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If James Harden had his want, the Houston Rockets would have traded him already. Within the meantime, although, Harden sounds content material with enjoying for brand spanking new Rockets head coach Stephen Silas.
“He did a terrific job,” Harden mentioned. “Very assured, knew what he was drawing up and knew the place to place his guys at.”
Harden’s phrases resonate for causes past his star expertise. As USA TODAY Sports reported nearly three weeks ago, Harden’s commerce demand partly stemmed from the Rockets hiring Silas within the first place.
“It means lots when any participant says that they like what you do, particularly as a brand new head coach,” Silas mentioned. “Quite a lot of the issues I’m doing are issues I consider in and have seen. However till you try this, to get suggestions from him and the opposite guys have been gratifying. I’m blissful about that.”
It might be comprehensible if Silas didn’t really feel blissful along with his present circumstances. He inherited challenges much more distinctive than the same old ones assigned to a first-year head coach. After dropping to the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 video games within the second spherical of final season’s playoffs, the Rockets have skilled wholesale adjustments.
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Mike D’Antoni declined to return as coach after failing to succeed in an extension settlement the earlier summer time. Daryl Morey left as the overall supervisor after assembling a roster that made two appearances within the Western Convention finals within the earlier 5 years. First-time common supervisor Rafael Stone then accommodated Russell Westbrook’s trade request by dealing him to the Washington Wizards.
After failing to report back to coaching camp on time, Harden then drew a league-imposed $50,000 tremendous for attending an indoor occasion. The NBA subsequently postponed the Rockets’ season opener in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis final week due to varied circumstances past Harden violating the protection protocols. Three gamers had both optimistic or inconclusive coronavirus assessments, resulting in 4 different gamers being positioned in quarantine after contact tracing. That left the Rockets with out the required eight out there gamers wanted for a recreation.
The Rockets have since had 9 out there gamers following Harden’s return. However Houston has misplaced its first two video games amid ongoing absences to John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Gordon, Chris Clemons, Mason Jones, Kenyon Martin. Jr and Ben McLemore.
“There was lots. However I actually attempt to deal with what I can management,” Silas mentioned. “That’s the blokes who’re within the locker room. That’s the observe plans. That’s the preparation. That’s persevering with to evangelise the adaptability of this season and the way necessary it’s going to be. … The opposite stuff occurring round, I actually can’t management. I wouldn’t say I don’t fear about it or give it some thought. Nevertheless it’s one thing that’s an apart.”
Even when Harden had instructed different potential teaching candidates, he has since warmed to Silas’ strategy. So have Harden’s teammates.
“He had a great spirit about himself and swagger you search for in a head coach,” P.J. Tucker mentioned. “He was nonetheless cool and calm as he at all times is. He obtained his level throughout with what he wished us to do and what he wished us to get achieved. He’s a gamers’ coach.”
That description shouldn’t be shocking.
Silas has spent a big a part of his life within the NBA. He’s the son of former longtime NBA coach Paul Silas. Stephen Silas has had varied NBA assistant teaching stints in Charlotte (2000-2002), New Orleans (2002-03), Cleveland (2003-05), Golden State (2006-2010), Charlotte once more (2010-18) and Dallas (2018-2020). He additionally has assembled a training employees with in depth expertise, together with John Lucas, Jeff Hornacek, Will Weaver, Rick Higgins and DeSagana Diop. Silas grew to become the Rockets head coach after enjoying a key position within the Mavericks ending final season with the very best offensive ranking in NBA historical past.
“It’s clearly good to listen to great things out of your gamers about the way in which that you simply do issues,” Silas mentioned. “I attempt to be even keel. Whether or not you’re coming to my observe and we’re on a two-game profitable streak or dropping streak, I attempt to be the identical.”
Think about his response to numerous adversities.
Silas didn’t fret about Harden’s commerce request or attempt to speak to Harden instantly about his points with the group. As a substitute, Silas has talked basketball with Harden and added the 2 have collaborated.
“He has been dedicated since he’s been right here,” Silas mentioned of Harden. “He’s been nice in observe, good to speak to and listening, asking good questions, pulling me to the aspect and telling me issues he sees.”
Silas didn’t have a problem with revealed reviews indicating that Harden had heated moments in observe, together with throwing balls at teammates. As a substitute, Silas recalled the numerous occasions he has witnessed such moments throughout his varied teaching stints.
“I would like rivals on this group,” Silas mentioned. “So for guys to be aggressive in no matter that method is, so long as that’s not going overboard, I like it.”
Silas has not had a full roster for observe since Dec. 19. But, he has resisted the urge to overly compensate. Silas has talked to his quarantined gamers extra about their well-being than about his playbook. After enjoying most of his roster over 40 minutes in an time beyond regulation loss to Portland on Saturday, Silas prioritized giving his gamers relaxation over extra instruction. He held a light-weight morning shootaround on Monday in Denver to go over ideas. As soon as the Rockets are anticipated to have a full roster out there to observe on Wednesday, Silas will train issues extra in depth.
“As soon as we get everyone again later this week, I’ll really feel higher about our capability to get every little thing in,” Silas mentioned. “It’s not my nature. It’s my nature to be affected person. However as a head coach, it’s not anyone’s head coach’s nature to be utterly affected person, particularly once you’re attempting to get your stuff in.”
Silas has not precisely excused his group for its shortcomings. He dismissed the excessive altitude in Denver to clarify the Rockets’ 124-111 loss to the Nuggets on Monday. He downplayed the group’s diminished roster. Not when he has Harden, who has averaged 39 factors in two video games. Not when he has Christian Wooden rising as a authentic middle risk.
“It’s a extremely good query. It’s a tough one,” Silas mentioned. “We count on to play properly. We count on to win. We don’t count on to exit and have a efficiency like we did (in opposition to Denver). So we simply need to study from it, develop from it and get higher from it.”
Will that be sufficient to make sure the Rockets stay a playoff group? That partly hinges on Harden’s future. Within the meantime, nevertheless, Silas has impressed Harden sufficient to maintain him engaged.
“It’s actually good to listen to he thinks the construction and communication are good,” Silas mentioned of Harden. “I simply need to stick with it.”
Observe USA TODAY NBA author Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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