For the Rockets to take flight, they need to let Stephen Silas go

It’s time to let Silas go

The oldest tradition in sports history is blaming the coach for a team’s struggles. Perhaps the greatest cinematic portrayal of where a coach stands within an organization is the fictionalized argument between Derby County Chairman Sam Longson and former Derby County manager Brian Clough in the film The Damned United. 

"“The reality of football and life is this; the chairman is the boss, then comes the directors, then the secretary, then the fans, then the players, and then finally, last of all, bottom of the heap, lowest of the low, comes the one in the end, who we can all do without, the fluming manager.”"

I don’t usually believe in blaming coaches. Talent, at the end of the day, wins out, and the Rockets aren’t exactly the ‘96 Bulls, but enough is enough. The Rockets look like they’re running a game of pick-up on offense, and that’s supposed to be Silas’ side of the game. 

Stephen Silas isn’t the primary reason the Rockets have been abysmal over the past three seasons, but he is the easiest piece to replace. Rafael Stone and Tilman Fertitta have been incredibly patient with Silas. He simply hasn’t done enough to keep the job. The next great Rockets coach is still out there. They just need to find him or her.