Rockets Playing Hard For Stephen Silas As Season Draws Near An End: 'I'm With You'

Despite not playing for anything, the Houston Rockets have rallied around coach Stephen Silas in hopes of winning more games before closing out the 2022-23 campaign.

HOUSTON — When Damian Lillard scored a career-best 71 points against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 26, Jalen Green called coach Stephen Silas when the team returned from Portland.

Green said he held a brief conversation with Silas. He revealed his message to his coach was, "I'm with you," following the embarrassment Silas endured against the Portland Trail Blazers inside the Moda Center.

The Rockets have gone 2-5 since Green's late-night call. But Silas has appreciated the effort level of his players as the 2022-23 campaign draws near an end.

His gratitude was displayed Saturday night following the Rockets' 119-111 loss to the Chicago Bulls. He was proud of how the Rockets responded to his challenge of improving their 3-point shooting after several terrible outings. 

Houston connected on 16 triples on 47.1 percent shooting. The game marked the first time over the last 25 outings the Rockets finished with more than 13 made 3-pointers.

"That's one of the things I love about this group — when I ask them to do something, they usually try and do it," Silas said. "From my perspective, I'm looking at it from the basketball part, coaching part and competitive part. 

"But when you take a step back, you look and say, 'okay, we have a bunch of young kids out there playing their hearts out against guys who are a veteran team. As much as I want to pull them out of it and grow them, I have to be patient." 

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

Jae'Sean Tate said the team is trying as hard as they can to win games, given what Silas has meant to the team since his hiring in October 2020.

"At the end of the day, we are professionals," Kevin Porter Jr. said. "We have to show up, especially for someone like Silas. On a personal level, he has touched everyone in this building. It's a bonus to go out and play for him. Every night, we are going to come and play."

Silas' future as the head coach of the Rockets remains uncertain. 

But with 15 games remaining, his players are doing everything possible to prevent another humiliating night — like the one Silas experienced on the night Lillard became the eighth player in league history who scored 70 points or more.   

"It meant a lot," Silas said. "I was surprised when he called me because it was so late. I have a great relationship with Jalen. I am proud of the progress he has made. 

"To have that amount of pressure he puts on himself and from the outside, I am glad he looks at me as someone who has his best interest at heart. And he has the same for me."

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

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