1979–80 Phoenix Suns season

Last updated • 2 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

1979–80   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
Record5527 (.671)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Pacific)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finish Conference semifinals
(lost to Lakers 1–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television KPNX
Radio KTAR
< 1978–79 1980–81 >

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.

Contents

Paul Westphal led the Suns in scoring with a 21.9 point-per-game average and earned All-NBA First Team honors, while Walter Davis was second in team scoring with a 21.5 average. Both Westphal and Davis would return as selections to the All-Star Game. Truck Robinson and Alvan Adams provided an inside presence, averaging 17 and 15 points per game to go with nine and eight rebounds each. Robinson would play in just three of the eight Suns' playoff games, however.

Offseason

NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
122 Kyle Macy GuardFlag of the United States.svg United States Kentucky
224 Johnny High GuardFlag of the United States.svg United States Nevada
364 Al Green GuardFlag of the United States.svg United States Louisiana State
486Malcolm CesareForwardFlag of the United States.svg United States Florida
5107 Mark Eaton CenterFlag of the United States.svg United States Cypress JC
6127Dale ShackelfordForwardFlag of the United States.svg United States Syracuse
7147Ollie MatsonForwardFlag of the United States.svg United States Pepperdine
8165 Charles Jones CenterFlag of the United States.svg United States Albany State
9183Hosea ChampineGuardFlag of the United States.svg United States Robert Morris
10201Korky NelsonCenterFlag of the United States.svg United States Santa Clara

Roster

1979–80 Phoenix Suns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F/C 33 Adams, Alvan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)210 lb (95 kg)1954-07-19 Oklahoma
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
F/C 45 Cook, Jeff 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)215 lb (98 kg)1956-10-21 Idaho State
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  Cruz Roja.svg (IN)6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)235 lb (107 kg)1954-07-08 Grand Canyon
F 24 Heard, Garfield 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)219 lb (99 kg)1948-05-03 Oklahoma
G 22 High, Johnny 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)1957-04-25 Nevada
C 53 Kelley, Rich 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)235 lb (107 kg)1953-03-23 Stanford
F 50 Kramer, Joel  Cruz Roja.svg6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)203 lb (92 kg)1955-11-30 San Diego State
F 21 Robinson, Leonard 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)225 lb (102 kg)1951-10-04 Tennessee State
F 14 Scott, Alvin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)185 lb (84 kg)1955-09-14 Oral Roberts
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
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Regular season

Standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 6022.73237–423–1819–11
x-Seattle SuperSonics 5626.683433–823–1818–12
x-Phoenix Suns 5527.671537–518–2219–11
x-Portland Trail Blazers 3844.4632226–1512–2913–17
San Diego Clippers 3547.4272524–1711–3013–17
Golden State Warriors 2458.2933615–269–328–22
#
Team W L PCT GB
1c-Los Angeles Lakers 6022.732
2y-Milwaukee Bucks 4933.59811
3x-Seattle SuperSonics 5626.6834
4x-Phoenix Suns 5527.6715
5x-Kansas City Kings 4735.57313
6x-Portland Trail Blazers 3844.46322
7 San Diego Clippers 3547.42725
8 Chicago Bulls 3052.36630
9 Denver Nuggets 3052.36630
10 Utah Jazz 2458.29336
11 Golden State Warriors 2458.29336

Record vs. opponents

1979–80 NBA records
TeamATLBOSCHICLEDENDETGSWHOUINDKCKLALMILNJNNYKPHIPHOPORSASSDCSEAUTAWAS
Atlanta 2–41–14–21–16–02–02–44–20–21–11–14–24–24–21–12–05–11–10–22–03–3
Boston 4–22–04–22–06–02–06–04–21–10–22–05–15–13–31–12–04–22–00–22–04–2
Chicago 1–10–22–02–41–14–21–10–23–31–51–51–10–21–11–53–30–24–22–42–40–2
Cleveland 2–42–40–21–16–02–02–42–42–01–10–23–33–31–51–10–24–21–10–21–13–3
Denver 1–10–24–21–11–13–31–11–10–61–53–31–11–10–21–52–41–13–31–53–31–1
Detroit 0–60–61–10–61–11–11–51–50–20–21–12–42–41–50–20–22–40–20–21–12–4
Golden State 0–20–22–40–23–31–11–11–13–31–50–62–00–20–22–42–40–23–30–63–30–2
Houston 4–20–61–14–21–15–11–14–20–20–21–13–33–32–41–11–13–32–01–12–02–4
Indiana 2–42–42–04–21–15–11–12–41–10–20–22–44–21–50–22–02–41–10–21–14–2
Kansas City 2–01–13–30–26–02–03–32–01–12–43–31–11–11–11–51–51–15–13–36–02–0
Los Angeles 1–12–05–11–15–12–05–12–02–04–23–32–02–01–13–32–42–05–14–26–01–1
Milwaukee 1–10–25–12–03–31–16–01–12–03–33–31–11–10–24–25–10–24–22–44–21–1
New Jersey 2–41–51–13–31–14–20–23–34–21–10–21–12–41–51–10–23–31–11–11–13–3
New York 2–41–52–03–31–14–22–03–32–41–10–21–14–20–62–02–04–21–10–21–13–3
Philadelphia 2–43–31–15–12–05–12–04–25–11–11–12–05–16–01–12–04–21–11–11–15–1
Phoenix1–11–15–11–15–12–04–21–12–05–13–32–41–10–21–16–01–12–44–26–02–0
Portland 0–20–23–32–04–22–04–21–10–25–14–21–52–00–20–20–61–14–21–53–31–1
San Antonio 1–52–42–02–41–14–22–03–34–21–10–22–03–32–42–41–11–12–01–11–14–2
San Diego 1–10–22–41–13–32–03–30–21–11–51–52–41–11–11–14–22–40–23–35–11–1
Seattle 2–02–04–22–05–12–06–01–12–03–32–44–21–12–01–12–45–11–13–35–11–1
Utah 0–20–24–21–13–31–13–30–21–10–60–62–41–11–11–10–63–31–11–51–50–2
Washington 3–32–42–03–31–14–22–04–22–40–21–11–13–33–31–50–21–12–41–11–12–0

Game log

1979–80 game log
Total: 55–27 (home: 36–5; road: 19–22)
October: 7–4 (home: 4–1; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
1October 12 Golden State W 97–89 Paul Westphal (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,785
1–0W 1
2October 14 Chicago W 112–102 Walter Davis (20) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,039
2–0W 2
3October 16 Seattle W 102–86 Alvan Adams (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,253
3–0W 3
4October 19@ Milwaukee L 94–95 Paul Westphal (29) MECCA Arena
10,938
3–1L 1
5October 20@ Chicago L 104–116 Alvan Adams (32) Chicago Stadium
12,117
3–2L 2
6October 21@ Kansas City L 85–122 Truck Robinson (21) Kemper Arena
6,648
3–3L 3
7October 23 Milwaukee L 108–114 Truck Robinson (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,538
3–4L 4
8October 24@ Golden State W 110–108 (OT) Paul Westphal (37) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
6,296
4–4W 1
9October 26@ Seattle W 92–86 Walter Davis (22) Kingdome
18,514
5–4W 2
10October 28@ Portland W 89–88 Paul Westphal (25) Memorial Coliseum
12,66
6–4W 3
11October 30 San Antonio W 142–109 Truck Robinson (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,489
7–4W 4
November: 9–5 (home: 6–2; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
12November 2@ Los Angeles L 110–112 Alvan Adams (29) The Forum
14,344
7–5L 1
13November 6@ Utah W 120–107 Paul Westphal (31) Salt Palace
6,197
8–5W 1
14November 7 San Diego L 102–114 Alvan Adams (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,097
8–6L 1
15November 9 Cleveland W 110–106 Truck Robinson (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,911
9–6W 1
16November 11 Denver W 116–91 Truck Robinson (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,118
10–6W 2
17November 14 Indiana W 104–100 Walter Davis (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,762
11–6W 3
18November 16 Portland W 98–97 Walter Davis (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,464
12–6W 4
19November 18 Golden State L 95–99 Walter Davis Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,409
12–7L 1
20November 20@ San Diego L 110–117 Walter Davis (23) San Diego Sports Arena
6,992
12–8L 2
21November 21 Kansas City W 128–120 Walter Davis (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,704
13–8W 1
22November 23 Los Angeles W 126–112 Paul Westphal (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
14–8W 2
23November 24@ Denver W 115–101 Walter Davis (40) McNichols Sports Arena
13,664
15–8W 3
24November 25@ Portland W 87–86 Walter Davis (22) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
16–8W 4
25November 28@ Seattle L 116–127 Paul Westphal (30) Kingdome
28,248
16–9L 1
December: 10–5 (home: 6–0; road: 4–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
26December 1 Chicago W 99–86 Truck Robinson,
Paul Westphal (17)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
17–9W 1
27December 4@ New York L 114–118 Paul Westphal (35) Madison Square Garden
11,042
17–10L 1
28December 5@ New Jersey L 100–115 Walter Davis (28) Rutgers Athletic Center
5,162
17–11L 2
29December 7@ Boston L 92–100 Walter Davis (27) Boston Garden
15,320
17–12L 3
30December 8@ Philadelphia L 96–117 Truck Robinson (19) The Spectrum
12,051
17–13L 4
31December 11@ Washington W 123–99 Paul Westphal (27) Capital Centre
8,216
18–13W 1
32December 13 Houston W 121–113 Walter Davis (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,841
19–13W 2
33December 15 Detroit W 126–105 Walter Davis (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,844
20–13W 3
34December 19 Utah W 117–99 Paul Westphal (20) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,501
21–13W 4
35December 21@ Chicago W 127–117 Truck Robinson (27) Chicago Stadium
5,706
22–13W 5
36December 22@ Kansas City W 115–111 Paul Westphal (30) Kemper Arena
8,868
23–13W 6
37December 23@ Milwaukee W 106–103 Paul Westphal (26) MECCA Arena
10,938
24–13W 7
38December 26 Portland W 119–99 Truck Robinson (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
25–13W 8
39December 28 Kansas City W 118–112 Paul Westphal (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
26–13W 9
40December 30@ Los Angeles L 105–113 Paul Westphal (29) The Forum
15,544
26–14L 1
January: 9–5 (home: 7–1; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
41January 2@ San Antonio L 109–118 Truck Robinson (29) HemisFair Arena
8,276
26–15L 2
42January 5@ Houston L 110–111 Paul Westphal (26) The Summit
9,122
26–16L 3
43January 9 Golden State W 113–100 Walter Davis (19) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,706
27–16W 1
44January 12@ Golden State L 96–107 Walter Davis (19) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
9,547
27–17L 1
45January 13 Utah W 106–103 Paul Westphal (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,725
28–17W 1
46January 15@ Denver W 107–99 Paul Westphal (19) McNichols Sports Arena
13,057
29–17W 2
47January 16@ Utah W 115–108 Truck Robinson (27) Salt Palace
6,588
30–17W 3
48January 17 Atlanta W 101–99 Paul Westphal (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
31–17W 4
49January 19 San Diego W 137–123 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
32–17W 5
50January 23 New York L 109–119 Paul Westphal (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,504
32–18L 1
51January 25 Milwaukee W 110–96 Truck Robinson (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
33–18W 1
52January 27 Philadelphia W 125–118 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
34–18W 2
53January 29@ San Diego L 121–133 Truck Robinson (31) San Diego Sports Arena
11,428
34–19L 1
54January 30 Denver W 122–114 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,069
35–19W 1
February: 8–5 (home: 4–1; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
55February 6 Kansas City W 97–95 Walter Davis (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,310
36–19W 2
56February 8@ Chicago W 113–109 Mike Bratz (20) Chicago Stadium
10,403
37–19W 3
57February 10@ Milwaukee L 107–109 Walter Davis (27) MECCA Arena
10,938
37–20L 1
58February 13 Boston W 135–134 Paul Westphal (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
38–20W 1
59February 15 Washington W 116–104 Truck Robinson (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
39–20W 2
60February 17 New Jersey W 128–98 Paul Westphal (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,466
40–20W 3
61February 19@ Cleveland L 109–128 Walter Davis (32) Coliseum at Richfield
5,739
40–21L 1
62February 21@ Detroit W 125–116 Paul Westphal (49) Pontiac Silverdome
5,317
41–21W 1
63February 22@ Atlanta L 104–111 Alvan Adams (19) Omni Coliseum
13,150
41–22L 1
64February 24@ Indiana W 113–105 Walter Davis (29) Market Square Arena
9,174
42–22W 1
65February 26@ Denver L 112–121 Truck Robinson (25) McNichols Sports Arena
11,149
42–23L 1
66February 27 Milwaukee L 110–119 (OT) Walter Davis (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,683
42–24L 2
67February 28@ Utah W 111–101 Paul Westphal (30) Salt Palace
6,903
43–24W 1
March: 12–3 (home: 9–0; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
68March 2 Los Angeles W 125–115 Paul Westphal (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
44–24W 2
69March 5 Seattle W 127–111 Walter Davis (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
45–24W 3
70March 7 Utah W 110–94 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (24)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,245
46–24W 4
71March 9 Chicago W 113–103 (OT) Paul Westphal (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,210
47–24W 5
72March 12@ Golden State W 122–113 Paul Westphal (31) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
6,936
48–24W 6
73March 15@ San Diego L 109–120 Truck Robinson (29) San Diego Sports Arena
10,635
48–25L 1
74March 16@ Los Angeles L 106–128 Truck Robinson (26) The Forum
16,587
48–26L 2
75March 18@ Kansas City W 112–109 Walter Davis (25) Kemper Arena
11,448
49–26W 1
76March 19 Los Angeles W 112–108 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
50–26W 2
77March 21@ Portland W 111–100 Truck Robinson (23) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
51–26W 3
78March 23 Denver W 118–102 Walter Davis (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,705
52–26W 4
79March 25@ Seattle L 95–104 Walter Davis (21) Kingdome
34,152
52–27L 1
80March 26 Seattle W 109–99 Walter Davis (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
53–27W 1
81March 28 Portland W 114–100 Walter Davis (20) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,224
54–27W 2
82March 30 San Diego W 122–104 Walter Davis (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,807
55–27W 3
1979 schedule

Playoffs

Game log

1980 playoff game log
First Round: 2–1 (home: 2–0; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 2 Kansas City W 96–93 Paul Westphal (23) Truck Robinson (14) Walter Davis (7) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
1–0
2April 4@ Kansas City L 96–106 Alvan Adams (22) Alvan Adams (12) Alvan Adams (7) Kemper Arena
9,637
1–1
3April 6 Kansas City W 114–99 Walter Davis (22) Alvan Adams (20) Adams, Davis (7) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,306
2–1
Conference semifinals: 1–4 (home: 1–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 8@ Los Angeles L 110–119 Mike Bratz (25) Rich Kelley (10) Don Buse (9) The Forum
15,892
0–1
2April 9@ Los Angeles L 128–131 (OT) Paul Westphal (37) Gar Heard (9) Alvan Adams (12) The Forum
14,286
0–2
3April 11 Los Angeles L 105–108 Walter Davis (28) Gar Heard (11) Davis, Buse (5) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
0–3
4April 13 Los Angeles W 127–101 Paul Westphal (25) Gar Heard (9) Buse, Adams (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
1–3
5April 15@ Los Angeles L 101–126 Walter Davis (24) Adams, Cook (6) Rich Kelley (7) The Forum
17,505
1–4
1980 schedule

Awards and honors

All-Star

Season

Player statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point 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

Phoenix Suns statistics
PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Alvan Adams 756328.9.531.000.7978.14.31.4.7+14.9
Mike Bratz 82119.4.392.244.8702.02.71.1.18.5
Don Buse 818130.9.443.241.6642.94.01.6.17.7
Jeff Cook 661413.7.469.000.8063.71.3.4.35.5
Walter Davis 757330.8.563.000.8193.64.51.5.321.5
Garfield Heard 82517.1.417.000.7444.61.21.0.65.0
Johnny High 82013.7.446.143.6742.11.5.9.25.0
Rich Kelley *23016.2.506..7835.12.21.2.7+5.8
Joel Kramer 54613.2.469.000.8002.81.4.5.13.5
Truck Robinson 828233.0.512..6679.41.7.7.717.3
Alvin Scott 79316.5.422.333.7792.91.2.6.74.4
Paul Westphal 828232.5.525.280.8622.35.11.5.421.9

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 25 three-pointers made.
+ – Minimum 50 games played.

Playoffs

Phoenix Suns statistics
PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3FG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Alvan Adams 8831.4.566..895^9.65.8.91.316.1
Mike Bratz 8021.1.512.391.900^2.52.01.1.013.0
Don Buse 8829.5.438.385.6362.65.5.8.08.5
Jeff Cook 7014.0.667..8463.01.0.6.37.7
Walter Davis 8830.6.504.000.7372.94.4.5.120.8
Garfield Heard 8627.9.393..7336.41.51.11.46.9
Johnny High 8015.0.387.000.5003.12.5.8.34.0
Rich Kelley 8018.3.432.000.900^4.52.81.1.95.9
Truck Robinson 3221.3.375..7146.71.31.0.75.7
Alvin Scott 8017.5.515.000.5002.81.3.5.64.8
Paul Westphal 8831.6.486.083.8751.33.91.4.420.9

† – Minimum 20 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 10 free throws made.

Transactions

Trades

June 22, 1979To Washington Bullets
Rights to Flag of the United States.svg Steve Malovic
To Phoenix Suns
1979 first-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg Kyle Macy)
1980 third-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg John Campbell)
August 20, 1979To Detroit Pistons
1981 fourth-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg Don Koonce)
To Phoenix Suns
Flag of the United States.svg Andre Wakefield
February 15, 1980To New Jersey Nets
1982 first-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg Brook Steppe)
1983 second-round draft pick ( Flag of the United States.svg Pace Mannion)
Cash considerations
To Phoenix Suns
Flag of the United States.svg Rich Kelley

Free agents

Additions

DatePlayerContractOld Team
May 22, 1979 Jeff Cook UndisclosedWashington Lumberjacks (WBA)
September 13, 1979Greg GriffinUndisclosed Phoenix Suns

Subtractions

DatePlayerReason LeftNew Team
September 4, 1979 Ted McClain Waived
October 1, 1979Al GreenWaived
October 1, 1979 Charles Jones Waived Maine Lumberjacks (CBA)
October 1, 1979Greg GriffinWaived
October 12, 1979 Andre Wakefield Waived Utah Jazz

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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 1971–72 Phoenix Suns season was the fourth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. With a 49–33 record, the Suns hold the NBA record as the team with the best winning percentage to not make the playoffs. The team broke the record they set the previous year with a 48–34 finish. Head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons led the Suns in their debut season as members of the Pacific division. All home games were played at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The 1970–71 Phoenix Suns season was the third season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. Head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons lead the Suns, in the NBA's first season which separated the teams into both conferences and divisions as the league continued to gain more teams. It was the first season the Suns would be without the services of All-Star guard Gail Goodrich. With a 48–34 record, the Suns set the NBA record for the team with the best winning percentage not to make the playoffs. The team would break their own record the next year with a 49–33 finish. 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 1976–77 Phoenix Suns season was the ninth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. With injuries limiting the team to only six games with a full roster, the Suns plummeted to the bottom of the Pacific division standings, missing the playoffs after appearing in the Finals just one season prior. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

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.

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 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 1983–84 Phoenix Suns season was the 16th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The Suns were in the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, extending a then-franchise record. The Suns eliminated their first round opponent, Portland, three games to two before defeating the Utah Jazz and NBA leading scorer, Adrian Dantley, four games to two. In the Western Conference Finals, the Suns lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. The team was led by head coach John MacLeod, in his 11th year with the Suns, and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The 1984–85 Phoenix Suns season was the 17th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The Suns were without All-Star Walter Davis for much of the season due to injury. They would be without him in the playoffs, extending a then-franchise record to eight consecutive seasons even though the Suns finished the regular season with the team's first losing record since the 1976–77 season. The Suns' playoff run would not last long, being swept in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs by the eventual league champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. The team was led by head coach John MacLeod, in his 12th year with the Suns, and played all home games in 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.

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