Tag: Stephen Silas

Takeaways: Rockets blast Pistons as Alperen Sengun leads third-quarter explosion

Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green led the way with a dominant 47-25 third quarter, and that allowed Houston to cruise to Monday’s victory versus Detroit.

HOUSTON — At the midpoint of a seven-game homestand, the longest of the season, at Toyota Center, Alperen Sengun and the Rockets (16-15) finally returned to their winning ways with Monday’s 136-113 blowout victory (box score) over the lowly Detroit Pistons (3-30).

After leading by only four points at halftime, the Rockets blew the game open with a dominant 47-25 third quarter and ended a three-game losing streak. A fourth foul on Detroit’s Jalen Duren (12 points, 13 rebounds in 22 minutes) proved critical. Sengun quickly feasted against backup center James Wiseman.

In all, Sengun needed only 27 minutes to record a team-high 26 points and 9 assists. He shot 9-of-13 from the field (69.2%) and 8-of-9 on free throws (88.9%). Many of those assists went to fellow third-year prospect Jalen Green, who scored 22 points while making 5-of-9 from 3-point range (55.6%).

Other Houston players to score in double figures were:

  • Fred VanVleet: 15 points, 7 assists, 0 turnovers; 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50%)
  • Jae’Sean Tate: 16 points, 3 rebounds; 6-of-10 shooting (50%)
  • Tari Eason: 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals; 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%), 1-of-4 on 3-pointers (25%)

On a themed “Twin Night” at Toyota Center, Monday’s New Year’s Day clash was the first NBA meeting between Houston’s Amen Thompson and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson, his twin brother. Both rookies were drafted in the top five of the 2023 first round, and Amen had one of his strongest games yet — finishing with a career-high 12 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals in 28 minutes. Thompson made 5-of-6 shots (83.3%), including his lone 3-point attempt.

Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) again sat out for the Rockets, while Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) returned from injury to add 9 points and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes, shooting 3-of-4 from 3-point range (75.0%). Brooks remains day-to-day.

Here’s our look at Monday’s highlights and postgame interviews, along with reaction by media members and joyous fans. As Houston’s seven-game homestand continues, Game 5 comes Wednesday versus the Brooklyn Nets (15-18). The tip is at 7 p.m. Central.

Hyper-athletic: Rockets enter rebuild’s next phase by doubling down on team philosophy

“We already were athletic, and we doubled down,” Rafael Stone said after the 2023 NBA draft. “It is never a bad thing to be a hyper-athletic team, and I think we will be just that.” #Rockets

It has been at least three years since the Houston Rockets were looked at as winners on and off the court.

To regain its relevance, the organization has a three-phase plan in place. After Thursday night’s 2023 NBA draft, the Rockets already appear to be winning the second phase.

In late 2020, Phase 1 of their rebuild began with the departure of veteran superstars James Harden and Russell Westbrook. It also included the exit of general manager Daryl Morey, who was the architect of the extended playoff runs in the 2010s.

As the organization sees it, that phase ended in April 2023 when it did not renew the contract of former head coach Stephen Silas. At that time, the Rockets were coming off a third straight year with one of the NBA’s two worst records, which resulted in high draft picks to bolster Houston’s stockpile of young talent and draft assets.

Phase 2 started in late April when Houston hired former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, who led the Celtics to an NBA Finals appearance in his only season.

Udoka’s presence will be felt on the sidelines and in the locker room. The former NBA player and coach under San Antonio Spurs legend Gregg Popovich was heavily pursued by many teams for their head coaching vacancy during the 2023 playoffs..

The shift in dynamics, particularly when it came to hiring a coach that could help Houston’s young roster take that next step, could be considered a win for the franchise. If that is the case, general manager Rafael Stone should be preparing to take another victory lap.

According to most analysts, Houston was a big winner in Thursday’s draft after adding Amen Thompson from the Overtime Elite at No. 4 and Cam Whitmore out of Villanova at No. 20.

“Houston has a lot of players that have great potential, and I think (we) have a scary future,” Thompson said.

Adding those pieces to a roster that consists of Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün and Tari Eason makes Houston one of the most exciting young teams in the NBA.

“We are athletic,” Stone said with a smile during his post-draft press conference. “I think we can jump. So, I think we already were (athletic), and we doubled down. It is never a bad thing to be a hyper-athletic team, and I think we will be just that.”

The responsibility of making everything come together on the court to translate to wins will be left to Udoka and his staff. Stone has provided many key pieces to make the Rockets competitive next season, but he needs to find veteran additions in free agency.

For owner Tilman Fertitta, Phase 3 consists of playoff runs that will ultimately produce NBA titles. As of now, it remains far too early for the Rockets to make a push at hanging another championship banner in Toyota Center.

But if the team develops as projected, it may need to think about an optimal parade route through the city in a few years.

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Former Rockets coach Stephen Silas resurfaces in NBA as top Pistons assistant

Stephen Silas, whose contract was not renewed by the #Rockets after last season, is back in the NBA as a lead assistant for the Pistons and new head coach Monty Williams.

Former Rockets head coach Stephen Silas, whose contract was not renewed by Houston after the season, is back in the NBA as a lead assistant for the Detroit Pistons and new head coach Monty Williams. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Silas was let go by the Rockets after a 2022-23 campaign in which his team finished 22-60. He was 59-177 (.250) during three seasons with Houston, though it’s worth noting Silas was hired in November 2020 with a veteran-laden roster. The losses largely came as a result of the franchise pivoting to a rebuild after the forced departure of superstar guard James Harden in January 2021.

Silas was replaced in Houston by Ime Udoka, who led the Boston Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals as head coach before losing his job in September due to improper workplace conduct.

With the Pistons (17-65), Silas is joining the only NBA team with a worse record than the Rockets. Unlike his Houston stint, Silas will at least have the benefit of previous rebuilding experience, along with full knowledge and awareness going into the situation.

Silas will also have a more simplified role as the top assistant to Williams, who recently joined the Pistons after being let go from his previous job as head coach in Phoenix. Silas and Williams shared a touching moment last December when the Suns and Rockets met in Houston shortly after the death of Paul Silas, Stephen’s father.

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Ime Udoka pleased by Rockets’ offseason progress, assistant coaching search

“I had to wait and be patient on some things,” Ime Udoka says of Houston’s assistant coaching search. “I talked to a lot of high-level candidates. We have some commitments.” #Rockets

With the 2023 NBA draft less than three weeks away, the Houston Rockets will soon have some decisions to make.

Will they keep the No. 4 selection in the first round, or will they trade it? If they keep it, who will they pick?

Those questions will soon require answers from general manager Rafael Stone, but head coach Ime Udoka will have some input. On Thursday, Udoka took time at Minute Maid Park to give an early assessment of what he has seen from players currently on the roster.

“They’re more impressive than I already knew,” Udoka said of his young core before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch at the Astros’ game. “Obviously, with the interview process, I got to dig in a little bit as far as that, and the guys are really an impressive group.”

Houston hired Udoka on April 26 after former head coach Stephen Silas’ contract was not extended at the end of Houston’s 2022-23 regular season. He met with starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. after his introductory press conference and has had an opportunity to meet with other players during the pre-draft preparation period.

“It’s been great,” Udoka said when asked about the offseason work his players are doing. “I was down in Los Angeles with a lot of those guys, so we had some lunches. I went to the gym and saw Jalen’s (Green) workout. So, it is great that they want to get after it so soon. Obviously, we have been done for over a month now, so for these young guys, it is time to get back in the gym.”

Between preparing for the draft and evaluating players, Udoka has also been busy putting together a coaching staff for the upcoming season. Several names are reportedly joining the Rockets, including at least three from Udoka’s former staff with the Celtics, but none has been confirmed.

“It is going good,” Udoka said. “I had to wait and be patient on some things. I talked to a lot of high-level candidates. We have some commitments, and then, obviously, with some of the guys I brought to Boston, with them finishing up now, I can move along in the process and hopefully bring some of them here, as well.”

Udoka was also asked if lead assistant John Lucas would remain with the staff, but he declined to answer. Lucas is conducting pre-draft workouts for Houston.

“We’re considering everything,” Udoka said. “I’m looking at the guys that were already here as well as trying to bring some other guys, so we’ll figure that out as time goes.”

Udoka has yet to have much time to get acclimated to being in Houston. But he said he plans to, once the draft is complete.

“For the most part, I have been taking my time,” Udoka said about seeing what the city offers. “I plan to get out and about in the next few weeks.”

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Boston reportedly monitoring Stephen Silas, Frank Vogel to join coaching ranks

With the Celtics cohort of assistants having been devastated by departures to other programs over the last offseason and more recently with assistant Damon Stoudamire leaving to accept an offer to coach Georgia Tech, it makes sense that Boston is looking to add some championship caliber help to the Celtics organization.

The Boston Celtics reportedly have two former NBA head coaches in their sights as potential additions to Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla’s staff for the 2023-24 season according to HoopsHype’s Mike Scotto. Per Scotto, the Celtics are “a team to monitor for Vogel, along with former Rockets coach Stephen Silas, who’s also drawn interest from several NBA teams.”

The Celtics’ cohort of assistants has been devastated by departures to other franchises during the last couple of offseasons. Most recently, assistant Damon Stoudamire left to coach Georgia Tech. It makes sense Boston is looking to add some championship caliber help to the Celtics organization.

Earlier this season, Silas was seen at a practice session at Auerbach Center, prompting speculation that the son of former Celtic Paul Silas might be joining the team’s coaching ranks as an assistant.

Scotto also reports Celtics assistants Aaron Miles and Ben Sullivan could be in the running to join new Houston Rockets and ex-Boston head coach Ime Udoka’s staff next season, adding urgency to a search if that pans out.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason reflect on NBA All-Rookie seasons in Houston

“Just looking back at the ups and downs and where I am now, I feel like I am a totally different player than I was back in October,” Jabari Smith Jr. says of his rookie season. #Rockets

When the visiting locker room opened at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., the mood inside was somber.

The dark cloud figuratively hovering involved unconfirmed reports head coach Stephen Silas would not return to the Rockets because the organization had decided not to extend his contract.

Silas addressed the players after that game, which was Houston’s finale of the 2022-23 season, to discuss his future.

Even though the group of young men had emotions all over the place, they took solace in knowing they had played very well down the stretch for Silas. Houston won three straight games and four of its last five, including a win over the Wizards in that April 9 game.

Two key leaders for the Rockets in that victory were a pair of rookies who had listened intently to Silas’ guidance throughout the season. Rookie forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason played with tremendous intent every time they stepped onto the hardwood. On Monday, they were rewarded for their hard work and dedication. Both were named to the NBA’s All-Rookie second team.

Smith and Eason joined teammates Jalen Green (2021-22 first team) and Jae’Sean Tate (2020-21 first team) in being named to All-Rookie teams over the last three seasons. Smith and Eason are both prospects primarily known for their defense.

After spending one season in college at Auburn, Smith came into his rookie season with high expectations as the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft. He started 79 out of 82 games this season, averaging 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

“Just looking back at the ups and downs and looking at where I am now, I just feel like I am a totally different player than I was back in October playing in Atlanta for the first game,” Smith said after a home win over Denver on April 4. “The game is so much slower for me, and I feel like the improvement has been noticeable.”

Smith took his game to another level over the final 18 games, averaging 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds. During that span, he recorded eight of his season-high 16 double-doubles. In doing so, he joined Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić as the only rookies to ever record at least 550 rebounds and 100 made 3-pointers in a season.

As for Eason, he knew entering the NBA that he was embarking upon on a familiar path of proving himself. It’s what he did going from high school in Seattle, Washington, to the University of Cincinnati for one season, and then to LSU, his final college destination.

Eason was selected by the Rockets with the No. 17 pick in the 2022 draft. With no defined role, Eason used his ability to make the right plays at the right time to gain more playing time throughout the season. He appeared in all 82 games, averaging 9.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.17 steals in 21.5 minutes.

The former All-SEC first-team member and Sixth Man of the Year became the fifth NBA rookie to record at least 450 rebounds, 90 steals, 40 blocks, and 50 3-pointers, joining Carmelo Anthony, Larry Bird, Lamar Odom and Antoine Walker. Eason was the third player in league history with at least 190 offensive rebounds and 90 steals while playing fewer than 1,800 minutes.

“I learned a lot,” Eason said after the victory over Denver in Houston’s home finale. “It is hard to say everything because I learned so much on a day-to-day basis. I learned how to control my mentality. Knowing when to go and pick my spots. This is my first season in the NBA, and I learned the precedent of what was to come and what I should expect and the standards that should be met.”

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Ex-Rockets head coach Stephen Silas spotted at a Celtics practice; could he be a future assistant coach?

Silas was born in Boston when his father played for the team.

The Silas family has deep roots in the city of Boston, with the patriarch of the less musical side of the family — Paul Silas — having won a pair of titles in the city as a player for the Boston Celtics years before embarking on an equally successful career in coaching.

As basketball seems to run in Silas’ family as much as music does with his famous cousins The Pointer Sisters, Paul’s son Stephen Silas picked up the coaching mantle himself, eventually working his way up the coaching food chain until he landed the top job with the Houston Rockets.

And after being let go from that role, Silas was sighted visiting with the Celtics at practice the day after Boston’s disgraced head coach Ime Udoka was hired as his replacement in Houston.

In going from Celtics to Rockets, Ime Udoka inherits new challenges

Ime Udoka inherits a young roster in Houston with far more questions than his group led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in Boston. The #Rockets hope Udoka will have answers.

After not extending the contract of former head coach Stephen Silas, the Houston Rockets needed to bring credibility back to an organization that has had a rough three years.

During the Silas era, the Rockets went 59-177 (.250), which was well below the NBA average and his own expectations.

Many will say that it was due to his coaching style. Others will tell you he was never allowed to display the talent and skills he had developed as a lifelong NBA assistant coaching LeBron James, Steph Curry and Luka Doncic. The revolving door of players coming in and out of the organization, along with the league’s youngest lineup this past season, was a recipe for disaster.

On Monday, it was reported the Rockets will hire former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka to become their next head coach.

The Celtics suspended Udoka after leading the team to the NBA Finals in his only season because of his involvement in and actions surrounding an improper relationship with a staff member of the organization. He was later dismissed by the team and replaced by Joe Mazzulla.

Udoka comes from basketball royalty, having played for legendary San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich before coaching under him for seven seasons. After that, he spent one season each with the 76ers and Nets, including time with former Rockets star James Harden during his Brooklyn stint.

Yet, even with a trip to the 2022 NBA Finals, some are still hesitant to believe he is the right hire for the Rockets. Morally, many people take issue with the many apparently unanswered questions about the scandal that cost him his job in Boston.

Many assume some incidents have been swept under the rug by his former team and the NBA. Although the Rockets said they did their due diligence by checking in with both the Celtics and the league office, some fear they did the bare minimum.

Then, there is the question of whether Udoka’s stern coaching style will translate to a locker room that consists of young talents such as Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun. He is known as a stern disciplinarian, the opposite of Silas.

Upon arriving in Boston, Udoka inherited a veteran-laden team with starters Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Al Horford. Once he officially takes over head coaching duties in Houston, his oldest starter from last season will be 22 years old.

One of the on-court concerns regarding Udoka is the sample size the Rockets used to select him. In one season, he led the Celtics to a 51-31 record and the East’s No. 2 seed, which was much improved from Boston’s 36-36 (.500) record the previous year. After losing to Golden State in the 2022 NBA Finals (4-2), many believed Udoka would have them competing for championships for years.

Yet, the 2022-23 Celtics have not missed a beat. They finished the regular season winning six more games (57) and another No. 2 seed under Joe Mazzulla. Entering Tuesday, they have a 3-1 lead over Atlanta in their ongoing first-round playoff series.

Without Udoka, Boston did not regress. In fact, it actually improved. It appears to be on the same path it was a season ago, and it has little to do with Udoka.

So, did the Rockets reach by hiring a successful one-year coach whose team got better after he was gone? Or, is Udoka the right hire to help lead Houston into phase two of its rebuilding process?

Assuming history does not repeat itself with Udoka and he stays with the team, those questions will be answered over the next three years.

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Reaction: Rockets hire Ime Udoka as head coach, replacing Stephen Silas

The #Rockets now have their head coach for 2023-24 and beyond with the hire of former Celtics coach Ime Udoka. Here’s a look at the immediate reaction and key takeaways.

The Houston Rockets are starting a crucial 2023 offseason with a bang, naming Ime Udoka as their new head coach. He replaces Stephen Silas, who went 59-177 (.250) over the previous three years.

Udoka brings the type of coaching experience and big-name credibility  Houston was believed to be seeking as the start of this process. In one season with the Celtics, he led Boston to a 51-31 (.622) record and a trip to the NBA Finals in the 2022 playoffs.

Though Udoka lost his job prior to the 2022-23 season due to an alleged affair with a female subordinate, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Houston researched that incident with the team and league office. Apparently, that investigation did not reveal anything that would prevent Udoka from accepting a future job.

Udoka, 45, was dismissed by Boston after findings of an inappropriate workplace relationship.

Prior to his eventful season as Boston’s head coach, Udoka was a former NBA player, and he served as an assistant for nine years with the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.

Seven of those nine assistant years were spent on the staff of legendary coach Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs.

Here’s a look at immediate reaction to Udoka’s hire by the Rockets. A press conference is expected to be held later this week.

Podcast: What Rockets are searching for as they replace Stephen Silas

Today’s episode of @TheLagerLine explores Houston’s upcoming coaching search and the key criteria that Rafael Stone and the #Rockets will use as they look to replace Stephen Silas.

The NBA’s 2022-23 regular season is over for the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets (22-60), and they certainly didn’t wait long to kick off a busy 2023 offseason for the franchise.

In a fiery press conference, general manager Rafael Stone took the podium Monday at Toyota Center and explained Houston’s decision to move on from head coach Stephen Silas after three seasons.

As part of Stone’s comments, he pushed back strongly on criticisms of Houston’s culture and insisted the franchise would be an attractive destination this offseason — both for top coaching candidates and veteran free agents from other NBA teams.

Is Stone’s confidence warranted?

Tuesday’s podcast episode of “The Lager Line,” sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, takes a deeper look. Podcast hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves share their reactions to Stone’s interview, along with key criteria the team could and/or should utilize in its search.

Tuesday’s full podcast can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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