Paul Silas, three-time NBA champion and longtime coach, dies at 79
Legendary NBA player and former coach Paul Silas has died at the age of 79, the Houston Rockets confirmed. Silas spent 16 years as an NBA player, winning three championships, two with the Boston Celtics and one with the Seattle SuperSonics. He was a two -time All-Star and a five -time All-Defensive player during his playing career which spanned five teams over nearly two decades. After retiring in 1980, Silas remained in the NBA world, immediately becoming a head coach for the San Diego Clippers. He then spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets. He went on to become the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets in 1998, where he led the team to four playoff appearances, including two trips to the Eastern Conference finals. Silas' next head coaching job would be for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2003-2005, where he was the first NBA coach of LeBron James. ...