time we're off and walking out to our car.
But no, best of luck to the Astros. I drongly

(44:39):
feel like they're going to have a good year. It's
just a franchise that always figures it out. And you know,
I give a ton of credit to Dana Brown for that.
You say, Compucci move that was I had criticized that
hes here worked out.

Speaker 2 (44:53):
Yeah. Absolutely. Also, the set you all have for the
Astros gave you exposure to a virtual tornado in a
way that you have not had a commune center.

Speaker 3 (45:03):
My gosh, yeah, do me doing what what's it called?
It wasn't quite a hurricane because it wasn't de racho.

Speaker 2 (45:13):
Yeah, I call it a ratual tornado.

Speaker 3 (45:15):
Look at that's basically it's essentially that. Yeah, I mean
it was like there's a little bit of a of
a place in the roofs at minute made where the
water can get in. And then honestly, what it is
more so than that, was that fans were coming in
and the wind and the water was blowing in and
then there was also a leak. So I'm an indoor though,

(45:37):
like being wet, but you know, I tried to remember
to get the sponsors, then give the people what they
played for, and you know, my whole thing. And I'm
always like this honestly, and I think people probably know
by now is I think that the viewers are usually
smart and so I'm not going to for tome life.
I'm not getting wet and like nothing's happening, So I

(45:58):
just kind of sense of humor about it and say, hey,
clearly this is happening and there's some weather, and you know,
tried to shed a light on the first risk boders
that we saw outside that were helping people give in
and risking their lives. So yeah, definitely check that onn't
off of the broadcaster being goat card.

Speaker 2 (46:19):
Yeah, So a couple of fun facts about that. I
saw you in person when that was going down, but
I was handicked myself. In fact, seeing your eyes when
I knew you were live on air sort of freaked
me out. More so to feel back to the curtain.
My wife and I were going to that game as fans.
It was just a Thursday night and so tickets were cheap.
They're playing the A, so like, hey, like, we'll get
some good tickets and go it. So obviously you can

(46:40):
see what the clouds look like. And so I had
the good foresight to drop Lourie off at the door.
I was like, hey, like, if it starts raining, I'm
gonna ask her to like get oaks, I jump tru
She was already, she was already in, and so I parked.
And at that point you can see, I mean, it's
you know, six thirty and it's May, so it's almost
the longest days of the but it is hitch dark

(47:03):
on just a few blocks away, and so it's obvious
this this is going to be really effing bad. And
so when the wind starts not two one hundred miles
an hour yet you can just feel what's coming. I
swear to y'all, I had to have been running a
four four forty and I am not a fast the eye,
but I knew what was coming and I have never

(47:25):
run that fast in my life. Because I was I
parked the car. Thankfully there was street parking. I don't know, God,
if I had not found a parking spot, that would
have been Yeah, I don't want to imagine about that. Yeah,
thankfully parked on the street. Running in and there was
a little bit of a backup at security, but I
had tip to the staff at Minute Made Park. They
realized pretty quickly now because of course there was all

(47:47):
sorts of signs and collateral blowing around, you know, it
didn't take very long to realize that this is really serious.
But within a couple of seconds they literally just waved
us all inside. They didn't scan tickets, not any of that.
They recognized security like immediately and they're just like just
get in, just trying to make sure people were safe.
And I ran in that snowfield entrance and so, yeah,

(48:08):
I saw you because you were live on the broadcast
at that time, and I saw, you know, the way
you and Michael Bourne were looking, and I was like, yeah,
this is this is pretty bad. And so yeah, so
I was a guest that night at Minute Made I
was soaked, but whatever, what.

Speaker 3 (48:23):
A memorable light for many ready reasons.

Speaker 2 (48:25):
Yeah, exactly, and I thought about it, uh in recent
days because another fun fact from that night, so our fence,
unfortunately at the town home where Laurie and I live,
got blown down and we didn't get it repaired until
a few days ago. By the way, shout out to
Sean Bjani, brother of Oli Can Johnny Rockets insider on Twitter.

(48:46):
Sean Johnny's a host for sports Radio six ' ten.
He does some fencing work on the side, and we
actually used him a few days ago to fix our fence.

Speaker 3 (48:53):
So first off, shout out to writers until you really
just said that just wow, Okay.

Speaker 2 (48:58):
Well I'm peeling record third on a lot of things,
really are. But yeah, so shout out to Sean Bajane
for doing a nice job. We got a new fence
just for timing reasons and we were on vacation and
you're going to get closer to the hurricane season. Didn't
want to, you know, put up a pencil and we
couldn't even you know, ensure it would last a year.
But yeah, we got that fixed in the last few
days and so hopefully we are at least for a

(49:18):
few months beyond hurricane and Durratio related chaos. Anyway, So
I want to ask you one more question related to
the Astros. Actually, it's gonna be related to the Astros,
the Rockets, and the Texans because you have experience covering
all of these teams, and there is an easy, sort
of cheat answer to this. But which of the three

(49:41):
do you think wins a championship next? Oh, there is
a cheat answer to this.

Speaker 3 (49:50):
Well that's bricky for a lot of reasons.

Speaker 2 (49:54):
But if you say the Astros, then you're just being
optimistic because they are the next team that has not
maturity to win a championship this October.

Speaker 3 (50:01):
Well yeah, yeah, they literally win one within what like
a month and a half, so it would technically be
so they would be the sourcial ones that have the opportunity.
Cjstle is doing it. He's sin into mee throw and
just all of the moves that Nick Cassario made unbelievable

(50:22):
master class in how to turn things around. The Rockets
are and the Texans are on the safe pages. The
Rockets right like both higher former players with a lot
of credentials and that players respect. Both have great GMS
and so you know, and then the Asses have been
great for a long time, So yeah, that's a tricky question.

(50:43):
And then the Western Conference is obviously tough, but you
have the Rockets that are getting better over a year,
and I think that that turn is going to continue,
So sure, I would say next. I mean, the ch
answers could be the right one with the Astros. But look,
health is everything the similar the way that the Western
Conferences stuff in the NBA. The ASME is very difficult

(51:05):
in the NFL. So there are a lot of things
that have to happen in a franchise, health timing, in
order for you to win a championship. But I think
all of Houston sports shouldn't feel good about where they're
at right now. And if you're wondering, Vanessa, is that
a non answer, It's not meant to be a non answer.
But I just think that there's a lot that could
go into any of.

Speaker 2 (51:26):
It fair And we should note that y'n have the
three teams now. Don't want to not acknowledge the Dynamo
and the Dash, but I think you know, longtime Houston
residents view the Astros, the Rockets, and well, now the
Texans used to be the Oilers, but you know, basketball, baseball,
and football as the big three, none of them currently
have or had a losing season, and it's been a

(51:50):
while since. I think it's the first time in the
twenty twenties that we could say that that all three
had winning years at the same time. And they all
seem to be well, certainly the Rockets and Texans, but
you know, to an extent, even if the ash a
little bit on the downslope, you have your Don Oliva
s Kyle talker from er Baldaz.

Speaker 3 (52:04):
Oh gosh, it's it's ridiculous, right.

Speaker 2 (52:07):
I felt like they're going to like fall off a
cliff anytime soon.

Speaker 3 (52:09):
So yeah, no, it's a really good time for Houston sports.
And I know, you know, you and I have discussed
this before where I kind of laugh when people are like, oh, sports,
this is the most Houston sports thing ever. I know,
least some sports have had some luck, but there have
given some really great moments too, And I just say,
it's such a special pign right now, you know, with

(52:31):
all three franchises for sure.

Speaker 4 (52:34):
Yeah, and then just as a quick update, since we
always do this when we record a while the Astros
are playing the Astras are currently to kneel down in
the second inning. Hopefully by the time you're listening to
this podcast that the score has served the realm. But
I just get that tradition out of the way for
the podcast. My next quession was actually going to be,
but your your basketball analysts had on if fate of

(52:57):
the universe is on the line and you have to
call it, do you think the Rockets make the playoffs?

Speaker 2 (53:03):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (53:03):
I do. I mean I think that they look they
weren't close to making the play in tournament last year,
so I think that there's a really great possibility that
they do. I don't have to sell everybody listening to
this who knows basketball, but the Western Conference is tough,
so is going to play upstart in night. You know,
we'll believe the guys can stay healthy and a lot

(53:25):
is good enough to go to the rock with the
way that I absolutely don't think it's a stretch at all.

Speaker 2 (53:30):
The one follow up that I would have to that
do you believe the Jalen Green we saw in the
second half of last season. I'm not going to say March,
because you know, anyone can have a good month, but really,
if you go back to the middle of January. It's
really the last forty games. He was a different player
once he got accustomed to I think the new system

(53:53):
is new teammates. He may Udoka. He was the guy
who had the most changed around him relative to the
last couple of years. He was also one of the
few guys that had multiple years of experience with the
Rockets prior to the e may higher, so he had,
you know, perhaps some of the most bad habits to shed.
But the player he was from about mid January onward,

(54:14):
I think Rockets fans if they felt like, you know,
if they were confident that that guy was going to
be who they see this ball and hopefully even a
little bit better. Because obviously he's had a good offseason.
We know he led the mini camp a couple of
weeks ago. So it's a contract year. There's all sorts
of incentives for him to be who he was down
the stretch of last year. But I just feel like,

(54:36):
of all the guys on the roster, he's the most
important variable. So as someone that's gotten to know him,
as someone that's seen him behind the scenes, how confident
are you that he's truly you know, figured it out?
Or is in the process of figuring it out and
is thus going to be the guy that can you know,
lead the team forward.

Speaker 3 (54:56):
Yeah, last year, before the season started, he told me
on camera that he knew that he needed to be
an all around player, that he didn't just want to
be somebody that could score. He wanted to be a
better leader. And I think that he has matured a lot.
And when you look at you know, what he did
in California and the leadership role that he's really taken on,
I have no doubt that he is going to continue

(55:17):
to mature. And I know San still always want to
hear this, and I get it because it's so hard
to be patient when you're a fan that he is
only twenty two years old, and so I'm really look
forward to what he can do his development, and I
think it was a big off season for him, and
I think it was a very important off season for him.
And you know, I just did nothing but good thing.

(55:38):
So I'm really excited for Jamien.

Speaker 2 (55:40):
Yeah, and I lo key thought one of the most
revealing quotes of last season came right after the trade deadline.
So as I'm sure you know Rafel during the year
doesn't have a ton of media availabilities. He does during
the off season when they signed free agents, on draft
night on you know, the last few years, the Rockets
have been very lucky. We definitely have to retire Houston Sport.
With as lucky as the Rockets have been in the

(56:01):
draft lottery the last four years, I calculated that the
Rockets are actually in the top six percent of outcomes
when you look at, you know, the draft picks they've gotten,
including Reed Shepherd this year, jumping up from nine or
ten free lottery to the third overall pick, and then
read looking brilliant at Summer League. So yeah, we definitely
need to retire Houston Sports with the way things are
or hashtag Houston Sports for life. Things are looking right down.

Speaker 1 (56:26):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (56:28):
But to the point on Jalen, it's not to overlook
other players. It's just there's a ton of depth on
this roster, Like at the center position. Al Frinsham Goon
was the Rocket's best player last year. He's really good.
Yet Steven Adams and Jock Landiel are good players as well.
There are alternatives. If you know, God forbid, I'll pee

(56:48):
turns an ankle again. You look at the wing positions,
and you have well I should say wing slash forward,
but you've got Dylan, You've got Jabari Smith, you've got
Tarry Eason, You've got you know, a men Thompson. We'll
see if he's a point guard or you know, an
off ball guy the way he was to end last year,
but at least in terms of his body type, you
can throw him into that mix as well. The point

(57:09):
is there's a lot of depth. The quote that really
resonated with me was at the deadline and Raffel got
meaned for it at the time, but he was asked
about Jalen Green, and he said, Jalen has been and
continues to be, on paper, a great fit with us.
He has a skill set that isn't really replicated on
this roster. And I think where that's so true with

(57:34):
other positions on the roster, I don't know that you
can withstand like season long injuries to key players like
hopefully Tory Eason has put whatever happened last year behind him.
But there's lots of depth even at point guard. Look,
you have Fred VanVleet, who's really good, but I mean
Thompson hopefully will play some point guard this year. You
drafted reed shepherd with Jalen Green, and what they're asking

(57:57):
him to do is sort of that that of the
spear that lead dog on the perimeter the top score.
There's not really anyone else on this team as currently constructed,
that can do what he does. And I thought them
getting to forty one and forty one last year a
big part of that. You know, Jalen's durability playing all
eighty two games. I know that was something that he
took very seriously getting his body in the right shape,

(58:19):
and he was able to do. And I just feel
like the reason we're fixating on Jalen obviously we know
the highs or highs, the lows have been low, and
he's going to try and you know, make it to
where the peaks and ballets aren't as extreme. But I
think when you just look at his skill set and
Raffell sort of got you know, memed for at the time,
because going into the Ulcer break was when Jalen was
on one of his you know, cold stretches, and there

(58:41):
was some talk about, well, will they take him by
the starting lineup. Thankfully they didn't, and then after the
Ulcer break they increased the pace they shot more threes.
And we know what happened with Jalen Green taking off
in March. No, it wasn't because Shinoon went out. He
was already playing a lot better before that. Again, the pace,
the shooting more threes, lots of factors beyond just the
Shinoon absence. But I just feel like going into this year,
Jalen's the one guy that you can't really replace. So

(59:04):
that's why I'm looking at him. Not going to say
he's their best player, but he might be either most
important player, just because his skill set isn't really replicated.
Does that make sense to you?

Speaker 3 (59:13):
And totally? And what you mentioned earlier when you were
asking me about Rafel and email and the interviews I
do with them, the beautiful thing is they're both so
candid and so honest. And you know, for Rafel to
say that, people can mean it all they want, but
it does mean something, and I think it. Look these
the core young guys are all going to take leaps

(59:34):
every year. That's part of the such a young player.
Like people have to remember Cam Wentmore was like nineteen
when the rough Gets drafted him, and Jabari only did
one year at Ulburn and so it is a painful
thing as sports fans to wait and watch the development,
and of course you wish that they developed sooner, but

(59:55):
you know, you look at Aman Thompson ending the year
with a triple double, and you look at Jalen was
able to do at certain points during the second half
of the year, and if it's all anybody on this
monthcasted about what Albring Shinguen was able to do, and
then you know what we've seen from Red in Summer League, Like,
there are a lot of reasons for fans to be excited.

(01:00:15):
And the thing that I've noticed and a lot of
fans have talked about with Emay we touched on it
earlier is if you're playing well and you're giving the effort,
and you're playing defense and you are producing, you are
going to be on the floor. I don't care who
you are. So I'm really looking forward to this season.
It is going to be a huge year for Jaan's

(01:00:36):
growth and everything that I threw some shadders and from
people in the league is that he's worked really hard
and I'm certainly excited to see the results of that.

Speaker 2 (01:00:46):
Yeah, absolutely, all right, Well, I think that's everything on
my list. Paolo going once, going twice. Anything else you
want to ask before we wrap up?

Speaker 4 (01:00:55):
No, just just to thank Fanessa Floor for coming.

Speaker 2 (01:00:57):
Yeah, yeah, absolutely, But that's a thank you so much
you guys for doing this. And if you're not already
following her on Twitter slash x, I don't know what
you're doing with your life, but at sports Vanessa is
the handle. Correct, Yes it is.

Speaker 3 (01:01:11):
Thank you, guys. I appreciate you and you guys have
such a great podcast and I look forward to seeing
you both as the season start.

Speaker 2 (01:01:19):
Yep. Absolutely, And of course to our listeners who can
watch Vanessa all the time on Space City Home Network.
Obviously she'll be a part of the game broadcast in
the fall. But again with the switch to Space City
Home Network, there is a lot more off season content
as well, so keep your eyespeled for those Rockets all
access episodes, the updates to social media. You can tell
that Space City is a little more committed than you know,

(01:01:41):
previous iterations of the network to being you know, a
twelvemonth around the full calendar year media outlet for the Rockets,
and so I think that dedication shows and so you
can find that on their certainly TV channel, but social
media handles as well. Anyway, that's where we'll wrap things
for today. If you want more content from us before
our next show, the best place is always to get

(01:02:02):
it is online. You can follow me on Twitter slash
x at Bendubo's Powlo, at Paolo ALVE's NBA, and this
show at the Logger Line, And of course, if you
go to the logger Lines page on Twitter slash x,
you can find our link tree, which has links to
our distribution partners like Apple, Google and Spotify. If you've
kind enough to subscribe the positive review at your location
of choice, we greatly appreciate it. Also on that same link,
where you can find friends, sponsors, partners of the program,

(01:02:25):
you can find links to their content as well. USA
Today's Rockets, Wark Carback, Brewing, Sports Talk seven ninety. Hit
up those links and show them some love in addition
to us. All Right, with those plugs complete, we'll joarn
for today. For Polo and Vanessa, I'm Ben, Thanks as
always for listening, and please come back soon for another
new episode of the Logger Line.