Who is Paul Westhead?
Paul William Westhead, born February 21, 1939, is a retired American basketball coach known for his versatile coaching career in various leagues. She made her mark coaching in multiple basketball arenas, including the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the American Basketball Association (ABA), and the Japan Basketball League (JBL).
In particular, Westhead’s NBA coaching debut with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979-80 was a notable success. In his first year as the league’s head coach, he guided rookie Magic Johnson and the Lakers to the 1980 NBA Finals, clinching the championship in a six-game victory. His unconventional approach to coaching, characterized by a fast-paced style of play dubbed “The System”, set him apart.
This high-paced, run-and-gun strategy was aimed at maximizing offensive opportunities, a style that paid off during his coaching tenure. His prowess as a Westhead coach extended beyond the NBA, as he also won WNBA titles.
Affectionately nicknamed “The Professor” due to his earlier career teaching English and his habit of weaving literary references, including Shakespeare, into his training, Westhead left an indelible mark on the basketball landscape.
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Full name |
Paul William Westhead |
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Birthdate |
February 21, 1939 |
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place of birth |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
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Age |
84 years |
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High school |
Western Catholic Preparatory High School |
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Colleague |
Saint Joseph’s University – Hawk Hill Campus |
Why was Paul Westhead fired?
Paul Westhead’s firing as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1981 was due to a combination of factors, centering primarily on a clash of coaching philosophies and strained relationships with key players, particularly Magic Johnson. While Westhead’s coaching style, known as “The System,” had given the Lakers an NBA championship in his first year as interim head coach, his transition to the permanent position led to friction.
Johnson and some teammates were reportedly skeptical of Westhead’s attacking game plan, leading to a deterioration in the atmosphere in the locker room. Westhead’s refusal to adapt and his apparent inability to manage the team’s star players ultimately contributed to his downfall. Magic Johnson’s 1981 trade request, combined with the Lakers’ poor start to the season, led the organization to fire Westhead and seek new direction under the leadership of Pat Riley.
When did Paul Westhead leave the Lakers?
Paul Westhead left his position as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1981-82 NBA season. His departure came after a turbulent start to the season, marked by a 2-4 record and strained relations within the team.
The turning point came when Magic Johnson and Westhead clashed during a game against the Utah Jazz. Johnson’s trade request, combined with the Lakers’ internal infighting and conflict, led to Westhead’s firing.
Following his departure, Pat Riley took over the coaching duties and led the Lakers to a successful season, culminating in another championship victory. This marked the end of Westhead’s tenure with the Lakers, as Riley successfully took over the team and guided them to continued success.
Paul Westhead on Los Angeles Lakers
Paul Westhead’s tenure as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers was marked by a combination of success and internal conflict. He took over the coaching reins from Jack McKinney, initially serving as an assistant before becoming interim head coach due to McKinney’s bicycle accident.
Westhead’s first year as coach coincided with a memorable achievement when the Lakers, led by rookie Magic Johnson and star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, clinched the 1980 NBA Finals championship by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in six games. . This marked the start of the Showtime era of the Lakers. Despite this triumph, tensions soon arose between Westhead and Johnson.
Disagreements arose over the team’s offensive approach, with Johnson advocating a counter-attacking style that aligned with his playmaking abilities, while Westhead favored a more isolation-focused approach focused on Abdul-Jabbar.
As friction between Westhead and Johnson increased, the team’s performance declined and the Lakers faced a playoff loss against the Moses Malone-led Houston Rockets. The strained relationship between Westhead and Johnson ultimately culminated in Westhead’s firing early in his third season with the Lakers. He was succeeded by Pat Riley, an assistant coach he had hired.
While Magic Johnson is speculated to have played a role in orchestrating Westhead’s departure, Lakers owner Jerry Buss would have considered firing Westhead prior to Johnson’s involvement. Westhead concluded his tenure as Lakers coach with a record of 111 wins and 50 losses.
Paul Westhead coaching career
Paul Westhead’s extensive coaching career spans various levels of basketball, including college, professional and international leagues. His career as a coach is marked by a wide range of experiences and notable achievements:
Collegiate Training:
- Westhead’s coaching career began at La Salle University, where he served as the head coach of the men’s basketball team from 1970 to 1979.
- During his tenure at La Salle, he achieved notable successes, including regular-season championships and tournaments in conferences such as the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) and East Coast Conference (ECC).
- He later coached the Loyola Marymount University men’s basketball program from 1985 to 1990, achieving further recognition with regular-season and tournament championships in the West Coast Conference (WCC). He was named WCC Coach of the Year twice during his tenure.
NBA training:
- Westhead’s NBA coaching career began as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979. He transitioned into the role of head coach for the Lakers and led the team to an NBA championship victory in 1980, fueled by the partnership of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
- He also served as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls in the 1982-83 season and then coached the Denver Nuggets from 1990 to 1992.
- Westhead’s NBA coaching record reflects his tenures with the Lakers, Bulls and Nuggets, amassing a combined record of 183 wins and 224 losses.
Other trainer functions:
- Westhead ventured into coaching international basketball, including as the head coach of the Panasonic Super Kangaroos and the Long Beach Jam.
- She also dabbled in the WNBA, notching a championship win as the head coach of the Phoenix Mercury in 2007.
- Westhead’s coaching career extended to the collegiate level as well, coaching the men’s basketball team at George Mason University and eventually the women’s basketball team at the University of Oregon.
- His accomplishments include championships, conference titles and recognition for his coaching prowess at various levels of basketball.
Throughout his coaching career, Paul Westhead left a lasting impact on the game with his innovative strategies, diverse coaching experiences, and significant accomplishments.
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