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Grieving Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas returned to the sideline Tuesday night following the recent death of his father, 79-year-old former NBA All-Star and coach, Paul Silas.
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, following the win.
‘It means a lot,’ Stephen said of the moment with Williams. ‘So many experiences that he draws from. He has a great way of communicating. Tonight, his way of communicating was through a hug, which I needed.’
Grieving Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas (far left, near right) returned to the sideline Tuesday night following the recent death of his father, 79-year-old former NBA All-Star and coach, Paul Silas (far right). 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
Williams has experienced his share of grief following the 2016 death of his wife, Ingrid, in a car crash.
The 44-year-old mother of his five children was driving in Oklahoma City, where Williams was coaching at the time, when she was struck head-on by a vehicle that had crossed the divider into her lane. The other driver also died in the crash, and was later found to have methamphetamine in her system.
Williams’ eulogy for his late wife would ultimately go viral, when, instead of expressing anger over Ingrid’s death, he offered prayers for the other driver and her family.
‘Everybody’s praying for me and my family, which is right,’ Williams said in 2016. ‘But let us not forget that there were two people in this situation. And that family needs prayer as well. And we have no ill will toward that family.’
Once again, Williams seemed to strike the right note on Tuesday night by embracing Stephen Silas, and whispering a few words of encouragement.
‘I love him for that,’ Stephen said afterwards.
Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas reacts against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Toyota Center on Tuesday
Monty Williams (pictured) has experienced his share of grief following the 2016 death of his wife, Ingrid, in a car crash. The 44-year-old mother of his five children was driving in Oklahoma City, where Williams was coaching at the time, when she was struck head-on by a vehicle that had crossed the divider into her lane. The other driver also died in the crash, and was later found to have methamphetamine in her system. Williams’ eulogy for his late wife would ultimately go viral, when, instead of expressing anger over Ingrid’s death, he offered prayers for the other driver and her family
Paul died Saturday from cardiac arrest, his family told The New York Times .
Aside from winning a pair of NBA titles with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and 1976, and another with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979, Silas was known as one of the game’s best rebounders and grittiest defenders. 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.
Stephen was asked if returning to work has helped him with his grieving process, but the Rockets Coach wasn’t entirely sure.
What he did know is that his famously hard-working father would have wanted him to coach.
‘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. ‘Get your butt out there and coach. So that’s what I did.’
Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas (pictured, right, in 2011) was absent from Sunday’s upset win over the Milwaukee Bucks as he and his family continue to grieve the loss of his father, former NBA All-Star Paul Silas (picture, left, as head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats)
Stephen also gave an emotional tribute to Paul before the game.
‘I’m very proud to be my dad’s son,’ Stephen said. ‘I’m very proud that people see him in me. And I want that to continue. 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]. And hopefully they’ll do that.’
As for the game, Silas expressed gratitude to be back with his players.
And the fact that they were able to beat the Suns, 111-97, certainly added to the experience.
‘It was definitely great to be back,’ Stephen said. ‘I love these guys. I love this team. I kind of didn’t want the game to end because now it’s like real life starts up again.’
Tuesday’s win was the Rockets’ second straight after the team beat the Milwaukee Bucks in Silas’ absence on Sunday.
Aside from winning a pair of NBA titles with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and 1976, and another with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979, Paul Silas was known as one of the game’s best rebounders and grittiest defenders. 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
