Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from a disastrous start to camp

The Houston Rockets solved one problem by satisfying Russell Westbrook’s desire for a trade. They’ve found themselves with more problems since camp began.

Fix one problem and you’ll find another before you know it. Whether you’re a homeowner or you run an NBA team, it’s a truism that has plenty of applications. For the Houston Rockets, a simmering situation with Russell Westbrook and James Harden exploded just after Westbrook received the trade he was seeking.

Harden also wants a trade, but he’s too good (and too expensive) to deal for anything less than a historic haul. So instead of spending the past few days in Houston for COVID protocols and the beginning of training camp, he’s been everywhere but. Including unmasked in Las Vegas for rapper Lil Baby’s birthday.

Let’s take a look at three key takeaways from a disastrous start to Rockets camp.

1. Stephen Silas deserves better as a first-time coach for the Houston Rockets

After owner Tilman Fertitta lowballed head coach Mike D’Antoni in extension negotiations, the relationship became irreparable and D’Antoni simply left the team after his contract expired. It was a rare occurrence because NBA coaches generally do the job until they get fired, so a coach just departing after a contract expires is almost unheard of.

This opened the door for an expansive coaching search that ultimately landed on respected Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Stephen Silas. A member of one of the NBA’s royal bloodlines, Silas is more than qualified to take over this team in its next chapter, but he isn’t getting much help from its stars.

Westbrook wanted out, and James Harden doesn’t want to come in. New prized free agent Christian Wood declared that he was a great second scoring option when he signed, but he meant second to James Harden. Now he and John Wall might vie for the most shots and offensive possessions if Harden simply doesn’t come back.

It’s not exactly an unprecedented situation, but there’s a nasty history in the NBA of Black head coaches taking on a challenging job in the hopes of building to greatness, only to take an unfair portion of the blame when that greatness is not achieved. Silas has been abandoned by his two stars through no fault of his own, and it will be nothing short of tragic if he ultimately pays the price for it as so many Black coaches before him have.