Former NBA Player and Head Coach, Paul Silas Passes Away at 79
The NBA world is mourning after learning that former NBA All-Star and longtime head coach Paul Silas has recently passed away at the of age 79.
According to an announcement by the Houston Rockets, Silas, who was the father of the current head coach, Stephen died over the weekend. The New York Times reported that his daughter, Paula Silas-Guy revealed that he died of cardiac arrest on Saturday night.
“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.”
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
The NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, also released a statement pertaining to the former head coach’s death.
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 he inspired, including his son, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. We send our deepest condolences to Paul’s family. -Adam
— NBA (@NBA) December 11, 2022
Silas was the first coach future Hall of Famer, LeBron James played for when he entered the National Basketball Association in his rookie year.
According to CNN, Silas played in the NBA for 16 seasons and won three NBA championships. He was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks (Now the Atlanta Hawks) at number 10 in the 1964 NBA Draft. He was a graduate of Creighton University.
The former NBA coach won two championships when he played with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and 1976. Three years later, he obtained the third one with the Seattle Supersonics (Now the Oklahoma City Thunder) in 1979. He was a two-time All-Star and was an All-Defensive player five times during his playing career.
He became a head coach in 1980 when he took over the reins of the San Diego Clippers (Now the Los Angeles Clippers) for three years. He also coached the Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Hornets.
His record as an NBA head coach was 387-488 record.
He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
Silas leaves behind his two children, Stephen and Paula.
