Stephen Silas was announced as head coach. The many different Rockets bigwigs—Fertitta, Harden, Westbrook, Stone—had varied notions of who should coach. Fertitta was talked out of Jeff Van Gundy who was seen as a tough fit with Harden and Westbrook. Harden reportedly wanted Lue. Stone is close with John Lucas. Stephen Silas—who one source called “just the nicest guy”—emerged as the compromise. Morey had long been a fan. Silas had briefly been a head coach in Charlotte, filling in when Steve Clifford missed several games in the 2017-2018 season. The feedback from those who had been there at the time was a question about his ability to take charge of strong personalities. One source sees confirmation of this in Harden’s calculation that he didn’t need to arrive at training camp on time.
NBA rumors: Stephen Silas, Coaching, Houston Rockets
March 7, 2021 | 1:04 pm EST Update
Zion Williams to replace Joel Embiid as starter
Adrian Wojnarowski: Zion Williamson will replace Joel Embiid as a starter on Team Durant, sources tell ESPN.
Ohm Youngmisuk: Paul George reiterates that he didn’t think All-Star should be held: “You have situations like we are dealing with today, it is just in an unfortunate time in the world where our health and safety should be at the front of the helm. I personally didn’t agree with the game.”
Law Murray: PG on Los Angeles sports: “There’s a real rivalry in the city, on Lakers and Clippers. I think now, with myself, Kawhi joining, we gained some traction and some steam on fans loving us and enjoying this team.” pic.twitter.com/uRUA8H94DM
Ohm Youngmisuk: Paul George on missing last game with dizziness: “A lesson learned. I had too much caffeine. I think it was too much caffeine at that time. It made me real jittery and sped me up. A lesson learned on that situation, never have too much caffeine too close on back to back (games).”
Fred Katz: Bradley Beal says he agrees the Wizards shouldn’t have fans for now: “My biggest concern is safety…I’m not sitting here and saying I don’t miss the fans. It definitely changes the dynamic of the game…But safety is the biggest concern. And it’s more for them.”
Bobby Marks: With Blake Griffin clearing waivers at 5PM ET. on Sunday, below is what team has available in money to offer: 🏀BKN (open roster spot): $5.34M Tax ML (up to 3 years), $5.7M Disabled Player Exception (1 year), Vet minimum (up to 2 years). 🏀GSW (no open roster spot): $9.25M Disabled Player Exception (1 year), $3.25M Tax ML (up to 3 years), Vet minimum (up to 2 years). 🏀POR (open roster spot): $3.4M Biannual (up to 2 years), Vet minimum (up to 2 years). 🏀MIA (no open roster spot): $3.4M Biannual (up to 2 years), $4.7M Disabled (1 year), Vet minimum (up to 2 years). 🏀LAL (open roster spot): Vet minimum (up to 2 years).
Charlotte Hornets President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced today that the team has recalled center Vernon Carey Jr. and center Nick Richards from the Greensboro Swarm, the team’s NBA G League affiliate. Carey appeared in 14 games for the Swarm in the G League bubble, averaging 16.0 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26.5 minutes per game. A first-year player out of Duke, Carey has totaled three points, one assist and one block in three games for the Hornets this season.
Nets All-Star guard Kyrie Irving could face more NBA sanctions after he backed out of his 11:10 a.m. Zoom call with media on All-Star Sunday. The media was notified at 11:15 a.m. during the call that Irving would not be joining and he decided he’d only talk postgame.
