Three-time NBA champion Boston Celtics alumnus Paul Silas has passed away at age 79 per the Boston Globe’s Bob Ryan, sending shockwaves through the wider Celtics alumni and NBA communities.
The Creighton standout played for Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, and Seattle SuperSonics organizations over the course of his career as a player beyond Boston, and the Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and several other ball clubs as a head or assistant coach over a three-decade career on the other side of the clipboard. Silas’ careers as a player and a coach touched the lives of many around the NBA community, many of whom took to social media to share memories of the Arkansas native’s life.
Let’s take a look at what they had to say about the Celtics champion forward.
Former Boston Celtics champion forward Paul Silas passes away at age 79 https://t.co/0TTdDD3gIa
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 11, 2022
–oOo–
I am very sad to report that the Great Paul Silas has died at age 79. To watch him play was a joy. To be his friend was an honor.
— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) December 11, 2022
Rest easy, Paul Silas. https://t.co/1VJM4MHRG8
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) December 11, 2022
RIP to Paul Silas. What a freakin legend.
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) December 11, 2022
One of my favorite items. Last saw Paul Silas @millcreeksports with the rest of his ‘79 teammates. Had the same smile then that he had when they won the title. Rest in peace big fella pic.twitter.com/td6DhEreJF
— Dave “Softy” Mahler (@Softykjr) December 11, 2022
Paul Silas was a champion as a player and human being. Kind, gentle, wonderful. My mentor when I was a ballboy for the Rockets/Nuggets. When he coached the San Diego Clippers he hired me as a scout.LovedPaul and will always be grateful. May God rest his soul and bless his family
— Jim Gray (@JimGrayOfficial) December 11, 2022
Quick Paul Silas story.
Former NOLA owner George Shinn fired him on a Sunday, April 2003.
I was 9 months into my job at WDSU. I went to Silas’ home in English Turn and knocked on his door – pretty scared he’d be upset.
He invited us in and graciously did a 15-minute interview. pic.twitter.com/37d9U3wFFH— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) December 11, 2022
Give coach Silas my condolences his dad was a awesome men and a good coach much respect to Paul Silas and love for the family @HoustonRockets
— Ron Harper (@HARPER04_5) December 11, 2022
Paul Silas was of my favorite people, inside basketball and out. Got to know him during his time as a @suns assistant (back when the team actually allowed assistants to talk to reporters) and knew when guys like Tom Chambers and Charles Barkley loved him, he was a special guy. https://t.co/A2rKfLHXwc
— Bob Young (@BobYoungTHI) December 11, 2022
🙏🏾🏀 I’m sad to hear about the loss of Coach Paul Silas.
A 3-time NBA Champion as a player & a solid coach later in life, I’m thankful for his legacy & his ability to connect with young people. 🏀
Thank you for your contribution to the game of basketball & your impact. pic.twitter.com/H7yJ10Oe30
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) December 11, 2022
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Creighton legend, Paul Silas. His illustrious career as a player and coach, will be matched by few. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/YYNwkYTQmU
— Coach McDermott (@cucoachmac) December 11, 2022
So sad to hear of the passing of the legendary Paul Silas. A giant of a man on and off the court, who was always generous and honest with his time. My condolences to Stephen and his family. RIP.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) December 11, 2022
Did you know Paul Silas and Bill Russell went to the same high school? pic.twitter.com/XoLaY07Vf6
— Honest☘️Larry (@HonestLarry1) December 11, 2022
RIP Paul Silas – beloved Celtic, beloved teammate, class act, huge part of Cowens/Hondo era, 2-time champ (then a 3rd in Seattle), played 16 yrs back when nobody played that long. My dad loved Silas + still complains that we didn’t pay him in 1976. A rare Auerbach blunder.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) December 11, 2022
So sad to hear about Paul Silas, who was as rugged a rebounder as the NBA ever saw, and a basketball lifer, in all the best ways. Won three championships and played, and later coached, with great passion and toughness. Condolences to his son Stephen and all his family. pic.twitter.com/OSvftBXCRN
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) December 11, 2022
One of my favorite Paul Silas stories is the time he coached and played Master P during a Hornets scrimmage in 1999. Truly a basketball lifer and someone who will be sorely missed 🙏 https://t.co/I1XQMZfdkj pic.twitter.com/X5e155LJmM
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) December 11, 2022
I am saddened upon learning of the passing of Paul Silas . A great, great man whom I had the pleasure of knowing over 45 years. Paul was an outstanding player/ coach but even a finer person. My heartfelt condolences and prayers to his son Stephen and the entire Silas family. pic.twitter.com/GreF08c5Ia
— chuck swirsky (@ctsbulls) December 11, 2022
Paul Silas was one of my all-time favorites – such a great guy, and a key figure in Charlotte/NBA basketball hoops, too. https://t.co/BnVibN7VnC
— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) December 11, 2022
My condolences go out to Coach Silas and his family. Paul Silas was a very good player and coach..RIP 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🏀 @HoustonRockets
— mario elie (@marioelie1) December 11, 2022
In the early 1980s, Paul Silas hired my uncle Pete as an assistant coach for the San Diego Clippers, his first full-time job in the NBA. It opened the doors for my family, and we owe Coach Silas a lot. He was a great man and family friend. I'm sad to learn of his passing. RIP. pic.twitter.com/8l7ydlzcwE
— Matt Babcock (@MattBabcock11) December 11, 2022
My heart is heavy today just saw the news that a great man passed away. Paul Silas taught me so much about the game of basketball during my time in Cleveland. And as my son stated he was amazing to my family. God just landed a hell of a rebounder and more importantly a GREAT man. https://t.co/hwH0g8x6Fm
— Chris Miller 🎥🎙🏀 (@cmillsnbcs) December 11, 2022
Sad to hear about Paul Silas,he was good friend, and one of best people i have had the gift to know, my family sends its condolences to Pauls family
— Austin Carr (@MrCavalier34) December 11, 2022
The Fertitta Family and the Rockets organization are deeply saddened by the passing of Paul Silas, father of Rockets head coach Stephen Silas.
Our heartfelt thoughts are with Stephen and his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/EOMSjv23t5
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 11, 2022
Condolences 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/GgFt164bU0
— Ryan Hollins (@TheRyanHollins) December 11, 2022
I get in the car, turn on @SiriusXMNBA and hear an interview with Paul Silas, and think this is great. Realize it’s from years ago and immediately think the worst. See @wojespn tweet announcing his passing and realize I was unbelievably lucky to watch him Coach + shake his hand.
— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) December 11, 2022
Hall of Famer @CalvinMurphyHOF on the late Paul Silas, Stephen’s father, who passed away at the age of 79: “We both know about him as a player.Let me comment on the man he was.I knew him very well. I had the good fortune of traveling around the world with him a couple of times..” pic.twitter.com/FqLGI1gIpj
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) December 11, 2022
We are sorry to learn of the passing of all-time Creighton great Paul Silas.https://t.co/wQKXPU1zp0 pic.twitter.com/YPJhS2PJdv
— Creighton Men’s Basketball (@BluejayMBB) December 11, 2022
LeBron's first coach in Cleveland, one of the great rebounders of his day at just 6-7 and a towering NBA figure. Paul Silas will be missed so much … sending love and warmest wishes to Rockets coach Stephen Silas and their whole family. https://t.co/U5LSsEQjzc
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 11, 2022
What a beautiful and graceful life in basketball for Paul Silas. Great player, great coach and great ambassador for the game. He was a volunteer assistant coach for a HS rec league team of mine about 7 years ago, and nothing made him happier than a good boxout. Rest in peace
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) December 11, 2022
Rest in peace coach…. https://t.co/h19XzUeNoe
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) December 11, 2022
Our first cousin Paul Silas has passed. The POINTERS & The SILAS’ lived & grew up together in our house in Oakland CA. We were SO PROUD of him when he joined the “NBA”. We stayed in touch. He will be missed. SO MANY MEMORIES.❤️https://t.co/6cBI4Y5GJY
— The Pointer Sisters (@PointerOfficial) December 11, 2022
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