Closing Thoughts
A.J. Hinch: I struggle with using a closer or a perfect matchup guy
Apr 19, 2018, 1:07 pm
The bullpen is fresh because of the amazing starting pitching this season. Jason Behnken / Getty Images
Originally appeared on SportsMap941.com
Astros manager A.J. Hinch caught up with Charlie Pallilo and talked about the hot start for the Angels, his strategy for using Ken Giles in the closer’s role, Gerrit Cole dominating, and the Astros’ early struggles swinging the bats. Hinch went on to say that he will continue to use Chris Devenski as a specialist in close games against left-handed hitters, including the ninth inning when many expect to see Ken Giles. Make sure you listen to this fantastic in-depth interview here.
You can hear The Charlie Pallilo Show weekdays from 11-1pm on SportsMap 94.1 radio. Listen live or on demand with the SportsMap 94.1 radio app.
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The Houston Rockets are acquiring 15-time All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in a blockbuster deal struck Sunday, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press.
The Rockets are giving up Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and six future picks — including the No. 10 selection in Wednesday’s opening round of this year’s draft — according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval.
It ends weeks of speculation about where Durant would end up. Many teams were involved at various times, including Miami and Minnesota, but in the end Phoenix took the Rockets’ offer.
ESPN first reported the trade.
Fans learned of the news while Durant was on stage in New York at Fanatics Fest NYC, and when they began reacting, Durant started smiling broadly.
“We're gonna see, man,” Durant said from the stage. “We're gonna see.”
Boardroom, the ever-growing media company that Durant and his business partner, Rich Kleiman, co-founded in 2019 teams up with Fanatics on a number of projects. The panel that Durant was set to appear on there Sunday was called “Global Game Changers.”
He certainly figures to change the game for Houston.
Houston finished No. 2 in the Western Conference in the regular season, albeit 16 games behind No. 1 Oklahoma City. It now adds a two-time champion to its young core as it looks to make another jump next season.
Durant averaged 26.6 points this season, his 17th in the NBA — not counting one year missed because of injury. For his career, the 6-foot-11 forward is averaging 27.2 points and seven rebounds per game.
The move brings Durant back to the state of Texas, where he played his one year of college basketball for the Longhorns and was the college player of the year before going as the No. 2 pick in the 2007 draft by Seattle.
Houston will become his fifth franchise, joining the SuperSonics (who then became the Oklahoma City Thunder), Golden State, Brooklyn and Phoenix. Durant won his two titles with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and last summer in Paris he became the highest-scoring player in U.S. Olympic basketball history and the first men's player to be part of four gold-medal teams.