A Tale of Two Seasons

by Paul Westphal

A Tale of Two Seasons contrasts two very different seasons from Naismith Hall-of- Famer Paul Westphal's span of five decades in professional basketball.

One season covers his time as the head coach of the NBA Seattle SuperSonics while the other offers insight into his first coaching job at Southwestern College (now Arizona Christian University.) One paid the highest salary he'd ever earned, while the other paid him nothing. Yet, that one special season with Southwestern is the season he said was his best year in basketball.

His stories about life and basketball, both as a player and a coach, are intertwined with humor, insight, hindsight, and his genuine love for the game.

200 pages, Hardcover

Published October 22, 2024

Reviews

[Charlie Gessner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting read that is complicated to review because it was published by his family after he passed away. What you do have on these pages is honesty: pure, unadulterated honesty. There are criticisms of former NBA players that Westphal coached. There are funny stories from his days being alongside players such as Charles Barkley. And finally, and most importantly, there is the contrast to those former NBA days with his coaching assignment of the students at Southwestern College. While there are some nice sequences and stories in this book, it’s not as cohesive as it could have been. Personally, would have liked to have seen less complaining about former NBA players and more focus on the college team that he coached. While I’m sure Westphal wanted to personally tell his side of the story to some of his NBA days, it doesn’t add to the work that he has done along the way. What I did appreciate was his honesty, perspective, and his attempt at trying to get the best out of his players, both college and NBA level.

[Jack Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational and informative perspective on what is truly important in life! Westy’s perspective is refreshing especially in light of how sports has seemed to take a position in today’s world that is completely out of proportion to what common sense dictates it should be! We need more Paul Westphal’s in this world!! He left us far too early!