There were more than a few folks who questioned the Houston Rockets' decision to hire Stephen Silas as the team's new head coach in the offseason. As it turns out, this move actually had a lot to do with Mavs star Luka Doncic.

Silas himself acknowledged the fact that Doncic played a significant role in his ability to secure the job in Houston (h/t Dwain Price of Mavs.com):

While Silas is currently in his first season as an NBA head coach, he's actually been in the league for quite some time now — 21 long years to be exact. The 48-year-old first started his career as an assistant coach in 2000 when he was hired by the Charlotte Hornets. Silas has also served as an assistant for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors, the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (again for a second stint), and most recently, the Dallas Mavericks.

Silas built a strong relationship with Doncic during their time together in Dallas. Silas helped guide the young Slovenian transition his game in the NBA during his first two years in the league. When the Rockets hired Silas during the offseason, Doncic himself sent a congratulatory message for his former coach, saying that it was a well-deserved move for the long-time assistant.

Things have been very rough for Silas in his first season at the helm, though. The Rockets have emerged as one of the worst teams in the NBA right now following what was nothing short of a controversial offseason. Houston appears to be confident in Silas, however, and it looks like he's going to be the man who will lead the rebuild for the team for the years to come.