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HOUSTON – New Rockets coach Stephen Silas didn’t talk much about James Harden and the rumors that he is not happy in Houston on Thursday (Friday Manila time).
But he was clear on one thing: He expects Harden to be there when the Rockets open camp this weekend.
“I’m sure he’ll be all-in,” Silas said. “That’s where I leave it. Like I said, I’ve given him the space to do his thing. But I’m sure it will be here when we start. “
Reports that Harden wants out of Houston have swirled since another early Rockets playoff exit when they were eliminated by the Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals. Both Harden and Westbrook were rumored to want to leave the team. Westbrook got his wish Wednesday night when he was sent to Washington by John Wall and a first-round pick.
Westbrook lasted just one season in Houston playing with Harden and an unconventional small-ball lineup. Now both Westbrook and that small-ball lineup are a thing of the past, with Westbrook heading to the nation’s capital and center DeMarcus Cousins joining the Rockets.
Silas is a longtime NBA assistant in his first head coaching job after being hired to replace Mike D’Antoni, who told the Rockets he would not be returning at the end of the season. Silas said he has not spoken to Harden since the exchange and has thus far employed a hands-off approach with the superstar.
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“When things like this happen, where there is a little bit of indecision and things that happen, I take a step back and give the guys some space,” Silas said. “So, from my perspective, my communication has been: I’m giving you space. And that’s where my communication with him has been. And guys need it that way. “
Silas is excited to add a player of Wall’s caliber to his team, but admitted he had some mixed emotions when he learned of the trade.
“If it wasn’t for Russell Westbrook, I probably wouldn’t have this job,” Silas said. “So the fact that he answered for me in the interview process was one of the first things I thought about when the exchange took place.”
Then he thought back to all his years as an assistant at Charlotte when he had to plan to defend Wall four times a year.
“The second part is how dynamic John Wall has been in his career and some of the nightmares I’ve had trying to defend him and pick and roll and all the pick and roll passes that he can make,” Silas said. .
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Also Thursday, Cousins spoke to reporters for the first time since signing with the Rockets earlier in the week. The 30-year-old said he is healthy and can’t wait to start after missing all of last season recovering from a knee injury.
“It was a difficult task, mentally and physically, but at the same time, I was able to rest my body and it was a much-needed rest,” Cousins said. “Coming back from that, I feel amazing, my body is in a great place, my mind is in a great place, and I’m ready to get back on the court and play the game that I love.”
He’s also excited to meet up with Wall, his college teammate in Kentucky. Cousins said he has known Wall since he was 14 years old and that the point guard was a best man at their wedding.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Cousins said. “It’s something he and I planned and dreamed of for a long time. So I’m pretty sure he’s grateful for his moment as I am. “
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