[ad_1]
“Hey, now you’re immortal,” Paul Westphal said, recounting what someone told him when they heard he was going to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“No,” Westphal said during his induction speech in September 2019, responding to the beloved, “immortality does not come from basketball.”
As we stop to remember Westphal and share how saddened we are at his passing, we recognize how prophetically perfect he was.
“Westy” will not be immortalized for fair play basketball. He will be remembered for the way he lived his life and how he treated others.
The Phoenix Suns organization shares their thoughts and prayers with the Westphal family during this difficult time.
“Westy will be forever remembered as a leading valley sport legend on and off the pitch,” said Robert Sarver, Managing Partner of Suns. “He has built an illustrious career as a player and coach. His legacy is among the most representative basketball icons of all time. “
Westphal has left an indelible signature on the Phoenix Suns franchise with his All-NBA talent, brilliant wit and elite character. From leading the field team in the 1976 NBA Finals to leading the team on the sidelines in the 1993 NBA Finals, Westphal’s legacy in Phoenix has spanned decades and its overall impact on the organization. is virtually unmatched.
“Over the past 40 years, Westy has remained a great friend of the organization and a sounding board and trusted confidant to me,” Sarver continued. “His number 44 will forever hold his place in our Ring of Honor, consecrated as one of the most deserving members.”
Born November 30, 1950, Westphal was originally from Torrance, Calif., And spent 14 seasons with the Suns as a player and coach.
The eventual Basketball Hall of Famer known as the “Westy” was acquired by the Suns in a trade with the Boston Celtics in 1975 and spent six seasons as a player with Phoenix. He eventually found his way back to the Valley a few years later with the Suns coaching staff from 1988 to 1995. Due to his incredible career and impact across the NBA, Westphal was entered into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall. of Fame on September 6, 2019.
“There may be just a handful of people who have this influence and significance in the history of the Phoenix Suns,” said Jerry Colangelo. “Everything he has accomplished as a player and as a coach. Off the field, he was a gentleman, a father of a family, of great morality. He represented the Suns like you want every player to represent your franchise.
Known for his high basketball IQ, Westphal was instrumental in leading the Suns to their first appearance in the NBA Finals in 1976 against the Celtics. This series featured “The Greatest Game Ever Played” – a triple-overtime thriller in which Westphal’s quick thinking helped put the Suns in a position to extend the game behind Garfield Heard’s famous “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” .
“He was cerebral in his game,” Colangelo said. “He always thought he was one step ahead. Even the infamous Boston triple-overtime game in the final series, when he was the one saying, “Call time out.” – who forced a free throw, but gave us the ball in the half court and gave us the opportunity to level the game, which we did. It is thinking directly on the spot for the moment. “
Westphal was a five-time All-Star (four with the Suns) and won All-NBA recognition for four consecutive seasons, including three first-team caps. He is the eighth leading scorer in Suns history, scoring 9,564 points and averaging 20.6 points per game, and was inducted into the Suns’ ring of honor on April 15, 1989.
Westphal joined the retired coaching ranks and returned to the Suns as an assistant in 1988. Upon returning to the organization, Westphal learned under the aegis of Cotton Fitzsimmons, another member of the Suns honor ring, as he sidelined his basketball intelligence. Even as an assistant coach, Westphal proved his worth and got credit for his player relationships and development skills, including that of 1989 Sixth Man of the Year Eddie Johnson.
“He led by example,” Johnson said. “He hasn’t changed off the field. It’s just a positive atmosphere that he gives off when he’s around. He always greets you with a pleasant smile. You always feel like you’re part of his clique. He’s someone we can put on a pedestal.
Westphal spent four seasons in this role under Fitzsimmons before taking over as head coach for the 1992-93 season. His success came early and often, leading the Suns to the league’s best record and a return to the NBA Finals in his first season at the helm. During his time as head coach at Phoenix, Westphal amassed a 191-88 record, which ranks fourth in any head coach wins in team history, while his percentage of .685 wins is the best in Suns coaching history.
“We have had a personal relationship that spans decades,” Colangelo said. “He played for me. He coached for me. I have always had great respect for Paul and he has added to the quality of my life just with his presence. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to be associated with him. ”
Westphal has left an eternal legacy on the Suns franchise and in the city of Phoenix. While his greatest accomplishments may have come in the Valley of the Sun, his ultimate impact on basketball ranges from a young Southern California high school star to a rich career as a player, coach and coach. Streamer.
Westphal attended Aviation High School in Redondo Beach, Calif., Where he was named the California Interschool Federation Player of the Year in 1968 as a senior. He attended USC and won All-Pac 8 honors over all three seasons with the Trojans. USC retired Westphal’s number 25 jersey and he was inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1997.
Westphal was drafted 10th in the 1972 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, where he spent the first three years of his career, including the Celtics’ championship season in 1974. He was traded to Phoenix for the future Basketball Hall of Famer Charlie Scott on May 23, 1975. He also left the Suns for the first time in exchange for future Basketball Hall of Famer, Dennis Johnson, on June 4, 1980.
He played one season with the Seattle SuperSonics and two seasons with the New York Knicks, winning the Knicks Player of the Year award in 1982-83. He returned to Phoenix for the final season of his 12-year playing career in 1983-84.
Westphal began his coaching career in 1985 at Southwestern Baptist Bible College (now Arizona Christian University). After finishing the 3-20 season the previous year, he guided them to a 21-9 record in his only season. He was then hired as the head coach of Grand Canyon University, leading them to a 63-18 record in his two seasons, including an NAIA National Championship in 1988.
In addition to four seasons as head coach of the Suns, Westphal spent three seasons as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics, five seasons as head coach of Pepperdine University, one season in as assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks, three seasons as head coach of the Sacramento Kings, and ended his coaching career with two seasons as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets.
Westphal is survived by his wife Cindy, son Michael and daughter Victoria.
Thanks, Paul. Rest in peace.
[ad_2]
Source link