Inanunsyo ng Phoenix Suns na sumakabilang buhay na si Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Westphal sa edad na 70.
Si Westphal ay na-diagnose na may brain cancer noong Agosto 2020.
Bago mapiling 10th overall ng Boston Celtics noong 1972 draft, naglaro si Westphal ng college basketball sa University of Southern California.
Nagwagi ng NBA title si Westphal sa Celtics noong 1974 sa kanyang ikalawang season.
Isinuot din nito ang uniporme ng Phoenix Suns, Seattle Supersonics, at New York Knicks, kung saan kinilala ito bilang Comeback Player of the Year.
Sa kanyang basketball career, limang beses itong pinangalanan nilang All-Star, at napili bilang All-NBA First Team selection nang tatlong beses.
Nagrehistro rin ito ng 12,809 total points, 3,591 assists, 1,580 rebounds, at 1,022 steals, at niretiro ng Suns ang kanyang No. 44 jersey.
Noong 2019 nang iluklok ito sa Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Nang matapos ang kanyang playing career, pinasok ni Westphal ang mundo ng coaching kung saan kalaunan ay naging head coach ito ng Suns, Sonics, at Sacramento Kings.
Pinangunahan ni Westphal ang Suns sa NBA Finals noong 1993, kung saan natalo sila kina Michael Jordan at Chicago Bulls sa anim na laro.
Maliban dito, ginabayan din nito ang Seattle sa playoffs noong 2000.
Nagsilbi rin bilang assistant si Westphal sa Brooklyn nets mula 2014 hanggang 2016.
“He was cerebral in his game. He was always thinking one step ahead,” saad ni dating Suns general manager and owner Jerry Colangelo sa isang pahayag.
“There may be just a handful of people who have as much influence and significance on the history of the Phoenix Suns. 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.”
