Anthony at peace he has nothing to prove
LAKE CHARLES, La. — Most of the adjustments, Carmelo Anthony said, already have been made. He had gone from the star expected to carry a team to a player working with other stars in Oklahoma City. He had found in the Rockets’ minicamp in the Bahamas that he did not have to prove himself to new teammates.
By Tuesday’s start of training camp, Anthony said he already was at ease with finding his place with his third team in three seasons and with playing alongside James Harden and Chris Paul.
“I don’t really think finding a fit is an issue,” Anthony said. “At this point, you’re just going out there, throwing the ball out there, understanding what is the philosophy, and going out there and executing. From that standpoint, it is easy for me.
“That was the biggest adjustment — going from a team of having to do it yourself basically my whole career, then last year having an adjustment and trying to figure it out on the fly. Now I know exactly what I need to do. It puts you at peace knowing what you have to do.”
Anthony said Monday he went to the Bahamas thinking he would have to show his new teammates what he can still bring. By Tuesday, he was no longer concerned with that, having discovered he did not need to be.
“As far as the Bahamas goes, I always thought I had to prove to the guys on the team what I can still do based on the reaction off last season,” Anthony said. “But after talking to these guys, they give you that feeling that they still believe in you, they still know what you can do. It makes you feel good.”
The morning session of Tuesday’s two-a-day practices was generally devoted to a long video session and drill work.
But Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni did have one first impression.
“He shoots the ball extremely well,” D’Antoni said of Anthony. “He’s really worked at getting comfortable with the 3-point shot. So far, so good.”
Knight’s absence has a plus side to it
As always, Mike D’Antoni looked for the bright side when asked about guard Brandon
Knight having to miss all of training camp and the preseason while coming back from an infection following his most recent knee surgery.
The Rockets would have rather had him ready to compete for playing time, but D’Antoni liked the idea of adding a player with Knight’s potential whenever he is able.
“It’s good and bad,” D’Antoni said. “The bad is we don’t have him. The good thing is we knew we weren’t going to have him.
“Our goal with him is just to make sure we take our time and get him back on track to where he was, an All-Star-level player. And then look at the bright side: When he does come back, he’s going to give us a nice shot of adrenaline, having somebody of his caliber be able to step in whether it’s this month, next month or whenever it is. To have a guy like that waiting in the wings is pretty cool.”
In addition to Knight’s absence, center Zhou Qi is out with a sprained ankle. Rookie forward Vincent Edwards is day-to-day with a strained left adductor.
Coach has no issue with conditioning
Though most of the Rockets’ morning session on the first day of training camp was devoted to video work and drills, with a scrimmage scheduled for Tuesday night, coach Mike D’Antoni saw enough to cite improved conditioning since last season.
“I think they all look better than they did at this time last year,” D’Antoni said. “Everybody’s weight is a little better. A little stronger, especially Clint (
Capela). He’s in a good spot. But all of them are in great spots. I think Chris Paul … worked really hard this summer to get back from the hamstring. But also, hey, you’ve got to play into June. He made a lot of effort. A lot of guys did. They’re hungry.”
Guard James Harden said he saw enough to believe the Rockets were well prepared for the start of camp.
“It feels good (that) we don’t have to work on the conditioning aspect,” Harden said. “We can just work on focusing on the details and just play. Once we play and get familiar with each other again, all the wrinkles we’ll pick up.”
Warm welcome to Lake Charles
The Rockets’ training camp at McNeese State’s new Health and Human Performance Education Complex inspired something of a celebration, with Louisiana Gov.
John Bel Edwards, Lake Charles mayor Nic Hunter and
McNeese president Daryl Burkel offering speeches and viewing some of the first practice, with Hunter giving Rockets CEO
Tad Brown the key to the city. Brown offered something back, pledging to have the Rockets return often for training camps.
“We’re floored by this beautiful facility and the fact that you were able to get it up on time,” Brown said. “We’ve been in a lot of on-campus facilities. We’ve been in a lot of practice facilities around the world. This is as fine a one as we’ve seen.
“You can count on us being here in the years to come. Expect to see the Houston Rockets here in Lake Charles for a long, long time.”