Paul Silas, a defensive stalwart who won three NBA championships and went on to coach for over a decade in the league, died Sunday. He was 79.

The Rockets, who are coached by Silas' son Stephen, sent their "heartfelt thoughts" to the Silas family.

After being selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the second round of the 1964 NBA draft, Silas emerged as a defensive stalwart over 16 seasons in the league. Silas showed promise in his early years, but took a big step forward during the 1967-68 season, when he averaged 13.4 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. It was the first time Silas averaged a double-double over a full season. He would go on to repeat that feat seven more times in his career.

Silas played in St. Louis for four seasons and spent one year with the Hawks in Atlanta. After the 1968-69 NBA season, he joined the Phoenix Suns, where he continued to excel on the court. Silas averaged a double-double in all three seasons with the Suns. He was also named to the second team NBA All-Defensive team in his final two seasons in Phoenix. He received his first of two All-Star selections in his last year with the team.

Silas then joined the Boston Celtics, where he experienced the most success in his career. In four seasons with the team, Silas averaged 11.5 points and 12.3 rebounds. Silas was named to the second team NBA All-Defensive team in his debut season in Boston and went on to make the first team NBA All-Defensive team in the 1974-75 season and the 1975-76 season. He also experienced success in the playoffs with Boston, winning two NBA championships in four seasons with the team.