“Hey, now you’re immortal,” Paul Westphal said what someone told him when they heard he would be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“No,” Westphal said in his introductory speech in September 2019 in the most benevolent way: “Immortality does not come from basketball.”
As we stop to remember Westphal and tell how sad we are about his passing, we realize how prophetically he was in the spot.
“Westy” will not be immortalized only playing basketball. He will be remembered for how he lived his life, and how he treated others.
The Phoenix Suns organization shares its thoughts and prayers with the Westphal family through this difficult time.
“Westy will forever be remembered as a prominent Valley sports legend, as well as off the track,” said Suns managing partner Robert Sarver. “He has built a glorious career as a player and coach. His legacy counts among the most important basketball icons of all time. ”
Westphal left an indelible signature on the Phoenix Suns franchise with his All-NBA talent, his brilliant mind and his elite character. From coaching the team in the NBA Finals in 1976 to leading the sidelines in the 1993 NBA Finals, Westphal’s legacy in Phoenix spanned decades and its overall impact on the organization is virtually unmatched.
“For the past forty years, Westy has remained a good friend of the organization and has remained a trusted sounding board and confidant to me,” Sarver continued. “His number 44 will forever occupy his place in our Circle of Honor, captured as one of the most deserving members.”
Westphal, born November 30, 1950, was a native of Torrance, CA, and spent 14 seasons with the Suns as a player and coach.
The ultimate Basketball Hall of Famer, known as ‘Westy’, was acquired by the Suns in 1975 in a deal with the Boston Celtics and spent six seasons as a player at Phoenix. He finally returned to the 1988-95 Valley Suns coaching staff a few years later. Because of his astonishing career and impact in the NBA, Westphal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 6, 2019.
“There may be only a handful of people who have so much influence and significance on the history of the Phoenix Suns,” Jerry Colangelo said. ‘All he has accomplished as a player and as a coach. From court he was a gentleman, a family man, a great moral character. He represented the Suns the way you want every player to represent your franchise. ”
Westphal, known for his high basketball IQ, helped lead the Suns to their first NBA Finals in 1976 against the Celtics. This series features’ The Greatest Game Ever Play ‘- a three-overtime thriller during which Westphal’s quick thinking helped enable the Suns to put the game behind Garfield Heard’s famous’ Shot Heard’ Round the World ‘ brei.
“He was cerebral in his game,” Colangelo said. “He always thought a step ahead. Even the infamous triple overtime game in Boston during the final series, when he was the one who said, ‘Call the time-out.’ – who forced a free throw, but gave us the ball halfway and set up the chance to level the game, which we did. That’s right at the moment. ”
Westphal has become a five-time All-Star (four with the Suns) and has earned four consecutive All-NBA season recognition, including three First Team picks. He is the eighth leading scorer in the history of the Suns, with a total of 9,564 points and an average of 20.6 points per game, and was inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor on April 15, 1989.
Westphal joined the coaching staff upon retirement and returned to the Suns in 1988 as an assistant. Westphal, when he was back at the organization, learned under Cotton Sun’s honor, Cotton Fitzsimmons, as he brought his basketball intelligence to the sidelines. Even as an assistant coach, Westphal proved his worth and gained credit for his player relationships and development skills, including that of Eddie Johnson, the sixth man of the year in 1989.
“He set his example,” Johnson said. “He has not changed from court. It’s just a positive atmosphere he radiates when he’s in the area. He always greets you with a pleasant smile. You always feel like you’re part of his clique. He is someone who can put us 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 regularly, leading the Suns to the best record in the league and a trip back to the NBA Finals in his first season at the helm. During his time as head coach in Phoenix, Westphal picked up a record of 191-88, achieving the fourth most wins of any head coach in team history, while his .685 winning percentage is the best in Suns coaching history.
“We had a personal relationship that lasted for decades,” Colangelo said. “He played for me. He coached me. I have always had great respect for Paul and he added to the quality of my life just by his presence. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to be associated with him. ‘
Westphal has left an eternal legacy on the Suns franchise and in the city of Phoenix. Although his greatest achievements came in the Valley of the Sun, his ultimate impact on basketball stretched from a young high school girl in Southern California to a long career as a player, coach and broadcaster.
Westphal attended Aviation High School in Redondo Beach, California, where he was named the California Intercholastic Federation Player of the Year in 1968. He attended USC and won all three seasons with the Trojans All-Pac 8 honors. USC retired Westphal’s number 25 jersey and he was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.
Westphal was drafted 10th overall in the 1972 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, where he spent the first three years of his career, including the Celtics’ 1974 championship season. He was traded to Phoenix on May 23, 1975 for the future Basketball Hall of Famer Charlie Scott. He also first left the Suns in exchange for a 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, who won Comeback Player of the Year for the Knicks 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 ending the season 3-20 last year, he leads them to a 21-9 record in his lone season. He was then appointed as the head coach of Grand Canyon University, which led them to a 63-18 record during his two seasons, including a 1988 NAIA National Championship.
In addition to four seasons as head coach of the Suns, Westphal has spent three seasons as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics, five seasons as head coach of Pepperdine University, one season as assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks, three seasons as head coach of the Sacramento Kings, and ends his coaching career with two seasons as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets.
Westphal is survived by his wife Cindy, and his son Michael and daughter Victoria.
Thanks, Paul. Rest in peace.
