Team tries to adjust attitude
It might be understandable that the Rockets’ enthusiasm “isn’t great” amid an eight-game losing streak and injury issues that have been unrelenting. But there was also a sense that to win, the Rockets need to improve their attitude, even if they need a win to successfully improve their attitude.
With that in mind, Rockets coach Stephen Silas said an attitude adjustment was the focus of Tuesday’s practice before the flight to Cleveland.
“It could be better,” Silas said of the team’s mood. “We had a discussion about that today. I don’t know whether it’s growing up as the son of a my dad or being in NBA locker rooms since I was little or being an assistant coach for so long, but I am very in tune to the group dynamics and the spirit of the group. Our spirit isn’t great right now, and we have to figure out a way to turn in the right direction.”
When the Rockets were going through early-season struggles and dramas, Silas praised the “spirit” of the team, saying he watches that closely and considers it extremely important. He has noticed the change as the losing streak dragged on.
“You wouldn’t expect the spirit of a team that has lost as many games in a row as we have to be great,” Silas said. “It’s natural. It’s human nature to kind of go into your shell and selfpreservation mode. I talked to the group today about the accountability part … to each other and my role in the accountability, just making sure we are all on the same page when it comes to that.”
Rockets guard John Wall, however, said there is a easy, obvious solution.
“The easiest thing for us to do is go out there and play hard every single day,” Wall said. “That’s the easiest thing, you step on the basketball court, give it
everything you got, give it your all.
“So, the most important thing for us is to be more competitive. We beat each other up more in practice than other teams in games.”
That was not an issue with Tuesday’s practice with the emphasis more on the mental than physical work.
“We didn’t do much in practice,” Silas said. “After three days of practice and then to play the way we did last night, I thought it was more of a mental day for the group and really making sure that everybody is on the same page mentally. It’s more of a conversation we needed to have, more than (about) coverages and all of that.”
Silas lauds city’s crisis response
Appearing with Houston mayor Sylvester Turner at the Rockets’ water distribution event Tuesday, Rockets coach Stephen Silas lauded the efforts of the city and volunteers in the wake of last week’s severe weather, calling it typical of Houston in a crisis.
“I think we had 3,000 families we gave water to
today,” Silas said. “It’s so important. I’ve only been here for a few months, and Houston really is a special place. When stuff happens, people come together, whether it is this, social injustice, whatever. Houstonians are like, “Hey, let’s buckle down and come together and deal with this adversity in the way that we do in Houston.” It’s awesome.
“I’m so proud to be a part of it. I’m proud to be a new Houstonian. I look forward to being here for a long time.”
Silas said he and his family lost water, heat, and electricity in their home last week, reminding of the struggles many have on a regular basis. Turner said that although the boil water order was lifted with water deemed safe, many who had broken pipes are without water and the means to purchase the water that was distributed at Tuesday’s event.
“This is a special event because as Mr. Mayor was saying, people are going through it right now,” Silas said. “People don’t have water. At my house, we had three pipes burst and it really makes you understand the importance of
electricity and heat and water and all of that. There are people who don’t have those things on a day-to-day basis. We went through it for three days and we were going crazy, like, “Oh, I can’t believe I don’t have electricity or heat or water for three days.’ Just think of the people who can’t count on that on a day-to-day basis.
“Moving forward, that’s one of the things myself and the Rockets, and we’re going to partner with the mayor’s office and really make sure the basic necessities of electricity, heat, water, food are at the forefront of what we are providing, not just entertainment, not just basketball, but really contributing to the betterment of Houston and Houstonians. “
With that in mind, Turner cited efforts that have been made around the city and the donations made to the Winter Storm Relief Fund.
“You can be a champion in more places than on the court,” Turner said. “When people in your city and your community are hurting and you step up to mee their needs, you’re a champion in their books.”