Paul Silas, 3-Time NBA Champion, Longtime Coach, Dies at 79
Former NBA star, College Basketball Hall of Famer and longtime NBA coach Paul Silas has died at the age of 79.
As reported by Bleacher Report, a cause of death has not been released publicly at the time of writing this.
Tributes poured in from NBA and college basketball Twitter following news of his death.
Silas spent his college career at Creighton (1961-64), averaging 20.5 points per game in his three seasons. He was a second-round pick of the St. Louis Hawks in the 1964 NBA draft.
He spent 16 seasons in the NBA with the Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and Seattle Supersonics, averaging 9.4 points and 9.9 rebounds for his career. He was a three-time champion, a two-time All-Star and a five-time All-Defensive selection (twice on the first team, three times on the second team).
“He wasn’t a great shooter, but he was such a solid player,” former Celtics player, head coach and broadcaster Tommy Heinsohn told Grantland in 2014 regarding Silas. “He could pass and rebound and defend. In an up-tempo game, he could score as well as anybody. What he did in his career is really max out what he was.”
After his playing career Silas transitioned to coaching, going 387-488 in stints with the San Diego Clippers (1980-81 to 1982-83) and Charlotte Hornets (1998-99 to 2001-02; 2010-11 to 2011-12), New Orleans Hornets (2002-03) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-04 to 2004-05), where he coached LeBron James.
“He was a lot better coach than his record, that’s for sure,” longtime NBA head coach Don Nelson told Grantland of Silas in 2014. “There’s only one guy that wins it every year. There’s 29 other guys that are going to end up in a lesser position. His teams always played hard and competed. He was tough, but respected.”
Coaching runs in the family—his son, Stephen Silas, is the current head coach of the Houston Rockets.
The Fertitta Family and the Rockets organization are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Silas, father of Rockets head coach Stephen Silas.
Our heartfelt thoughts are with Stephen and his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/EOMSjv23t5
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 11, 2022
Michael Jordan on the passing of Paul Silas pic.twitter.com/gBwD1QZ2tL
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 11, 2022
RIP to Hall of Famer, 3X NBA Champion, and my guy Paul Silas. Paul made a huge contribution to the game of basketball and will be sorely missed! Cookie and I send our prayers and condolences to the entire Silas family 🙏🏾❤️
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 11, 2022
So sad to hear about Paul Silas, who was as rugged a rebounder as the NBA ever saw, and a basketball lifer, in all the best ways. Won three championships and played, and later coached, with great passion and toughness. Condolences to his son Stephen and all his family. pic.twitter.com/OSvftBXCRN
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) December 11, 2022
