Rockets to hire Mavericks assistant Stephen Silas as head coach: Sources The Houston Rockets will hire Dallas Mavericks assistant Stephen Silas as their new head coach, sources confirmed to The Athletic on Wednesday. Silas has 19 years of experience as an NBA assistant coach, including the last two with the Mavericks. Before Dallas, Silas spent eight seasons as an assistant with the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets. He previously worked as an assistant for the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Hornets. His father, Paul Silas, won 387 games in 12 seasons as an NBA head coach. ESPN first reported news of Silas' hiring. Silas replaces Mike D’Antoni, who informed the Rockets on Sept. 13 he would not return as head coach. D’Antoni was 217-101 in four seasons in charge, taking Houston to the Western Conference semifinals this year. Silas previously interviewed twice for the Rockets' job in 2016 when it went to D'Antoni. Why Silas? Kelly Iko, Rockets beat writer: After perhaps the longest search in coaching history, the Rockets finally got their man. Silas arrives in Houston with the important task of maintaining a high offensive profile and figuring out how to get the best out of James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Silas has a long, excellent track record of working with high-profile guards, most recently with emerging superstar Luka Doncic, and in Houston, he'll have a similar roster setup. Losing D'Antoni and Daryl Morey in recent weeks signaled a changing of the guard, but hiring Silas indicates a desire to maintain philosophical harmony. What's next for Houston? Iko: With Silas with the organization now, the Rockets front office can now shift their attention to filling out Silas' staff. Will Houston keep names like Brett Gunning, Matt Brase, and Elston Turner? What about John Lucas, who was one of the finalists for the position? In Dallas, Silas was surrounded by a number of smart basketball minds who propelled the Mavericks to the league's top offense. Pace and space is the name of the game moving forward and something that Houston has firmly aligned itself with. Now, the Rockets can push ahead in the offseason and deal with roster building, chemistry building, and a new era. (Photo: Jerome Miron / USA Today)
Stars capable of being efficient in the mid-range are encouraged to be efficient in the mid-range. If you are incapable of being efficient there, you should attack the hoop or space the floor. It's really that simple. If we had Dirk, or MJ, it would be mid-range all day long. See Luis Scola, or even Nene.
So I’m assuming he knows running small ball back isn’t going to work. He’s always had a skilled big to work with even in GSW. I’m curious what roster moves we make. Obviously they need to change something.
Maybe we should go big ball and Denver should go small ball, since it is obvious we both need to change something.
I wanted JVG, but Silas is going to work out well. And, the assistants...hated Hornacek and Nate as players (it's a Rockets thing)..But, to have both on the bench next to Silas is pretty sweet. Silas is the perfect guy for a rebuild...Personally, I think the writing is on the wall for James and Russ. In the meantime, we'll move forward until we pivot into a rebuild.
Good, now get him some strong assistants with talented complementary skillsets. Focus on building good team chemistry and set him up to succeed. Happy to hear
I’m happy we’re giving him a chance...he’s paid his dues and deserves this enough with the retreads always getting all the shots
Agreed, let the retreads build their value here as assistants who can get poached next year by teams who fired their coaches.
GSW is famous for 3's and layups. Same with Lebron teams. Both have more motion and mid range attempts than Rockets but that does not change fact that their system is based on 3's and layups, you know, analytics.
Go back and read Harden to Rockets thread, the naysayers were already crying that Harden was inefficient from mid range. Good organizations build systems around their best players and their strengths, not the other way around.
