Paul Silas
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| Power forward / Small forward | |
| Born | July 12, 1943 Prescott, Arizona |
|---|---|
| Nationality | USA |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| College | Creighton University |
| Draft | 2nd round, 3rd pick, 10th overall, 1964 St. Louis Hawks |
| Pro career | 1964–1980 |
| Former teams | St. Louis Hawks (1964–1968) Atlanta Hawks (1968–1969) Phoenix Suns (1970–1974) Boston Celtics (1974–1976) Seattle SuperSonics (1977–1980) |
| Awards | NBA Champions: Boston Celtics (1974,1976) Seattle SuperSonics (1979) |
Paul Theron Silas (born July 12, 1943, in Prescott, Arizona) is an American former professional basketball player and coach currently living in Lake Norman, North Carolina. He attended Creighton University, where he set an NCAA record for the most rebounds in three seasons and averaged 20.6 rebounds per game in 1963. In the NBA, Silas collected more than 10,000 points and 10,000 rebounds during his distinguished 16 year career, played in two All-Star games, and won three championship rings (two with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and 1976, and one with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979). He was named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team twice, and to the All-NBA Defensive Second Team three times.
He was head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers until March 21, 2005. Prior to his job with the Cavaliers, he coached the San Diego Clippers and Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets. He currently works for ESPN, although in April 2007 he interviewed for the vacant head coaching position with the Charlotte Bobcats which was eventually filled by Sam Vincent. Upon the firing of Sam Vincent in April 2008 he stated that coaching the Bobcats would be a "dream job."[1]
[edit] Controversy
Silas got into an argument on December 18, 2004 with a reporter who wanted Silas to explain further why he had benched Eric Snow for disrespecting him. He repeatedly said, "I don't want to talk about it." Silas even went as far as to say he didn't even want to hear Snow's name. After reporters continued to ask him about the incident he sarcastically asked "Jesus, Am I speaking Chinese?"[citation needed] He was fired at the end of the 2004-05 season, four months later. Silas was also criticized for infamously calling Carlos Boozer a "cunt" in an interview, after Boozer had left the Cavaliers for the Utah Jazz.[2]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Oscar Robertson |
NBA Players Association President 1974-1980 |
Succeeded by Bob Lanier |
| Preceded by Gene Shue |
San Diego Clippers Head Coach 1980–1983 |
Succeeded by Jim Lynam |
| Preceded by Dave Cowens |
Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets Head Coach 1999–2003 |
Succeeded by Tim Floyd |
| Preceded by Keith Smart |
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach 2003–2005 |
Succeeded by Brendan Malone |
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