1977–78 Phoenix Suns season

Last updated • 2 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

1977–78   Phoenix Suns season
Head coach John MacLeod
General manager Jerry Colangelo
Owners Karl Eller, Don Pitt, Don Diamond, Bhavik Darji, Marvin Meyer, Richard L. Bloch
Arena Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record49–33 (.598)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finish First round
(lost to Bucks 0–2)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television KTAR-TV
Radio KTAR
< 1976–77 1978–79 >

The 1977–78 Phoenix Suns season was the tenth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The team finished second in a Pacific division that did not have a team finish below .500, as the Suns returned to the playoffs for the third time in franchise history. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Contents

Both Paul Westphal and Walter Davis, a rookie from the University of North Carolina, were selected to participate in the All-Star Game and by the end of the season, both were members of the All-NBA Second Team. Davis became the second Sun in three years to be selected as Rookie of the Year, an award teammate Alvan Adams had collected after the 1975–76 season.

Both Westphal and rookie Davis averaged career-highs in scoring, averaging 25.2 and 24.2 points a game. The combined averaged of 49.4 points made for the league's highest-scoring duo on the season. Additionally, Westphal and Davis broke a franchise record of 45.9 points a game, a mark set by Connie Hawkins and Dick Van Arsdale during the 1969–70 season.

Offseason

NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
15 Walter Davis GuardFlag of the United States.svg United States North Carolina
366 Mike Bratz GuardFlag of the United States.svg United States Stanford
471Greg GriffinForwardFlag of the United States.svg United States Idaho State
593Cecil RellfordForwardFlag of the United States.svg United States St. John's
6115 Billy McKinney GuardFlag of the United States.svg United States Northwestern
7136 Alvin Scott ForwardFlag of the United States.svg United States Oral Roberts
8156Alvin JosephCenterFlag of the United States.svg United States California-Riverside

The Suns used their first-round pick to select swingman Walter Davis from North Carolina. Davis averaged 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in four years with the Tar Heels. He would make an immediate impact with the Suns, helping the team make a 15-game improvement and return to the playoffs. Averaging 24.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game his first season, Davis was named Rookie of the Year, receiving 49 1/4 of 66 votes. [1] He would also be named to the All-NBA Second Team, and would finish fifth in Most Valuable Player voting, behind winner Bill Walton, George Gervin, David Thompson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. [2] Davis spent his first eleven seasons with the Suns before joining the Denver Nuggets as the league's second unrestricted free agent in 1988. He left as the Suns' all-time leading scorer (15,666 points), and had his #6 jersey retired by the franchise in 1994.

Roster

Phoenix Suns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightDOB (Y-M-D)From
C 33 Adams, Alvan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)210 lb (95 kg)1954-07-19 Oklahoma
C 21 Awtrey, Dennis 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)235 lb (107 kg)1948-02-22 Santa Clara
G 23 Bratz, Mike 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg)1955-10-17 Stanford
G 10 Buse, Don 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)190 lb (86 kg)1950-08-10 Evansville
G/F 6 Davis, Walter 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)193 lb (88 kg)1954-09-09 North Carolina
C 35 Forrest, Bayard 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)235 lb (107 kg)1954-07-08 Grand Canyon
F 25 Griffin, Greg 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)190 lb (86 kg)1952-09-06 Idaho State
F 24 Heard, Garfield 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)219 lb (99 kg)1948-05-03 Oklahoma
G 30 Lee, Ron 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)193 lb (88 kg)1952-11-02 Oregon
F 18 Perry, Curtis  Cruz Roja.svg6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg)1948-09-13 Missouri State
F 14 Scott, Alvin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)185 lb (84 kg)1955-09-14 Oral Roberts
F 32 Terrell, Ira  Cruz Roja.svg (IN)6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)200 lb (91 kg)1954-06-19 SMU
G 44 Westphal, Paul 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg)1950-11-30 USC
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Regular season

Standings

Pacific Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers 5824.707–36–522–1913–3
x-Phoenix Suns 4933.598934–715–268–8
x-Seattle SuperSonics 4735.5731131–1016–258–8
x-Los Angeles Lakers 4537.5491329–1216–256–10
Golden State Warriors 4339.5241530–1113–285–11
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1z-Portland Trail Blazers 5824.707–
2y-Denver Nuggets 4834.58510
3x-Phoenix Suns 4933.5989
4x-Seattle SuperSonics 4735.57311
5x-Los Angeles Lakers 4537.54913
6x-Milwaukee Bucks 4438.53714
7 Golden State Warriors 4339.52415
8 Chicago Bulls 4042.48818
9 Detroit Pistons 3844.46320
10 Indiana Pacers 3151.37827
11 Kansas City Kings 3151.37827

Record vs. opponents

1977–78 NBA records
TeamATLBOSBUFCHICLEDENDETGSWHOUINDKCKLALMILNJNNOJNYKPHIPHOPORSASSEAWAS
Atlanta —2–23–11–31–31–32–21–33–13–12–13–12–23–12–22–22–23–11–31–32–11–3
Boston 2–2—3–11–31–31–31–32–22–22–12–21–23–13–12–22–20–42–21–30–40–41–3
Buffalo 1–31–3—3–11–31–31–30–33–11–31–21–31–32–22–23–11–30–41–31–31–31–3
Chicago 3–13–11–3—3–12–22–21–33–13–10–42–21–31–22–21–33–02–21–32–22–22–1
Cleveland 3–13–13–11–3—3–12–22–22–22–12–22–23–13–12–23–11–31–20–40–43–12–2
Denver 3–13–13–12–21–3—2–22–23–02–22–23–13–13–13–11–31–32–23–12–11–33–1
Detroit 2–23–13–12–22–22–2—2–23–11–31–32–22–23–13–00–40–42–21–31–31–32–2
Golden State 3–12–23–03–12–22–22–2—2–13–13–10–42–23–10–42–21–32–21–33–12–22–2
Houston 1–32–21–31–32–20–31–31–2—3–12–21–31–32–21–32–22–21–32–21–30–41–3
Indiana 1–31–23–11–31–22–23–11–31–3—2–21–30–42–22–21–32–21–31–31–31–33–1
Kansas City 1–22–22–14–02–22–23–11–32–22–2—2–20–42–22–20–41–30–40–40–41–32–2
Los Angeles 1–32–13–12–22–21–32–24–03–13–12–2—3–14–02–13–12–21–30–42–21–32–2
Milwaukee 2–21–33–13–11–31–32–22–23–14–04–01–3—3–12–13–11–21–31–32–21–33–1
New Jersey 1–31–32–22–11–31–31–31–32–22–22–20–41–3—0–41–30–42–20–30–42–22–2
New Orleans 2–22–22–22–22–21–31–34–03–12–22–21–21–24–0—1–32–21–33–11–32–20–4
New York 2–22–21–33–11–33–13–02–22–23–14–01–31–33–13–1—1–31–31–32–22–12–2
Philadelphia 2–24–03–11–33–13–14–03–12–22–23–12–22–14–02–23–1—2–12–23–13–12–2
Phoenix1–32–24–02–22–12–22–22–23–13–14–03–13–12–23–13–11–2—1–32–22–22–2
Portland 3–13–13–13–14–01–33–13–12–23–14–04–03–13–11–33–02–23–1—2–23–12–1
San Antonio 3–14–03–12–24–01–22–11–33–13–14–02–22–24–03–12–21–32–22–2—2–22–2
Seattle 1–24–03–12–21–33–13–12–24–03–13–13–13–12–22–11–31–32–21–32–2—1–3
Washington 3–13–13–11–22–21–32–22–23–11–32–22–21–32–24–02–22–22–21–22–23–1—

Game log

1977–78 game log
Total: 49–33 (home: 34–7; road: 15–26)
October: 3–3 (home: 2–1; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1October 18 Golden State W 100–83 Alvan Adams (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,128		1–0
2October 23@ Los Angeles W 104–101 Paul Westphal (26) The Forum
10,481		2–0
3October 25 Seattle W 93–86 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,917		3–0
4October 28@ New Orleans L 107–114 Paul Westphal (23) Louisiana Superdome
10,342		3–1
5October 29@ Houston L 112–125 Paul Westphal (28) The Summit
8,557		3–2
6October 31 San Antonio L 143–145 Paul Westphal (37) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,030		3–3
November: 8–4 (home: 6–0; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
7November 3@ San Antonio W 110–89 Walter Davis (24) HemisFair Arena
8,394		4–3
8November 4, 1977
6:05 p.m. MST 		@ Washington L 96–113 Ron Lee (21) Capital Centre
8,742		4–4
9November 5@ Chicago L 94–111 Walter Davis (25) Chicago Stadium
13,424		4–5
10November 10 New Orleans W 127–111 Alvan Adams (35) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,297		5–5
11November 13 Indiana W 116–107 Ron Lee (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,550		6–5
12November 18 Chicago W 103–101 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (25)		 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,543		7–5
13November 20 San Antonio W 134–112 Alvan Adams (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,677		8–5
14November 22 Los Angeles W 118–107 Walter Davis (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,130		9–5
15November 24@ Cleveland L 82–97 Paul Westphal (22) Coliseum at Richfield
15,445		9–6
16November 25@ Indiana W 118–110 Alvan Adams,
Paul Westphal (30)		 Market Square Arena
15,448		10–6
17November 27 Denver W 115–97 Paul Westphal (48) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,658		11–6
18November 29@ Portland L 96–108 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (25)		 Memorial Coliseum
12,666		11–7
December: 10–6 (home: 5–2; road: 5–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
19December 2 Portland L 103–106 Paul Westphal (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		11–8
20December 4 Atlanta L 89–96 Alvan Adams (18) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,577		11–9
21December 6@ Kansas City W 103–92 Walter Davis (29) Kemper Arena
5,976		12–9
22December 7@ Detroit W 113–107 (OT) Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (27)		 Cobo Arena
3,588		13–9
23December 10 Houston W 110–93 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,761		14–9
24December 14 Buffalo W 113–103 Paul Westphal (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,597		15–9
25December 16@ New Orleans W 126–113 Walter Davis (24) Louisiana Superdome
8,172		16–9
26December 17@ Houston W 101–97 Paul Westphal (26) The Summit
8,134		17–9
27December 18@ Atlanta L 129–134 (2OT) Walter Davis (33) Omni Coliseum
8,062		17–10
28December 20@ New York W 110–99 Paul Westphal (32) Madison Square Garden
13,548		18–10
29December 21@ Philadelphia L 119–125 Walter Davis (35) The Spectrum
14,671		18–11
30December 23 Boston W 129–110 Paul Westphal (19) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		19–11
31December 26@ Denver L 108–127 Walter Davis (23) McNichols Sports Arena
17,297		19–12
32December 27 Seattle W 131–105 Ron Lee (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,543		20–12
33December 29 Kansas City W 110–104 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (33)		 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		21–12
34December 30@ Seattle L 110–121 Paul Westphal (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098		21–13
January: 12–2 (home: 8–0; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
35January 3@ Milwaukee W 125–103 Paul Westphal (34) MECCA Arena
8,571		22–13
36January 4@ New Jersey L 83–115 Paul Westphal (21) Rutgers Athletic Center
4,067		22–14
37January 5@ Boston W 121–111 Paul Westphal (43) Hartford Civic Center
10,019		23–14
38January 7@ Buffalo W 107–97 Paul Westphal (29) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
7,029		24–14
39January 11 New Orleans W 142–99 Walter Davis (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		25–14
40January 13 Detroit W 111–100 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		26–14
41January 15 Cleveland W 113–104 Walter Davis (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,787		27–14
42January 19 New York W 134–114 Paul Westphal (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,935		28–14
43January 20@ Golden State L 104–119 Walter Davis (31) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,237		28–15
44January 22, 1978
4:45 p.m. MST 		Washington W 114–101 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		29–15
45January 25 Houston W 118–96 Paul Westphal (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,277		30–15
46January 27 Philadelphia W 110–101 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		31–15
47January 29 New Jersey W 131–100 Bayard Forrest (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,327		32–15
48January 31@ Kansas City W 112–102 Walter Davis (21) Omaha Civic Auditorium
5,182		33–15
February: 5–8 (home: 4–1; road: 1–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
49February 1@ Detroit L 120–127 Walter Davis (26) Cobo Arena
5,143		33–16
50February 3 Milwaukee W 115–105 Walter Davis (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		34–16
All-Star Break
51February 9 Atlanta W 125–98 Walter Davis (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,877		35–16
52February 12, 1978
4:45 p.m. MST 		Washington W 121–109 Paul Westphal (43) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,467		36–16
53February 14@ Portland L 100–113 Walter Davis (39) Memorial Coliseum
12,666		36–17
54February 16 Boston L 95–98 Walter Davis (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		36–18
55February 17@ Golden State L 92–111 Alvan Adams,
Walter Davis (16)		 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,185		36–19
56February 18 Indiana W 114–101 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		37–19
57February 21@ Buffalo W 114–111 Walter Davis (32) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
4,409		38–19
58February 22@ Atlanta L 95–107 Paul Westphal (37) Charlotte Coliseum
5,843		38–20
59February 24, 1978
6:05 p.m. MST 		@ Washington L 120–121 (OT) Paul Westphal (35) Capital Centre
12,432		38–21
60February 25@ New York L 115–122 Paul Westphal (27) Madison Square Garden
17,197		38–22
61February 28@ Chicago L 115–126 Walter Davis (36) Chicago Stadium
14,713		38–23
March: 9–7 (home: 7–2; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
62March 1 Detroit L 102–115 Paul Westphal (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,161		38–24
63March 3 Milwaukee W 132–126 Paul Westphal (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,139		39–24
64March 5 Philadelphia L 92–104 Walter Davis (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,145		39–25
65March 7@ Denver W 126–112 Walter Davis (34) McNichols Sports Arena
17,428		40–25
66March 9 Chicago W 112–103 Paul Westphal (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,748		41–25
67March 11 Los Angeles W 120–114 Walter Davis (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		42–25
68March 12@ Los Angeles L 112–128 Paul Westphal (29) The Forum
17,505		42–26
69March 14@ Milwaukee L 106–121 Walter Davis (38) MECCA Arena
10,938		42–27
70March 15@ New Jersey L 98–117 Alvan Adams (21) Rutgers Athletic Center
4,260		42–28
71March 17@ Boston L 108–115 Paul Westphal (24) Boston Garden
15,276		42–29
72March 19@ Cleveland W 123–112 Paul Westphal (39) Coliseum at Richfield
15,622		43–29
73March 21@ Indiana L 115–119 Walter Davis (27) Market Square Arena
10,633		43–30
74March 23 New York W 120–108 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		44–30
75March 25 Buffalo W 112–106 Alvan Adams (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,642		45–30
76March 29 Portland W 127–94 Paul Westphal (33) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		46–30
77March 31 Kansas City W 136–112 Paul Westphal (35) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,590		47–30
April: 2–3 (home: 2–1; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
78April 2 Golden State W 105–99 Paul Westphal (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,040		48–30
79April 4@ San Antonio L 119–125 Walter Davis (35) HemisFair Arena
9,112		48–31
80April 6 Denver L 105–111 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		48–32
81April 7@ Seattle L 83–95 Paul Westphal (16) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098		48–33
82April 8 New Jersey W 120–109 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,226		49–33
1977–78 schedule

Playoffs

Game log

1978 playoff game log
First Round: 0–2 (home: 0–1; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 11 Milwaukee L 103–111 Walter Davis (31) Alvan Adams (9) Paul Westphal (9) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,161		0–1
2April 14@ Milwaukee L 90–94 Paul Westphal (32) Walter Davis (9) Paul Westphal (10) MECCA Arena
10,938		0–2
1978 schedule

Awards and honors

All-Star

Season

Player statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GSGames started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game
 PPG Points per game

Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Alvan Adams 704927.3.485.7308.13.21.2.915.5
Dennis Awtrey 813420.0.424.6333.72.0.2.33.6
Mike Bratz 80011.7.403.8241.41.5.5.14.7
Don Buse 828231.1.458.8243.04.82.3.28.4
Walter Davis 818132.0.526.8306.03.41.4.224.2
Bayard Forrest 64013.9.466.4763.92.0.4.54.2
Greg Griffin36011.7.361.6392.90.7.4.04.0
Garfield Heard 807326.2.424.6128.21.71.61.37.8
Ron Lee 82223.5.439.7463.13.72.7.212.2
Curtis Perry 45418.2.453.7855.61.1.8.56.0
Alvin Scott 81519.0.488.6914.41.1.6.56.1
Paul Westphal 808031.0.516.8132.15.51.7.425.2

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Alvan Adams 2235.5.4551.0008.02.01.0.516.0
Dennis Awtrey 2012.0.2501.0001.01.5.5.01.5
Mike Bratz 204.5.200.0.00.5.0.01.0
Don Buse 2238.0.364.2.52.02.0.04.0
Walter Davis 2233.0.475.7508.54.01.5.025.0
Bayard Forrest 103.01.000.0.00.0.0.02.0
Greg Griffin2012.5.429.2.01.5.5.53.0
Garfield Heard 2231.0.353.5008.02.51.02.06.5
Ron Lee 2020.5.3131.0003.01.52.0.06.0
Alvin Scott 2018.5.500.8333.01.51.0.06.5
Paul Westphal 2233.0.468.8893.09.5.5.026.0

Transactions

Trades

July 15, 1977To Portland Trail Blazers
Flag of the United States.svg Dale Schlueter 		To Phoenix Suns
1978 fourth-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg Wayne Smith)
September 6, 1977To Indiana Pacers
Flag of the United States.svg Ricky Sobers 		To Phoenix Suns
Flag of the United States.svg Don Buse

Free agents

Additions

DatePlayerContractOld Team
July 23, 1977Freeman BladeUndisclosed
February 16, 1978Greg GriffinUndisclosed Phoenix Suns

Subtractions

DatePlayerReason LeftNew Team
April 10, 1977 Tom Van Arsdale Retired
May 12, 1977 Dick Van Arsdale Retired
June 6, 1977 Keith Erickson Retired
August 23, 1977 Billy McKinney Waived Kansas City Kings
October 17, 1977Freeman BladeWaived
October 17, 1977Butch FeherWaived
November 14, 1977Greg GriffinWaived Phoenix Suns

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The 2005–06 Phoenix Suns season was the 38th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Suns were led by head coach Mike D'Antoni, posting a 54–28 record, third best in the Western Conference. All home games were played at the former America West Arena, which changed its name to US Airways Center in January 2006.

The 2002–03 NBA season was the 35th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. After missing the playoffs the previous season, the Suns had the ninth pick in the 2002 NBA draft, and selected high school basketball star Amar'e Stoudemire, and signed free agent Scott Williams during the off-season. Frank Johnson returned as head coach, as the Suns held a 29–21 record at the All-Star break, and posted eight additional wins from the previous season to finish fourth in the Pacific Division with a 44–38 record. The Suns returned to the playoffs after snapping a streak of 13 seasons in a row the year before, a franchise record. America West Arena hosted Suns home games.

The 1999–2000 NBA season was the 32nd season for the National Basketball Association's Phoenix Suns. The Suns acquired the ninth overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft from the Dallas Mavericks, and selected Shawn Marion out of UNLV, During the off-season, the team acquired All-Star guard Penny Hardaway from the Orlando Magic, signed free agent Rodney Rogers, and re-signed former Suns center Oliver Miller, who played for the team when they reached the 1993 NBA Finals. Scott Skiles would come on as head coach, replacing Danny Ainge after a 13–7 start to the season. The Suns posted a 7-game winning streak between November and December, then won eight straight games in February, and held a 29–19 record at the All-Star break. The Suns finished third in the Pacific Division with a 53–29 record, and extend the franchise's record for playoff appearances before losing in the Western Conference Semi-finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975–76 Phoenix Suns season</span> Professional basketball season

The 1975–76 Phoenix Suns season was the eighth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The season included an improbable run to the NBA Finals by a team that had never won a playoff series and made the playoffs only one other season in the franchise's existence.

The 1974–75 Phoenix Suns season was the seventh season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The Suns' roster averaged 2.8 years of professional experience, and included four one-year players in addition to three rookies. Coming off a 30–52 season, the Suns only improved by two games, finishing 32–50 under second-year head coach John MacLeod. All home games were played at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The 1969–70 Phoenix Suns season was the second season of the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was the first season, however, for eventual Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins, who was a star in the ABA before switching to the NBA to join the Suns. Head coach Johnny "Red" Kerr was replaced by general manager Jerry Colangelo after the Suns started 15–23. All home games were played at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The 1978–79 Phoenix Suns season was the 11th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association and the first time they reached the 50-win mark to end the regular season. The team repeated a second-place finish in an expanded Pacific division and the Western Conference's second-best record, thus earning a spot in the playoffs, the franchise's first time extending the season in back-to-back seasons. For the first time since the '75–'76 team, the Suns returned to the Western Conference finals, before being dispatched by Pacific division champion Seattle in seven games. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The 1979–80 Phoenix Suns season was the 12th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association and at 55–27, the team's best regular season record since the franchise's inception. The Suns defeated Western Conference foe Kansas City in the opening round of the playoffs, marking the first time the Suns had won a playoff series in back-to-back seasons. In the Western Conference semifinals, the Suns would lose to the Pacific-winning Los Angeles Lakers, who later went on to win the season's championship. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod, his seventh season with the team, and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The 1980–81 Phoenix Suns season was the 13th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. At 57–25, the team had finished with its best regular season record. For the Suns, they had appeared in their first Finals five years ago but never could claim a divisional title as their own. Atop the Western Conference standings for the first time, the Suns had earned a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The offense was highlighted by a balanced attack, with four starters averaging 15 points or more a game, but none greater than 19. This, despite a trade that meant the departure of four-time All-NBA Paul Westphal, who was swapped for fourth year All-Star guard Dennis Johnson. In the conference semifinals, the Suns would meet the Kansas City Kings, a team they had defeated in the first round one season ago but found more difficult to handle this season. After a 22-point win in game one, the Suns would go on to lose game seven and the series. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The 1981–82 Phoenix Suns season was the 14th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The Suns were in the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, extending a then-franchise record. In the first round, Denver was taken down by the Suns, two games to one. Phoenix would find a tougher opponent, however, in the Western Conference Semifinals, getting swept four games to zero by the eventual league champions, Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The 1982–83 Phoenix Suns season was the 15th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The Suns were in the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, extending a then-franchise record. The Suns were eliminated in the first round two games to one by the Denver Nuggets, a team they had beaten by the same margin a year earlier. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The 1988–89 Phoenix Suns season was the 20th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The Suns had the seventh overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, which they used to select Tim Perry out of Temple University, and also selected future All-Star Dan Majerle from the University of Central Michigan with the fourteenth overall pick. During the off-season, the Suns fired head coach John Wetzel and replaced him with director of player personnel Cotton Fitzsimmons, who coached the team for the '70–'71 and '71–'72 seasons, and signed free agent and one-time All-Star forward Tom Chambers. The Suns showed a lot of improvement over the previous season, holding a 29–17 record at the All-Star break, posting a nine-game winning streak between March and April, and finishing second in the Pacific Division with a 55–27 record. All home games were played at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The 1993–94 NBA season was the 26th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Suns signed free agents; A.C. Green, who won two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, and also signed Joe Kleine. The Suns were led by Paul Westphal, in his second year as head coach of the Suns. All home games were played at America West Arena. The team got off to a 15–3 start after a 7-game winning streak in December, and held a 31–15 record at the All-Star break. At midseason, the team signed free agent Elliot Perry. The Suns won their final seven games of the season, finishing second in the Pacific Division with a 56–26 record.

The 1994–95 NBA season was the 27th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Suns signed free agents, All-Star forward Danny Manning, Wayman Tisdale, and Danny Schayes. The team was led by Paul Westphal, in his third year as head coach of the Suns. The Suns held the league's best record at 38–10 before the All-Star break, and finished the regular season with 59 wins and 23 losses, the first time in the franchise's history they had ended the season with 55 or more wins for three consecutive seasons. All home games were played at America West Arena.

The 1995–96 NBA season was the 28th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Suns acquired Hot Rod Williams from the Cleveland Cavaliers, and signed free agent Tony Smith. The Suns struggled with a 13–13 start to the season, then lost eight of their next nine games. Head coach Paul Westphal, who had led the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals, went 14–19 before being replaced by Cotton Fitzsimmons, who would come on to coach in his third stint with the Suns, while Smith was traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for rookie guard Terrence Rencher at midseason. The team played above .500 for the remainder of the season, as they held a 22–24 record at the All-Star break, and finished fourth in the Pacific Division, and seventh in the Western Conference with a 41–41 record. All home games were played at America West Arena. They were also one of the nine teams to defeat the 72–10 Chicago Bulls.

References

  1. ↑ "Suns' Walter Davis Named NBA Rookie of the Year". nba.com/history.
  2. ↑ "1977–78 NBA Awards Voting". basketball-reference.com.
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