Hall of Famer Paul Westphal dies at 70
In Memoriam: Paul Westphal
On Saturday, Hall of Fame player Paul Westphal, who won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and later transitioned into coaching at the league and college level, passed away at the age of 70.
According to a statement from Southern California where Westphal was a college star, he passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona. He had been diagnosed with brain cancer the previous August.
Westphal, a guard who was selected as an All-Star five times, had his NBA career from 1972 to 1984. Following his championship victory with the Celtics, he reached the finals in 1976 with Phoenix, playing a crucial role in one of the NBA’s most thrilling games. In addition to these teams, Westphal also played for Seattle and the New York Knicks.
During his career, he averaged 15.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.
Westphal transitioned into coaching following the end of his playing career. He guided the Suns to the NBA Finals in 1993 and served as the head coach for Seattle and Sacramento. Additionally, he had roles as an assistant coach with Dallas and Brooklyn.
“Only a few individuals may have as much impact and importance on the history of the Phoenix Suns,” said Jerry Colangelo, the team’s former owner. “He achieved so much both as a player and coach. Beyond the court, he was a considerate person, a devoted family man, and possessed strong moral character. He represented the Suns exactly how you’d want every player to represent your franchise.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Paul Westphal pic.twitter.com/OigNwCyUw4
— NBA (@NBA) January 2, 2021
Westphal served as a coach at the college level, specifically at Southwestern Baptist Bible College (currently known as Arizona Christian University), Grand Canyon, and Pepperdine.
From 1968 to 1972, Westphal played at USC. Before their Saturday game, the Trojans paid tribute to him with a moment of silence. His jersey, No. 25, is displayed in the rafters of the Galen Center. In 1971, he guided the Trojans to a 24-2 record. The subsequent year, Westphal was not only an All-American but also the team captain, leading the Trojans with an average of 20.3 points.
Paul Douglas Westphal, born on November 30, 1950, in Torrance, a suburb of Los Angeles, was the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 1972 NBA draft by the Celtics. The 6-foot-4 guard was with Boston for three seasons, after which he was traded to Phoenix.
Westphal contributed to the Suns’ maiden NBA Finals appearance against the Celtics in 1976. The fifth game of this series, a gripping triple-overtime encounter, is frequently referred to as “the greatest game ever played.”
In the final seconds of regulation, with the Suns trailing 94-91, Westphal stole the ball from JoJo White and was fouled. His subsequent 3-point play equalized the game at 94.
During the second overtime, with only 15 seconds remaining and the Suns being behind 109-108, Westphal intercepted a pass from John Havlicek. This resulted in a sequence where the Suns scored, taking the lead at 110-109.
Paul Westphal, as a coach, guided the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 1993.
Havlicek put the Celtics in the lead, 111-110, with a score five seconds before the end. The Celtics team thought they had won and rushed onto the court as the buzzer sounded. However, the referee clarified that Havlicek’s score actually occurred with two seconds left on the clock.
A second was added back to the clock. Westphal called for a timeout that wasn’t available to the Suns, leading to a technical foul. The Celtics successfully made the free throw, taking a 112-110 lead. Following a timeout, the Suns got the ball in at midcourt and managed to score, pushing the game into a third overtime.
Westphal managed to score two swift baskets, reducing the Celtics’ lead to 128-126 with just 20 seconds remaining. He nearly intercepted the ball at midcourt, but was unsuccessful. Consequently, the Celtics maintained their lead and ran out the clock to claim victory.
The Suns retired his No. 44 jersey.
“Throughout the past 40 years, Westy has remained a great friend of the organization and as a trusted sounding board and confidant for me,” Suns manager partner Robert Sarver said. “His number 44 will forever hold its place in our Ring of Honor, enshrined as one of the utmost deserving members.”
In 1988, Westphal returned to the Suns in the capacity of an assistant.
“Eddie Johnson, the 1989 Sixth Man of the Year, spoke highly of him. “His leadership was displayed through his actions. He was consistent in his behavior, both on and off the basketball court. His presence was always uplifting and positive. His welcoming smile made you feel included in his group. He is definitely someone we can look up to,” he stated.
In 2019, Westphal was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player, following his induction into the College Basketball Hall of Fame the previous year in 2018.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy, and two children.
