Paul Seymour

From Hoopedia

Paul Norman Seymour (January 30, 1928 in Toledo, Ohio – May 5, 1998) was an American basketball player and coach. A 6'1" guard, he played college ball at the University of Toledo, and had a 12-year career in the NBA and its predecessor, the Basketball Association of America (BAA). He played his first season for the Baltimore Bullets of the BAA; the remainder of his career was with the Syracuse Nationals. He was a three-time NBA All-Star. For a good part of his career, Seymour was a player-coach for the Nats.

Seymour later became a successful coach in the NBA, coaching four different teams in eight seasons.

Seymour was mentioned in the ESPN documentary, Black Magic, which told the story of African-Americans and basketball. In a segment about Cleo Hill, it was revealed that during the 1961–62 season, Bob Pettit and Cliff Hagan approached management and complained that Hill was taking too many shots. (Allegedly, this was just a cover-up for their desire to not play with an African-American teammate.) Management granted their wish, telling Seymour to severely diminish Hill's offensive role. Seymour refused and was fired 14 games into the season.

Seymour still shares, with former teammate Red Rocha, the NBA record for most minutes in a playoff game with 67.

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