Hall of Fame basketball coach Paul Westphal dies at 70

About an hour in the past

Paul Westphal, a Corridor of Fame participant who gained a championship with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and later coached within the league and in school, died Saturday. He was 70.

He died in Scottsdale, Ariz., based on an announcement from Southern California, the place Westphal starred in school. He was identified with mind most cancers final August.

A five-time All-Star guard, Westphal performed within the NBA from 1972-84. After profitable a championship with the Celtics, he made the finals in 1976 with Phoenix, the place he was a key a part of one of the crucial riveting video games in league historical past. He additionally performed for Seattle and the New York Knicks.

He averaged 15.6 factors, 4.4 assists and 1.9 rebounds throughout his profession.

After his enjoying profession ended, Westphal moved into teaching. He led the Suns to the NBA Finals in 1993 and in addition was head coach of Seattle and Sacramento. He had stints as an assistant with Dallas and Brooklyn.

“There could also be only a handful of people that have as a lot affect and significance on the historical past of the Phoenix Suns,” former workforce proprietor Jerry Colangelo stated. “All he achieved as a participant and as a coach. Off the court docket, he was a gentleman, a household man, nice ethical character. He represented the Suns the best way you need each participant to symbolize your franchise.”

On the school stage, Westphal coached at Southwestern Baptist Bible School (now Arizona Christian College), Grand Canyon and Pepperdine.

Westphal performed at USC from 1968-72, and the Trojans honored him with a second of silence earlier than their recreation Saturday. His No. 25 jersey hangs within the Galen Heart rafters. He led the Trojans to a 24-2 file in 1971. The next yr, he was an All-American and workforce captain who led the Trojans with a 20.3-point common.

Born on Nov. 30, 1950, within the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance, Westphal was drafted tenth total within the first spherical of the 1972 NBA Draft by the Celtics. The 6-foot-4 guard spent three seasons in Boston earlier than being traded to Phoenix.

In 1976, Westphal helped the Suns attain their first NBA Finals in opposition to the Celtics. Sport 5, a triple-overtime thriller in that sequence, is commonly known as “the best recreation ever performed.”

The Suns trailed 94-91 within the closing seconds of regulation when Westphal stole the ball from JoJo White and acquired fouled. His 3-point play tied the rating at 94.

Within the second additional time, with 15 seconds left and the Suns trailing 109—108, Westphal stole the ball from John Havlicek, who had taken an inbounds cross. That led to a sequence during which the Suns scored to take a 110-109 lead.

Havlicek scored with 5 seconds left to place the Celtics forward 111—110. The buzzer sounded and Celtics flooded the court docket, believing their workforce had gained. Nevertheless, the referee dominated Havlicek scored with two seconds remaining.

One second was put again on the clock. Westphal known as for a timeout the Suns didn’t have, leading to a technical foul. The Celtics made the free throw for a 112-110 lead. After a timeout, the Suns inbounded at midcourt and scored to pressure a 3rd additional time.

With 20 seconds left and the Celtics main 128—122, Westphal scored two fast baskets to chop it to 128—126 and practically stole the ball at midcourt, however failed and the Celtics ran out the clock to win.

The Suns retired his No. 44 jersey.

“All through the previous 40 years, Westy has remained an incredible good friend of the group and as a trusted sounding board and confidant for me,” Suns supervisor associate Robert Sarver stated. “His quantity 44 will perpetually maintain its place in our Ring of Honor, enshrined as one of many utmost deserving members.”

Westphal returned to the Suns as an assistant in 1988.

“He led by instance,” stated Eddie Johnson, 1989 Sixth Man of the 12 months. “He didn’t change off of the court docket. It’s only a constructive ambiance that he exudes when he’s round. He at all times greets you with a nice smile. You at all times really feel like you might be part of his clique. He’s anyone we are able to placed on a pedestal.”

Westphal was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame as a participant in 2019. He went into the School Basketball Corridor of Fame in 2018.

He’s survived by his spouse, Cindy, and two youngsters.

Classes:
Sports activities | U.S./World Sports activities