HOUSTON — “Bring it in,” said the familiar voice behind the black curtain that separated the media from the court at the Toyota Center. “Great work today, fellas.”
The voice was Rockets head coach Stephen Silas, who had just finished conducting his final 2022-23 regular season practice on the team’s home court.
Buy Rockets TicketsIt could also be the last time he touches the wooden floors at the Toyota Center as Houston’s head coach.
Before the Rockets played their final home game versus Denver on Tuesday, Silas alluded to the fact it could be his last home game because his contract expires at the end of this regular season.
“I found strength in myself that I didn’t necessarily know that I had,” Silas said. “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, I can’t be anything but proud.”
If Silas’ tenure does end after the final game on Sunday in Washington, starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. is one player who will miss him significantly.
“Everyone knows by now my relationship with Silas,” Porter said after Thursday’s practice. “He has been someone that welcomed me from day one, and it just built from that.”
“I am glad I got the chance to build our relationship and have a relationship with a man and a person like that, first and foremost,.” Porter told reporters. “Playing under a coach like that who cares about his players more than anything. It was a blessing to have that relationship and contain that relationship.”
Houston acquired Porter from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for a protected second-round draft pick in January 2021. He was selected in the first round with the No. 30 pick of the 2019 NBA draft following his freshman season at USC.
“He has been someone who has welcomed me from day one and it just built from that,” said Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. when I asked about the relationship between him and HC Stephen Silas whose contract is set to expire after this season. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/pwwAfHj2Z3
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) April 6, 2023
The opportunity with the Rockets was a new start for Porter, who had encountered off-court issues in Cleveland.
“A lot of things were happening,” Porter said of that time. “He helped me to be grounded and helped me be comfortable with being uncomfortable. He is very mellow, so he taught me how to maneuver through this whole process. He is a dope person.”
Silas’s tenure with the Rockets has been unstable, leading to his 57-177 record with two games remaining in the 2022-23 regular season. Yet, he cherishes his time spent with his group of young men, whose oldest starter is Porter at 22 years old.
“It has been fun and a great experience,” Silas said to reporters when asked about his leadership and guidance. “It is something that I will treasure for my whole life. Being a part of this organization, being in this stage with these young guys.”
“They want to be coached, want to be taught, and want to be mentored at times. I am thankful for all the people who poured into me, so I could pour back out to them. It has been a rough year as far as a lot of things, but I am so proud of these guys and their growth.”
