Houston Rockets Part Ways with Head Coach Stephen Silas After Three Seasons
The Houston Rockets have parted ways with head coach Stephen Silas after three seasons, during which the team finished at the bottom of the league.[0] The Rockets finished with a 22-60 record this season and a 59-177 overall record under Silas's leadership.[1] The team's young talent has failed to make any noticeable progress, and the Rockets' style of play has been criticized for being undisciplined.[2] The team will now search for a new coach to lead them through the next phase of their rebuild.
Silas was hired in 2020 to oversee the rebuilding of the Rockets, which began after the team traded away Russell Westbrook and James Harden.[3] The team prioritized draft positioning over winning, resulting in a roster bereft of high-end NBA talent.[3] During Silas's tenure, the Rockets finished with a 58-177 record and twice had the worst record in the league.
The Rockets have a number of young talents, including Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün, who have shown considerable potential.[4] However, the team's lack of discipline has led to criticism from other players around the league. The Rockets will now look to bring in established talent to complement their young players and upgrade the roster.
The team will also be searching for a new head coach, with Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel, and former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka among the prominent candidates.[5] Udoka, who led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first season as head coach, was let go by the team after being suspended for violating team policies.[6]
Silas, who had one year left on his contract, will likely be a sought-after assistant coach for teams looking to improve their offense.[7] He has not been guaranteed any money from the Rockets for the 2023/24 season, making it less likely that he'll take a year off before finding a new job. Despite the Rockets' lack of success under his leadership, Silas expressed pride in his work.[8] “I have a three-year contract,” he said.[9] “This is the last home game of my three years. So, whatever happens happens after this, but I can’t be anything but proud.[10]
0. “BREAKING: Rockets part ways with Stephen Silas right as season ends” ClutchPoints, 9 Apr. 2023, https://clutchpoints.com/rockets-news-houston-parts-ways-stephen-silas-right-regular-season-ends
1. “Reports: Rockets, Stephen Silas to part ways” KPRC Click2Houston, 9 Apr. 2023, https://www.click2houston.com/sports/2023/04/09/reports-rockets-stephen-silas-to-part-ways
2. “Stephen Silas out as Rockets coach after Houston declines to pick up his fourth-year option, per report” CBS Sports, 9 Apr. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/stephen-silas-out-as-rockets-coach-after-houston-declines-to-pick-up-his-fourth-year-option-per-report
3. “Report: Rockets parting with head coach Stephen Silas” Yahoo Sports, 9 Apr. 2023, https://sports.yahoo.com/report-rockets-parting-with-head-coach-stephen-silas-192131255.html
4. “Rockets Rumors: Stephen Silas' Contract Option for 2023-24 NBA Season to Be Declined” Bleacher Report, 20 Mar. 2023, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10071689-rockets-rumors-stephen-silas-contract-option-for-2023-24-nba-season-to-be-declined
5. “Fired Boston Celtics HC ‘could be a candidate for a number of jobs’ in offseason” Hardwood Houdini, 9 Apr. 2023, https://hardwoodhoudini.com/2023/04/09/boston-celtics-hc-candidate-number-jobs
6. “NBA Rumors: Ime Udoka ‘Prominent Candidate’ For This Job” NESN, 9 Apr. 2023, https://nesn.com/2023/04/nba-rumors-ime-udoka-prominent-candidate-for-this-job
7. “Houston Rockets to part ways with coach Stephen Silas after 3 seasons” USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/rockets/2023/04/09/houston-rockets-part-ways-coach-stephen-silas-after-3-seasons/11632676002
8. “The Rockets Will Not Retain Stephen Silas After Three Seasons As Head Coach” UPROXX, 9 Apr. 2023, https://uproxx.com/dimemag/houston-rockets-fire-stephen-silas-head-coach
9. “Rockets, Stephen Silas to part ways, per sources: Who are the expected coach candidates?” The Athletic, 9 Apr. 2023, https://theathletic.com/4393564/2023/04/09/rockets-stephen-silas-coach-candidates
10. “Coach Silas speaks on his future and lessons he has learned this season” The Dream Shake, 4 Apr. 2023, https://www.thedreamshake.com/2023/4/4/23670515/coach-silas-speaks-on-his-future-and-lessons-he-has-learned-this-season
