Phoenix Suns legend Paul Westphal has brain cancer
The basketball world received bad news Sunday afternoon when it was announced Phoenix Suns icon, Paul Westphal, has been diagnosed with brain cancer.
Well, this sucks. Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor honoree and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Westphal has been diagnosed with brain cancer. This is per Westphal’s longtime friend Mike Lucia. 2020 just keeps slinging daggers.
"“I’ve been close friends with Paul Westphal ever since his 1972-73 rookie year with the Boston Celtics and had the pleasure of celebrating his wonderful career with him last September when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. With his permission, I am letting the basketball world know he has just been diagnosed with brain cancer. Specifically, glioblastoma. Please pray for my friend No. 44.”"
Phoenix Suns legend, Paul Westphal, has brain cancer.
Westphal spent six of his 12 NBA seasons with the Phoenix Suns and made the All-Star team four times during that stretch. He was also named an All-Star with the Seattle Supersonics.
After his first three seasons with the Celtics, Westphal exploded when he landed with the Suns, averaging over 22 points per game over the next five seasons. After a few stops in Seattle and New York, Westphal returned to Phoenix for his last season as a player, but his legacy with the organization wouldn’t be fully cemented until he served as the team’s head coach.
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After four years as an assistant, Westphal took the reins and most prominently led the Suns’ magical 1993 run to the NBA Finals where Charles Barkley and company ultimately fell to some guy called Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
As the Suns’ head coach for three and a half seasons, Westphal had an impressive 191-88 record and was later enshrined into the Ring of Honor with his number 44 retired. Just recently in September 2019, he was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Now, at age 69, Westphal will face the toughest battle of his life as he combats brain cancer.
The Phoenix Suns community and the entire basketball world send him our best wishes, prayers, and positive vibes as he attacks this horrible disease.
Get well soon, 44.
dark. Next. 12 times the Suns signed the less-talented NBA brother