Is Stephen Silas to blame for the Houston Rockets poor results?

It has been 666 days since the blockbuster trade which sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. The Houston Rockets ‘rebuild’ began on that day. The Houston Rockets ended the 2020-21 season with a 17-55 record, last in not only the Western Conference but the entire league. They were rewarded the #2 pick in the 2021 NBA draft where they selected guard, Jalen Green to be the face of the franchise. Along with selecting Green in the 2021 NBA draft, they also acquired center, Alperen Sengun as well as guard, Josh Christopher and Spanish international, Usman Garuba.

Two lottery picks, seven first-round picks later the Rockets are currently in their third season of the ‘rebuild’ stage and they currently stand last in the Western Conference and last in the entire league. It poses a question that is it a case of needing more young talent around the backcourt duo of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr or is it something to do with the coaching staff?

Many Houston Rockets fans have been very vocal about the poor decisions made by head coach Stephen Silas but is Silas really to blame? I think that Silas is just being used as a scapegoat because it is easy to just blame a coach for the team’s problems because fans don’t have as much love for coaches as they do players. Former Rocket Kelly Olynyk on Stephen Silas; “He’s been awesome…His communication has been great, on the court and off the court. His system and philosophies are in line with mine…I’d love to have the chance to learn, grow, and play under his system more”. Olynyk also stated “They have a lot of guys who are talented and skilled,” and that “They have to put it together. They have to come together as a team. They are headed in the right direction. Stephen has them playing the right way. He has some pieces now that he can definitely build upon.”

I believe that it is a case of Rockets fans needing to be more patient with the team because the team is developing night in and night out. A lot of games last season were blowouts but this season the Rockets have been a lot more competitive despite having a 2-10 record. They have kept most games close and I believe when the Rockets figure out how to close a fourth quarter, that will see more wins come Houston’s way.

For now, I think Stephen Silas and the entire Houston Rockets organization are doing a great job and that there is a great future ahead of this group. Tons of potential lies within this team, they just need time to reach that potential. Stay patient Rockets fans, sweet victory will come soon enough.