Stephen Silas is now a Head Coach for the first time in his career as the Houston Rockets got Silas to step up to serve the team. He will have great boots to fill, replacing former NBA coach of the year Mike D’Antoni. Silas has been in the NBA for 2 decades now, serving in the capacity of an assistant coach for a number of franchises.

Stephen is the son of former NBA Head Coach Paul Silas. He became an assistant coach under his father for the Charlotte Hornets in 2000.

Since then, he held assistant coaching positions with New Orleans (with the Hornets), the Golden State Warriors, and the Dallas Mavericks among other teams.

The appointment of Silas as the Rockets Head Coach came as a surprise to many NBA analysts. Despite having 20 years of coaching experience, Silas was never a head coach.

Many believed that the Rockets would attempt to acquire someone more experienced. But with top prospects like Tyronn Lue and Doc Rivers getting jobs with the Clippers and 76ers respectively, the Rockets decided to gamble with Silas.

Matt Barnes on Stephen Silas at the Houston Rockets

Silas faces the challenge of taking the Rockets far in the NBA Playoffs. With great players at James Harden and Russell Westbrook at his disposal, the goal is to make a deep playoff run.

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For the Rockets, they experienced significant disappointment in the Playoffs for the past few years, never being able to make an appearance in the NBA Finals.

The goal for Silas will be to get the Rockets out of the Western Conference. However, teams like the Lakers, Clippers, and Warriors will be in their way.

The Rockets do not perform well during the Playoffs; James Harden is notorious for underperforming on the big stage. Silas has also said he will not rely on the ‘Small-Ball’ approach of D’Antoni and will try to prove the doubters wrong and lead the Rockets to the promised land.

Former Golden State Warriors player Matt Barnes spoke about Silas’ appointment as Rockets coach. Barnes praised Silas but also noted that he must step up to his position.

“To be determined. I can piggyback off of what you said. He is definitely qualified, he’s paid his dues….I had the opportunity to play for him with the ‘We Believe’ (Warriors) team.

“He was an assistant coach. He was a very mild-mannered person by nature, but sometimes as an assistant coach, you have to play your role as players do.

“I think he’ll be able to show more of his personality and he’s definitively going to have to be an authoritative figure…I feel like that is kind of what that team may need.

“Not much, but he’s definitely going to have to come out of his quiet demeanor to coach this team.”

Barnes played under Silas during his time with the Golden State Warriors. They were a part of the ‘We Believe’ Warriors that became fan favorites in the Bay Area sports scene.

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