Bobcats Remove Interim Tag On Paul Silas

Added on Feb 16, 2011 by Scott in

NBA

Charlotte Bobcats head coach Paul Silas is no longer interim head coach. He’s now the actual head coach after receiving a one-year extension today. Owner Michael Jordan has liked what he’s seen since Silas took over for Larry Brown, who was fired on December 22nd after a 9-19 start. From 1999-2003, Silas led the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets to four consecutive playoff appearances. At 24-32, the Bobcats are within striking distance of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

It didn’t take long for the Bobcats 2010-11 season to get derailed. After a 44-38 2009-10 campaign, in which they earned their first ever playoff berth, big things were expected from Larry Brown’s team. However, Brown’s militaristic coaching style and harsh criticism didn’t sit well with many players. As the losses mounted, the coach-player relationship became more strained and Brown was relieved of his duties.

Enter Silas, who has engineered an impressive turnaround, going 15-13 in 28 games. Left for dead two months ago, the Bobcats are now in the thick of the playoff hunt. Silas’s fast-paced approach has taken advantage of a young, athletic roster’s talents, and more importantly gained the respect of his players.

“Most coaches that take over as an interim don’t have a winning record because the players know that he is temporary, mostly. They don’t listen and it’s a downer,” Silas said. “But here I came in and established the way we wanted to play.

“I think the main thing is the players changed the way they were playing. From walking the ball up the court to running it up, establishing themselves shooting the basketball much better and having some fun playing.”

Silas has overcome a five-year coaching absence and serious health problems to resurrect a a lost season in Charlotte. There’s still a lot of basketball left to play, but in a weak Eastern Conference, a trip to the postseason for a second straight year is now possible.

Source: ESPN.com