KEEPING IT RAHEEL
Raheel Ramzanali: Other celebrity 1-on-1 games we need to see
Jun 18, 2018, 11:08 pm
Ted Cruz-Jimmy Kimmel was just the start. Twitter.com
Now that we’ve finally seen the much anticipated Jimmy Kimmel vs Ted Cruz 1-on-1 matchup, I think it’s time we start planning for the next big game. I think we could turn these 1-on-1 games into a primetime series much like Car Karaoke or Lip Sync Battle. Could you imagine the excitement surrounding a weekly game between out of shape celebs? Well, I can. Here are a few of the matchups I’d like to see:
Shaq vs Barkley - Loser Leaves Town (Only if Shaq loses):Inside the NBA hasn’t been the same ever since Shaq joined the cast. I know they keep winning awards and everything, but Shaq just brings the entire show down with his inability to take a joke or criticism. The worst is when Shaq starts yelling at Charles about a point because Chuck never won a title. OK, we get it Shaq, you win titles and Chuck didn’t. Move on. This is why we need a 1-on-1 game between the two and if Charles wins, Shaq has to leave. If Shaq wins, Charles gets to stay on and I’ll never complain about Shaq again.
Messi vs Ronaldo - How Great Are You Really?: I could have turned this thing into a Messi vs CR7 entry, but I didn’t because it’s almost as unbearable as MJ vs LeBron. That’s why we need to set up a 1-on-1 game between the two and figure out how they look on the basketball court. We’ll let the soccer guys argue the soccer merits, but here on these Sportsmap streets with me, we measure greatness mano y mano.
Kanye West vs Jay-Z - I Run The Game: Kanye West was on top of the music world heading into Saturday night with four top albums that he produced or was featured on. That all changed when Jay-z dropped an album with Beyonce and took all the shine away from his little brother. I think it’s time we check all egos with a 1-on-1 game between two of the biggest names in the business.
New Mike Bibby vs Old Mike Bibby - Swole Off: If you haven’t seen by now, Mike Bibby is YOKED up. This is next level body transformation. I know the angle of the picture is kinda throwing things off, but there is no denying that Bibby is yoked. I need a 1-on-1 game between this new yoked Bibby and his NBA Bibby. I know NBA Bibby will win this game,but I need to see how strong Yoked Bibby is in the post.
Original Aunt Vivian vs New Aunt Vivian - The REAL Aunt: Few things bothered 90’s kids than turning on the TV one day to realize that the original Aunt Vivian from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was replaced. So, to finally settle the debate on the better Aunt Vivy, I think it’s time we had them play in a game of 1-on-1. This won’t answer why they made the change, but it will help us 90’s kids with some closure.
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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