After missing Sunday’s game to mourn the death of his father, renowned NBA champion player and coach Paul Silas, Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas was back with the team and coaching on the sidelines for Tuesday’s home game versus the Phoenix Suns.
In pregame comments to media members, Silas addressed both his personal situation and the inspiring win the Rockets put together over the Bucks in his absence, which was dedicated to Silas. With Silas out, lead assistant John Lucas took over as acting head coach.
On Tuesday, with Silas back at the office, here’s a look at what he said during his pregame press conference at Toyota Center:
I’m very proud to be my dad’s son. I’m very proud that people see him in me. Whenever it is my time comes, I want people to say the same things they said over the last couple of days about him, hopefully they’ll say that about me.
It was obviously a hard time for me and my family. To watch these guys try their hardest, and play the game they played, it just shows the character in that locker room. The words they said after meant a lot.
Tuesday’s game between the Rockets and Suns is the second of a season-high seven-game homestand at Toyota Center. It isn’t known whether Silas could miss future games due to services for his father.
Stephen Silas on returning days after his father's passing and the messages he and his family received pic.twitter.com/Y9dvMiJC9t
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) December 13, 2022