Longtime NBA player and coach Paul Silas has died, tweets Bob Ryan of The Boston Globe.
Silas, 79, was a rugged rebounder and defender during his 16 NBA seasons. He was a two-time All-Star, a five-time All-Defensive selection and was part of three title-winning teams: the Celtics in 1974 and 1976 and the SuperSonics in 1979.
After leading the NCAA in rebounding at Creighton, Silas was a second-round pick by the St. Louis Hawks in 1964. He was traded to the Suns in 1969 and the Celtics in 1972 before finishing his career with the Nuggets and Sonics. Silas appeared in 1,254 career games, averaging 9.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per night.
He moved into coaching after his playing career ended, starting as head coach of the San Diego Clippers from 1980-83 and later serving in the same role with the Hornets, Cavaliers and Bobcats before his coaching career ended in 2012. Silas is the father of Rockets head coach Stephen Silas.
We at Hoops Rumors send our condolences to Silas’ family and friends.
Thanks for the memories
RIP
I am sorry to hear about the passing of Paul Silas, he was a great defensive player back in the 70s and helped propel the Sonics to their only World Championship. RIP
Silas is the best coach the Charlotte Hornets ever had. He groomed young Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, and let Dell Curry fire away from downtown ushering in the dawn of the 3-ball era.
A legend…
He was good but those players were all gone by the time he was coach.
He was an assistant before he was head coach, and yeah Johnson & Mourning were eventually traded, but he was there with them. Also with the team as an advisor before being named an assistant coach in 1997. Charlotte wasn’t many years removed from Expansion then, and he was long gone from the San Diego Clippers. Many thought he was moving into management when he went back into coaching in Charlotte.
He was an assistant in Phx from 1995-1997 and NJ and NY before that. He started as an assistant with CHA in 1997. Don’t see anything of him being an advisor but even so LJ and Mourning were both gone by then He had one year with Curry as an Assistant coach and that’s it.
You’re right, I got him confused with John Thompson for some reason
LeBrons first NBA coach. RIP
Silas had a nice career. A basketball career.
He played 14yrs in the playoffs . Well done mate. RIP …..
Wow. Silas is a legend. His playing and coaching speaks for itself, but he also played a huge role in working for player’s rights, being president of the Player’s Association in the 70s.
Here’s an excellent profile of Silas from a few years back. Worth the read if you have the time and love NBA history:
link to grantland.com
I remember him as the head coach of the 2000s Charlotte Hornets, a talented Team with Monster Mash, Baron Davis, David Wesley, PJ Brown, Elden Campbell, highlight reel Eddie Robinson. I was 9-10 years old. Starting to play basketball with More continuity. Great memories.
I remember a playoff game or series in which the whole Charlotte Hornets played with headbands as a sign of Team unity, if my memory doesn’t fail it was during Silas’ tenure and they won.
Thanks. He inspired respect. Carved a great path in basketball it seems, by looking at his very long career and his son following his steps. RIP and thanks for the memories from a basketball player and NBA fan since childhood, from Argentina.