Paul Silas, a three-time NBA champion and longtime head coach, has passed away at the age of 79, Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe reported Sunday morning.
Silas starred at Creighton, leading the NCAA in rebounding in 1963 and would later have his No. 36 retired by the Bluejays.
He played 16 seasons in the NBA that included stints with the St. Louis and Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and Seattle Supersonics. He put together a respectable career that included two All-Star and five All-Defensive team honors and won two of his championships with the Celtics and another with Seattle.
Following his playing career, Silas became a head coach shortly after retirement with the San Diego Clippers and spent 23 seasons in coaching, including 12 as a head coach.
After three years with the Clippers, Silas worked an assistant with the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks. He later returned to Phoenix as an assistant coach for two seasons before he landed in Charlotte where he continued to work as an assistant before he was named head coach in the 1998-99 season.
Silas spent seven seasons with the Hornets franchise, coaching in Charlotte and New Orleans and led the team to four playoff appearances.
After his stint with the Hornets he was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers and was head coach for the first two seasons of LeBron James’ career.
Following a six-year hiatus from coaching, Silas returned to Charlotte to coach the Bobcats for two seasons — including his last season as a head coach in in 2011-12.
Silas’ son, Stephen, is the current head coach of the Houston Rockets. Assistant John Lucas will coach Houston’s game on Sunday against the Bucis.
News of Silas’ death resonated on social media.
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