RIP Paul Westphal
- Thread starter blueline
- Start date
Played in the NBA from 1972 to 1984.
Broke in with the Celtics, rose to fame with the Suns.
Slick offensive player.
Later, he was known as a player's coach with time served in both the NBA and college ranks.
Broke in with the Celtics, rose to fame with the Suns.
Slick offensive player.
Later, he was known as a player's coach with time served in both the NBA and college ranks.
Nearly as handsome as yours truly.
Westphal was 75-71 over five seasons at Pepperdine.
He peaked in his first season (21-9, 13-1) and tanked in his final year (7-20, 3-11).
kane
EOG master
It was before my time and I can't remember the exact details, but at the very end of the game Westphal called a timeout his team didn't have, but he did it intentionally, the Suns were down by one, so the resulting technical put them down by two, but it gave them the ball at midcourt instead of under their basket, his heads up thinking helped get the game to OT where the C's eventually prevailed, if anyone here can remember exactly what happened at the end, I might be off on the details, but I know for a fact he intentionally called for time knowing it would be a technical
railbird
EOG Master
Aviation Park sign
The track and soccer field at the former Aviation High School
Because of budgetary constraints in the early 1980s, in part due to California Proposition 13 (1978), the South Bay Union High School District decided in November 1981 to close one of its three area comprehensive high schools, but promised teachers and administrators that they would not lose their jobs. Savings were projected at $1 million in maintenance costs. After much deliberation (via a 21-member citizen's committee) and several public forums, the district decided in April 1982 to close Aviation.
Many in the South Bay community saw this decision as unsound (closure would result in overcrowding of the two remaining schools and would not be a viable long-term strategy if district enrollment increased; in addition, Aviation had the newest facilities of the three area high schools. Some saw the decision as based on area politics and geography (Redondo and Mira Costa High Schools were more centrally located and better anchored to their historic communities); some accused the decision of being in part motivated by the prospect of selling or leasing the facilities to Aviation High School's large corporate neighbor, the defense and credit-reporting company TRW. For some time after the school's closure, TRW did lease part of the facilities, including the gym, the track and field, and the auditorium. Although, the city still maintained the facilities.
In 1983, Aviation's non-graduating students were sent to Redondo Union High School and Mira Costa High School, depending on their residence location (to avoid overcrowding at Redondo High School, Mira Costa High School's resident limits were extended outside of Manhattan beach to incorporate part of Redondo Beach).[citation needed]
boston massacre
EOG Master
In The Phoenix Suns Photo, Westphal is Being Guarded By The Celtics Kevin Stacom, Who Played at Providence College With Ernie D. and Marvin "Bad News" on The 1973 Team, That Went on To Play in The NCAA Final Four, Under Head Coach Dave Gavitt, Who Ended Up Creating The Greatest College Basketball Conference Ever.
The BIG EAST !
It Ended Up Being Disbanded By GEEKS in SUITS !
WildBill
2
Really a great coach. He did an amazing job with the Suns, but word was Barkley didn't like Westphal actually telling him what to do and got him sent off eventually. After that when he got coaching jobs, you could tell he didn't want any part of the babysitter role. That's why he kept moving onto front office or TV analyst jobs, I think how things went with Sir Charles really changed his career path.
My wife and I walked on that track 4 days a week until the virus. I went Mira Costa class of 1967. Paul was a year behind me at Aviation. I used to go watch him play in HS. Went to CIF finals again Compton. Yes all black team. I believe Hollyfield played on Compton. He went to UCLA. Every time Paul drove the lane Compton players would just kill him. He would calmly get up and make his two free throws. At USC his team one year lost 2 games the entire season, both to UCLA and did not make it the tournament. They only took Conference champions then. He used to play some volleyball at Marine St. in Manhattan Beach in my beach volleyball days. Had no idea he was ill. Very sad day indeed.
Aviation Park sign
The track and soccer field at the former Aviation High School
Because of budgetary constraints in the early 1980s, in part due to California Proposition 13 (1978), the South Bay Union High School District decided in November 1981 to close one of its three area comprehensive high schools, but promised teachers and administrators that they would not lose their jobs. Savings were projected at $1 million in maintenance costs. After much deliberation (via a 21-member citizen's committee) and several public forums, the district decided in April 1982 to close Aviation.
Many in the South Bay community saw this decision as unsound (closure would result in overcrowding of the two remaining schools and would not be a viable long-term strategy if district enrollment increased; in addition, Aviation had the newest facilities of the three area high schools. Some saw the decision as based on area politics and geography (Redondo and Mira Costa High Schools were more centrally located and better anchored to their historic communities); some accused the decision of being in part motivated by the prospect of selling or leasing the facilities to Aviation High School's large corporate neighbor, the defense and credit-reporting company TRW. For some time after the school's closure, TRW did lease part of the facilities, including the gym, the track and field, and the auditorium. Although, the city still maintained the facilities.
In 1983, Aviation's non-graduating students were sent to Redondo Union High School and Mira Costa High School, depending on their residence location (to avoid overcrowding at Redondo High School, Mira Costa High School's resident limits were extended outside of Manhattan beach to incorporate part of Redondo Beach).[citation needed]
railbird
EOG Master
@NBA coach of the @Suns Coach Westphal talks about the best play he ever drew up that won the game But For me, the best part of the story was, Westphal saying, 'It was the only time Charles Barkley ran a play right'.
#NBA https://t.co/vF52pbeFFs" / Twitter
FairWarning
Bells Beer Connoisseur
I watched the game a few times, you are correct.
FairWarning
Bells Beer Connoisseur
Looking at this list just to get an idea who played there, not a strong list for a major school. I didn't realize Bill Sharman went to USC.
https://www.ranker.com/list/best-usc-trojans-basketball-players/ranker-ncaa-basketball
FairWarning
Bells Beer Connoisseur
I don't remember him at SC. He played under the shadows of UCLA.
Something tells me Westphal wore out his welcome as a coach in both Phoenix and Malibu.
I faintly remember hearing negative stories surrounding Westphal's work ethic at Pepperdine.
He's Paul Westphal, after all.
I faintly remember hearing negative stories surrounding Westphal's work ethic at Pepperdine.
He's Paul Westphal, after all.
Viejo Dinosaur
EOG Master
Cheryl Miller best player ever....
Crazy Pete
EOG Addicted
It WAS during my time, I watched it. It was a classic game, amongst the top 10 NBA games ever, I wouldn’t argue against calling it the GOAT game.
Lots of back & forth, and drama.
Kane’s details are indeed correct.
I would add:
Earlier in the game, at the end of regulation (or 1st overtime?), score tied, a Celtic (forget who) grabbed a rebound and called timeout with 1 second left, right in front of the ref, who clearly saw it, but did not grant it. Probably because the home court Celtics HAD NO TIMEOUTS AVAILABLE!!! That exact same rule! Teammates hustled him away as he started to argue with the ref. If granted, Westphal would likely have attempted the free throw, made it, & won the game.
Also, Gar Heard’s tying shot was probably in 3 point range, but it was pre-NBA 3 pointer era (ABA only).
Also, this was before clocks had tenths of seconds, & Boston was notorious for giving clock person a lot of leeway. 1 1/2 seconds for Celtics, 1/2 second for opponents. Gar had to shoot quick.
Kane is correct about the inbounds rule, but I think the rule has changed: Phoenix called the T/O after a Celtic basket, I think nowadays it automatically inbounds at center court after a T/O. But that was NOT the case then, so that’s why Westphal called the T/O (he chatted with the ref to confirm the rule, & the ref’s knowledge of the rule, then called the T/O after confirmation).
Lots of other drama in that game.
FairWarning
Bells Beer Connoisseur
NBA TV shows the game from time to time.