Hall of Famer Paul Westphal dies at 70 Paul Westphal was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019 after an illustrious career as a player and coach. Beth Harris | The Associated Press January 2, 2021 8:41 PM In Memoriam: Paul Westphal Paul Westphal, a Hall of Fame player who won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 1974 and later coached in the league and in college, died Saturday. He was 70. He died in Scottsdale, Arizona, according to a statement from Southern California, where Westphal starred in college. He was diagnosed with brain cancer last August. A five-time All-Star guard, Westphal played in the NBA from 1972-84. After winning a championship with the Celtics, he made the finals in 1976 with Phoenix, where he was a key part of one of the most riveting games in league history. He also played for Seattle and the New York Knicks.