Harden organizes Rockets minicamp

<img src="https://jesssultaire.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/opposite.gif?w=361&h=318&crop=1">

 

Hey guys, we should stop practicing or weight lifting or sleeping or even showing up to games because we did that last year and none of it worked.

 

Did Harden want the minicamp in Miami to continue working with Irv Roland?

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Irving Roland on Player Development, Training James Harden, and a Harden Resurgence (Q&A)
By: Alykhan Bijani @Rockets_Insider - 17th Aug 2016

Spoiler

Yes, you are well known for your sessions with various NBA-level players. Could you talk about this business and what it’s all about?

I have a business called Blue Print Basketball, based out of Miami, Florida. My partner, his name is Manning Summer. He runs a gym called Legacy Fit in Miami. He does strength/conditioning and I do all the on-court stuff. We have a lot of guys who live in Miami that train with him throughout the summer. Then I have a guy named Nick Friedman who works with my guys on the court when I’m not there. Every summer I do a camp called the Blue Print Legacy Boot Camp. I have players from all over the league come down and they train together. We just had one last week. We had a great turnout. James Harden, Josh Smith, Jeff Green, Hassan Whiteside, Rajon Rondo. We had a number of guys. It went really well. We put up a lot of good content on social media. We’re doing our next one on August 25th-27th. Guys from all over the league come down and it’s a chance for them to be around other guys. A lot of these guys have been training on their own all summer. Just to be around guys, and feed off their energy in the weight room and on the court is good for them. Everybody loves Miami and that’s why we do it there, now for 6 years running.

Speaking of James. Since I cover the Houston Rockets. Let’s transition to more James Harden talk. You and he have had a good relationship since college. Could you talk about that relationship and how it’s grown over time?

I met James [Harden] after his freshman year at Arizona State. I was working the LeBron James skills academy in Akron, Ohio, and he was one of the college campers. Ironically, Patrick Beverley was there that year also. We became friends then and stayed in contact. And it just so happened that he was drafted by Oklahoma City, which is where I’m from. So in the summers Harden, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook and I would all be around in the off season back home. And then when he would come down to Miami in the summer we would train there. As was talked about, I was in Phoenix the past three seasons. So when he would do camps at Arizona State, we would train there. It’s a relationship that has grown over the last 8-9 years with James.

You had talked about earlier in the summer that you and James would train together until the start of the Olympics. As is the case, James Harden did not play in the Rio Olympics. Could you talk about why he decided not to play?

No different than the reasons the other guys had. A lot of safety concerns. If you look at what happened to Ryan Lochte the other day. That was the biggest thing. Too many red flags. Everyone wants to be part of the Olympic team and represent their country. But, at the same time, safety is first. James’ mother wanted to be a part of it and be there to watch him. But there just was too many red flags. Are they going to be able to take care of their families? At the end of the day you have think about yourself, your branding, and your family. So obviously a lot of those guys pulled out. He definitely wanted to be a part of it.

A lot was made of James Harden’s leadership last year and into the offseason. After he signed his contract extension, the media referred to the change in Harden’s leadership. Showing that this is his team. Working with him the entire summer, could you talk about where James Harden is as a leader right now?

Like I said before, obviously I was with the Suns last year. So he and I talked here and there. I wasn’t there every day to see it. On the outside looking in, you could tell that his body language would be off sometimes. Looking at a team that was in the Western Conference Finals last year and fighting to make the playoffs this year. There was a lot of factors. You don’t want to point fingers anywhere, but there were a lot of factors that contributed to the season that he and his teammates had. But I think this summer has been healthy for him. Mentally, he’s in a different space. He’s been going out of his way to do things for the organization. A lot of people saw him go back and watch the draft with the front office. Not a lot of players would do that. Especially since the Rockets didn’t have a first round draft pick. So to sit their throughout the draft and watch the draft for second-round draft picks, it had to be pretty boring. But he went out of his way to do it because he knows that it’s his team. He wanted to be in communication with those (front office) guys in terms of who they were selecting, who they might trade up for, etc. Also, a lot of people know about him setting up workouts in Las Vegas during Summer League to get Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon acclimated to guys like Patrick Beverley, Corey Brewer, Mike Beasley, Trevor Ariza. Getting all these guys together to build some type of camaraderie leading into training camp. I think he plans on doing it again this offseason before training camp. Allowing guys to get out, have some fun together, get to know each other a little better, and build relationships. If you look at Cleveland or Golden State, these teams actually have fun playing basketball together. He, in my eyes, in 2015 should have won MVP. He was the players’ choice for MVP, and he was also out there having fun playing basketball. That’s who James Harden is and when he is at his best. That’s what I expect to see this season from him.

Before the beginning of last season, James Harden came into training camp with an injury. Did something change in his workout that specific summer in comparison to previous summers that caused the injury? Also, is he doing something else this summer to get ready for the season?

That was just a fluke incident. One thing I’ll say about James is that he’s one of the hardest workers that I know. That shows. Second in the league in scoring. Top 6 in assists. The guy really works on his game. Offensively, there’s not much that he can’t do. He plays a lot of basketball. He’s a gym rat. Things are bound to happen. But as far as his preparation. It’s the same as the most part, but it was a fluke incident that occurred.

This offseason working with James, is he concentrating on one thing in particular to prepare for this new offensive system? The Mike D’Antoni offense is very spread pick-and-roll based. James Harden has to be a great passer, playmaker, and scorer.

Yeah. Coach D’Antoni talked about it a little bit. He’s going to be in a lot of situations that Steve Nash was in, when with D’Antoni in Phoenix. James is a really good playmaker. To me he’s more of a point-guard anyway than a two-guard. He has the ball in his hands a lot and is definitely a willing passer. I think with the offensive weapons that he has this year, he’s going to be able to spread the ball around the floor even more. There’s just little things. Nothing real major that he’s trying to work on. One of the main focus has been his body and getting in better shape overall. He led the league in minutes played last year. So little things like that is what he’s concentrating on. Just mentally being in those pick-and-roll situations and spreading the ball all over the floor. I think he’s going to be ready to go.

One last question. A lot has been made of James Harden’s defense. Particularly the last few seasons with the spotlight he has in Houston. You know the type of player he is. What can you say about his defense?

It’s funny because I hear it every day. People write jokes about it. Comments on social media. This isn’t bias, I’m friends with a lot of guys in the NBA. There are top-5 and top-10 players in the NBA, not saying any names. If you wanted to, you could easily makes these highlights, lowlights, Shaqtin A Fool moments of them on defense as well. There are certain guys in the NBA that don’t even guard their own possessions. When James was in Oklahoma City, that’s what mainly what he did. Kevin and Russell were the primary scorers and James was a lock down defender. When he puts his mind to it, he’s a really good on-ball defender and really-good help-side defender. He has one of the highest basketball IQs out of players that I know. I think too many times he may get caught falling asleep, or maybe his effort wasn’t there. It’s not like he’s not capable of doing it. I get it. As a leader people want to see James more locked in. I think this year that will happen. This past season, too many factors contributed to him saying ‘Man I’m going to take a play off’ or whatever or falling asleep. At the end of the day when you look at what James Harden is asked to do for the Houston Rockets. Compare it to what other guys are asked to do. He’s asked to score, assist, etc. He’s averaging more assists than actual point-guards in this league. He didn’t really have a whole lot of guys who could help him make plays when he was trapped in the pick-and-rolls. When you look at Golden State and when Stephen Curry is trapped in a pick-and-roll, Andrew Bogut can bring the ball up the floor. Draymond Green and Klay Thompson can make a play off the dribble. James didn’t really have those options. It can get pretty exhausting. You want him to go down and be Tony Allen on the other end? I get it. You want to see the effort. I think, mentally, being in a better place this season all that will start to come together and you’ll get the MVP caliber James Harden again.

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Vids from 3 weeks ago in Miami:

Spoiler

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.1018518519% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BInPAZPjXpS/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">BluePrint Legacy Boot Camp 2016 in Miami! For more behind the scenes footage follow me on Snapchat: BluePrintIrv #NoDaysOff #LegacyFit #BluePrintTraining #Basketball #Hoops #NBA #305 #powerhandz #trainwithpurpose @nodaysoff</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A video posted by Irv Roland (@blueprintirv) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-02T16:28:54+00:00">Aug 2, 2016 at 9:28am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:28.1018518519% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BIphXlTDbLW/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Day 2 wrap up of the BluePrint Legacy Boot Camp! Know the guys are starting to hurt a little bit from the morning sessions but they're pushing through. Ready to get Day 3 started. #nodaysoff #Blueprintbball #legacyfit #bootcamp #305 #mia #powerhandz #trainwithpurpose @nodaysoff</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A video posted by Irv Roland (@blueprintirv) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-03T13:47:50+00:00">Aug 3, 2016 at 6:47am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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Last year is universally regarded as the most disappointing rockets season in franchise history.

 

The mini camp is cancelled or not? Is there any word on this?

 

Last year was the first time the craziness of the GARM was actually justified

Losing to Portland or golden state in WCF the years before it was not

 

Yeah, it was.

But, mebbe, hopefully anyway, this is an indication in '14 redux not '15. However, this team needs one more studly addition.

 

I don't recall much showing up to games last year.

*rimshot*

 

which club?

 

Still no word on this?

 

every time I see this thread title, I think of this movie. :grin:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uD4GclR6ZEo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

"Lunch has been canceled today, due to lack of hustle."

 

Here's your confirmation that Rockets are in Miami working out at Legacy Fit. Props to 'rocketpower2' !

 

^In Dekker's instagram post: Eric Gordon, KJ McDaniels, Gary Payton II, James Harden, Patrick Beverley, Nene, & Clint Capela.

Where's Ryno, Ariza, Brewer, Beasley, Harrell, Nanu, & Prigs?

 

I have absolutely no problem with Brewer staying far away from any and all Rockets-related activities.

 

Outside of Ryno and Prigs, aren't they all "don't-get-hurt, you're-trade-bait" anyway?

Any Other NBA GM: "I don't know, Daryl. Brewer? He plays like he's high on espresso and being electrocuted at the same time."

Morey: "PLUS a second-rounder. PLUS the $600,000. Uuuuummmm...you want the underhanded-free-throw center we just drafted? (Tad, what's his name again?) Nanu. I'll throw him in. FREE."

TRUE dat.

 

WHere the hell is MDA? Get with it man this team needs coaching right now.

 

Well, Rudy Gay has been working out at the same gym (Legacy Fit). Make it official? [j/k]

Spoiler

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJvcyZxjOf7/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">All in a day's work @manningsumner @dgraybasketball</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A video posted by Rudy Gay (@rudygay8) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-30T17:34:39+00:00">Aug 30, 2016 at 10:34am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJiuFW-DRDp/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Another day another dollar #getright @manningsumner @nodaysoff #footwork #finessekid</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A video posted by Rudy Gay (@rudygay8) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-25T18:55:39+00:00">Aug 25, 2016 at 11:55am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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Forgot this guy existed, tbh.

 

Nanu: [stuck at home watching cable] "I'd rather be in Miami minicamp."

Spoiler

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Finally got some cable</p>&mdash; Nanu (@lifeofnanu_32) <a href="https://twitter.com/lifeofnanu_32/status/768527379216097280">August 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BJyQLvgj_Lq/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">The REAL GANG!!!! </a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-08-31T19:42:14+00:00">Aug 31, 2016 at 12:42pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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