For a few days now, the Rockets have had a real training center, and that changes a lot of things. First for the training camp since the coaches and players will no longer need to go into exile to prepare for the season, but also to train during the season since until now, the sessions took place in a small room at the Toyota Center.
“The biggest difference is the space to do everything, from the weight room to the training center to the field.”, Cam Whitmore testifies. “We now have two fields. It's great. And then there's the atmosphere! We could stay there for hours and hours.”
At the cutting edge of technology
On Tuesday, there were 15 players at the training center, while the “training camp” is in three weeks. “The sessions are going very well. The majority of the team is here.” confirms GM Rafael Stone. “It’s great. Our players are determined to improve, and we can’t wait for the season to start.”
Extended in the spring by the owner, the Rockets GM is delighted that his players can rely on such a complex. “It’s wonderful… It seats 15; it could easily seat 20 when we get to that point. First of all, it’s all state-of-the-art and really, really well done. I have to give Tilman (Fertitta, Rockets owner) credit because he’s put a very personal touch on it, and a lot of the things he’s chosen are things I wouldn’t have thought of, and they’re really smart. Just being able to have a dedicated facility that’s built around the team’s needs is honestly a bigger game changer than I ever imagined. When you’re there and you’re using it, you can’t help but appreciate it. All you need to play basketball is a basketball court. That’s what we’ve been doing for the last 20 years. All of a sudden you have all these new resources and you’re like, ‘This is amazing.’”
Ime Udoka very satisfied
Ime Udoka is equally enthusiastic, and will have to wait until training camp to mingle with his players and lead his first sessions. “It's very important to have the guys in the gym together early.”appreciates the Houston coach. “We’ve had a long offseason and a lot of time to work. It gives us a chance to see guys, see them in different roles, see who’s progressed over the summer and who’s worked. It’s good preparation for training camp and getting a good start. Physically, we’ve got a group of kids that are going to progress and thicken up quickly. We’ve seen a few of them already.”
