Michael Shapiro
@michaelshapiro.bsky.social
All things Houston sports for Chron.com | Sports Illustrated, UT Austin alum | Eliminate the corner three
Get in touch: michael.shapiro@chron.com
Get in touch: michael.shapiro@chron.com
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...
Who molded Houston’s star?
Meet James E. Tokley Sr., the Poet Laureate of Tampa, Florida.
🔗➡️ www.chron.com/sports/texan...
September 15, 2025 at 5:11 PM
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...
Who molded Houston’s star?
Meet James E. Tokley Sr., the Poet Laureate of Tampa, Florida.
🔗➡️ www.chron.com/sports/texan...
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...
2025-26 season can’t come soon enough.
🔗⬇️ @chron.com
www.chron.com/sports/rocke...
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."
www.chron.com
September 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM
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...
2025-26 season can’t come soon enough.
🔗⬇️ @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.
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.
August 20, 2025 at 5:31 PM
🏀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.
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...
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...
August 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
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...
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...
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.
• 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.
August 5, 2025 at 7:56 PM
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.
• 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.
Reposted by Michael Shapiro
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...
www.chron.com/sports/texan...
Texans star uses 'Free Palestine' cleats to support voiceless
Houston's linebacker is taking a stand.
www.chron.com
July 29, 2025 at 11:52 AM
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...
www.chron.com/sports/texan...
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...
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...
Houston has new path to landing WNBA team after latest miss
Will a Comets revival ever occur in the Bayou City?
www.chron.com
July 1, 2025 at 8:28 PM
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...
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...
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.
Saw President Biden speak, too.
Biden’s words were comforting. The people of Reedy Chapel were inspiring.
June 20, 2025 at 3:46 PM
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.
Saw President Biden speak, too.
Biden’s words were comforting. The people of Reedy Chapel were inspiring.
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...
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 '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.
www.chron.com
May 5, 2025 at 6:44 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Michael Shapiro
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...
🔗➡️
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.
www.chron.com
May 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
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...
🔗➡️
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:
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...
🔗➡️
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.
www.chron.com
May 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
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...
🔗➡️
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...
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...
May 2, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
www.chron.com
May 1, 2025 at 4:19 AM
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...
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...
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...
“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...
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.
www.chron.com
April 29, 2025 at 3:24 PM
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...
“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...
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...
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.
www.chron.com
April 29, 2025 at 1:09 PM
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...
www.chron.com/sports/rocke...
Reposted by Michael Shapiro
Shap is in the Bay for tonight's game. Follow him for Rockets - Warriors updates and his delightful personality:
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...
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...
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.
www.chron.com
April 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Shap is in the Bay for tonight's game. Follow him for Rockets - Warriors updates and his delightful personality:
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...
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...
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.
www.chron.com
April 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
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...
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...
We can already count one Rockets fan in San Francisco: my Lyft driver!
Sedat Celik, 25, moved from Turkey two years ago. Says he went to six Warriors games this year, but no conflict on his rooting interest in Round 1.
“Hadi, Alperen!”
Story @chron: www.chron.com/sports/rocke...
Sedat Celik, 25, moved from Turkey two years ago. Says he went to six Warriors games this year, but no conflict on his rooting interest in Round 1.
“Hadi, Alperen!”
Story @chron: www.chron.com/sports/rocke...
April 26, 2025 at 11:04 PM
We can already count one Rockets fan in San Francisco: my Lyft driver!
Sedat Celik, 25, moved from Turkey two years ago. Says he went to six Warriors games this year, but no conflict on his rooting interest in Round 1.
“Hadi, Alperen!”
Story @chron: www.chron.com/sports/rocke...
Sedat Celik, 25, moved from Turkey two years ago. Says he went to six Warriors games this year, but no conflict on his rooting interest in Round 1.
“Hadi, Alperen!”
Story @chron: www.chron.com/sports/rocke...
Just like old times tonight at Toyota Center
www.chron.com/sports/rocke...
www.chron.com/sports/rocke...
'F--k you, Draymond' chants erupt after Rockets, Warriors scuffle
Houston fans took their ire out on a familiar source in Wednesday's tense Game 2.
www.chron.com
April 24, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Just like old times tonight at Toyota Center
www.chron.com/sports/rocke...
www.chron.com/sports/rocke...
Some sports business news today @chron.com
Houston is behind the times in the streaming age. Neither Astros nor Rockets offer a Direct-to-Consumer streaming product, Astros are MLB’s lone holdout.
Is DTC coming to Houston soon? Don’t hold your breath… More ⬇️
www.chron.com/sports/astro...
Houston is behind the times in the streaming age. Neither Astros nor Rockets offer a Direct-to-Consumer streaming product, Astros are MLB’s lone holdout.
Is DTC coming to Houston soon? Don’t hold your breath… More ⬇️
www.chron.com/sports/astro...
Inside the Astros contractual conundrum with streaming games
Baseball fans in the Bayou City are behind the times with their streaming options, but is change on the way?
www.chron.com
April 22, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Some sports business news today @chron.com
Houston is behind the times in the streaming age. Neither Astros nor Rockets offer a Direct-to-Consumer streaming product, Astros are MLB’s lone holdout.
Is DTC coming to Houston soon? Don’t hold your breath… More ⬇️
www.chron.com/sports/astro...
Houston is behind the times in the streaming age. Neither Astros nor Rockets offer a Direct-to-Consumer streaming product, Astros are MLB’s lone holdout.
Is DTC coming to Houston soon? Don’t hold your breath… More ⬇️
www.chron.com/sports/astro...
Reposted by Michael Shapiro
Worth your Tuesday morning read: @michaelshapiro.bsky.social's profile of Cam Ward. #NFLDraft
www.chron.com/sports/artic...
www.chron.com/sports/artic...
How a tiny Texas school made a zero-star recruit NFL’s No. 1 pick
Cam Ward long believed in his rocket right arm. The rest of the football world? Not so much.
www.chron.com
April 22, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Worth your Tuesday morning read: @michaelshapiro.bsky.social's profile of Cam Ward. #NFLDraft
www.chron.com/sports/artic...
www.chron.com/sports/artic...
Enjoyed chatting with @texasstandard.bsky.social this morning about the rise of Cam Ward.
Segment will run on NPR stations across Texas at 10:33 a.m. today. Houston listeners can tap-in at 88.7 FM (@houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social) ⬇️
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/listen-live/
Segment will run on NPR stations across Texas at 10:33 a.m. today. Houston listeners can tap-in at 88.7 FM (@houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social) ⬇️
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/listen-live/
Listen Live | Houston Public Media
Houston Public Media provides informative, thought-provoking and entertaining content through a multi-media platform that includes TV 8, News 88.7 and HPM Classical and reaches a combined weekly audie...
www.houstonpublicmedia.org
April 22, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Enjoyed chatting with @texasstandard.bsky.social this morning about the rise of Cam Ward.
Segment will run on NPR stations across Texas at 10:33 a.m. today. Houston listeners can tap-in at 88.7 FM (@houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social) ⬇️
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/listen-live/
Segment will run on NPR stations across Texas at 10:33 a.m. today. Houston listeners can tap-in at 88.7 FM (@houstonpublicmedia.bsky.social) ⬇️
www.houstonpublicmedia.org/listen-live/
🚀 Game 1. Rockets vs. Warriors.
Buckle up.
Buckle up.
April 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
🚀 Game 1. Rockets vs. Warriors.
Buckle up.
Buckle up.
Reposted by Michael Shapiro
if you read one thing today, read @michaelshapiro.bsky.social's feature on Cam Ward, who beat the odds to go from tiny West Columbia, Texas to become the top pick in this year's NFL draft:
Every college in Texas has had the opportunity to sign Cam Ward as a program-changing recruit in the last decade. Geography, history, and an antiquated high-school offense hindered his rise to stardom.
Here's how he beat the odds to become a No. 1 pick:
www.chron.com/sports/artic...
Here's how he beat the odds to become a No. 1 pick:
www.chron.com/sports/artic...
How a tiny Texas school forged a zero-star recruit into No. 1 pick
Cam Ward long believed in his rocket right arm. The rest of the football world? Not so much.
www.chron.com
April 17, 2025 at 2:38 PM
if you read one thing today, read @michaelshapiro.bsky.social's feature on Cam Ward, who beat the odds to go from tiny West Columbia, Texas to become the top pick in this year's NFL draft: