Paul Silas, a three-time NBA champion as a player and first coach to superstar LeBron James in the professional basketball league, has died at the age of 79. Silas was a champion twice with the Boston Celtics and once with the Seattle SuperSonics in the ’70s.
Magic Johnson paid tribute to the Hall of Famer on Twitter. “Paul made a great contribution to basketball and we will miss him dearly,” wrote the NBA legend.
After his active career, Silas worked as a coach for more than 30 years, from 2003 to 2005 he worked as a head coach for James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. Silas was the first coach of the 2002-founded New Orleans Hornets (now the New Orleans Pelicans), and the former forward was on the sidelines for the San Diego Clippers (now the LA Clippers), Charlotte Hornets and Charlotte Bobcats.
Silas’ son Stephen is currently the coach of the Houston Rockets. “Our thoughts are with Stephen and his family at this difficult time,” the Texans tweeted.