Michael Shapiro

Asked Wanda about KD’s time at University of Texas. Enjoyed her recollection:

“Kevin had never been away from home for a considerable amount of time. … I wanted him to go away for college because that’s where young people develop who they are.”

“He’s matured nicely, I might add.”

Chatted with Wanda Durant last night at Rockets’ Season of Giving event. Believe this was her first meeting with media here in Houston.

How does Wanda’s son enjoy Houston?

“Oh he loves it. Can’t you see him? How he’s doing, how he’s playing, how well the team is doing?”

Texans wreck Chiefs on national stage. Is this a changing of the guard? Houston’s defense delivers its biggest statement on national TV.

Houston’s defense delivers its biggest statement on national TV.

Incredibly kind of @kissphoria.bsky.social (an ace reporter in her own right!!)

This is also a good reminder to get back posting to here. More ahead 👀

obviously this story is going around bc the game is on but @michaelshapiro.bsky.social really is a great reporter and this is one of my favorite stories he's done since i've known him:

Texans star uses 'Free Palestine' cleats to support voiceless Houston's linebacker is taking a stand.

www.chron.com/sports/texan...

Texans star fueled by loved of poetry, grandfather's teaching "I always come back to Invictus: I'm the master of my fate, I'm the captain of my soul."

“I know Azeez performed ‘Invictus’ for his teammates in high school, college and the pros. I know why, too. It’s a tale about overcoming.”

Mr. Tokley, 76, delivered his own rousing rendition by phone last week. Really appreciate the time from he & Azeez.
www.chron.com/sports/texan...

New @chron.com -- Azeez Al-Shaair isn’t just a tackling machine & team captain. He’s a social activist & lover of poetry, one of the NFL’s most thoughtful leaders.

Who molded Houston’s star?

Meet James E. Tokley Sr., the Poet Laureate of Tampa, Florida.

🔗➡️ www.chron.com/sports/texan...

How Rockets superstar officially shed his nickname at EuroBasket "He's much bigger and much better than he was when they originally gave him that."

Wrote about Alperen’s dominant EuroBasket, his offseason training (w/insight on his 3-point work in Turkey) and the sky-high expectations for this Rockets’ offense.

2025-26 season can’t come soon enough.

🔗⬇️ @chron.com

www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

This might be the perfect route to bring the WNBA back to Houston. Another week, another revived hope of a Houston Comets return.

My suspicion on WNBA relocation dance:

Boston bid was reportedly $350M. Houston expansion bid was under $250M. Why decline Boston bid and shop to cheaper bidder like Houston?

WNBA might value market size > sale price.

Full story in 🔗 below @chron.com:

www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

🏀Another week, another WNBA-to-Houston update.

Let’s try to keep this straight:

• WNBA halting Sun sale to Boston bid.

• Sun may still go to Boston, may stay in Connecticut (2 separate options).

• 🔑 to Comets revival? WNBA could buy Sun, relocate team to preferred city.

New @chron.com — “Two days after Joe died, we were in the stadium doing Friday Night Fireworks.”

Meet Vicki Walker, her son, Nate, and the whole crew responsible for two decades of joyous summer nights in Houston.

Good folks, enjoyed reporting this one.

🔗➡️ www.chron.com/sports/astro...

Not so fast, Boston: Houston still in fight for WNBA team relocation The battle for the return of the WNBA's first dynasty continues.

Further info 🔗 @chron.com
www.chron.com/sports/artic...

New month, new WNBA update for y'all ⬇️

• Connecticut Sun sale to Boston-based group is in no-way finalized.

• Sun will be sold this year.

• Houston’s ownership group, led by Tilman Fertitta, is a top contender to purchase and relocate the Sun. Boston, Hartford other top options.

Texans star uses 'Free Palestine' cleats to support voiceless Houston's linebacker is taking a stand.

For the second year in a row, Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is wearing cleats in solidarity Palestine. My coworker @michaelshapiro.bsky.social talked to Azeez last year about them: "The biggest thing I can attest to is just being steadfast in my beliefs."

www.chron.com/sports/texan...

Houston has new path to landing WNBA team after latest miss Will a Comets revival ever occur in the Bayou City?

WNBA news today @chron.com:

Houston's bid for an expansion franchise fell short Monday. There still might be an alternate route to reviving the Comets.

"We remain committed to exploring every avenue to bring a WNBA franchise back to the City of Houston
www.chron.com/sports/artic...

‘When we’re here, we’re free’: Joe Biden, Juneteenth and my useless cynicism President Joe Biden strolled, more briskly than I anticipated, through the front door of Reedy Chapel-AME Church in Galveston late…

Wrote about Joe Biden, but also Danny Allen, Corey Simon, Sharon Batiste Gillins, Ronald Dean and the hundreds who gathered in Galveston on Thursday.

Appreciate anyone reading ⬇️
medium.com/@shapiro.mic...

Had the privilege of attending the annual Juneteenth celebration at Reedy Chapel in Galveston yesterday afternoon.

Saw President Biden speak, too.

Biden’s words were comforting. The people of Reedy Chapel were inspiring.

Rockets 'laid an egg' in Game 7, enter summer of uncertainty The Houston Rockets are young, brash, and still a step behind the top teams in the Western Conference.

Let's rip through some Rockets' notes from last night @chron.com:

On Draymond's trolling:
www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

FVV's looming contract option:
www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

And the question about Houston's offense that won't go away:
www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

Rockets will finally defeat Warriors demons in Game 7. Here's why. Ime Udoka's team can dull the pain of four prior playoff eliminations against Golden State on Sunday night.

New @chron.com:

Dismiss it as trite if you want to. The Rockets certainly don’t.

“Sometimes you, sometimes me, always us.”

Houston’s mantra all season explains why this group is so successful, and why a cathartic Game 7 win awaits Sunday night. www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

🔗➡️

Rockets will finally defeat Warriors demons in Game 7. Here's why. Ime Udoka's team can dull the pain of four prior playoff eliminations against Golden State on Sunday night.

New @chron.com:

Dismiss it as trite if you want to. The Rockets certainly don’t.

“Sometimes you, sometimes me, always us.”

Houston’s mantra all season explains why this group is so successful, and why a cathartic Game 7 win awaits Sunday night. www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

🔗➡️

New @chron.com:

The Rockets were left for dead when they flew home from the Bay. Game 5 revived Houston’s hopes. I’m increasingly convinced a Game 6 upset is possible.

How can Houston bring this series home? We have six notes for Ime Udoka’s team.

🔗 www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

Fred VanVleet completes mission to 'unload the clip' vs. Warriors Houston's $130 million man set the tone Wednesday with an early flurry from behind the arc.

Rockets are still alive, folks.

Why? Thank Fred VanVleet, the $130 million man who kept his promise to "unload the clip" with Houston's season on the line.

More 🔽 @chron.com
www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

How nine disastrous seconds derailed Rockets playoff hopes Golden State's defensive anchor added to his career highlight reel in the final seconds of Saturday's thriller at Chase Center.

Last one from San Francisco @chron.com:

“Time to get serious.”

Draymond Green, Alperen Şengün, Ime Udoka and Fred VanVleet talk the play that effectively ended the Rockets’ season.

www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

The more things change: New era Rockets bullied again by Warriors Houston's new young crew experienced the playoff pains of old against Golden State on Monday.

Morning, folks. Missed yesterday's late-night drama in San Francisco? Read about Draymond’s antagonism, Alperen’s uneven outing & an all-too-familiar nightmare for the Rockets ⬇️ @chron.com:

www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

🚀Game 4. Not technically a must-win for Houston tonight, but pretty damn close.

Follow along all night for updates. #LiftOff

Shap is in the Bay for tonight's game. Follow him for Rockets - Warriors updates and his delightful personality:

ty, Gwen!!

to the many @kissphoria.bsky.social fans: follow me, DM me, hop in my replies! Happy to talk Rockets with any and all hoops fans (both old and new!!) during this thrilling series.

Alperen Şengün ready to atone for missing 'wide-open' shots vs. Warriors Houston's center believes his team won't be shocked by the bright lights at Chase Center in Game 4.

New @chron.com — Alperen Şengün grew frustrated in Game 3 after missing a stream of “wide-open shots.”

Why is Şengün confident before the biggest game of his NBA career?

"I feel like I play better. It's always been like that in important games all my life."
www.chron.com/sports/rocke...

Speaking of the festivities in San Francisco, we have quite the fun one on our hands at Chase Center tonight.

Buckle up, folks. Fun 4th coming.