Paul Westphal to leave Brooklyn Nets as lead assistant
Paul Westphal's loyalty to Lionel Hollins will keep him from staying on with the Brooklyn Nets following the firing of his longtime friend.
Hollins was canned by the organization on Sunday morning after compiling a 48-71 record over two seasons manning the sidelines for the Nets. Westphal - a former head coach in his own right - was the lead assistant under Hollins, helping Brooklyn qualify for the playoffs during the 2014-15 campaign.
In a Facebook post written by his wife, it was announced that Westphal would be leaving his position effective immediately:
JANUARY 10, 2016 ~ "It's ironic that I made my first regular season basket as a player in Detroit, and was just there again in Detroit for my last as a coach." ~ Paul Westphal
We literally were out the door and practically into the car headed for church when Paul received a phone call from Lionel Hollins. Confession: we never made it to church. Coaches are hired to be fired, you know. Lionel had just been let go and so, the two men needed to talk.
What an incredible experience we have had in New York, working with solid character guys...men of integrity...who always knew how to stay in their own lanes as the Nets's coaching staff. No contentiousness. No hidden agendas. Always with respect. Sweetest of all, on a personal note, was time spent with Angie and Lionel and their beautiful children, having known them from very young ages, all grown up with families of their own now.
After over 43 years of pretty much a front row seat observing up close (but certainly not inner circle) the complexities of reality behind front office business decisions, coaches have to take many bullets for things over which they have no control in order to promote a desired perception. Because it not only is sport, but entertainment. Often their hands are more tied than fans realize.
Paul's loyalty was and is to Lionel. It would be too hard to remain without him. Like Paul always says, "You can't win without the horses." Wishing the best for Tony Brown who will be getting his first head coaching opportunity. May he get the *horses* he needs.
We are blessed and grateful people for the opportunities extended by the Brooklyn Nets, and are excited for whatever is next....be it low key or crazy paced.......cindy