death

NBA Legend Paul Silas Dies At 79

by

Three-time NBA champion Paul Silas has passed away at the age of 79. Silas’ daughter, Paula Silas-Guy, confirmed the NBA legend’s passing during a statement provided to the New York Times. Silas reportedly died of cardiac arrest.

“We mourn the passing of former NBA All-Star and head coach Paul Silas,” Adam Silver said in a statement. “Paul’s lasting contributions to the game are seen through the many players and coaches he inspired, including his son, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas. We send our deepest condolences to Paul’s family.”

BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 20: Paul Silas speaks on stage at The Sports Museum’s18th Annual Gala: The Tradition at TD Garden on November 20, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. 2019 honorees receiving lifetime achievement awards included Zdeno Chara, Manny Ramirez, Michelle Kwan, Paul Silas, Matt Light and Ben Crenshaw. (Photo by Paul Marotta/Getty Images)

As a player, Silas began his career in 1964 and played for several teams over the next two decades before retiring in 1980. He made two All-Star teams, in 1972 and 1975, and won three NBA championships during the 1970s.

Following his playing career, Silas spent decades coaching throughout the league. He last led the Charlotte Bobcats from 2010-12. Michael Jordan, who serves as the Charlotte Hornets Chairman, also mourned Silas in a statement released Sunday.

“Our Hornets family mourns the passing of Paul Silas,” Jordan wrote. “Paul was an incredible leader and motivator who served as our head coach on two occasions. He combined the knowledge developed over nearly 40 years as an NBA player and coach with an innate understanding on how to mix discipline with his never-ending positivity.”

“On or off the court, Paul’s enthusiastic and engaging personality was accompanied by an anecdote for every occasion. He was one of the all-time great people in our game, and he will be missed,” Jordan further added. “My thoughts, and the thoughts of our entire organization, are with his wife, Carolyn; his children, Paul and Stephen; and the entire Silas family.”

Following in his father’s footsteps, Silas’ son, Stephen, currently serves as the head coach of the Houston Rockets.

[Via]

American Journalist Grant Wahl Dies Suddenly During World Cup Match

by

American sports journalist Grant Wahl died suddenly after collapsing during a World Cup match on Friday in Qatar. He was 48.

Keir Radnedge, a columnist at World Soccer Magazine, witnessed the incident. He says that Wahl was treated “for about 20-25 minutes” at the stadium before being transported to a local hospital.

DOHA, QATAR – MARCH 31: In this photo illustration an official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ball sits on display in front of the skyline of Doha ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 draw on March 31, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“This was towards the end of extra time in the match. Suddenly, colleagues up to my left started shouting for medical assistance. Obviously, someone had collapsed. Because the chairs are freestanding, people were able to move the chairs, so it’s possible to create a little bit of space around him,” Radnedge said. according to CNN.

A cause of death remains unclear; however, Wahl had mentioned not feeling well and having visited a medical clinic while in Qatar.

“My body finally broke down on me,” he shared on his website. “Three weeks of little sleep, high stress and lots of work can do that to you. What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.”

His brother, Eric, wrote on Twitter that he suspects foul play. Wahl previously wore a rainbow shirt in support of the LGBTQ community while at the event. He also reported on the migrant workers who have died in Qatar.

“I am gay. I am the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup,” Eric Wahl said. “My brother was healthy. He told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed, and I’m just begging for any help.”

Eric has since made his Instagram page private.

[Via]

Tina Turner Mourns Death Of Her Son, Ronnie

by

Tina Turner reflected on the death of her son, Ronnie, on Instagram, Friday. The 62-year-old passed away on Thursday.

“Ronnie, you left the world far too early. In sorrow I close my eyes and think of you, my beloved son,” she wrote. The caption adorned a black and white photo of herself with her eyes closed.

American R&B and Pop singer Tina Turner performs onstage at the United Center, Chicago, Illinois, October 1, 2000. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

While an official cause of death for Ronnie has not been provided, he was diagnosed with cancer in recent years. He also reportedly suffered from several other health issues.

Ronnie’s widow, Afida, also mourned Ronnie in a lengthy message on social media.

“My god Ronnie turner a true angel hiuge [sic] soul highly spiritual my husband my best friend my baby iyour [sic] mummy your nurse i did the best to the end this time i was no [sic] able to save you love u for this 17 years this is very very very bad i am very mad,” Afida captioned a series of pictures of her late husband.

She continued: “This is a tragedy u with your brother craig and your father ike turner and aline rest in paradise so unfair.”

Ronnie’s eldest brother Craig died by suicide in 2018 at age 59.

“I think Craig was lonely, that’s what I think really got him more than anything else,” Turner said at the time. “I have pictures all around of him smiling, and I think I’m sensing that he’s in a good place.”

Ronnie appeared in the biopic, What’s Love Got To Do With It, back in 1993. He also played bass in both of his parents’ bands at different points.

Check out Tina Turner’s tribute to her late son Ronnie below.

[Via]

Metro Boomin Discusses Working With Takeoff For “Heroes and Villains”

by

Metro Boomin says that he had initially planned to work with Takeoff for three songs on his new album, Heroes and Villains. The late Migos rapper was shot and killed back in November before the two could fully collaborate. Instead. Metro was able to get Takeoff on “Feel The Fiyaaaah.”

Metro Boomin spoke about working with Takeoff during a sit-down with GQ published on Wednesday.

“I was already gonna make sure anything with anybody on here is crazy, but it became more of a responsibility, like, ‘I gotta make sure I do my boys justice, even beyond music,’” he says. “These are my real brothers. I love Thug, I love Gunna, I love Take. I’ve known Take for so long, ten years, from when we were both 18. We took our first trip to L.A. together, me, Sonny Digital, Migos.”

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 08: Metro Boomin attends the 2016 BMI Holiday Party at Rose Bar on December 8, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)

Elsewhere in the interview, Metro discussed other artists he’s worked with. In particular, the iconic producer spoke about the negative response to his album with Big Sean, Double of Nothing.

“I still do like the album and I’m not gonna get into how people try to do Big Sean or treat him online, which I know played a big part of it,” Metro says. “I know a lot of those songs or a lot of the shit that he said, if another huge rapper or rappers similar to him said it, they would just let it slide.”

Metro released Heroes and Villains on December 2, four years after his debut studio album. The new project features Future, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Young Thug, the Weeknd, and more in addition to Takeoff.

[Via]