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CubanMustGo
06-28-2007, 05:35 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2920083

Westphal joins Mavericks' staff as assistant coach

Associated Press
Updated: June 28, 2007, 6:25 PM ET

DALLAS -- Former NBA head coach Paul Westphal was hired Thursday to be a Dallas Mavericks assistant coach.

While Westphal has been out of the NBA since being fired as Seattle's coach 15 games into the 2000-01 season, he had a 267-159 record as the coach for Phoenix (1992-95) and Seattle (1998-2000).

"We are thrilled to add Paul Westphal to our basketball family. As one of the greatest offensive coaching minds in the NBA, Paul brings a wealth of experience as a coach and as a former player," Mavs coach Avery Johnson. "He is a man of strong character and integrity and is excited about joining our staff in its path to win a championship."

The Suns won at least 55 games in each of Westphal's three seasons, and he led Phoenix to the NBA Finals in his first full season in 1993 -- a feat not matched by another first-year coach until Johnson did it with the Mavericks last year.

Johnson still has one more coaching vacancy to fill on his staff. Longtime assistant Del Harris has moved into a consultant's role for the Mavericks and Sam Vincent was named Charlotte's head coach.

Westphal, who won an NBA title as a player with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and was a five-time All-Star, was Pepperdine's head coach from 2001-06.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

SpursFanInAustin
06-28-2007, 05:59 PM
I've been hearing a rumor from a Mavs fan that they might fill that other coaching vacancy with former Spur backcourt mate of Avery Johnson's. None other than Mario Elie. I wouldn't mind if Elie took over as Pop's #1 asst. if PJ got a job with Seattle.