Paul Westphal?

[DanGarion]

Anyone know any info as to why Paul Westphal was fired/left the Phoenix Suns in 1996? After the 3 pretty impressive seasons it would seem a little quick to fire him for going 14-19 in 96.

[Franklinnoble]

Anyone know any info as to why Paul Westphal was fired/left the Phoenix Suns in 1996? After the 3 pretty impressive seasons it would seem a little quick to fire him for going 14-19 in 96.I don't remember exactly what the logic was, but I was ticked off when it happened. Westphal had done a pretty good job, and if Michael Jordan had retired one year earlier, the Suns would have won the title in '93.

The real reason they went downhill was personnel. Barkley got cranky, and didn't get along with KJ. Instead of trading KJ, they traded Majerle (huge mistake), and shortly afterwards, Sir Charles wanted out.

I can't believe Westphal isn't coaching in the NBA right now.

[DanGarion]

I can't believe Westphal isn't coaching in the NBA right now.
Well I'm watching a special about him on Fox Sports West right now. Basically it says he's really enjoying coaching at Pepperdine and that he was sort of old school which is why the NBA stopped calling. But they didn't really say much about why he was fired from Phoenix. It just didn't make sense to me considering his record.

[dixieflatline]

I agree I was a bit surprised when he went to the college ranks because I thought he was a pretty good coach. But looking at his recent record at pepperdine I'm less than impressed. They were below .500 last year and even worse this year. Pepperdine has a decent name for itself and with his name you would think he could recruit farily well but apparently something is wrong. If he wasn't Paul Westphal I would think he would be on the hot seat right now.

[Young Drachma]

I bet the kids there have no idea who he is, as do the players he recruits or their parents. So it's probably not a huge advantage and is it really easy to recruit at a school like Pepperdine, in a state where recruits have so many other options?

I was thinking about that, how hard it must be for coaches at that level. I guess maybe he's just coasting because the school doesn't care or expect much, given it's the WCC.

[Karlifornia]

You'd think living in malibu for free would be a selling point for a lot of kids.

[Butter]

Hey, anybody know why Sparky Anderson left the Tigers?

Oh yeah, he's 172 years old. Never mind!

[SnDvls]

Anyone know any info as to why Paul Westphal was fired/left the Phoenix Suns in 1996? After the 3 pretty impressive seasons it would seem a little quick to fire him for going 14-19 in 96.

A lot had to do with his personality. He was too laid back and ran a country club atmosphere in Phoenix which lead to Barkley & Kevin Johnson clashing many times. The trade of Dan Majerle was only to try and get a big man and put Phx. over the hump. Cleveland took the bait and sent a damaged John "Hot Rod" Williams in the deal. Neadless to say the Suns lost in 94 & 95 to the Rockets in rounds 1 or 2 I believe. Then Barkley was traded to Houston for a bunch of coatriders in Robert Hory & Sam Cassell. Horry was later traded for throwing a towel in then coach Danny Ainge's face to the Lakers & Cassell was part of a deal that brought Jason Kidd to the Suns later on.

So basically a laid back no disipline locker room and not results on the court.

[Franklinnoble]

Looks like he couldn't hack it at Pepperdine :(


Thursday, March 16, 2006; E02

College Basketball

Paul Westphal was let go as coach of the Pepperdine men's team after a 7-20 season. Westphal, who previously coached Seattle and Phoenix in the NBA, was with Pepperdine for five seasons.
<!-- start the copyright for the articles -->© 2006 The Washington Post Company

[MrBug708]

He was lazy at Pepperdine. He went there to coach his son mainly and now that his son wasnt there, he stopped car\ing

[Young Drachma]

You'd think living in malibu for free would be a selling point for a lot of kids.

Well..he'd probably have to go out of region to get really good kids that would play, simply because the other california schools offer sunshine and pretty girls, too.

Though I'd agree playing in the WCC where really all you have to do is work to get to the tourney and then beat Gonzaga should be an allure for kids who want to win. But...I'm sure there has to be something else. Maybe lack of funding by the admin?

[Franklinnoble]

He was lazy at Pepperdine. He went there to coach his son mainly and now that his son wasnt there, he stopped car\ing

Not exactly the best career move...

[Anthony]

i always thought Paul was a very solid NBA coach. i think he's better than half of the coaches currently in the league. lots of teams going with nobodies with no track records.