With preseason coming right around the corner, NBA players are starting to try and get back in shape. The Houston Rockets, led by James Harden and Russell Westbrook, are engaging in other disciplines to get in shape.

Alykhan Bijani released a series of videos that showed the duo and the rest of the Rockets training at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The video showed the entire Rockets roster trying their hand at MMA. However, what caught the attention of many NBA fans was the work both Harden and Westbrook were doing.

NBA on ESPN shared a video of the two stars doing some work on the same punching bag. It was a great display of teamwork for the reunited teammates.

It may be strange for some fans to see basketball players engaging in a contact sport like MMA, but there are benefits that these Rockets can get from MMA training.

MMA is a high-octane sport where athletes are expected to attack and defend for five minutes straight. Basketball players go through the same sort of aerobic and anaerobic exercise, so trying MMA is a good exercise for them. Moreover, the sport helps with their strength and overall body coordination.

This season has a lot of pressure on these Rockets. Harden is 30 and he has a few years left on his athletic peak. He needs to win a title now if he wants to be considered as one of the greatest.

Moreover, Russell Westbrook was brought in by team owner Tilman Fertitta with the hopes of improving their chances. He knows that the two understand each other and hopes their relationship brings good things on the court.

The Rockets are looking to start their season guns blazing. With the team unofficially starting their preseason, they'll be hoping that their new 1-2 punch will give them a crack at the NBA title.