Paul Westphal, Hall Of Famer And Former Kings Coach, Dies At 70
SACRAMENTO (CBS13/AP) – Paul Westphal, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer and former coach of the Sacramento Kings, died Saturday at the age of 70.
He died in Scottsdale, Arizona, according to a statement from Southern California, where Westphal starred in college. He was diagnosed with brain cancer last August.
A five-time All-Star guard, Westphal played in the NBA from 1972-84. After winning a championship with the Boston Celtics in 1974, he made the finals in 1976 with Phoenix, where he was a key part of one of the most riveting games in league history. He also played for Seattle and the New York Knicks.
I'll never forget Paul Westphal waking me on our flight to Chicago down 0-2 to the Bulls in 93 to tell me I'd be guarding MJ in Game 3. I thought it was a nightmare! He always challenged me to be better. He made everyone better. A great father, friend, husband & coach. RIP.????????????????
— Kevin Johnson (@KJ_MayorJohnson) January 4, 2021
He averaged 15.6 points, 4.4 assists and 1.9 rebounds during his career.
After his playing career ended, Westphal moved into coaching. He led the Suns to the NBA Finals in 1993, and also was head coach of Seattle and Sacramento. He served as the 23rd coach of the Kings from 2009-12 and had stints as an assistant with Dallas and Brooklyn.
In a statement following the news of Westphal's death, the Kings said:
"The Sacramento Kings organization is deeply heartbroken to learn of the passing of Paul Westphal. 'Westy' created a storied legacy in the game of basketball as a Hall of Fame player, decorated coach and broadcast analyst. We are extremely grateful that a part of his incredible career was spent in Sacramento with the Kings.
"Along with the numerous accolades and achievements he earned on the court, he was a true gentleman who treated everyone he encountered with remarkable kindness, humility and candor, making an indelible impact on so many across our sport.
"The entire Kings family mourns the loss as we extend our deepest condolences to Paul's wife Cindy, son Michael and daughter Victoria. The Westphal family remains in our hearts, thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time."
At the college level, Westphal coached at Southwestern Baptist Bible College (now Arizona Christian University), Grand Canyon and Pepperdine.
Westphal played at USC from 1968-72, and the Trojans honored him with a moment of silence before their game Saturday. His No. 25 jersey hangs in the Galen Center rafters. He led the Trojans to a 24-2 record in 1971. The following year, he was an All-American and team captain who led the Trojans with a 20.3-point average.
Born on Nov. 30, 1950, in the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance, Paul Douglas Westphal was drafted 10th overall in the first round of the 1972 NBA draft by the Celtics. The 6-foot-4 guard spent three seasons in Boston before being traded to Phoenix.
In 1976, Westphal helped the Suns reach their first NBA Finals against the Celtics. Game 5, a triple-overtime thriller in that series, is often called "the greatest game ever played."
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The Suns trailed 94-91 in the closing seconds of regulation when Westphal stole the ball from JoJo White and got fouled. His 3-point play tied the game at 94.
In the second overtime, with 15 seconds left and the Suns trailing 109–108, Westphal stole the ball from John Havlicek, who had taken an inbounds pass. That led to a sequence in which the Suns scored to take a 110-109 lead.
Havlicek scored with five seconds left to put the Celtics ahead 111–110. The buzzer sounded and Celtics flooded the court, believing their team had won. However, the referee ruled that Havlicek scored with two seconds remaining.
One second was put back on the clock. Westphal called for a timeout that the Suns didn't have, resulting in 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 force a third overtime.
With 20 seconds left and the Celtics leading 128–122, Westphal scored two quick baskets to cut it to 128–126 and nearly stole the ball at midcourt, but failed and the Celtics ran out the clock to win.
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."
Westphal returned to the Suns as an assistant in 1988.
"He led by example," said Eddie Johnson, 1989 Sixth Man of the Year. "He didn't change off of the court. It's just a positive atmosphere that he exudes when he's around. He always greets you with a pleasant smile. You always feel like you are a part of his clique. He's somebody we can put on a pedestal."
Westphal was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 2019. He went into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy, and two children.