Paul Silas

Known for his rebounding, Silas played for two Boston Celtics championship teams, as well as the 1979 champion Seattle SuperSonics, and coached LeBron James ...

I enjoyed my time as a player with Coach Paul Silas in Charlotte. I have fond memories of Coach when I was growing up in Cleveland,” [Myck tweeted](https://twitter.com/MyckMiller/status/1601980536804605952). [saying](https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1602032678542479360) he “was a fierce competitor, with his tenacious rebounding and deft scoring ability around the hoop. The perfect example of numbers don’t do the guy justice. Paul’s lasting contributions to the game are seen through the many players and coaches he inspired, including his son, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. Realize it’s from years ago and immediately think the worst. 35 jersey has been retired by the school, and he was inducted to the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. Rest In Power Coach!” [Chris Miller added](https://twitter.com/cmillsnbcs/status/1601982257794793479), “My heart is heavy today just saw the news that a great man passed away. Silas was a college star at Creighton, setting an NCAA record in rebounding across three seasons and leading the nation at 20.6 rebounds per game in 1962-63. [praised Silas](https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1601992990808936448) for “making a huge contribution to the game of basketball.” Washington Wizards broadcaster Chris Miller and his son Myck tweeted tributes about their days in Cleveland. Silas also played for the Hawks in St. Known as “Tall Paul” to legendary Celtics broadcaster Johnny Most, he averaged 11.5 points and 12.3 rebounds for those Celtics teams.

“We mourn the passing of former NBA All-Star and head coach Paul Silas. Paul's lasting contributions to the game are seen through the many players and coaches ...

Stephen Silas is the current head coach of the Houston Rockets. My thoughts, and the thoughts of our entire organization, are with his wife, Carolyn; his children, Paula and Stephen; and the entire Silas family.” He combined the knowledge developed over nearly 40 years as an NBA player and coach with an innate understanding of how to mix discipline with his never-ending positivity. Paul’s lasting contributions to the game are seen through the many players and coaches he inspired, including his son, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. Silas was drafted by the St. “We mourn the passing of former NBA All-Star and head coach Paul Silas.

Former Phoenix Suns power forward Paul Silas has died, his family announced Sunday. He was 79.

“His illustrious career as a player and coach will be matched by few.” Silas won two titles with the Celtics — the first coming in his 10th season as a player — and claimed a third with the SuperSonics. He was a five-time All-Defensive team selection who averaged 9.4 points and 9.9 rebounds in 16 seasons with the St. “Paul Silas was a giant in basketball circles,” former NBA player Rex Chapman wrote Sunday on Twitter. He averaged 12.8 points and 13.8 rebounds in the 1976 Finals for Boston against the Suns. “I coached LeBron for two years, his first two years, and LeBron was unbelievable,” Paul Silas said. Paul Silas began his career as a head coach with a three-year stint leading the then-San Diego Clippers starting in 1980. He saw his father wait a long time for the job he wanted as well. “The Phoenix Suns are saddened by the passing of Paul Silas, a beloved basketball figure and former player and assistant coach with the team. It took Stephen Silas two decades to get a chance to be a head coach, that coming when Houston hired him in 2020. He made his first All-Star team with Phoenix in 1972, becoming just the fourth player in the franchise’s short history at the time to earn that honor and the first center. In addition, Silas made Second Team All-Defense for the 1970-71 season, the first Sun to ever make the team.

Paul Silas, the father of Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas, dies at 79, his family announced Sunday.

Paul Silas was a consummate team player and an integral member of the 1974 and 1976 NBA World Championship teams. Silas won two titles with the Celtics — the first coming in his 10th season as a player — and claimed a third with the SuperSonics. Was fortunate to spend a couple of seasons with Paul when he was an asst coach with the Suns. And he understood the game.” He saw his father wait a long time for the job he wanted as well. It took Stephen Silas two decades to get a chance to be a head coach, that coming when Houston hired him in 2020. Paul Silas began his career as a head coach with a three-year stint leading the then-San Diego Clippers starting in 1980. “We send our deepest condolences to the Silas family and everyone that loved him. Paul’s lasting contributions to the game are seen through the many players and coaches he inspired, including his son, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. “Paul’s lasting contributions to the game are seen through the many players and coaches he inspired, including his son, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. “He combined the knowledge developed over nearly 40 years as an NBA player and coach with an innate understanding of how to mix discipline with his never-ending positivity,” Charlotte Hornets chairman Michael Jordan said. Silas, whose son, Stephen Silas, is coach of the Houston Rockets, was 79.

Paul Silas, a three-time NBA champion as a player and a former head coach, has died at 79.

"I coached LeBron for two years, his first two years, and LeBron was unbelievable," Silas said. He was voted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. "We send our deepest condolences to the Silas family and everyone that loved him. He saw his father wait a long time for the job he wanted as well. It took Stephen Silas two decades to get a chance to be a head coach, that coming when Houston hired him in 2020. After spending more than a decade as an assistant, he returned to being a head coach and spent time with the Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Hornets, [Cleveland Cavaliers](/nba/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-cavaliers) and Charlotte Bobcats. He was one of the all-time great people in our game, and he will be missed." "We mourn the passing of former NBA All-Star and head coach Paul Silas," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. Silas -- who touched the game as a player, coach and president of the National Basketball Players Association -- has died, his family announced Sunday. It was not immediately clear how long Stephen Silas would be away from the team; the Rockets were planning to have John Lucas lead the team on an interim basis. Paul made a huge contribution to the game of basketball and will be sorely missed! RIP to Hall of Famer, 3X NBA Champion, and my guy Paul Silas.

Paul Silas, who played on three NBA championship teams and was LeBron James' first coach in the pros, has died, his family said Sunday. He was 79.

The 6-foot-7, 220-pounder also [blocked 138 shots](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/silaspa01.html). RIP to Hall of Famer, 3X NBA Champion, and my guy Paul Silas. He just took over the game and we did well.” Silas was a head coach for 12 seasons, starting with the San Diego Clippers for three years beginning in 1980. He didn’t say a word to me. And he understood the game. “I coached LeBron for two years, his first two years, and LeBron was unbelievable,” Paul Silas said. Silas was one of 15 players with 10,000 points and rebounds after he played his final NBA season in 1980. He also played three seasons with the Phoenix Suns, four with the Boston Celtics, one with the Denver Nuggets and his final three years with the Seattle SuperSonics. [Sports Illustrated](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/12/11/paul-silas-nba-champion-coach-dies-age-79). [11,782 points](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/silaspa01.html) and had [12,357 rebounds](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/silaspa01.html). Louis Hawks in the 1964 NBA Draft and spent five seasons with the franchise, including its first season in Atlanta in 1968-69.

Paul Silas, a member of three NBA championship teams as a player and LeBron James' first coach in the league, has died, his family announced Sunday.

“His illustrious career as a player and coach will be matched by few.” Silas won two titles with the Celtics — the first coming in his 10th season as a player — and claimed a third with the SuperSonics. He averaged 12.8 points and 13.8 rebounds in the 1976 Finals for Boston against the Suns. He was a five-time All-Defensive team selection who averaged 9.4 points and 9.9 rebounds in 16 seasons with the St. “I coached LeBron for two years, his first two years, and LeBron was unbelievable,” Paul Silas said. He saw his father wait a long time for the job he wanted as well. He just took over the game and we did well.” Silas began his career as a head coach with a three-year stint leading the then-San Diego Clippers starting in 1980. It took Stephen Silas two decades to get a chance to be a head coach, that coming when Houston hired him in 2020. “Paul’s lasting contributions to the game are seen through the many players and coaches he inspired, including his son, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. And he understood the game. The Boston Globe first reported Silas’ death, and no official cause was immediately announced.

Former Celtics great Paul Silas reportedly died on Sunday at the age of 79. He played four seasons in Boston and won two championships.

He was the San Diego Clippers’ head coach from 1980 to 1983 before later stops with the Charlotte Hornets (1999-2002), New Orleans Hornets (2002-03), Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-05) and Charlotte Bobcats (2010-12). Silas was instrumental in helping the Celtics win their first championships after Bill Russell retired. Louis and Atlanta Hawks, the Phoenix Suns, the Denver Nuggets and the Seattle SuperSonics.

An NBA legend as a player and coach, a three-time NBA champion and two-time All-Star, Paul Silas has died at the age of 79.

Was fortunate to spend a couple of seasons with Paul when he was an asst coach with the Suns. The first Suns center to be named an NBA All-Star and the first All-Defensive selection in franchise history, Paul still holds the Suns’ record for rebounds in a single season. The Phoenix Suns released this statement: “The Phoenix Suns are saddened by the passing of Paul Silas, a beloved basketball figure and former player and assistant coach with the team. He coached a dozen seasons in the NBA with the Clippers, Hornets, and Cavaliers, coaching players such as Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, and LeBron. My thoughts, and the thoughts of our entire organization, are with his wife, Carolyn; his children, Paula and Stephen; and the entire Silas family.” He went on to be an NBA coach for a dozen seasons, including being

NBA legend Paul Silas passed away on Sunday, and fellow icons have paid their respects to the former All-Star.

"To hear that news is very sad for myself and my teammates who played for Coach Silas throughout those years in Cleveland. Cookie and I send our prayers and condolences to the entire Silas family." "On or off the court, Paul's enthusiastic and engaging personality was accompanied by an anecdote for every occasion.

He started his NBA playing career in the 1964-65 season as a second-round draft pick by the St. Louis Hawks. He established himself as one of the league's ...

NBA teams, players, executives, and others share their thoughts on the death of the longtime coach and 3-time champion.

Paul Silas was a consummate team player and an integral member of the 1974 and 1976 NBA World Championship teams. Prayers and condolences to Stephen Silas and the rest of his family and friends. I enjoyed my time as a player with Coach Paul Silas in Charlotte. Paul’s lasting contributions to the game are seen through the many players and coaches he inspired, including his son, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. [December 11, 2022] 💜 Chairman Michael Jordan released the following statement.