We all know that the 82-game NBA season can be grueling. When you really stop and think about it, the condition that these guys are in, so that they can make through an entire season, is unreal. It’s almost impossible for them to really take an extended period of time off if they want to maintain a high level of play. Above all, they need discipline and of course, some guidance from someone who knows what he’s talking about. Someone like Steve Hess.
Steve is a member of Under Armour’s Training Council, which is a collection of the highest caliber of strength and conditioning professionals in the world. You may also know him as the Strength and Conditioning coach of the Denver Nuggets. Similar to Brandon Jennings, who was out in LA for the Boost Mobile Elite 24, Steve was out there as well and I had a few minutes to speak with him.
Kevin Burke: Hey, Steve. Kevin Burke from The Hoop Doctors, here. I appreciate you taking to the time to chat with me for a few. So I know you’re out in LA along with Brandon Jennings for the Elite 24, where you’re hosting a training combine. What’s that like?
Steve Hess: Well, I’m on the Under Armour Training Council and we’re here to host a training combine for these guys out here because physical fitness is very important to me. What’s great about this is that you really get a chance to see guys push it. We create a basic structure for guys to follow so that it really pushes these guys to their full potential. Then we can also implement testing to see progression. The best thing about all of this is that I’m learning every day. I’ve been doing this a long time, but working with these guys, I learn something new all the time.
Kevin Burke: How is it working with Brandon in all of this?
Steve Hess: Oh man, Brandon is great. It’s truly a pleasure working with that guy. He is very motivated in anything that he does. He is an extremely hard worker and I’m glad to be affiliated with him. I’m very excited about that.
Kevin Burke: Many people may also know you as being the Strength and Conditioning coach for the Denver Nuggets. We’re pretty much right in the middle of the NBA off-season. How difficult is it to keep guys focused on the importance of conditioning during the off-season?
Steve Hess: It’s not challenging at all. It’s not just certain guys. All the guys realize the importance of it. It’s what helped them reach the level where they are right now, so it isn’t that tough. Everyone is so pumped up. Everyone is working hard to be their very best. A few weeks after the season ended, I looked up and Chauncey Billups was in there working out. So was Melo (Carmelo Anthony), Nene and K-Mart (Kenyon Martin). And I’m talking just three weeks after the season ended. These guys are professionals and that’s dedication.
Kevin Burke: Speaking about Carmelo, there’s been a lot of talk about him this summer, for reasons unrelated to what we’re talking about. Can you talk more about his dedication to working out?
Steve Hess: Carmelo is one of the hardest working guys I’ve ever been around. The guy is a freak. I did a workout with him the other day in New York, and man, that guy is determined. That dedication translates on the basketball court because he’s a phenomenal player as well.
Kevin Burke: Definitely. Now, a basketball player’s body is different than say, a football player’s body. Are there certain things that you advise basketball player not to do so that it doesn’t take away from their game?
Steve Hess: Well, I would create a workout for individuals so that it is tailored specifically to them and they all understand that, so they’ll follow that. Then I can conduct tests to see how they’re progressing. Now are there workouts that they shouldn’t do? Sure. I wouldn’t want any of them to squat 700 pounds because that wouldn’t really help them. I have them do things that will give them an edge and make them think to themselves, “I have to get better.”
Kevin Burke: Makes sense. Finally, Steve, I’m on the other side of the country right now as we speak, but I can feel your energy jumping through the phone and I’ve seen you on TV with the Nuggets many times and it’s easy to tell that you’re very passionate about conditioning. Why is it so important to you?
Steve Hess: Because it’s the fountain of youth. As long as you’re healthy, do the things you’re supposed to, work on flexibility and stay hydrated, you can do anything. Just don’t do anything stupid. You can live 20 years longer as long as you keep yourself in good physical condition. I’m truly blessed to be able to work out with athletes for a living and have been in the NBA for 15 years. We push each other with resistance training as well as other forms of physical fitness and like I said, it really is the fountain of youth.
Kevin Burke: Well said. Steve, thanks a lot and best of luck with everything.
Steve Hess: My pleasure. Nice speaking with you.
If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes.
