EPISODE · Mar 23, 2022 · 32 MIN
From West Philly to Winning Time: Paul Westhead's big break featured in new HBO show
from The Week in Philly from KYW Newsradio · host Audacy
How in the heck did Paul Westhead go from coaching Cheltenham High School to leading Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers to the 1980 NBA title?! The story is symbolic of the strength of Philadelphia's deep-rooted basketball fraternity. And while Westhead's stint with the Lakers was relatively short, in many ways it was only the beginning of a long coaching career highlighted by stops at Loyola-Marymount, where he implemented an innovative system with Philadelphia natives Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble, and a WNBA championship run with the Phoenix Mercury. A few weeks removed from his 83rd birthday, Westhead reflects on a lifetime in hoops, and discusses the new HBO show 'Winning Time,' in which he's portrayed by actor Jason Segel.
What this episode covers
How in the heck did Paul Westhead go from coaching Cheltenham High School to leading Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers to the 1980 NBA title?! The story is symbolic of the strength of Philadelphia's deep-rooted basketball fraternity. And while Westhead's stint with the Lakers was relatively short, in many ways it was only the beginning of a long coaching career highlighted by stops at Loyola-Marymount, where he implemented an innovative system with Philadelphia natives Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble, and a WNBA championship run with the Phoenix Mercury. A few weeks removed from his 83rd birthday, Westhead reflects on a lifetime in hoops, and discusses the new HBO show 'Winning Time,' in which he's portrayed by actor Jason Segel.
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From West Philly to Winning Time: Paul Westhead's big break featured in new HBO show
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