The Houston Rockets picked Stephen Silas to fill the shoes of their former coach, Mike D’Antoni. After another disappointing run in the playoffs, D’Antoni did not continue as the Rockets’ head coach. The now 14th coach of the franchise is making his debut as a head coach with the Rockets. He spent his last two seasons as Rick Carlisle’s assistant coach to the Dallas Mavericks.

As the youngest assistant coach at 27, Silas’ first assistant coach gig was with the Charlotte Hornets in 2000-2001. When he joined the Mavericks in 208-19, he was given the responsibility of improving the team’s offense. He did brilliantly that job brilliantly. The way he helped in leading the Mavericks to the highest offensive rating last season proves that he has the potential to lead the Rockets.

With almost 20 years of experience as an assistant coach, it is surprising that this is Stephen’s first stint as head coach. But out of everyone, why did the Rockets go with Silas? Well, it looks like everyone, the Rockets had eyes, on like Doc Rivers or Tyronn Lue, got coaching jobs in teams like Philadelphia 76ers and Clippers, respectively.

Leaving not much of a choice, it looks like the Rockets wanted to give Silas a shot. What’s fascinating is that Silas was under their radar about four years ago, too. This was before they went ahead and signed with the D’Antoni instead.

The first order of business as Houston Rockets’ head coach

In an interview with Cayleigh Griffin of AT&T Sports Net, Silas was asked what was the first thing he did after officially becoming the Rockets’ head coach.

“Trying to put a staff together has been challenging,” confessed Silas. “A lot of zoom calls, phone calls, and that sort. And connecting with the players. That was one of the first things that I did. Making sure I reached out to all of them via text and then calling them, making sure that they knew that I am the coach and that I have a lot in store.”

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He also said, “I am excited to work with all the guys and they were all excited as well. So, the connecting part is most important because it starts now. It’s going to have to be built from game to game, practice to practice. In order for us to get to where we want to be, we have to be a cohesive group and it starts right now.”

Houston could only bag one playoff series win in the Orlando Bubble. With two really dominant players, James Harden and Russell Westbrook, making them title contenders won’t be easy. However, it isn’t impossible either.