The reaper definitely has targeted Hall of Famers who wore 44 for January 2, 2021 as longtime NBA player and coach Paul Westphal has died after being diagnosed with glioblastoma (brain cancer) back in August. A first-team All-American with USC in 1971, Westphal led the USC Trojans to a 24-2 with the team ranked as high as No. 2 (behind UCLA) in the country. Westphal was drafted by the Boston Celtics, where he earned a championship ring in 1974. The shooting guard is best remembered for his years with the Phoenix Suns and participated in the legendary triple-overtime loss to Boston in Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals. Westphal would later play for the Knicks and SuperSonics and had an All-Star Weekend H-O-R-S-E championship on his resume. After his playing career Westphal turned to coaching, and led what is now known as Grand Canyon University to the 1988 NAIA title. He then joined the Phoenix Suns staff and in his rookie year as head coach guided the team to the 1993 NBA Finals against Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. Westphal later coached the Seattle SuperSonics, Sacramento Kings and Pepperdine University. HIs most recent NBA gig was as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets from 2014-16.
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