Stephen Silas Resigned To Being Let Go By Rockets

The rumors have been flying around the NBA for the past week: several notable head coaches have been linked to the Houston Rockets for next season. Their current coach, Stephen Silas, obviously hears the rumblings, and he sounds resigned to the fact that he might be coaching his final two games for the team.  

I have not been perfect at all. But I am proud of the job that I’ve done. I have a three-year contract, and this is the last home game of my three years. So whatever happens, happens after this. But I can’t be anything but proud.

Silas has coached the Rockets to their second consecutive 60-loss season, and with two games to go they are on track to once again finish dead-last in the Western Conference. 

To be fair, Silas was hired to coach a team that had James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Instead, he was immediately stripped of those multi-time All-Stars, and instead he's been coaching the youngest team in the league, with the starting lineup at many times during the season averaging less than 22 years of age. As noted by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, their starting lineup is younger than the teams that lined up across town for the NCAA championship this week. 

But has there been enough improvement to warrant the team picking up their option on a 4th year for Silas?

Either way, Silas is still happy with his lot in life. 

“I learned a lot about myself,” Silas said. “I learned a lot about coaching in the NBA. I’ve learned a lot about dealing with adversity. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to coach this team. I’m grateful to have the Rockets’ logo on my chest. I’m just grateful.”

Silas was 57-177 in his three seasons at the helm of the Rockets. 

Photo: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports