For the second consecutive year, James Harden is looking to get a jump on preparing for the upcoming season with a players-only minicamp.
According to Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston, Harden has rounded up his Houston Rockets teammates for some pre-camp workouts beginning next week. Corey Brewer says Harden has been responsible for all the planning and organization.
“James is doing everything,” Brewer said. “He is showing he wants to be a leader. He’s the franchise player. He signed the extension. So it’s his team, and he’s doing all the right things to do what we need to do to have a chance to win championships.”
Harden did the same thing last season, and the Rockets got off to a painfully slow start. However, this is a new team. Dwight Howard has moved on and Harden signed a lucrative extension.
“We want to send a message that we’re ready to go,” Brewer added. “We’re going to work our butts off. All the guys have been working hard this summer. Last year was a year that we didn’t like. Everybody has a bitter taste in their mouth. So we can’t wait to get started.”
There’s a potential hurricane forecast for Miami this weekend, which is where Harden wanted to hold the minicamp. He may have to alter the plans because of that.
Harden’s leadership ability has been questioned in the past, but his teammates seem to respect him. Now that his supposedly icy relationship with Howard won’t be an issue, perhaps the Rockets can develop better chemistry. Getting an early start can only help.
