The NBA world is today mourning the loss of longtime coach Paul Silas, who passed away aged 79.
Silas, who won three championships as a player with the Boston Celtics (1974,1976, and 1979), coached a number of teams between 1980 and 2012, one of those being the Cleveland Cavaliers during LeBron James' first seasons in the NBA (2003-2005).
MORE: NBA world mourns death of Paul Silas
As his first coach in NBA, Silas and LeBron share a special bond, with the Los Angeles Lakers star paying tribute to the veteran head coach following their 124-117 win over the Pistons.
“Probably one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever been around,” LeBron said in his on court postgame interview.
“The start of my journey in this league started with him. His command, his principles, his attention to detail, but his love for family. I feel for his whole family, his beautiful wife, obviously, [Houston Rockets head coach] Stephen Silas down in Houston.
“Every time I would go back to Charlotte he would always come to the games and I would always try to look for him in the crowd. To hear that news is very sad.”
"We started off the trip so well then we had injuries and illnesses, and it kind of threw our rhythm off... but we were able to finish the trip off .500." @KingJames with @LakersReporter on tonight's win. pic.twitter.com/HdQhn2R4qe
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 12, 2022
After being selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 1964 NBA Draft by the St. Louis Hawks, Silas went on to play 16 years in the NBA, with five different teams, earning five All-Defensive Team selections and two All-Star appearances to go with his three rings in Boston.
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
Following his retirement, he began his coaching career in 1980 with the San Diego Clippers, before becoming an assistant with the Nets, Knicks, Suns and Hornets. He then coached LeBron for two seasons in Cleveland, with his last head coaching position with the Charlotte Bobcats between 2010-12.
