Paul Silas, a former NBA All-Star and head coach, has passed away, the NBA announced. He was 79 years old. The New York Times reported that Silas died on Dec. 10 at his home in Denver, N.C., a Charlotte suburb. Silas’ daughter, Paula Silas-Guy, said he died of cardiac arrest. During his 16 NBA seasons, Silas won two championships with the Boston Celtics, in 1974 and 1976, and one championship with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979, according to Sports Illustrated. He is also remembered as LeBron James’ first NBA coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2003 – 2004 season. James told Spectrum SportsNet, “Probably one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever been around.”
