Hornets fire coach Paul Silas

Hornets fire coach Paul Silas
BRETT MARTEL
Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS - Paul Silas was fired as coach of the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday after five seasons in which he set the franchise record for victories.

The Hornets went 47-35 this season, finishing third in the Central Division. They were knocked out of the playoffs Friday night, eliminated in the first round in six games by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Silas said he received a phone call Sunday from team co-owner Ray Wooldridge, who said the Hornets would not renew his contract.

"The decision was made for me. It was a little surprising, but they have the right to make their own decisions," Silas said. "We had a good ride, and I appreciate the opportunity they gave me."

He leaves with an overall mark of 208-155 with the Hornets, who moved from Charlotte to New Orleans after last season.

Silas took the Hornets to the playoffs each of the past four seasons, but they never advanced beyond the second round.

The Hornets said in a news release that Silas' coaching staff also would not return next season.

"We would like to thank Paul and his staff for all their efforts and hard work during their coaching tenure and with them the very best in their future opportunities," team majority owner George Shinn said.

Silas said he was glad the Hornets told him of their decision so quickly, so he will have time to look for a coaching job elsewhere for next season.

The only other NBA team without a coach right now is the Toronto Raptors, who fired Lenny Wilkens right after the regular season ended.

Silas was popular among fans and his players with the Hornets. Starting point guard Baron Davis and others said after their final game that they wanted Silas to return next year.

Most players were out of town or unreachable Sunday.

Silas and Shinn worked on a contract extension before this season, but were unable to reach an agreement. Once the season started, Shinn and Silas said they would stop negotiating until it was over.

Silas was earning about $1.5 million per season.

Silas said as recently as the final playoff game on Friday that he loved New Orleans and was optimistic something could be worked out.

The past season was the team's first since moving from Charlotte, where the owners became notorious for letting go popular players, such as Alonzo Mourning, for financial reasons. They said it was difficult to remain financially competitive because of Charlotte's outdated arena, which had only 12 luxury suites.

The main reason the team moved to New Orleans was the city's new arena, which has many more suites, high-priced club seats and other revenue-generating amenities that NBA owners say are needed to stay financially competitive.


lets sign him and make him the first coach of new charlotte if it was up to Paul Silas the Horntes wouid steil be in charlotte today

 

I'd love to have Silas back here.

 

This is a slap in the face for coach silas. he was left out to dry in charlotte by the owners- they abandoned him and made him take the brunt of the relocation questions. He fended for the franchise with such tragedies as the bobby phills death, eldridge recasner-derrick coleman accident. he took a team that was 2-9 and just faced coach cowens resignation, and took them 1 game from the playoffs in 1999. he took them to the playoffs the last 4 years, and without injuries to key players, he could've had more success. he dealt with relocation, with derrick coleman, anthony mason. he dealt with small home crowds- but he kept on winning and never bitched. this is a slap in the face for silas.

i hope we sign him over here- where he'll be wanted and appreciated.

 

He'll go to Toronto pretty quickly, I'll bet.

 

Isn't Ray-Ray Atlanta buddies with the 'Czar', Mike Fratello. Maybe he'll bring that exciting style he brought to the Cavs a few years ago, where they scored about 68 pts per game. Wooly wasn't around when Silas was promoted in '99 (I think Shinn was talking to MJ then), so this one has his fingerprints all over it.

Coaches have been fired for less, but I don't really see anyone else coming in and doing any better with that group. They have enough talent to get out of the weak East, but Mash and Baron keep breaking down, and they just fall short.

Silas loves Charlotte, but we'll see if he'll wants to wait 15 months to coach a team that's going to go 20-62 for the first 2-3 years.

Different city, same team, same owners.

 

This is so fucking typical for Shinn and Woolridge. They represent the absolute bowels of the NBA. Silas is such a class act and clearly gets the most out of his players. I'd be ecstatic if we were able to get him. The ownership was the only problem I ever had with the Hornets. I'd like to get Mash, too.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see silas end up somewhere like cleveland. Supposedly a player's type coach. Got a bunch of young players there. If they land lebron, it'll probably be who he wants there since he was so pissed about lucas getting fired.

 

Shinridge has become the model for franchise suicide. I hope they get what they REALLY deserve.....a loser! Best of luck to Paul Silas, I hope he comes back to rub their noses in it.

 

Fired over the phone. Silas has been paroled. Shinn and Wooldridge are fucking jokes

 

Shinnridge's luck is about to change. They have enjoyed mediocrity in the Eastern Conference, but soon they will have to cope with being bitch slapped every night by the competition in the Western Conference. Vengence is sweet and I am enjoying watching them bury themselves.