Rockets' Coach Stephen Silas Says Return To Charlotte Will Be 'Special'

The Houston Rockets' contest against the Hornets Friday night will mark the first time Stephen Silas will coach in Charlotte following the passing of his late-father, Paul Silas.

Charlotte will be the first of two stops for coach Stephen Silas and the Houston Rockets before the end of the 2022-23 campaign. They will embark on a two-game road trip, which will begin Friday night inside the Spectrum Center against the Charlotte Hornets. 

Returning to Charlotte as coach of the Rockets has always been a special occasion for Silas. But his third appearance since his hiring in 2020 will have more of a sentimental meaning.

The game will mark Silas' first return to Charlotte since the passing of his father, Paul Silas, in December.

"It's so special to go back to Charlotte," Silas said. "It's the place where I started my career with my dad, it's the building where I began with my dad. My mom will be at the game, and it is going to be special."

Silas joined his father's coaching staff as an assistant for the Hornets in 2000. And 23 years later, the lessons Silas learned under his father's guidance helped set up a foundation he has leaned upon as coach of the Rockets.

But before Silas helped guide the Rockets through the first phase of their rebuild, his father's teachings came into play during the 2017-18 campaign. 

He filled in as coach of the Hornets when Steve Clifford took a leave of absence due to an illness. 

Charlotte won nine out of 19 games with Silas serving as acting coach. But despite the wins, Clifford said Silas' attribute as a teacher is what stood out during his one-month hiatus. 

"He is a great teacher," Clifford said. "The way he can present things in front of players. Whether it's a fundamental drill or a game plan, he is very knowledgeable but can teach it in a way players can understand it."

The Rockets have expressed their longing to finish the season on an encouraging note to build momentum heading into the offseason. But players have also expressed their wishes to finish the season strong for Silas.

Since a road victory over the San Antonio Spurs on March 4, the Rockets have won seven of their previous 18 games, with four coming against playoff-caliber teams (Celtics, Lakers, Nuggets and Pelicans).

The Rockets have made significant growth over the past month. And in the final two games of the season, Silas said he is still coaching, teaching and working.

Returning to Charlotte with an improved team will illustrate Silas' evolution as a head coach. But more significantly, Silas' growth since 2000 will be one of the best tributes to his late father.

"I am proud to be my dad's son," Silas said. "I am proud people see him in me. Everything everyone had to say about him has been about him as a person, which has been the best part for me. When my time comes, I want people to say the same thing about me."

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