Longtime NBA veteran and head coach Paul Silas has died at the age of 79.
On Sunday, December 11, the Rockets organization confirmed early reports of Silas’ death, sharing a statement expressing condolences to the Silas family. Rockets head coach Stephen Silas is the son of Paul Silas and began coaching as an assistant under his father.
The Fertitta family and the Rockets organization are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Silas, father of Rockets head coach Stephen Silas.
Our deepest thoughts are with Stephen and his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/EOMSjv23t5
—Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 11, 2022
Silas was drafted 12th overall by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1964 NBA Draft and enjoyed a 16-year NBA career with five teams. A 6-foot-7 forward, Silas earned five All-Defensive Team selections, made two All-Star appearances, and won three NBA titles during his time with the Celtics.
After retiring in 1980, Silas began his coaching career as the head coach of the San Diego Clippers, a title he held for three seasons. He returned to assistant coaching with the Nets in 1988 and held various assistant positions before taking over as the 16-game head coach of the Charlotte Hornets in the lockout-shortened 1999-2000 season.
Silas led the Hornets franchise to the postseason in each of the three full seasons he was at the helm, leading Charlotte to the second round in the 2001 and 2002 NBA playoffs before the franchise moved to New Orleans prior to the 2002-03 season, making effectively Silas the first head coach in New Orleans franchise history.
After the New Orleans Hornets were eliminated in the first round of the 2003 NBA playoffs, he was let go by the franchise and later hired by the Cavaliers, owners of the #1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. In addition to being the first head coach in franchise history Of New Orleans, Silas is also LeBron James’ first head coach, a title he held before he was fired at the end of the 2004-2005 season.
The final leg of Silas’ coaching career came back to Charlotte, where he led the then-Bobcats for one and a half seasons before taking on a consulting role with the franchise.
A number of past and present NBA players, writers and teams have taken to social media to pay tribute to Silas, a legendary player, coach and person.
It’s so sad to hear of the passing of the legendary Paul Silas. A giant man on and off the pitch, always generous and honest with his time. My condolences to Stefano and his family. RIP.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) December 11, 2022
Prayers for his family! ???????? https://t.co/sakX2VXIgu
— ???? Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) December 11, 2022
My prayers go out to the Silas family. I enjoyed playing with coach Paul Silas in Charlotte. A strong and honest voice of reason for me. Thanks Coach! Rest in Heaven ????????
— Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) December 11, 2022
We will really miss him.. ???? https://t.co/KOF8HattDi
— Drew Gooden (@DrewGooden) December 11, 2022
My first NBA coach. He made me the nba player i became, he told the honest truth about all things basketball, raw and uncut, we still had multiple conversations to this day, and i wondered why i haven’t heard him lately, this it saddens me, great man ???? pic.twitter.com/9SVpsm8twE
—Eddie Robinson (@erob3232) December 11, 2022
Paul Silas was to be appreciated and admired for features that went far beyond a basketball court
— John DeShazier (@JohnDeShazier) December 11, 2022
