The NBA lost another champion and hero over the weekend, and the Cleveland Cavaliers remembered him fondly.
Paul Silas, who won three championships and went on to coach for over a decade, died on Sunday at 79.
The Houston Rockets were the team to break the sad news, as Paul’s son Stephen is the current coach of the Rockets right now.
The Cavaliers immediately sent out a heartfelt message to celebrate the man, who served as head coach of the team from 2003-2005.
Their statement said, “His engaging presence and huge personality inspired legions of NBA players and coaches. We send our deepest condolences to the Silas family and everyone that loved him.”
Silas and his terrific abilities and wonderful personality will certainly be missed.
Coached By Silas
Silas was selected by the then-St. Louis Hawks in the 1964 NBA draft and then quickly became a defensive powerhouse known throughout the league.
For over 16 seasons, Silas was one of the most dominant big men in the league and he averaged 13.4 points and 11.7 rebounds a game and averaged a double-double for more than a full season.
He bounced around the league throughout his career, playing with the Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and Denver Nuggets as well.
Silas made the All-Deffensive team five times and won three NBA championships, as well as being named an All-Star twice.
After retiring from playing, Silas then became a coach in the league, first leading the San Diego Clippers.
He would eventually gain the distinction of being LeBron James‘ first coach with the Cavaliers.
Upon his passing, Michael Jordan called Silas an “incredible leader and motivator” and said that he was “one of the all-time great people in our game.”
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