Oct 7, 2008 - 8:54 PM
0 shoutsDALLAS (Ticker) -- A franchise in need of an overhaul, the Dallas Mavericks have decided to improve from within.
Paul Westphal, who spent last season as an assistant coach with team, was named executive vice president of basketball operations, the Mavericks announced Tuesday.
Westphal will work directly with Donnie Nelson, who is the team's president of basketball operations and general manager. He will assist in all areas of management and scouting.
"I can't tell you how excited we are to add Westy to our management team," Nelson said. "The Mavericks have gained a valuable asset. As a player and coach, Paul has pretty much seen and done it all. He has a wealth of experience and expertise. Now, he has the opportunity to apply that knowledge on the management side of the ball, and the Mavericks are a much better team for it."
Dallas needs that expertise after its disappointing run in recent campaigns.
After taking a 2-0 lead in the 2006 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, the Mavericks lost the final four games and followed that up with an excruciating defeat against the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2007 playoffs. It was the first time a No. 1 seed had lost in an opening round, seven-game series.
The Mavericks then traded for Jason Kidd last season but were eliminated by New Orleans Hornets in five games - again in the first round. Dallas subsequently fired coach Avery Johnson and hired Rick Carlisle.
A 12-year NBA veteran, Westphal brings 25 years of coaching experience to his new role. He had a .627 winning percentage as an NBA coach, leading the Phoenix Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals. The Suns surpassed the 55-win mark in each of his three seasons with the club.
As a player, Westphal was the 10th overall selection in the 1972 draft by the Boston Celtics, where he won a championship in 1974. His career also included stints with the Suns, New York Knicks and Seattle SuperSonics. He played in the 1976 Finals as a member of the Suns.
