Celtics champion Paul Silas was a key part of Boston’s 1976 title … by being ignored
The Boston Celtics and NBA community lost Paul Silas this month, a key part of two Celtics’ titles in the 1970s. The Creighton alumnus was famously part of the triple-overtime Game 5 win over the Phoenix Suns during that tenure and played a key role in the victory.
With the game tied at 101 with 3 seconds left in regulation, Silas mistakenly called a timeout Boston didn’t have, but the referee did not hear him or ignored him, saving the Celtics from a technical foul that could have very well have changed the course of the series that was tied at 2.
“Silas called a timeout, and they ignored it,” shared Boston backup forward Glenn McDonald to Sportscasting’s Mike Thomas. And while the Oakland native nearly cost the team the game, his play in the subsequent overtime was also key in winning it.
Celtics Lab 159: On fake jerseys for real Boston wins, fantasy sports and remembering Paul Silas with Pete Rogers https://t.co/rHbMySsYwo
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 13, 2022
“That’s all right with me,” explained Silas to The Arizona Republic’s Bob Young. “I did. I tried to call one and Richie Powers didn’t see me or didn’t want to see me.”
“He didn’t acknowledge it. I know they feel if he had, it would have been a different ending. Bottom line is that he didn’t and we got another ring.”
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