Former NBA head coach and All-Star forward Paul Silas has died at the age of 79.
Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan confirmed his death on Sunday morning.
“I am very sad to report that the Great Paul Silas has died at age 79. To watch him play was a joy. To be his friend was an honor,” Ryan posted on Twitter. No cause of death was given.
I am very sad to report that the Great Paul Silas has died at age 79. To watch him play was a joy. To be his friend was an honor.
— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) December 11, 2022
Silas played 16 seasons in the NBA, which included two All-Star appearances and being named to the league’s All-Defensive Team five times. He played for five teams throughout his professional career, including the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Seattle Supersonics, Phoenix Suns, and Denver Nuggets.
Prior to the NBA, Silas was named a three-time All-American at Creighton. His number 35 was retired by the university. Silas was elected into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
Silas served as a head coach for the then-San Diego Clippers, as an assistant coach for the Knicks and Nets, and was the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Charlotte Bobcats.
Silas’ son, Stephen Silas, is the head coach of the Houston Rockets. He is not expected to coach in Sunday’s game, according to the Houston Chronicle. Assistant Coach Lohn Lucas will lead the team in his place.
Tributes have poured out on social media.
“RIP to Hall of Famer, 3X NBA Champion, and my guy Paul Silas. Paul made a huge contribution to the game of basketball and will be sorely missed! Cookie and I send our prayers and condolences to the entire Silas family,” Earvin “Magic” Johson tweeted on Sunday.
RIP to Hall of Famer, 3X NBA Champion, and my guy Paul Silas. Paul made a huge contribution to the game of basketball and will be sorely missed! Cookie and I send our prayers and condolences to the entire Silas family 🙏🏾❤️
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 11, 2022
“RIP Paul Silas – beloved Celtic, beloved teammate, class act, huge part of Cowens/Hondo era, 2-time champ (then a 3rd in Seattle), played 16 yrs back when nobody played that long,” podcaster Bill Simmons wrote.
“The Fertitta Family and the Rockets organization are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Silas, father of Rockets head coach Stephen Silas,” the Houston Rockets official Twitter account posted. “Our heartfelt thoughts are with Stephen and his family during this difficult time.”
Sports Illustrated noted that Silas regularly attended Hornets games in the years following his retirement and was a mentor to NBA great Michael Jordan.
Silas is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and three children, Donna, Paula, and Stephen.