Paul Westhead is a former basketball player and coach who is best known for his fast-paced, high-scoring offensive style of play. He began his coaching career at La Salle University in 1970, where he led the team to a 23-1 record in his first season. He then moved on to the NBA, where he served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers and helped the team win an NBA championship in 1980.
In 1980, Westhead was named head coach of the Lakers, and he immediately implemented his fast-break offense, which relied on quick passes and aggressive scoring. The team responded well to his style of play, and they won the NBA championship in his first season as head coach.
Westhead's success with the Lakers led to coaching opportunities with other NBA teams, including the Chicago Bulls and the Denver Nuggets. However, his fast-paced style of play was not always successful, and he was often criticized for his lack of emphasis on defense.
In 1989, Westhead left the NBA to become head coach at Loyola Marymount University, where he continued to use his fast-break offense. His teams at Loyola Marymount were known for their high-scoring games, and they set numerous NCAA records for points scored in a single game.
Westhead's coaching career was not without controversy, however. In 1990, one of his players, Hank Gathers, collapsed and died during a game due to a heart condition. Westhead was criticized for allowing Gathers to continue playing despite his known medical condition.
Despite the tragedy, Westhead continued to coach at Loyola Marymount until 1992, when he was fired after a dispute with the school's administration. He then went on to coach in the WNBA and in various international leagues.
Overall, Paul Westhead's basketball career was defined by his innovative offensive style of play and his success with the Lakers in the early 1980s. While his coaching career was not without controversy, he remains a respected figure in the basketball world and is remembered for his contributions to the sport.
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