Third-year guard Kevin Porter Jr., who dealt with off-court issues early in his NBA career, said earlier this week that the Rockets “saved my life” and “picked me up when I was down.” Head coach Stephen Silas isn’t taking those words lightly, telling reporters on Tuesday that it means a lot to him to develop such important relationships with players, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle.
“It means everything,” Silas said. “That’s why you coach. For the stories, for the guys who maybe aren’t given a shot or feel like they are not able to have the opportunity they deserve. Hopefully, I can put … him in a position where he can be as successful as he can possibly be, whatever it is.”
Silas only has one year of experience as a head coach under his belt, but showed during his years as an assistant coach that he was capable of making those connections with his players, according to Rockets guard D.J. Augustin.
“Steve’s always been like that,” Augustin said, per Feigen. “I was with Steve in Charlotte when he was an assistant. He’s always been a great people person. Some coaches, they’re not good with communicating with players off the court. Steve is that guy who has the ability to kind of connect with players, especially with younger guys.”
Here’s more on the Rockets:
- In a conversation with Kelly Iko of The Athletic, new Rockets center Daniel Theis discussed a wide range of topics, including his first impressions of Houston – and of Silas – and his desire to be a mentor to Houston’s young players. Theis said Al Horford and Aron Baynes, his former teammates in Boston helped him understand what it takes to be a leader on a young team.
- With Theis in the mix, Christian Wood is expecting to play more at the power forward position this season, he said on Thursday (Twitter link via Iko).
- With Theis and Wood expected to start together in the frontcourt and Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. penciled in as the backcourt starters, Houston’s small forward spot is up for grabs, Iko writes for The Athletic. While Danuel House, Kenyon Martin Jr., and David Nwaba will all be in the mix for minutes at that spot, Iko suggests either Jae’Sean Tate or Eric Gordon figures to be the fifth starter. Tate may have the leg up because Gordon is a more natural fit as a sixth man.
Silas is such an easy guy to root for. Add on the difficulties almost from the jump with Houston. He just seems to be a great dude that really does care for his players. Looking forward to this team. Should be a ton of fun to watch!
Tate is probably going to be the starter at SF after making the All-Rookie first team during such a tumultuous season. He was one of the few bright spots along with Porter and Martin (who’s a great shot blocker). Kenyon Jr also had a very promising rookie season himself with the ability to play either forward spot just like Tate.
It’s difficult to say how much Gordon will be playing with his buyout seen as inevitable, barring a trade. He will eventually be replaced by Josh Christopher, or maybe David Nwaba depending on the development of Christopher in the G-League.
Kevin Porter the same FOOL who called sitting on the cavs bench “modern day slavery”.
The same fool who became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50+ points and have 10+ assists in a game against the eventual champion Bucks.
So what you’re saying is you can be an idiot and still put the ball in the basket. His comment was still FOOLISH. That’s all I said
And your comment was just to be negative for the sake of being negative. It’s about him being thankful for being in a better place for himself. He was a 19-20 years old. But I’m sure you never said something stupid at that age? Give it a rest, buddy.
So he is old enough to become a professional, but not old enough to act like a professional? 19-20 years old is old enough to not say something that stupid. If you are old enough to work like a man, then you are old enough to accept responsibility like a man. If he is not old enough to act like a man, then he should have stayed in college.
He was skilled enough to become a professional. That doesn’t mean these dudes are mentally or emotionally ready to be one. But when you have millions of dollars in your face, most people wouldn’t turn it down. I think a lot of people want these guys just to act like a professional right off the bat. It’s not that realistic. They have to learn to be one.
Being mentally and emotionally ready is part of it. That has always been part of my argument against 18 year olds in the draft. The US government says that you have to be 21 years old to take a drink of alcohol, but for some reason teams are allowed to just throw millions of dollars at 18 year old kids that are quite frankly not educated enough to make smart decisions.
I am not blaming just the players here, there is PLENTY of blame to around for everyone involved including teams, agents, parents, colleges, fans, and hangers on along with the players, who are not blameless either. The biggest problem is with the successes like LeBron, Kobe, and KG. People look at them and think everyone can do it. They just overlook the cases of Leon Smith, Sebastian Telfair, Korleone Young, and many others that fail for one reason or another because those truths do not fit their arguments.
As far as learning to be one, I don’t think it is right for NBA teams to have to pay someone to learn to be an adult. If you go to work instead of college, your job is not going to allow you to act like a kid just because you are young. They are to fire you and find someone else. Allowing the juvenile behavior to continue is nothing but enabling the problem. If you go pro, it is time to grow up and be a man.
Completely fair points. Don’t disagree with a lot of what you say here.
This isn’t enough of a problem for your to be drunk typing 6 paragraphs about, my guy.
Yea one can possess the physical skills at 20 yo compete but still be a bit immature. It’s called life
So is it 19… or 20? Can it be his entire 20th year or does it end on his 20th birthday? I mean, don’t give an age range because that means you’re just estimating. And if you’re ‘ballparking’ it, then you’re not speaking in facts, which, and I’m sure you know, means you can’t just unilaterally categorize.
Think about it: you’ve never met him, you’ve never even met anyone who HAS met him but….now watch this… YOU know HIM and know EXACTLY HOW he should behave at all times. Funny when facts come into play, huh?
(Insert Sarcastic Thumbs Up Emoji here)
Emoji there’s an idea there that got lost in a kind of protective sarcasm. KPJ does have a history.
GWP,
Terrance Ross also score 50 once in a game.
Build on it KPJ, not make it your career milestone which people will remember you by (like GWP).
Looking at sports figures for wisdom is not a high success task
It’s not what I was saying. I’m just saying that comment was foolish. That’s all I said. Everyone else running with it. It’s still one of the dumbest comments of all time.
One of? Sure. But Kellen Winslow Jr. comparing playing in the NFL to going to war and calling himself a soldier right at the height of the Iraq/Afghanistan War is ALWAYS going to be #1.
Porter comment it’s up there no doubt. I’m sure we could make a solid top 5-10 and laugh all day over them. Porter is definitely a 10 out of 10 for FOOLISH
I agree the comment was foolish. I’m sure that when it comes to “average intelligence” athletes sit below most professional occupations.
He did do and say foolish things. I’m willing to give him a pass. Since he didn’t take anyone down with him. Just another young stupid kid. Let’s hope he’s grown. Better yet Rockets better hope he has. He’s got talent lets see what he wants to do with it. Rockets have good young talent. I’d build on that. Move Wood who wants a payday. And has said he doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild. This will be Greens team. So I’d move Wood while his value is high. And go full rebuild. Rockets can bring in a lot of young talent. With all those picks. I think they are on the right path. Not a Wood guy. So personally I definitely move him Now.
Yeah I think Wood is definitely a “best player on a terrible team” guy
Go full rebuild? Wood was part of the rebuild, not the past. You are not talking about rebuilding, you are talking about spinning your wheels.
It’s one guy who brings back value. In young draft picks or players. Even a young vet. Try and catch up lol. Green is 19. Wood is 26.
So you want the entire team to be 19? Are they competing in the NBA or in the Big 12?
Besides, Green is not the team leader yet. We don’t even know if he is capable of competing in the NBA as of now, let alone leading a multi-million dollar franchise. You don’t build a team around a variable, and that is all Green is right now.
I guess you do. Look you need an explanation or a class. Cause I’m sure the draft are all 19 yrs olds. So are young players and young vets. Learn to read. And and I’ll school you. No problema
One thing I agree with you about is that I cannot read your gibberish. You can’t blame someone for not being able to read if you are not able to write coherently.
That must be it. Yet you got no problem commenting. Go find out about Green. We got two years to wait.
And onto the mute pile you go. Enjoy talking to Marty.
“I’m not going to tell you that we’re going to go 81-0 [82-0] in the season, but the sky is the limit,” Wood said. “If we stay together and we build on what we have right now, and we could bring in a little bit more talent, the sky’s the limit for us. I think we’re doing a great job and I like where we’re at right now, and I’m happy to be in Houston.” – Christian Wood at media day. Not exactly sure where you’ve seen Wood say he doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild. Now, if your stance is that he should be dealt solely because his value would be high, then I could live with that. But many times you’ve noted things about Christian Wood that aren’t factual.
He’s said it before. Last year. His contract is up next yr. Hes been talking about a big payday. Yes the value is high now. He’s 26 just how does he fit in Greens timeline. When he’s 19. Strictly a basketball move for a team with plenty of picks coming. That’s how to maximize a rebuild. Shouldn’t be hard to understand.
I never said anything against him wanting to be paid. You steered completely around my point. You said he has stated he doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild. Everyone wants a pay day. That’s not news. He was an undrafted guy that was playing overseas a few years ago. Obviously he’s going to want to get paid as much as he can.
KnickerBoxer is often wrong and one-sided in his opinions. He won’t listen to reason. Pretty sure He was the guy acting like Spencer Dinwiddie was a game changer and that shooting percentages don’t matter.
Really so cause I like Dinwiddie. You got BS. Watch him this year. Cause I will REMIND you e every freaking day about it. I’m sorry I know so much. Please forgive me for knowing more than you.
40% from FG, 31% from 3. Dude is a broke westbrook, which is not a good thing!
I guess you never watched him play. Cause he got 7 ast and 21 pts with those. Now that takes talent. You obviously cant see. Please show me another NBA pkayer who did that. Look that up
Not exactly sure where you’ve seen Wood say he doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild.
Wanting to ge paid means he’s not interested in Rebuild. Look it up. Money comes before team. It’s simple. He plays he gets paid. We do t need to hear about it. That’s why they got agents. It’s called being a professional. Dude are a you a Rockets fan. If not why are you even prolonging this. I’m talking about what I think is best for Rockets. You don’t have to agree. But I got facts. You got I didn’t say that. I’ve scouted Wood for two yrs. Cause Knicks were looking at him as FA.
Two yrs ago. Yes thats tape, video, games, stories, rumors. I’m thorough Yes. So I know who he is as a player better than most. Moving him makes Rockets better. Trust me I know. But you don’t have to agree. I’m not here to be liked or agreed with.
Insider
Christian Wood: ““I just want to show fans that by the time this contract’s up I think I’m gonna be a max player.” #Rockets
link to clutchpoints.com
Try looking it up yourself. It’s only a year old
I like the Rockets young roster. They have only one way to go and that’s up. Couple of guys who have been around for 2 or 3 years plus a great draft. I like it.
Warriors and Red Sox this bandwagon riding dude! LOL. I hope you’re trolling
Those who know me here know I’m not bandwagon. And you should too Casor Greener, I’ve read your posts here for a year or two, right?
But yes, Red Sox since 1978 so the 80s were very rough and so were the 90s. 20 years of pain LOL. I’ve been to Fenway like 15 times and I go to little Fenway every winter. Die Hard fan.
Same with the Warriors since 1987 when I lived in the Bay Area as a Young Man. Lewis Lloyd Terry teagle Ralph Sampson Jim Peterson and then Don Nelson came along. Two exciting years with Run DMC but mostly the late 80s and all of the 90s were rough years. Finally drafted Chris Webber but then Tim Hardaway tears his ACL. I remember calling in sick in the Weber draft and watching it all unfold on TV while listening to commentators on the radio at the same time.
It’s just these last few years that have been fantastic for both of my teams.
And yes I think the Rockets have a lot of promise for the future.
Multi big lineups with this roster is very questionable. I really want to see what some of their versatile athletes can do around their shooters, especially if they’re already not going to let Wall play around those guys for whatever reason…