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Silas, a three-time NBA champion and two-time All-Star, was James' first coach with the Cavaliers. He was brought in because then Cleveland general manager Jim Paxson wanted a veteran coach with an impressive resume to help nurture James, who entered the NBA as the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft after having led nearby St. Vincent-St. Mary High to three state titles. "I thought he would be as good as he is, no question about it," said Silas, 69, who does consulting work for Charlotte after concluding his coaching career last season with the Bobcats. "You could see the talent and the athleticism he had. I thought he would be the type of player he is now, winning MVPs and being one of the best ever." FOXSports Florida

Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Paul Silas, Dan Gilbert 

Silas wouldn't give any names. But he said that not long after James showed up in Cleveland, there were teammates who were critical of James when the 18-year-old could hear them. "We had a few guys that would test him," Silas said. "They would say, ‘What has he done to warrant all this hype?' They would say it where he could hear them. There were some problems. "LeBron got down a few times about it. Sometimes he would just be sitting there and not get up right away for shooting (during a practice). I'd come over and tell him, ‘You have to just forget about that. You can't worry about that. You're a professional.' But (the comments from his teammates) all went away when he started putting up numbers." FOXSports Florida

Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Paul Silas 

The Bobcats have reportedly already interviewed Jerry Sloan, Patrick Ewing, Nate McMillan, Dave Joerger, Mike Malone, Nate Tibbetts, Mike Dunlap and Stephen Silas -- son of departed coach Paul Silas. The Bobcats decided not to renew Paul Silas' contract after the team finished 7-59 this season for the worst winning percentage in league history (.106). ESPN.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Paul Silas, Jerry Sloan, Patrick Ewing, Nate McMillan, Stephen Silas, Mike Malone, Dave Joerger 

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Stan Van Gundy said assistant coach Patrick Ewing is ready to become an NBA head coach. The Charlotte Bobcats are expected to interview Ewing for their vacant position created by the firing of Paul Silas. "I think he would really focus on the details of execution and hold guys to a high standard of that," Van Gundy said. "Look, I think the guy will be a great head coach. I can't believe it's taken this long. I don't know what the problem is in terms of people's perception. There's so many other ex- players who can get a shot. He's ready, and I hope this offseason will be his time." Orlando Sentinel

Charlotte Bobcats, Orlando Magic, Coaching, Paul Silas, Patrick Ewing, Stan Van Gundy 

Chris Broussard: Bobcats also expected to interview Brian Shaw...Stephen Silas, Paul Silas's son and current Bobcats assistant, will also be interviewed... Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Paul Silas, Stephen Silas 

Paul Silas was quietly relieved of duties this week. Who are your best bets to take over that train wreck? Well, Silas' son, Stephen, is on the list. But that wouldn't be a very inspiring choice for a franchise that badly needs a big name and proven coach to stabilize a dreadful situation. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Paul Silas, Stephen Silas 

Of the two unemployed Team USA assistants, Nate McMillan and Mike D'Antoni, McMillan certainly makes the most sense. I see D'Antoni as a better fit in Washington, where he'd have the point guard he needs to run his system (John Wall) and a legit pick-and-roll big man in Nene -- plus a young, athletic roster. The brief working relationship that Charlotte executive Rich Cho and McMillan had in Portland shouldn't be discounted. But let's face it: The Bobcats job is not very attractive, depending on how the draft lottery works out. Short of landing No. 1 pick Anthony Davis, it's hard to envision the Bobcats being able to attract a proven winner to a franchise that has taken rebuilding to new depths. CBSSports.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Paul Silas, Nate McMillan, Stephen Silas 

Rick Bonnell: Rod Higgins says Paul Silas will continue in some sort of consultant role. Higgins says Stephen Silas will get an interview for HC. Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan, Coaching, Paul Silas, Nate McMillan, Rod Higgins 

Paul Silas will not be back to coach next season with the Charlotte Bobcats. Silas will not get a new contract, following a 7-59 record in the season just completed. That means the Bobcats will hire their fifth coach since the franchise’s inception in 2004. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Paul Silas 

The Bobcats are expected to quickly engage in a coaching search. Potential candidates could include former Portland Trail Blazers coach (and one-time N.C. State great) Nate McMillan and former New York Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni. Another possibility could be Orlando Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing, who has close ties to Bobcats owner Michael Jordan. Ewing, among the best centers in NBA history, played on the original Dream Team with Jordan. As players they both were represented by agent David Falk. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Paul Silas 

“I would like to personally thank Paul for everything he has done for this team under some pretty unique circumstances,” Rod Higgins, Bobcats president of basketball operations, said in a statement. “His basketball experience as a coach and a player speak for themselves. We have been fortunate to have someone of his character associated with this franchise and we hope he will continue to be a valuable resource to us in the future.” Sporting News

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Paul Silas 

Asked if there are any remaining issues between him and Silas, Thomas said, “We’re great; we had a game since” the altercation. Beyond that, Thomas said, “We’re going to leave it at the statement Rod Higgins made.’’ Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

When asked pre-game Wednesday if he and Thomas are now on the same page, Silas said, “We always were.” Silas declined to answer any other questions concerning what happened between him and Thomas. According to the Yahoo story, Silas shoved Thomas toward his locker at the conclusion of a screaming match after Sunday’s loss. The Yahoo story says players intervened to separate the two. Charlotte Observer

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

Charlotte Bobcats coach Paul Silas shoved 6-foot-10 forward Tyrus Thomas after a postgame screaming match Sunday night, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Several players intervened immediately and separated the coach and player, and no punches were thrown, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

Silas, 68, had been incensed with Thomas chatting with some Boston Celtics players on the court, and lashed out at him in the losing locker room afterward. Eventually, Thomas snapped back at Silas, and the coach warned him to say no more or risk a suspension. Once Thomas stood up, Silas pushed him toward his locker stall, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins met with Silas and Thomas, and both have been fined, a source said. Yahoo! Sports

Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

“Silas hates losing to the Celtics, and Paul was even angrier that he thought [Thomas] was acting buddy-buddy with some of their guys,” one source said. “That’s what got it going. But Paul was yelling at him over his salary, over what they have left to pay him. But it started with him saying, hey, he could live with the losing, but you’re going to be buddy-buddy as they’re beating your ass too?” Yahoo! Sports

Charlotte Bobcats, Paul Silas, Tyrus Thomas 

Rick Bonnell: #Bobcats coach Paul Silas has been given no indication from front office whether he'll be back next season. Says he's OK with that (cont.) Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Paul Silas 

Rick Bonnell: Silas, 68, does want to coach here next season "in that I wouldn't want to leave things as they are.'' Twitter

Charlotte Bobcats, Coaching, Paul Silas 

Former Clippers coach Kim Hughes: "I would put my intelligence up with anyone. I’m willing to take an IQ test." Hughes was responding to Charlotte's Paul Silas saying big guys aren't perceived as being smart when it comes to hiring NBA head coaches. Sulia

Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Clippers, Coaching, Paul Silas, Kim Hughes