In a season filled with postgame displays of frustration, one of the harshest critiques yet of his team came from Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas on Saturday night.
The Rockets dropped their ninth straight in a 131-114 loss to Portland, a game in which Blazers guard Damian Lillard erupted for a career-high 71 points. Second-year center Alperen u015eengün notably struggled to contain Lillard from the opening possessions, and for the second consecutive game, the talented 21-year-old spent the fourth quarter tethered to the bench. Silas' remarks regarding u015eengün's benching were brief, though telling.