Rockets react to passing of head coach's father: 'Our heartfelt thoughts are with Stephen and his family during this difficult time'

Paul Silas, the father of Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas, died at the age of 79 on Saturday. 

The elder Silas was best known as the head coach of the San Diego Clippers, Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Charlotte Bobcats with 32 years of experience pacing the sidelines. 

The Rockets said on its social media platforms that the Fertitta family and the franchise “are deeply saddened” by Silas’ passing. 

“Our heartfelt thoughts are with Stephen and his family during this difficult time,” the team said in a tweet.

ESPN reported that before he entered the coaching ranks, Silas crafted a 16-year playing career that saw him suit up for the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets and the Seattle SuperSonics. 

By the time he retired in 1980, the Arkansas born and Creighton educated Silas mustered three National Basketball Association (NBA) titles, two NBA All-Star selections and five NBA All-Defensive nods. 

Silas’ relationship with the game was simply about patience as he waited a number of years to accomplish certain milestones, according to ESPN.

An Associated Press (AP) article that was ran by Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that the Rockets faced the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Sunday without Stephen Silas. 

Assistant coach John Lucas filled in for the younger Silas and guided the team to a 97-92 victory. 

“That’s for coach,” Lucas said, the AP reported. “That one’s for him.”

The AP reported that the Rockets honored their head coach’s late father with a moment of silence before the game. 

Per ESPN, the father-son duo coached on a few teams together beginning with the Hornets. 

Aside from his son, Silas leaves behind a daughter, Paula Silas-Guy, who said her father died from cardiac arrest, ESPN reported.