PRO BASKETBALL; Westphal Is Fired by Sonics After Feuding With Players
Published: November 28, 2000
Sign In to E-Mail
Print
Paul Westphal was fired today as the coach of the struggling Seattle SuperSonics after disagreements with some of his star players.
The SuperSonics were expected to be a power this season with the acquisition of Patrick Ewing, but the team is only 6-9. The dismissal comes only days after an on-court shouting match between Westphal and guard Gary Payton during a game in Dallas.
Nate McMillan, an assistant coach, was named the interim head coach. McMillan, a former Seattle guard, will coach his first game Tuesday night at Portland.
Westphal, in his third year with the team, is the first National Basketball Association coach to be fired this season. He was in the final year of his contract.
''The Sonics are a much better team than their current record,'' Barry Ackerley, the team owner, said. ''We are committed to helping this team achieve its true potential this year as the Sonics have some of the best talent in the N.B.A. Paul Westphal is a good person and a fine coach. But we felt that a change was necessary to help the Sonics achieve their goals for the season.''
Ackerley said Wally Walker, the team president and general manager, made the decision to fire Westphal.
''They have been great people for whom to work,'' Westphal said. ''I would also like to thank Wally Walker, my staff and the players who gave it their all.''
On Nov. 6, after a game with Orlando, Payton, Vin Baker and Ewing reportedly shouted at some teammates about their poor effort.
Some players questioned Westphal's ability. Westphal, who was in an office, reportedly came into the locker room and said he would step down as coach if that was what the team wanted. The dispute came just four days into the season.
Walker said Westphal was frustrated by his team's bickering and insubordination.Payton reportedly told Westphal in the huddle during the Mavericks game that he did not care ''about this game anymore. You all can suspend me for the rest of my career.''
The next day, Walker announced he was suspending Payton for at least one game ''for conduct detrimental to the team.'' Hours later, Walker lifted the suspension, saying Payton had apologized.
Westphal has also had differences with Baker, Payton's teammate on the Olympic team. The coach criticized Baker for being overweight and out of shape last season and, in the off-season, was part of an effort to trade Baker to the Knicks in a four-team deal.
The addition of Ewing was supposed to make the Sonics one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Instead, Seattle has been far from consistent this season.
Ewing is Seattle's first legitimate center since Jack Sikma left after the 1986 season. In his 16th season, Ewing is averaging 31.3 minutes, 10.3 points and 8.9 rebounds. He averaged 15 points and 9.7 rebounds for the Knicks last season.
McMillan played 12 seasons with the Sonics and has been an assistant coach the last two years. He is the team's career leader in assists and steals.
Westphal had a 76-71 record with the Sonics. He inherited a team that won 61 games in 1997-98 under George Karl, but the Sonics failed to make the playoffs in the lockout-shortened 1999 season. Seattle made the playoffs last season, but was eliminated in the first round by Utah.
In 1993, Westphal coached Phoenix to the N.B.A. finals. Three years later, after 33 games that season, he was fired by the Suns.
