Jacque Vaughn's Transition With Nets Mirrors Rockets' Stephen Silas

Nets coach Jacque Vaughn has gone through a major shake-up since the departure of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, which mirrors Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas.

HOUSTON — When Jacque Vaughn replaced Steve Nash as coach of the Brooklyn Nets in November, the purpose was to help the franchise reach its championship potential with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

But when the Nets defeated the Houston Rockets 118-96 on March 7 inside the Toyota Center, Vaughn did not have Durant and Irving combining for 53 points — it came from Mikal Bridges (30) and Spencer Dinwiddie (23).

The All-Star pairing requested a trade from the franchise three months into Vaughn's tenure as coach. He was innocent in the ongoing issues Durant and Irving had with the franchise. But their inevitable departure came under Vaughn's coaching. 

Vaughn's experience with a major roster shake-up is similar to what coach Stephen Silas encountered three months into his coaching tenure with the Rockets.

"You just have to deal with it," Vaughn said. "You have to embrace it — and we have as a staff. You have to look forward to the challenge, which I do every day. It gives you an opportunity to form new relationships to get to know guys more than just on a basketball level.

"It also gives you a chance to be vulnerable in front of them and find solutions together. Overall, it's just a challenge you have to accept."

Silas described a mid-season shake-up for any coach as "difficult" because it changes the trajectory of the franchise. 

Silas vowed he wasn't a rebuilding coach when the Rockets hired him in October 2020. But the departure of James Harden and Russell Westbrook thrust Silas into an unfortunate situation. 

The Rockets have gone through a youth movement since losing a pair of future Hall-of-Famers, while the Nets have been able to sustain their competitiveness due to the veterans Brooklyn was able to acquire.

"Sean [Marks] did a great job bringing in two guys who were in the Finals a few years ago," Silas said. "They do not have vet, vet guys. But it makes the transition easier when you have that adjustment. 

"They have changed everything about what they were doing. But when you are bringing in guys like what they brought in, it makes it easier."

The 2022-23 season will end with Silas and Vaughn in two different circumstances. But the two respective coaches are more alike than what their records will show.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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