WASHINGTON, D.C. — Standing in the hallway outside the visiting locker room inside Capital One Arena, I noticed a person approaching. It was someone I was very familiar with and someone who was on an emotional roller coaster after the Houston Rockets had defeated the Wizards to conclude their 2022-23 NBA season.
As the person got closer, I could see the range of emotions he vehemently tried to hide the last week or two from anyone that was around him. Gone was the customary big smile he always displays and his usual positive demeanor.
Stephen Silas looked like a shell of himself after addressing his players and the media regarding the imminent decision — namely, the team would not extend his head coaching contract after three seasons with the franchise.
“What’s up, coach,” I said with the usual tone and energy I greet him with. “What’s going on, my man,” he responded, trying to be as upbeat as possible. We exchanged pleasantries for a brief moment, knowing it would be our last time speaking in person for a while.
Once that was done, I asked Silas a question that I originally mentioned weeks ago. With his fate already determined, I wanted him to speak as himself, and not as head coach of the Rockets.
“Do you feel like you were given a fair chance to succeed these last three years,” I asked him.
“This organization gave me an opportunity for my dad to see me as an NBA head coach before he passed,” Silas responded. He added:
Was I put in a perfect situation? No. But when you get hired as a new coach, most often, that means that something must have gone wrong previously for the old coach not to be in the position anymore.
The circumstances changed drastically from the day I got hired to the first couple of weeks of the season. Were they fair? I would say they were not, but I adjusted because the players were counting on me to get things done and lead them.
Silas led the team to a franchise-worst 59-177 record (.250) during his tenure with the Rockets. Still, those numbers can be deceiving when you consider the circumstances, starting with the departure of two former MVPs, James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Ultimately, Silas used 43 different lineups in his first season’s 72 games.
The next two years were about Silas teaching young men — some of whom were born after he started his coaching career — how to play in the NBA, all while also teaching them life lessons off the court and how valuable it is to carry yourself in a confident manner.
Even with better on-court play and cohesiveness displayed over the season’s final month by beating some 2023 playoff teams, including the Denver Nuggets, the Western Conference’s top team, Silas’ destiny had already been determined, and the players knew that.
They watched as their owner, Tilman Fertitta, yelled out, “Pray for Victor,” during a televised interview earlier this year. That was in reference to Victor Wembanyana, a 7-foot-4 forward who has been hailed by many fans and analysts as the best NBA draft prospect since LeBron James entered the league 20 years ago.
“Coach (Silas) has been there for me more than a lot of people will ever know,” one Houston player said after Sunday’s game.
“I know that this is a business, but it is tough watching what he has been through by losing his dad and the turmoil of this season,” he added. “I knew this day was going to come. That man gave his all. He sacrificed a lot to help us. The lessons I learned from him will always be with me, even when I am no longer in the NBA.”
A familiar smile came across Silas’ face as I relayed that message and others I had gathered from players and coaches.
“All I have ever wanted for those young men is to be put on a road to success,” said Silas. “No matter if it is with me or not. They have some bright futures, and I hope I instilled something in them that they can carry throughout life. I never spoke about the adversity I went through these last three years, but they knew.”
In the middle of our conversation, a team member yelled that the bus was about to leave. That meant our last in-person conversation during his time as head coach of the Rockets was coming to an end. “Good luck with your future endeavors,” I said as we shook hands.
“I will see you down the road; this is not goodbye,” Silas told me. “We will definitely talk again.” I knew we would, but obviously less consistently than we have over the past three years.
On Monday, the team made it official: They had declined Silas’ 2023-24 option. With that, a new coaching search is underway. While players on the roster will undoubtedly be open to a new leadership voice, the bar will be quite high when it comes to replicating Silas’ personal touch in and around the locker room.
“Our culture is we work really hard, and we support one another,” general manager Rafael Stone said at Monday’s press conference regarding Silas. “I think this team has done that very well. That is largely a function of Stephen and what he’s done on that. Culture, in particular, is a very coach-driven thing, and I want to give Stephen his credit. I think he did a very good job on that front.”
