Tag: Stephen Silas

Jeff Hornacek vows to bring experience, ‘little things’ to Rockets

“That’s what hopefully I can give to Stephen and give to the players, little things that I see out there that might help us,” Hornacek said.

In an exclusive interview with Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston, new Houston Rockets assistant coach Jeff Hornacek said his previous experience in the lead role with two NBA teams (Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks) should prove beneficial to first-time head coach Stephen Silas.

Regarding what he hopes to bring the Rockets, Hornacek said:

They’re plenty good enough, as players. I’ve learned a lot of things over the years from the different organizations that I’ve been with… what’s good, what’s not, and some of the things that I can help Stephen out with, being a ex-head coach.

There’s a lot of things that get thrown at you as a head coach that he’ll have to deal with. For me being an ex-player and went to the Finals — we never won it, but we had some pretty successful years — a lot of times, to get to that level, it’s the little things. That’s what hopefully I can give to Stephen and give to the players, little things that I see out there that might help us.

Now 57 years old, Hornacek led the Suns from 2013 through 2016 and the Knicks from 2016 through 2018. In 2013-14, he was the NBA’s runner-up for Coach of the Year. During his Phoenix years, Hornacek coached P.J. Tucker, who currently starts for the Rockets.

Known best for his motion offenses, Hornacek has plenty of familiarity with Houston from his playing days in the 1990s with rival Utah. (In his six seasons there, the Jazz faced the Rockets in the playoffs three times.)

More than a decade later, Hornacek began his coaching career as an assistant with the Jazz from 2011 through 2013. Regarding the value of his extensive experience over the years, Hornacek told Berman:

It’s experience. It’s like anything else. Players don’t usually come in as rookies and just dominate. It takes them a couple years to understand everything. Head coaching is a totally different job than assistant coaching. Anything that I can lend to Stephen, I’m here to support him and help in any way I can.

Hornacek also had kind words for the 47-year-old Silas, whom he expects to be a strong and well-liked head coach with the Rockets.

“Stephen and I have been talking for a few years,” Silas told Berman. “I knew he was going to be a head coach in this league. Excellent coach, smart guy, very personable with the players. I think guys will just love playing for him. To have an opportunity to be here with him and have such a great team — I mean, these guys are fantastic. So, I’m excited to be here, and help them and see if we can get over that [playoff] hump.”

Hornacek continued:

You can see all the jobs he’s had with other teams and what he’s done with them. It’s just his demeanor. Obviously he knows basketball. His dad coached. Just talking to him — when you’re looking at coaching and a group of guys you want to be around, you want to know that they know the game and they kind of see things the way you do. That’s going to make for a great relationship, because when we talk basketball, we’re on the same page.

Training camp for Silas, Hornacek, and the rest of the Rockets begins at Toyota Center next Tuesday, Dec. 1, with the 2020-21 regular season to kick off approximately three weeks later.

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Stephen Silas wants to ‘change the dynamic’ in Houston, per Covington

“He’s up for the challenge, and he wants everyone to be mentally focused and locked in,” Robert Covington said of new coach Stephen Silas.

One reason for the apparent trade request by All-Star guard Russell Westbrook is that he didn’t like last season’s culture surrounding the Houston Rockets. Enter new head coach Stephen Silas.

According to veteran forward Robert Covington, the 47-year-old Silas is striving to “change the dynamic” in Houston. In addition to Silas replacing Mike D’Antoni, the Rockets will also have at least three new assistant coaches in Jeff Hornacek, Will Weaver, and Rick Higgins.

Here’s what Covington said Friday on ESPN’s The Jump, when asked if he had spoken with Silas this offseason:

Yes, I’ve spoken to him. He’s a good dude. He’s already said that he wants to change the dynamic of things, and he has so much that he has in tune for us. With the program that we have and the team that we have, he can do a lot. He wanted this job to be able to make a change, and have the opportunity to coach two prolific, MVP-caliber superstars. Not too many people get that opportunity with their first head-coaching job.

He’s up for the challenge, and he’s told me that he wants everyone to be mentally focused and locked in. And overall, just continue to come in and work. Because it’s going to be a different transition, what his dynamic is. He’s just excited for the opportunity.

It remains to be seen whether Silas can change Westbrook’s perspective, but the presence of a new coaching staff could potentially offer the opportunity for a fresh start in the weeks ahead.

Next season’s training camp for Covington and the rest of the Rockets is set to begin in Houston on Tuesday, Dec. 1. His complete interview from Friday with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols can be viewed below.

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Rockets reportedly adding Will Weaver to new coaching staff

After coaching the Sydney Kings in Australia, Weaver was a finalist for multiple NBA head coaching vacancies this offseason.

The Rockets are adding Will Weaver to the staff of assistants for new head coach Stephen Silas, per Marc Stein of The New York Times.

Weaver, who most recently coached the Sydney Kings in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), was a finalist for the lead job in Oklahoma City (which ultimately went to Mark Daigneault). Shortly after the Thunder made their hire, Weaver committed to Houston.

Weaver’s Kings registered the NBL’s best overall record last season, along with the league’s top defensive rating.

Weaver coached Jae’Sean Tate in Sydney, and the Rockets are believed to have “serious interest” in signing Tate as a free agent this offseason. The presence of his former head coach probably can’t hurt those chances.

Here’s how ESPN’s Olgun Uluc describes Weaver’s unique bio:

Weaver was strongly considered for the New Orleans Pelicans’ head-coaching vacancy before Stan Van Gundy signed a four-year deal to lead the team.

Weaver, 36, was the runner-up for the National Basketball League’s Coach of the Year award after leading the Kings to a league-best 20-8 record. The Kings would end up withdrawing from the 2020 Grand Final series against the Perth Wildcats in March amid concerns about COVID-19.

Influence of John Lucas reportedly intimidated Mike D’Antoni

Lucas has a higher role under new coach Stephen Silas than he did under Mike D’Antoni, and his key relationships could be a big reason.

John Lucas will have a higher role next season as the lead assistant for new Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas than he did as the director of player development for former coach Mike D’Antoni.

One reason could be the relationship between the 66-year-old Lucas, a former NBA player and head coach, with superstar James Harden.

Harden reportedly remains committed to the Rockets moving forward, and a new story by Kelly Iko, Shams Charania, and Sam Amick of The Athletic cites Lucas as one of the potential reasons why.

“Lucas has been able to reach Houston’s stars in unique ways over the last few seasons he’s been with the franchise,” they write.

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Lucas has worked with Harden since joining D’Antoni’s staff prior to the 2016-17 season. However, that close relationship may have been threatening to the veteran head coach. From the story:

D’Antoni leaned heavily on Lucas in a similar aspect during their time together, although at times he became intimidated by Lucas’ popularity and influence, sources said.

Unlike the 69-year-old D’Antoni, Silas is 47 and a first-time head coach. That could potentially make for a better staff balance next season.

“Getting Lucas [to stay] is a home run for me,” Silas said at his introductory press conference in Houston earlier this month.

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Report: James Harden, Russell Westbrook concerned by Rockets’ future

Based on recent talks, Houston is “fearful that the superstars’ commitment to remaining with the Rockets could be wavering,” per ESPN.

While neither All-Star has requested a trade, James Harden and Russell Westbrook have each expressed concern about the direction of the Houston Rockets, according to a Wednesday report from ESPN.

Citing sources, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon reported that Harden and Westbrook “have expressed concern about the direction of the franchise through direct conversations or discussions with their representatives and the Rockets’ front office.”

Here’s more information from the story:

The concerns expressed by Harden and Westbrook that Houston’s window as a contender could be closing has left the organization fearful that the superstars’ commitment to remaining with the Rockets could be wavering.

Although neither player has requested a trade at this point, that scenario has become a plausible eventual possibility.

The soonest date that either of the former MVPs could become a free agent is the 2022 offseason. Thus, based on contracts, there isn’t a clear incentive for Houston to rush into any deal. New GM Rafael Stone said last week that the team remains “all in” on a championship push with Harden.

“For the last eight years or so, our goal has been to win a championship because we had James Harden,” Stone said at his introductory press conference. “We’ve still got James Harden. Our goal is still to win a championship. If you’ve got him, you’re halfway there.”

Nonetheless, with Stone replacing a proven GM in Daryl Morey and Stephen Silas taking the spot of a established head coach in Mike D’Antoni, it’s understandable that a pair of 31-year-old veterans could have concerns. The prime years for both guards are likely to wind down in the near future, and they’re each still in pursuit of their first NBA title.

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Beyond instability at GM and head coach, Harden and Westbrook may also have concerns about how the Rockets get better. They finished No. 4 in the Western Conference last season, and their five-game loss in the second round to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers was as close as any West team came to beating them in the playoffs.

It’s certainly not as if the Rockets were that far away. Yet, there’s also no clear route for them to take the next step. When the 2020-21 season begins, five of their top six rotation players (Harden, Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Robert Covington, and P.J. Tucker) will all be at least 30 years old, which limits the potential of organic growth and development. Moreover, Houston lacks any pick in the upcoming 2020 draft, having dealt away their first-round selection to acquire Covington.

They’re also well above the NBA’s $109.1 million salary cap, so there isn’t an easy path to bring in upgrades of significance. They have vowed to spend their $5.7 million Mid-Level Exception (MLE), but it remains to be seen who that would bring in and whether that upgrade is enough.

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Stone could also turn to the trade market for further upgrades. However, if the long-term commitment by Harden and Westbrook is wavering, it might not be advisable to mortgage too much with regards to future draft compensation — should Houston need to rebuild at that time. The Rockets already gave up their first-round picks in 2024 and 2026 to acquire Westbrook from Oklahoma City, but they do still have picks in all other years moving forward. They have full control over their selections in 2022 and 2023, which could make that an optimal time to rebuild.

As such, it’s a delicate balancing act for Stone and the new-look front office. With both Harden and Westbrook under contract for at least two more seasons, there isn’t a reason to panic — especially since neither star has requested a trade, and both presumably lack the leverage to force a deal in 2020. At least for now, staying the course makes sense.

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But that possibility clearly exists down the road, especially when both stars are potentially a year out from free agency in the 2021 offseason. Houston wants to make the most of what could be their last realistic title push of the Harden era, yet they also don’t want to give up too many assets from the years ahead, since a rebuild could be on the horizon.

In theory, the Rockets could consider trading Westbrook before Harden, since the latter is obviously more important to any title push. However, unless another team was willing to trade an All-Star in a Westbrook deal, it’s hard to envision a scenario where downgrading the No. 2 player after Harden would improve Houston’s championship odds. And if they’re not in the mix for a title, then Harden would presumably ask to leave, anyway.

It doesn’t make sense for the Rockets to straddle the line between contending and rebuilding, which forces Stone to choose a lane. For now, it seems to be the former. However, the team’s latest conversations with Harden and Westbrook suggest that the latter might not be too far away.

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Orlando development coach Rick Higgins joins Rockets as assistant

Orlando player development coach Rick Higgins is joining the Houston Rockets as an assistant to new coach Stephen Silas, per ESPN.

Orlando player development coach Rick Higgins is joining the Houston Rockets as an assistant to new coach Stephen Silas, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Higgins joins former NBA head coaches John Lucas and Jeff Hornacek as confirmed members of Silas’ staff.

Higgins is the son of ex-NBA player and GM Rod Higgins.

Just 33 years old, Higgins had worked in Orlando alongside head coach Steve Clifford since the 2018-19 season. Prior to their time with the Magic, Higgins worked for Clifford over multiple years in Charlotte, with roles including coaching assistant/video coordinator and video scout.

“In his expanded role, Higgins will assist with game planning, scouting reports, and player workouts, in addition to his role in the video department,” Charlotte said in a September 2017 press release.

Silas was also a member of that Hornets staff (in a higher assistant role) until 2018, so he and Higgins already have a working relationship.

Beyond Lucas, Hornacek, and Higgins, other rumored assistant options include Jazz assistant DeSagana Diop and former 76ers and Nets assistant Will Weaver. A pair of former Rockets — player development coach Irv Roland and guard Rafer Alston — have also expressed interest in joining the staff, but it’s not clear if that is reciprocated by the team.

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Jeff Hornacek set to join Stephen Silas, Rockets as assistant coach

Formerly an NBA head coach with two teams, Hornacek would fill the “experience” criteria laid out by new Houston coach Stephen Silas.

Jeff Hornacek is “very close” to joining the Rockets as an assistant to new head coach Stephen Silas, per Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston.

Hornacek will join John Lucas as the first two assistants for Silas, a first-time head coach. Both Hornacek and Lucas have previously been head coaches with multiple NBA franchises. Given his status as a relative newbie, Silas has listed “experience” as a key criteria for his bench.

Now 57 years old, Hornacek led the Phoenix Suns from 2013 through 2016 and the New York Knicks from 2016 through 2018. In 2013-14, he was the NBA’s runner-up for Coach of the Year. During his Phoenix years, Hornacek coached P.J. Tucker, who currently starts for the Rockets.

Known best for his motion offenses, Hornacek has plenty of familiarity with Houston from his playing days in the 1990s with rival Utah. (In his six seasons there, the Jazz faced the Rockets in the playoffs three times.)

More than a decade later, Hornacek began his coaching career as an assistant with the Jazz from 2011 through 2013.

Beyond Hornacek and Lucas, other names reportedly in consideration for the Houston bench include Jazz assistant DeSagana Diop, Magic assistant Rick Higgins, and former 76ers and Nets assistant Will Weaver.

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Stephen Silas: Tilman Fertitta believes in me, isn’t afraid to spend

“It starts with ownership,” Silas said. “Tilman Fertitta has a plan and believes in me, and is not afraid to spend, which is amazing.”

In explaining the appeal of the Houston job, new Rockets head coach Stephen Silas cited ownership as a major reason for taking the position.

During a Friday interview, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith asked the 47-year-old what made the position in Houston so attractive. Eventually, Silas mentioned the presence of former MVPs James Harden and Russell Westbrook, as well as a positive relationship with new GM Rafael Stone.

But Silas’ first comments were in regards to Tilman Fertitta. In his remarks, Silas explained why having support from ownership is especially important, now that he’s among the NBA’s select few Black head coaches.

It starts with ownership. Tilman Fertitta has a plan and believes in me, and is not afraid to spend, which is amazing. You need an owner that believes in you, especially as a young African-American coach. That’s just facts. That really shows what kind of guy he is, and what kind of management we have here.

In Thursday’s introductory press conference for Silas and Stone, the GM also referenced Fertitta’s willingness to spend, which was likely discussed during the duo’s recent contract negotiations. With the 2020 NBA offseason set to begin later this month, that will soon be put to the test.

The interview can be watched in its entirety below.

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New Rockets coach Stephen Silas dismisses Harden, Westbrook trade talk

Silas: “In the interview process, I talked to both James and Russ, and let them know that the reason I want this job is because of them.”

When former Rockets GM Daryl Morey recently took the lead role in Philadelphia’s front office, many observers around the NBA wondered if he might eventually acquire one of his prior stars in Houston.

That won’t be happening any time soon, at least not if new head coach Stephen Silas has anything to say about it.

In a Friday interview with ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. Smith asked Houston’s first-time coach whether he viewed certain players on his new roster (such as James Harden) as untouchable. Silas replied:

As far as James, he’s our guy. In the interview process, I talked to both James and Russ [Westbrook], and let them know that the reason I want this job is because of them.

I expect those guys to be here. I haven’t heard anything else to the contrary. That’s how I feel about it, and that’s how it’s going to be.

At Thursday’s introductory press conference for Silas and Rafael Stone, the new GM expressed that he’s on the same page. Stone’s comments:

For the last eight years or so, our goal has been to win a championship because we had James Harden. We still have James Harden. Our goal is still to win a championship. And if you’ve got him, you know you’re halfway there. It’s incumbent on me, Stephen and the whole team to figure out the rest of the whole. But the key piece is there.

We’re going to continue to be extraordinarily aggressive. We’re going to shoot for it. Whether we get there or not, I don’t know, but I can guarantee you we’re going to shoot for it, and I’m really, really looking forward to it.

We have this immensely talented roster. The goal is to bring in another guy or two who can really complement these guys. There are a variety of mechanisms we can use to do it. And we’ll be just incredibly aggressive about making that happen.

One clear offseason emphasis for Silas, Stone, and the Rockets will be bringing in a traditional center, and Houston is reportedly willing to spend the taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (MLE) — worth a starting annual salary of roughly $5.7 million, last season — to make that happen. Per Stone, owner Tilman Fertitta has not imposed any financial restrictions.

Free agency will begin later this month, with training camps for the upcoming 2020-21 season expected to open on Dec. 1.

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Stephen Silas wants Rockets to add center, play different styles

“To have playoff success, you have to have multiple ways of playing,” Silas said. “So, having a traditional center would be good for me.”

At Thursday’s introductory press conference, new head coach Stephen Silas said he wanted his Houston Rockets to be “less predictable” next season in their playing styles on both offense and defense.

On Friday, he elaborated further on what that might mean, and why a change from permanent “small ball” is likely in the cards.

In an appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Silas was asked about his commitment to Houston’s smaller lineups. Here’s how he replied:

It’s really based on how Rafael [Stone] and I, and mostly Rafael, puts the roster together. The small ball was very much a product of the roster that they had. Obviously, I want to have multiple ways of playing.

To have playoff success, you have to have multiple ways of playing on both ends of the floor. So, having a traditional center would be good for me, so I would be able to play small like they’ve done in the past and like I did 15 years ago when I worked for Don Nelson. And then play big, with a rolling center and someone playing in the dunker [slot], and the matchups would be a little bit better for our group. And then the defense and rebounding would be a little bit better, as well. My goal is to have multiple ways of playing on both ends of the floor, and Rafael is looking to put together a roster so that I can do so.

Silas went on to explain how having a center could potentially help James Harden and Russell Westbrook in the playoffs by making the Rockets more difficult for opponents to prepare for. Here’s what he said:

You use the regular season to prepare for the playoffs, right? If you have multiple ways of playing, if you have the ability to play bigger or play smaller, now when you get to the playoffs, you have multiple tools in your toolbox to go to. There won’t be quite as many isolations as we’ve seen in the past. Those guys have had to work so hard to get to their greatness, and get to what makes them really successful. But in the playoffs, it stalls because there aren’t really third and fourth options to go to.

From my point of view, optionality is going to be everything. Getting a little bit more ball movement, more player movement, and letting those guys play on the move a little bit more. So they won’t see quite as many double teams, and then as the playoffs come, we can go to that stuff to where it won’t be quite as predictable, especially in a 5- to 7-game series where you’re trying to deal with someone who is preparing and sees you game after game. You have to have something else to go to, and that’s what I’m planning to do.

Friday’s complete interview exchange between Silas and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman can be watched below.

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