
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 15, 2020; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas (left) and forward Bruno Caboclo (5) react during a time out in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs. Mandatory Credit: Mike Wyke/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Dec 15, 2020; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas (left) and forward Bruno Caboclo (5) react during a time out in the second half against the San Antonio Spurs. Mandatory Credit: Mike Wyke/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
After 2 losses to begin the season, the Houston Rockets finally managed a win against the Sacramento Kings. Their new backcourt duo of James Harden and John Wall stole the show and took the game away from the Kings.
Following the game, Wall presented coach Stephen Silas with the game ball to mark his first win. “After the game, the team gave me the game ball, so I’ll keep that,” said Silas. “That’ll be one to remember, hopefully, one of many. I’ll cherish it.”
Silas mentioned how he had previously received game balls, but all of them were as an Assistant Coach of the team. This is his first-ever stint as a Head Coach, so he enjoyed it more than any of the previous ones.
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Memorable first win for Rockets coach Stephen Silas
When Silas was announced as the Rockets’ new coach, it was an exciting appointment. He spent 2 decades as an assistant and finally got his deserved promotion. So fans across the league wanted him to do well. But his celebrated appointment took a big hit when the Rockets’ trade rumors saga kicked off.
It started with Russell Westbrook announcing that he wants to leave, followed by a number of senior players expressing their discontent at how they were treated so far.
After initially saying he’ll stay put, Harden also requested to leave. He felt there was no way he would be able to compete in Houston.

USA Today via Reuters
Dec 28, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and guard David Nwaba (2) speak in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Rockets managed to trade away Westbrook to bring in Wall, but they weren’t able to trade Harden away. It looked like he didn’t want to play for them anymore and dodged questions in press conferences regarding it. So within 2 months of his arrival, Silas had to deal with all of this drama.
After eventually getting his team together, the season started slowly for Silas’ men. They were off to a 0-2 start with losses against the Blazers and the Nuggets.
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However, having clinched his well-deserved win, Silas will be hoping that his players go from strength to strength, and push towards being one of the best teams in the West.
ALSO READ- James Harden Praises New Rockets Head Coach Stephen Silas
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