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Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas sat down for his postgame press conference after Sunday’s loss to the Thunder and was emotional before even a question was asked.
Then, once one did get asked all Silas could say was a quiet “yeah” in a trembling voice while looking down at his hands.
The cause for all of this emotion is that the Rockets have now lost 20 straight games and are just eight losses away from tying a record that the “Trust the Process” Sixers own. It’s a record that nobody ever wants to beat, let alone come close to.
Another reason for the emotion is simple – Silas is a human being with feelings and emotions and this isn’t how he saw his first year as a head coach in the NBA going.
Silas is 48 years old and has been an assistant coach in the NBA since 2000 when he joined the Hornets’ staff at the age of 27. Hie path to becoming a head coach has been a very long one throughout a number of different organizations and now that he’s finally there he finds himself in charge of an organization that was pretty much set up to fail this year.
But nobody saw 20 straight losses coming. That stuff just doesn’t happen that often.
And that’s clearly weighing on Silas, who just wants to lead his guys to wins, something he’s done as an assistant at many places and something his dad, Hall of Famer Paul Silas, did during his NBA coaching career.
Silas should be applauded for showing that emotion on Sunday. When you care very deeply about something and are so emotionally invested in making that thing be successful, real emotions are going to come out.
And yes, he’s a professional coach who is getting paid well to do his job but that stuff doesn’t really matter here. What matters is he’s human just like us and he’s just so darn frustrated that he can’t fix the situation and his heart is broken for his guys who are going through it with him. Losing stinks. I can’t imagine what dropping 20 straight games feels like, especially with all the work they are putting into this season.
Here’s to hoping the Rockets get a W soon and that the Houston front office gives Silas a chance to be successful, because he clearly wants that and is willing to do whatever it takes.
Quick hits: Loyola star becomes hilarious meme… NCAA roasted for wrong tweet… Abilene Christian coach dances… And more.
– The internet fell in love with Loyola’s Cameron Krutwig during their win over Illinois on Sunday.
– The NCAA got roasted for not knowing the difference between the states of Indiana and Illinois in a tweet.
– Abilene Christian coach Joe Golding busted out some hilarious dance moves after his team upset Texas.
– Loyola’s Sister Jean gave a very specific and stat-driven pregame prayer before Sunday’s win.
– Mets prospect Jack Leiter pitched a no-hitter and looked exactly like his father Al Lieiter.