Tilman Fertitta went on record in an interview with Tim MacMahon of ESPN to back Stephen Silas as head coach and Raael Stone as general manager.

"I never thought I could feel this good after winning only 16 games," Fertitta told ESPN.

"I never thought I could feel this good when I've been so upset about losing. But when I look at all the draft picks that we have and the future, I'm just happy. I know it's unusual to feel this good with your coach and your general manager, but I do."

The Rockets will have the worst record in the NBA this season after eight straight playoff berths. Houston began a rebuilding phase by trading James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. 

The Rockets are encouraged by the development of Christian Wood, Kevin Porter Jr., Jae'Sean Tate and Kenyon Martin Jr.

"Silas has just shown a great ability to develop these guys, and he's had thrown at him something that's unprecedented: To have 29 guys play for a team - and play real minutes," Fertitta said, citing the NBA-record number of players to appear in games for the Rockets this season. "All these injuries happened this year. This will never happen again. It's hard to believe we were 11-10 and then all the injuries started.

"I think he's handled it unbelievably. It was hard on everybody."

Fertitta pledged to remain patient with their rebuild.

"I can tell you this: I'm going to be patient," Fertitta said. "I know my basketball guys know what they're doing. We're not going to go do something stupid to try to get into the playoffs next year that then will prevent us from competing for a championship in a couple years. I'm the lucky person that gets to be the steward of the team for the city of Houston and the millions of people that live here, and my goal is to compete for a championship as many years as possible.

"But as we know, when you compete for four or five years in a row, when you throw everything at it - which I was totally behind - this is what happens in any sport. We're going to be patient. I think we'll be much better next year and we'll be much better the following year and then we'll be much better the following year."