Stephen Silas

2022 - 12 - 14

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Arizona Sports"

Coaches Stephen Silas, Monty Williams embrace over Paul Silas ... (Arizona Sports)

Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas made an emotional return to face the Phoenix Suns after the death of his father, Paul Silas.

“The Phoenix Suns are saddened by the passing of Paul Silas, a beloved basketball figure and former player and assistant coach with the team,” the Suns said in a press release. “The first Suns center to be named an NBA All-Star and the first All-Defensive selection in franchise history, Paul still holds the Suns’ record for rebounds in a single season. He would go on to make one more with the Suns and had five overall selections in his career. “I mean, everybody knows he’s like one of the best people in the world,” Silas said of Williams. Across his 16-year career, Silas spent three seasons with the Suns from 1969-72. He has a great way of communicating.

Rockets coach Stephen Silas balances basketball with grieving (Rockets Wire)

I kind of didn't want the game to end,” a grieving Stephen Silas said with a slight smile. “Now, it is like real life starts up again.”

He started his postgame press conference in the same fashion as he had earlier, with a long sigh. He helped orchestrate a plan for his young team to keep point guard Chris Paul from taking control of the game in the absence of Devin Booker. After his media session, Silas took a long sigh but walked out with his signature smile he has flashed since being introduced as the Rockets’ head coach in 2020. He made his mark in the NBA coaching ranks by working alongside his father for three organizations during the elder Silas’ time as a head coach. Once Tuesday’s game began against the Phoenix Suns, it was back to business as usual for Silas. It is hard to tell how an individual grieves, especially one as close to his father as Silas was.

Stephen Silas returns to bench for Rockets, talks about passing of ... (NBC Sports)

Rockets coach Stephen Silas returned to the bench Tuesday night for the first time since his father Paul's passing over the weekend.

[Kevin Durant](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29277/kevin-durant) and Harden clashed as well, [Weitzman reports](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/james-harden-on-his-legacy-and-how-the-joel-embiid-partnership-is-key). Philly has won three straight and improved to 15-12 (fifth in the East), but there’s a lot of work to do and chemistry to build before they are the contender that some thought they could be — that Harden wants them to be. He understands the 76ers are his best chance to change that part of the narrative around him and he’s willing to do what it takes. Harden was traded for [Ben Simmons](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30296/ben-simmons), but Simmons never set foot on the court last season. [Harden opened up about that to Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/james-harden-on-his-legacy-and-how-the-joel-embiid-partnership-is-key). [Joe Harris](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30070/joe-harris) missed most of the season due to ankle surgery.

Rockets coach Stephen Silas returns to team after death of father ... (CBSSports.com)

Paul Silas, a three-time NBA champ and longtime coach, died at 79 over the weekend.

Whenever it is my time comes, I want people to say the same things that they said about him over the last couple of days about [me]. Stephen is doing his best to follow in his father's footsteps, both on and off the court. [NBA](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/) player, winning three championships, two with the [Boston Celtics](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/BOS/boston-celtics/) and one with the Seattle SuperSonics. "Get your butt out there and coach. The win was the second straight for the Rockets, who have shown some growth this season, despite the fact that they currently sit at the bottom of the standings in the competitive Western Conference. "I love these guys.

Phoenix Suns' Monty Williams And Houston Rockets Coach ... (Sports Illustrated)

The Miami Heat face Silas and the Rockets Thursday in Houston. Silas' father, Paul and NBA great, died Sunday.

[CLICK HERE](https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-news/miami-heats-jimmy-butler-frustrated-with-lack-of-consistency) [CLICK HERE](https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-news/miami-heat-searching-for-answers-on-defensive-end) [CLICK HERE](https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-news/miami-heat-must-eliminate-losses-against-team-they-are-supposed-to-defeat) "We mourn the passing of former NBA All-Star and head coach Paul Silas," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. Silas won three NBA championships during his playing career. Silas learned his father, Paul, died Sunday.

Monty Williams Shares Emotional Moment W/ Stephen Silas, First ... (TMZ)

Suns HC Monty Williams shared an emotional moment with Rockets HC Stephen Silas, hugging at length near mid-court ... in Stephen's first game back since his ...

Stephen became head coach of the Rockets in 2020 ... but is now back with the team. and the two would coach together for one season. The embrace came moments after the final buzzer sounded ... in the coaches first game back since his father Paul Silas died. In addition to all his other basketball accomplishments, Silas was LeBron's first NBA coach.

Rockets coach Stephen Silas returns to the sideline after the death ... (Daily Mail)

Grieving Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas returned to the sideline Tuesday night following the recent death of his father, 79-year-old former NBA ...

Later he built his reputation on NBA sidelines as hard-nosed, yet mild-mannered head coach with the San Diego Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, and Cleveland Cavaliers The other driver also died in the crash, and was later found to have methamphetamine in her system. Later he built his reputation on NBA sidelines as hard-nosed, yet mild-mannered head coach with the San Diego Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Not only did the Rockets players reward his return with an upset win over the Suns, but the younger Silas also received a hug and some much-needed encouragement from his counterpart, Phoenix coach Monty Williams (near left), after the win 'I don't know if [returning] makes it easier or not, but my dad was a coach and he would tell me to coach,' Stephen said. Tonight, his way of communicating was through a hug, which I needed.'

Stephen Silas remembers dad in return to court: 'He would have told ... (Fox News)

Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas returned to the court Tuesday night following the death of his father, Paul Silas. Houston beat the Phoenix Suns, ...

Whenever it is my time comes, I want people to say the same things that they said about him over the last couple of days about (me). But he has a great way of communicating and tonight his way of communicating was through a hug. [MICHAEL JORDAN REMEMBERS PAUL SILAS AS ‘INCREDIBLE LEADER AND MOTIVATOR' IN TOUCHING STATEMENT](https://www.foxnews.com/sports/michael-jordan-remembers-paul-silas-incredible-leader-motivator-touching-statement) "'Get your butt out there and coach.' So that's what I did." I love this team. "I love these guys.

Stephen Silas

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