Paul Silas
Two-time NBA All-Star and three-time champion who later coached LeBron James.
via Wikipedia: Paul Silas · see source
Paul Theron Silas (July 12, 1943 – December 10, 2022) was an American professional basketball player and head coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a player, he was a two-time NBA All-Star and earned five selections to the NBA All-Defensive Team, including twice on the first team. He won three NBA championships: two with the Boston Celtics and one with the Seattle SuperSonics.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 12 July 1943
- Birthplace
- Prescott, Arkansas, U.S.
- Died
- 10 December 2022
- Place of death
- Denver, North Carolina, U.S.
- High school
- McClymonds (Oakland, California)
- College
- Creighton (1961–1964)
- Draft round
- 2
- Draft pick
- 10
Lore & Background
Silas was born in Prescott, Arkansas, and moved to Oakland, California, at age eight. He attended McClymonds High School, where he was named California Mr. Basketball and a second-team Parade All-American. He played college basketball for Creighton University, setting an NCAA record for most rebounds in a three-year career and leading Division I in rebounding in 1962–63 with 20.6 per game. He was a second-team All-American in 1964. Silas was selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the second round of the 1964 NBA draft. He played for the Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and Seattle SuperSonics, winning NBA titles with the Celtics (1974, 1976) and SuperSonics (1979). After playing, he coached the San Diego Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Charlotte Bobcats.
Reader's Guide
Silas did play for the Denver Nuggets for one season (1976–77) before being traded to Seattle, so the claim that he never played for the Nuggets is false according to the source.
Did You Know?
- Silas was a key contributor to the Celtics' 1974 and 1976 championships, with his inside play freeing up undersized center Dave Cowens.
- He was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1975 and 1976, and the Second Team in 1971, 1972, and 1973.
- Silas coached LeBron James as his first head coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2003 to 2005.
- He died of cardiac arrest on December 10, 2022, at home in Denver, North Carolina.
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