Irv Roland [Rockets Assistant Coach] (2018)discusses working with James Harden the skills developmen

Great point about Harden's 2015 season. He took the team to the WCF with a hurt Dwight and a team where half of the guys aren't even in the league in anymore. He should have gotten MVP that season.

 

Irv mentioned how many guys from the '14-'15 team aren't in the league anymore (when talking about how James should have won the MVP that year). I had to look it up to see exactly how many:

12 of 20 if you count Terry and Brewer because they're both free agents.

 

Only Beverley, Capela, and Dwight are rotation players at this point.

Edit: Forgot to include Ariza

 

+ Ariza.

 

What a list.

He should have three MVP's.

 

Two interesting things I heard:
Talking about how good James is because of how many guys from that 2015 team aren't even in the NBA anymore that went to the WCF. Good argument. (edit - I see it's being talked about! )

Then, talking about how kids are taught from a young age now - if your team isn't winning, don't try harder and get better - quit and go to the better team across town where it's easier. Dayum. Calling it straight right there.

 

Murray bargain hunting at the thrift store.

 

I wonder if the kids are calling it "doing it KD-style."

 

Irv was asked which front offices he admired. He said GSW and the Spurs. He's an assistant coach with the Rockets, didn't even mention the Rockets. That's a classic TMAC moment.

If Irv had to give up Morey or Harden...

 

Maybe Irv can help Harden develop the skill for NOT BEING FAT!

 

Can Irv teach Harden how to have heart?

 

Reporter asked him about fat Harden body. Irv snapped his hat back 'Its on me'

 

I missed him and corrected

 

just for compiling a list???

Now, Harden on the other hand...

 

But can he train him to have a heart?

 

Irv does seem to have a lot of heart. He talked about being an unpaid intern for the Celtics and making money by doing overnight room service at The Westin hotel and then clocking out at 6:30am to go do his aspiring-NBA job.

He also talks about how he met Harden, Durant, and Westbrook because he is from OKC, and he thinks the reason some NBA teams draft better than others is because they pick the guys who really want to play basketball, not the guys who just want to get a paycheck.