Rockets coach Stephen Silas shows appreciation to veteran Daniel Theis with words, playing time
Veteran big man Daniel Theis entered Sunday having not played in four of Houston’s last five games, but head coach Stephen Silas has insisted that it isn’t a matter of Theis playing poorly. The Rockets wanted to move Christian Wood back to center for superior floor spacing — particularly in matchups where the opposing five isn’t too imposing — and with the development of rookie reserve Alperen Sengun as another obvious priority, that doesn’t leave room in many games for a third center.
In addition, with the young Rockets (6-16) suddenly emerging with the NBA’s longest active winning streak, there can be hesitation when it comes to changing what is already working. But Silas has still been searching for ways to find minutes for Theis, and with Sunday’s opponent (New Orleans) featuring a traditional big man in Jonas Valančiūnas, Houston turned back to Theis for a starting role in each half.
“Figuring out a way for me to play him is important to me because he is a pro,” Silas said of Theis before Sunday’s game. “He helps our defense so much. He is physical. It’s a quandary because of the situation but he would be playing, he would be in the rotation, he would be starting on some teams. It’s just kind of where we are as a group.”
The Rockets were out-rebounded by 9 versus Orlando on Friday, which made more size and physicality a priority in the frontcourt. In addition, even though Kevin Porter Jr. (left thigh contusion) is a guard, his short-term absence does open up an extra spot in Houston’s rotation.
Though Theis signed with the Rockets in the offseason with clear expectations to play, the 29-year-old has remained engaged and vocal with his teammates, even while racking up those DNP-CDs. That team-first dynamic helped keep him at the forefront of Silas’ mind.
“He stays ready and he stays professional,” Silas said of Theis, who also became a valuable insurance policy in Sunday’s game after Wood and Sengun each picked up 3 first-half fouls. “That’s gratifying as a coach, but also, it’s important to me to find a way to play him some, if possible.”
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