Other Sports Paul Westphal, dead at 70, RIP

**HemiEd** · 01-03-2021, 05:38 AM

I heard this on the radio yesterday, while working out in the shop. It caused me pause, as his was a name you heard often back in the day.

(AP) - Paul Westphal, a Hall of Fame player who won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and later coached in the league and in college, died Saturday. He was 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 Celtics, 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.

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 had stints as an assistant with Dallas and Brooklyn.

“There may be just a handful of people who have as much influence and significance on the history of the Phoenix Suns,” former team owner Jerry Colangelo said. “All he accomplished as a player and as a coach. Off the court, he was a gentleman, a family man, great moral character. He represented the Suns the way you want every player to represent your franchise.”

At the college level, Westphal coached at Southwestern Baptist Bible College (now Arizona Christian University), Grand Canyon and Pepperdine.

https://www.wect.com/2021/01/02/paul...champion-dies/

Scooter LaCanforno · 01-03-2021, 06:52 AM

RIP. Great Player who I watched when he was with the Knicks and Celtics.

MVChiefFan · 01-03-2021, 08:16 AM

As a Suns fan, Westy meant a lot. Sad day. RIP

siberian khatru · 01-03-2021, 08:47 AM

I was a big Westphal fan in my yute. Remember watching Game 5 of the 76 Finals with my dad. RIP.

scho63 · 01-03-2021, 09:14 AM

Good player and I always equated him with the Suns. Totally forgot his time with the Celtics.

RIP to another one of my sports generation

raidersnumber1 · 01-03-2021, 10:36 AM

he was good guy. RIP.

Pitt Gorilla · 01-03-2021, 12:40 PM

Seems way too young. Always remember him with the Suns.

01-03-2021, 05:38 AM
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $3250564	Paul Westphal, dead at 70, RIP I heard this on the radio yesterday, while working out in the shop. It caused me pause, as his was a name you heard often back in the day. (AP) - Paul Westphal, a Hall of Fame player who won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and later coached in the league and in college, died Saturday. He was 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 Celtics, 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. 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 had stints as an assistant with Dallas and Brooklyn. “There may be just a handful of people who have as much influence and significance on the history of the Phoenix Suns,” former team owner Jerry Colangelo said. “All he accomplished as a player and as a coach. Off the court, he was a gentleman, a family man, great moral character. He represented the Suns the way you want every player to represent your franchise.” At the college level, Westphal coached at Southwestern Baptist Bible College (now Arizona Christian University), Grand Canyon and Pepperdine. https://www.wect.com/2021/01/02/paul...champion-dies/
Posts: 33,428

01-03-2021, 06:52 AM	#2
Scooter LaCanforno Starter Join Date: Nov 2013 Casino cash: $7076947	RIP. Great Player who I watched when he was with the Knicks and Celtics.
Posts: 910	1 0

01-03-2021, 08:16 AM	#3
MVChiefFan Veteran Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Here Casino cash: $1574975	As a Suns fan, Westy meant a lot. Sad day. RIP __________________ I haven’t slept for ten days straight… because that would be way too long.
Posts: 3,483	1 0

01-03-2021, 08:47 AM	#4
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $2514950	I was a big Westphal fan in my yute. Remember watching Game 5 of the 76 Finals with my dad. RIP.
Posts: 69,194	1 0

01-03-2021, 09:14 AM	#5
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $2741110	Good player and I always equated him with the Suns. Totally forgot his time with the Celtics. RIP to another one of my sports generation __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
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01-03-2021, 10:36 AM	#6
raidersnumber1 Coomer Join Date: Jan 2019 Casino cash: $10000400	he was good guy. RIP.
Posts: 309

01-03-2021, 12:40 PM	#7
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $2920194	Seems way too young. Always remember him with the Suns. __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
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