Originally posted on Hoops Rumors | By Dana Gauruder | Last updated 1/2/21
NBA Hall of Famer Paul Westphal has passed away, according to Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News.
Westphal, 70, was diagnosed with brain cancer in August.
During a playing career that lasted from 1972 to 84, Westphal played for the Celtics, Suns, SuperSonics and Knicks. He was a five-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA First-Team selection. In his career, Westphal scored a total of 12,809 points for an average of 15.6 points per game, along with 3,591 assists for an average of 4.4 assists per contest.
Westphal coached the Suns from 1992 to 95 and SuperSonics from 1998 to 2000. His last head coaching stint came with the Kings (2009-12). His last NBA assistant coaching stint was with the Nets from 2014-16. He had a 318-279 (.533) regular-season record as a head coach and 27-22 record in the playoffs. The Suns reached the NBA Finals in his first year as he
NBA Hall Of Famer Paul Westphal Has Reportedly Passed Away
Matt Hladik
Paul Westphal speaks at his Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
NBA legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Westphal has passed away at the age of 70 after a battle with brain cancer, according to multiple reports.
Westphal, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019, was a first-round pick of the Boston Celtics out of USC in 1972. He went on to win a championship with the franchise in 1974.
Westphal would move on to play for the Phoenix Suns, Seattle SuperSonics and New York Knicks before retiring in 1984. During that time, he made five consecutive All-Star appearances from 1977-81 and and All-NBA first-team selection three times.
Westphal won an NBA title with the Celtics and coached the Suns, Sonics and Kings. Author: TEGNA Updated: 12:50 PM PST January 2, 2021
ESPN reports Westphal had been diagnosed with brain cancer in August 2020.
Westphal played 12 seasons with the Suns, Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics and New York Knicks. He won an NBA title with Boston in 1974 and helped the Suns to their first NBA Finals appearance in 1976.
He went on to coach the Suns and Sonics, as well as the Sacramento Kings. He led the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals before falling to the Chicago Bulls in six games.
Westphal also served as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets.
Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 1/2/21
Basketball legend Paul Westphal received tributes online after dying Saturday at the age of 70 due to brain cancer.
Westphal was an All-Star player and NBA champion during his playing career, and he was also a highly successful head coach. He played from 1972 to 1984 and won a title with the Boston Celtics in 1974. Westphal also played for the Phoenix Suns, Seattle SuperSonics and New York Knicks.
As a coach, Westphal began his career at Southwestern Baptist Bible College, then moved to Grand Canyon University, and he became an assistant with the Phoenix Suns. Westphal took over as head coach of the Suns in 1992 and led them to the NBA Finals in his first season. He also had stints coaching Seattle and Sacramento, in addition to Pepperdine in college.