Houston Rockets Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon joined the team Wednesday for their third practice of training camp. Olajuwon wasn't just a spectator, however, as he stayed after to work with Houston big men Dwight Howard, Josh Powell and rookies Tarik Black and Akil Mitchell, The Houston Chronicle reports.
"It's always a joy for me preparing for the new season," Olajuwon said. "I really like the chemistry of the team. Everyone seems to get along so well."
Olajuwon is always open to helping any player who asks, but he is especially focused on Howard. The pair typically finished workouts last season practicing drills on the other end of the court under the two championship banners Olajuwon helped win in the 1990s.
"The concept with Dwight is to start and pick up where he left off last year," Olajuwon said. "He played incredibly well in the playoffs. And if he can carry that over to start the season, I think I will be voting for him for the MVP.
"He has tremendous confidence. He is looking for an MVP year. Just the demeanor, the confidence level, the way he played last year - I expect something great from him this year."
Olajuwon has worked with Howard several times in the past but not since late last season. Already, he noted progress in Howard's game.
"More mature - he is a hard worker," Olajuwon said. "You can tell the way he is built what he has done again this summer. He is very focused."
As a player development specialist for Houston, Olajuwon's primary goal has been to bring out the best in Howard. He initially saw Howard relying too much on old habits to start last season but said there was progress as the year went on.
The value in this type of attention from one of the most skilled big men in NBA history is not lost on Howard. He realizes all of the benefits that could come from working hard and studying with Olajuwon.
"It's good to see him around," Howard said. "Being a Hall of Famer, he doesn't have to come in here and help us out, but he does want to see the best out of all of us. So just to have him in the locker room and on the court practicing has been good."
The Rockets were bounced in the first round of last year's playoffs by the lower-seeded Portland Trail blazers. Many expected more from a team with two top-ten players in Howard and shooting guard James Harden. To his credit, Harden said he's focused on improving his defense and become a better all-around player in order to help push the Rockets farther in the post-season. He and Howard have discussed what needs to be done to improve this year.
"We talked a lot," Howard said. "We talked about the season and our mindset headed into this year."
With the departure of Chandler Parsons in free agency and the trades of Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin, the Rockets will have to rely on Howard and Harden even more if they want to be competitive in the crowded Western Conference.
