Salute to another Boston Celtics great: Remembering Paul Silas in green

It may have only been four short seasons in green, but during that time, Paul Silas made his mark in the city of Boston both on and off the court. After a career season with the Phoenix Suns during the 1971/72 campaign, Silas was dealt to a Boston Celtics team that possessed a plethora of talent that was just three wins away from the NBA Finals.

Since then the rest was history, Silas was an essential piece to two of the three championships during the 70s, playing 82 games twice during his tenure with the Cs. This past Saturday in Denver, Colorado, Silas sadly passed away at the age of 79 due to cardiac arrest.

The Celtics mourned the death of yet another Boston great on social media, stating:

"“Paul Silas was a consummate team player and an integral member of the 1974 and 1976 NBA World Championship teams. Silas was a fierce competitor, with his tenacious rebounding and deft scoring ability around the hoop.”"

The statement continued:

"“An intense and driven player on the court, the personable and gracious Silas was an ambassador for the sport of basketball and a gentleman off the court. The Boston Celtics mourn his passing and extend our sympathies to his family and loved ones.”"

Boston Celtics legend Paul Silas made a great impact after retirement

From his tenacity on the glass alongside Dave Cowens to being a commendable human being off the court, Paul Silas may not be a player that many fans remember when they think of the championships of old. He no doubt had a monumental impact not only during his short stint in New England but on the game of basketball as a whole. The North Carolina native may be known by many for his mentorship of LeBron James in the beginning stages of his career, but Silas’ impact in Boston should not be understated. He sadly joins a long list of former Celtics including Bill Russell, Tommy Heinshson, and Sam Jones to have unfortunately passed away over the last few years.

Coming out of Creighton in the 1964 draft, Silas was known as a “bruiser”, fighting on the inside, and using his six-foot-seven frame to set an NCAA rebounding record for most boards through three seasons. He struggled during his first few seasons as a professional with the Hawks, but when he moved to the desert, Silas took his game up a notch. In a deal that featured the right to former Virginia Squires, and ABA star, Charlie Scott, Boston landed Silas from Phoenix to pair with Cowens on the inside. The 2017 College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee had four of his eight double-digit rebounding seasons as a professional in Boston.

Silas was a key contributor in both the 70s championships, especially in 1976 when he played over 40 minutes per game during the postseason. He was not a player that loved to take mid-range jump shots, but when the opposition gave it to him, Silas was always ready to punish them. His multitude of creative finishes around the basket, including his hook shot, made him a frustrating player to guard. He and Cowens were a two-man wrecking crew on the inside, averaging over 9.6 boards per game in both Finals appearances during Silas’ tenure.

One of the most mind-boggling statistics is that Silas averaged over four offensive rebounds in three seasons with the Boston Celtics. His ability to create second-chance opportunities in the halfcourt was unprecedented. Jo Jo White and John Havlicek could always count on Silas to clean up their misses more often than not. The 1960 Mr. Basketball in the state of California was All-NBA Defensive Team twice during his time under Heinsohn, and an All-Star in 1975.

It was evident during his stint in the city of Boston that the spotlight was never too big for him. From when he played a critical role on the glass in Game 5 of the 1974 NBA Finals against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to snatching his playoff career-high of 25 rebounds including eight on the offensive end against the Bullets in the 1975 Eastern Conference Finals, Silas was always up for the challenge.

In his final two seasons in green, the Boston Celtics finished top-three in defensive rating in the entire NBA. It may have not been Red Auerbach’s finest moment when he decided to trade Silas to Denver following the 1976 title, but his time in green will always be looked upon fondly. He wasn’t the caliber of player Havlicek or White was during that era, but without Silas’ persistence inside the paint, who knows if the Celtics would have walked away with even one title in those four years?

At the age of 79, Silas leaves behind a legacy of leadership combined with an endless passion for the game that was truly infectious. His time in green may have been short, but it was no doubt fruitful. Condolences go out to his family, and friends during this time of mourning. Rest in peace, Mr. Silas.