It is no exaggeration to say that the beginnings of Stephen Silas on the benches of the NBA were catastrophic. Certainly, he was not helped by the transfers of Russell Westbrook and James Harden following his signing in Houston in 2020.
Nevertheless, he ended his Texan adventure after three seasons with only 59 successes and above all 177 defeats. Then, he bounced back to Detroit, as assistant to Monty Williams, for another nightmare season in 2023/24: 14 wins and 68 losses…
Last summer, the former Rockets coach did not find a position in the Big League, and he was subsequently asked by USA Basketball to take care of the national team during the qualifying windows of the 'Americup in this month of November then in February 2025.
“I would love to coach in the NBA again, but I don’t know if that’s really connected to my decision to lead this team. The opportunity presented itself and being the coach of Team USA is pretty cool, no matter the circumstances”he explains to The Athletic.
“Stepping back, enjoying my family and being with Team USA is cathartic for me”
This break with the NBA comes at the right time for Stephen Silas, drained by his failed experiences in Houston and Detroit. Being a coach is already exhausting and demanding, but when you lose so often, it becomes heavy.
“I enjoy family moments and that’s important because my father (former coach Paul Silas) died two years ago and I have a daughter who is in high school. I can go to parent-teacher meetings, be home when she comes home”he says. “It's really nice and I probably needed it after three years in Houston and one in Detroit, which were very unsuccessful. Taking a step back, enjoying my family and being with Team USA is cathartic for me. »
Maybe this will work as a stepping stone too. After all, Jim Boylen was also the coach of Team USA for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers, after an experience, also failed, in Chicago. And now, he is on the Indiana bench to assist Rick Carlisle. “He will have another chance in the NBA. He’s too good”believes Frank Kaminsky.
