Stephen Silas on James Harden: ‘Nothing but professional to me’

“Obviously, it was a rocky start, a rocky midway and a rocky end, but he was nothing but professional to me,” Silas said of James Harden.

For Stephen Silas, his new job for the 2020-21 season with the Houston Rockets represents his first head coaching opportunity in the NBA. Yet, even with the promotion, his initial weeks as a full-time head coach were overshadowed by the trade request of superstar James Harden.

On Thursday in San Antonio, hours after Harden’s departure was made official, Silas coached the first game of his tenure without that cloud of uncertainty and tension hanging over the franchise. Even so, Silas said he was appreciative of Harden’s professionalism over their limited time together, as well as his endorsement of Silas to get the Houston job during the interviewing process back in October 2020.

“I had an opportunity to coach a Hall of Famer, and that’s one of the things I was excited about,” Silas said in pregame remarks Thursday.

“Obviously, it was a rocky start, a rocky midway and a rocky end, but he was nothing but professional to me,” Silas said. “He gave me good advice. He was engaged, he asked good questions during practice. There was just a professionalism that he brought to me. It just didn’t work out.”

Silas said he remained in communication with Harden during the final days and hours leading up to his trade to Brooklyn.

“The relationship I had with [Harden] was good,” Silas said. “We had some good conversations over the last few days. We texted back-and-forth after the [trade] happened.”

Silas said the remaining members of the Rockets did not discuss the Harden trade at Thursday’s gameday shootaround, noting that “spirits were high” and with a singular focus on the Spurs.

“It was a crazy 48 hours for sure, but we’re out of it,” Silas said.

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