Paul Silas, formerly of the Phoenix Suns, passes away
Paul Silas learned how to be patient from basketball.
He had to wait ten years to earn his first championship as a player. He had to wait fifteen years as a coach to have another opportunity to manage a squad. He was a parent who had to wait 20 years to watch his son take the helm of a franchise.
In 2013, Silas stated, “I always tried to stay positive, and I think it usually worked out.”
As a player, coach, and president of the National Basketball Players Association, Silas had tremendous impact on the game. His family made the announcement on Sunday. Silas was 79 years old. His son, Stephen Silas, is the Houston Rockets’ coach.
Michael Jordan, the chairman of the Charlotte Hornets, remarked, “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 lively and captivating demeanor, whether on or off the court, was complemented with a story for every situation. He will be missed since he was one of the greatest players of all time in our game.”
The New York Times was informed by Paula Silas-Guy, Silas’ daughter, that her father passed away on Saturday night from cardiac arrest. First to report on Silas’s passing was The Boston Globe.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remarked, “We mourn the passing of former NBA All-Star and head coach Paul Silas.” The several players and coaches Paul influenced, including his son, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas, demonstrate his enduring contributions to the game. We extend our sincere sympathies to Paul’s family.”
The tributes came in swift succession. In New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York, Houston, and other cities, there were pregame minutes of silence. Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns and Steve Clifford of Charlotte were two coaches who talked extensively about the impact Silas had on their careers.
“My family regards him as a deity. He’s enormous,” Clifford said.
Paul Silas led the San Diego Clippers for three years beginning in 1980 to launch his coaching career. He went back to become a head coach after serving as an assistant for almost ten years, coaching the Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Charlotte Bobcats.
Having won precisely 400 games (387 during the regular season and 13 more during the postseason), he led four of those teams to the postseason.
After the Los Angeles Lakers and he defeated Detroit on Sunday night, LeBron James said on Spectrum SportsNet, “Probably one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever been around.” “It was because of him that I began my journey in this league.” His leadership, his values, his meticulousness,
On Sunday night, the Rockets hosted Milwaukee and prevailed 97-92. The Rockets are having assistant coach John Lucas manage the team in the meantime as the Silas family grieves, although it was not immediately apparent how long Stephen Silas will be absent from the club.
In a statement provided by the organization, the Cavaliers stated of Paul Silas, “His engaging presence and huge personality inspired legions of NBA players and coaches.” “We extend our sincere sympathies to the family and all those who were close to Silas. Coach, rest in power!”
When his father was coaching in Charlotte, Stephen Silas first entered the NBA as an advance scout and later joined his father’s coaching team with the Hornets in 2000 as an assistant. It required Stephen Silas
Stephen Silas remarked, “My dad, obviously, he was my No. 1 mentor, someone I could lean on, ask questions, and he asked questions of me,” in a 2021 Rockets documentary on his coaching career. Given my youth and lack of expertise, I found it strange that he truly appreciated my views.
Before Stephen Silas was given his big break, he endured for a very long period. He also seen his father endure a protracted job search. After being sacked by the San Diego Clippers in 1983, Paul Silas would not have another chance to lead the team as head coach until 1999. This opportunity came after Dave Cowens, Paul Silas’ assistant, resigned in Charlotte following a 4-11 season.
“I maintained my optimism. During a 2013 lecture to the Charlotte Rotary Club, Paul Silas stated, “I had a positive attitude.” “No, I won’t be negative, even though I didn’t get the job,” I said. I will have an optimistic attitude.
In Cleveland, Silas would eventually seize control. In 2003, the year the Cavaliers selected James, he arrived.
Paul Silas remarked, “I coached LeBron for two years, his first two years, and LeBron was unbelievable.” “At the age of eighteen, he was aware of Bill Russell and many other players who had passed through that most players his age were unaware of.” He also knew how the game worked.”
