The Top 30 NBA Spurs: No. 9, James Silas
Web Posted: 02/10/2007 09:32 PM CST
San Antonio Express-News
Thirty years ago, in 1976, the
Spurs played their first season in the NBA after the older league took in four teams from the American Basketball Association, including the Spurs. To commemorate the anniversary, the Express-News each Sunday will recognize our selections as the 30 greatest NBA Spurs. Here is No. 9:
James Silas, 1973-81: You can't discuss the early history of the
Spurs without mentioning Silas, known as "Captain Late" for his ability to take over games in crunch time. Silas was an original
Spurs player, arriving in 1973 when the Dallas Chaparrals relocated to the Alamo City. And though Silas' first three seasons, his most productive with the Spurs, were during the team's final ABA years, he was one of the players who most helped them make a smooth transition when they were amalgamated into the NBA in 1976, despite the fact his first three NBA seasons were plagued by injury.
Silas' finest season was the ABA's final season, when he averaged 23.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.85 steals. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken ankle in the 1976 ABA playoffs, then blew out a knee in November of 1976, just as the
Spurs were beginning their first season in the NBA. He played only 22 games in that first NBA season, only 37 the next season. NBA fans never really got to see the real "Captain Late," but his final three seasons with the
Spurs produced scoring averages of 16.0, 17.7 and 17.7.
One of the best free-throw shooters in club history, Silas was fourth in the NBA in free-throw percentage (88.7 percent) in 1979-80, the third-best foul shooting season in club history. His career free-throw percentage, 85.5, is second-best in club history.
Silas' No. 13 jersey was retired by the
Spurs on Feb. 28, 1984, making him the first player so honored by the team.
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