Another year has gone by and the next class of finalists have been named for the Hall of Fame. Among them is a former Sun. Should he get in?
Former Phoenix Suns guard Paul Westphal has been named one of the finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This is the first time he’s been named a finalist.
It’s about time. Four decades later, he’s just now a finalist? Seriously, it’s been about 40 years since his playing days. I totally get that some times it takes a while and he’s not the only case but it should NOT take this long to get that nod. He’s 68-years-old now.
If he is inducted, it would no doubt be as a Sun. His best ball was played in a Phoenix uniform. He averaged at least 20 points per game in all five of his seasons in the valley. He was also named to the All Star game five times.
In his first season in purple and orange, he averaged 20.5 points and 5.4 assists and helped lead the “Sunderella Suns” to the 1976 NBA Finals. His 20.8 points and 4.8 assists were not enough as the Suns “lost” to the Boston Celtics in six games. Any one that pays much attention to the history of the team or was able to watch the series knows why the word lost is in quotes. There were a lot of controversies in that match up to say the least. Maybe NBA Champion could have been added to his resume. However, he did very well in the league even without that accolade.
“Westy” still ranks among the all-time Suns leaders in scoring, assists and steals. He ranks 8th in field goals made, 6th in free throws made, 8th in points, 7th in assists and 6th in steals. Only Steve Nash and Charles Barkley have a better offensive box plus/minus in their time in Phoenix. Now, that’s company and another reason why he should make it in.
Westphal was enshrined into the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor in 1998. That was 21 years ago. It’s about time he makes that next leap. He deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.