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1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1041 Location: Phoenix AZ

. . . .and so is Paul-Ball in its purest form. I'm too raw to wish him well right now - maybe later. . .
I'll settle for an imitation if it can be found. It has been sooo damn fun to watch.

Quote: http://www.wnba.com/mercury/news/westhead_070927.html
Posted: Sept. 27, 2007
The 2007 WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury today released the following statement from general manager Ann Meyers Drysdale:

"We are unendingly grateful for the commitment and leadership Paul provided from the day he joined the Mercury organization and for the role he played in bringing our franchise and city their first professional basketball championship. We wish him the best in his new venture."

"This is a great time for the Phoenix Mercury organization. We have the best core of players in the league and the highest quality people on the floor and in the front office. The search for a head coach who exemplifies our values of teamwork and community involvement and who can help us defend our title begins immediately."

The 68-year-old Westhead was hired as head coach of the Mercury on October 11, 2005, and compiled a 41-27 (.603) record in two seasons in Phoenix, finishing with the highest winning percentage in franchise history and the second-most victories (Cheryl Miller). In 2007, he led his team to a franchise-record 23 victories and for the second consecutive year used his signature up-tempo style to set a WNBA record for scoring average.

With a 7-2 postseason record, Westhead led the club to its first WNBA Championship, a 3-2 series win over the Detroit Shock clinched on Sunday, Sept. 16 in Detroit. It was the first title won on the road in the league’s 11-year history.

I had the tiniest lil bit of hope that's now dashed to smithereens.
All I have to say at the moment is. . . . here we go again:
please don't remind me how many coaching changes we've had - its depressing :? :(

potd41 · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:33 pm Post subject:

This sucks :x He'll be a nobody there, lost in the shuffle of the other 100 assistants on that team :x

woodsey44 · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 46 Location: H-Town, Arkansas

I kinda figured he would go....in all of the celebration stuff, he seemed more sad than happy that his team just won a championship for the first time ever. He was pretty quiet in the celebration, too, especially in interviews.

PAkid103 · Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject:

May one see him back like Michael Cooper?

kingbt · Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 70

He came, he ran..... he CONQUERED!

Best of luck Paul Westhead. You're a class act.

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1689 Location: Central Phoenix

I would like to see Corey Gaines become the new head coach.

Westhead did a great job and finished with a lot of records (and the title). This was a great hire by Robert Sarver. And I don't think Westhead would have left if it weren't for PJ being the head coach in Seattle. Best of luck, Coach!

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1041 Location: Phoenix AZ

Quote: http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hu5XQGcMpGUUy6ZgZJSb0IS0g8MQ

SEATTLE -

"P.J. and I have worked together and known each other for many years, and I'm thankful for the opportunity," Westhead said.

He also was a head coach in Chicago and Denver, sandwiched around a five-year run at Loyola Marymount, where Westhead took the Lions to three straight NCAA berths, including a memorable run to the Elite Eight in 1990 after the death of star forward Hank Gathers. He also had college stops at George Mason and LaSalle.

Westhead was an assistant for Carlesimo from 1997-99, Carlesimo's last NBA head coaching stop.

"We are extremely fortunate to have Paul Westhead join our coaching staff," Carlesimo said in a statement. "He will be a great resource to our talented players, and also to his fellow coaches."

Westhead joins Ralph Lewis, Scott Brooks and Mark Bryant on Carlesimo's staff.