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San Antonio Spurs: 25 Best Players To Play For The Spurs

By Phil Watson

Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; A general view of the AT&T center before the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; A general view of the AT&T center before the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1979: James Silas #13 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball while being guarded by Tom Henderson #14 the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1979 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Silas played for the Dallas Chaparrals/San Antonio Spurs from 1972-81. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** James Silas; Tom Henderson
LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1979: James Silas #13 of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles the ball while being guarded by Tom Henderson #14 the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1979 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Silas played for the Dallas Chaparrals/San Antonio Spurs from 1972-81. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** James Silas; Tom Henderson /

<strong>How acquired:</strong> Free agent, Oct. 24, 1972.. PG-SG. 1972-81. James Silas. 9. player. 29

James Silas didn’t make the NBA in his first try and after being waived out of training camp, he signed with the Dallas Chaparrals of the ABA in October 1972.

He found his way to the NBA anyway.

SAS_09_SILAS
SAS_09_SILAS /

Silas was a two-time ABA All-Star with the

San Antonio Spurs

after the franchise moved in 1973 and a two-time All-ABA selection.

He was fourth in the ABA in field-goal percentage in 1975-76, second in free-throw shooting in both 1974-75 and 1975-76 and fifth in assists in 1975-76.

After the Spurs went to the NBA in 1976, Silas was fourth in the league in free-throw shooting in 1979-80.

A severe knee injury early in the 1976-77 season robbed the NBA of the best of Silas, however, who was traded with Rich Yonakor to the Cleveland Cavaliers in June 1981 in exchange for a second-round pick in 1982.

In nine seasons with Dallas and San Antonio, Silas averaged 16.7 points, 3.9 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 30.6 minutes per game, shooting .499/0-for-11/.855.

He averaged 30.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game as a senior at Stephen F. Austin and was a fifth-round pick, 70th overall, by the Houston Rockets in the 1972 NBA Draft before being waived in October 1972.

The Pittsburgh Condors had selected Silas in the sixth round of the 1972 ABA Draft, but Silas’ rights were forfeited when the franchise folded.

He retired after the 1981-82 season.

Silas was fifth in ABA history with a free-throw percentage of .857 and is 48th in NBA history with a mark of .852.

Next: Defensive Star Began In San Antonio

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