1988–89 Phoenix Suns season

Last updated • 6 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

1988–89   Phoenix Suns season
Head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons
General manager Jerry Colangelo
Owner(s)Jerry Colangelo
Arena Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record5527 (.671)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finish Western Conference finals
(lost to Lakers 0–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television KUTP
ASPN
Radio KTAR
(Al McCoy)
< 1987–88 1989–90 >

The 1988–89 Phoenix Suns season was the 20th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. [1] The Suns had the seventh overall pick in the 1988 NBA draft, where they selected Tim Perry out of Temple University, and also selected Dan Majerle from the University of Central Michigan with the fourteenth overall pick. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] During the off-season, the Suns fired head coach John Wetzel, and replaced him with director of player personnel (and former head coach) Cotton Fitzsimmons, who coached the team for the '70–'71 and '71–'72 seasons, [7] [8] [9] [10] and signed free agent and one-time All-Star forward Tom Chambers. [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]

Contents

The Suns showed a lot of improvement over the previous season, holding a 29–17 record at the All-Star break, [16] posting a nine-game winning streak between March and April, and finishing second in the Pacific Division with a 55–27 record. [17] All home games were played at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Chambers led a triplet of Suns who averaged 20 points or more for the season, with Chambers averaging 25.7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. In addition, sixth man Eddie Johnson averaged 21.5 points per game off the bench, and earned the season's Sixth Man of the Year Award, [18] [19] [20] [21] while second-year point guard Kevin Johnson provided the team with 20.4 points, 12.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game, and earned the Most Improved Player of the Year Award. [22] [23] [24] [25] Second-year forward Armen Gilliam averaged 15.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Jeff Hornacek contributed 13.5 points, 6.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game, Majerle provided with 8.6 points per game in only 54 games, Tyrone Corbin contributed 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and Mark West provided with 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. [26] Fitzsimmons was named Coach of the Year after leading his team to a 27-game improvement. [27] [28] [29] [30] [31]

In the playoffs, the Suns swept the Denver Nuggets in three straight games in the Western Conference First Round, [32] [33] [34] [35] and defeated the 7th-seeded Golden State Warriors four games to one in the Western Conference Semi-finals. [36] [37] [38] [39] The Suns saw their playoff fortunes reverse in the Western Conference Finals, when they met the season's MVP Magic Johnson, and the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, getting swept four games to zero. [40] [41] [42] [43] The Lakers would reach the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year, but would lose to the Detroit Pistons in four straight games. [44] [45] [46] [47] [48]

Chambers was the only member of the team to be selected for the 1989 NBA All-Star Game, which was his second All-Star appearance. [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] At season's end, Chambers and Johnson were both members of the All-NBA Second Team. Following the season, Corbin was left unprotected in the 1989 NBA Expansion Draft, where he was selected by the newly expansion Minnesota Timberwolves. [54] [55] [56] [57] [58]

NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
17 Tim Perry ForwardFlag of the United States.svg United States Temple
114 Dan Majerle GuardFlag of the United States.svg United States Central Michigan
228 Andrew Lang CenterFlag of the United States.svg United States Arkansas
238 Dean Garrett CenterFlag of the United States.svg United States Indiana
250 Steve Kerr GuardFlag of the United States.svg United States Arizona
355 Rodney Johns GuardFlag of the United States.svg United States Grand Canyon

The Suns used their first-round pick to select power forward Tim Perry from Temple. Perry averaged 10.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in four years with the Owls. In his first three years with the Suns, Perry would average 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game playing in a limited role. After becoming a starter in the 1991–92 season, Perry averaged 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. After the season, he was traded, alongside Jeff Hornacek and Andrew Lang, to the Philadelphia 76ers for superstar forward Charles Barkley.

The Suns received the 14th pick from a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1988. With the pick they would select swingman Dan Majerle from Central Michigan. Majerle averaged 21.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in four years with the Chippewas. Majerle would spend his first seven seasons with the Suns, appearing in three All-Star games before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1995. He would return to play for the Suns in the 2001–02 season before retiring. His number 9 jersey was retired by the franchise in 2003.

The Suns received the 28th pick from a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1988. With the pick they would select center Andrew Lang from Arkansas. Lang averaged 6.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in four years with the Razorbacks. Like Perry, Lang played a limited role in his first three seasons, averaging 3.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. After becoming a starter in the 1991–92 season, Lang averaged 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, before being traded to the 76ers.

In 1987, the Suns traded their second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings for Eddie Johnson. The pick was then traded to the New York Knicks and then to the Detroit Pistons, who selected small forward Fennis Dembo with the 30th pick.

The Suns received the 38th pick from a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1988. With the pick they would select center Dean Garrett from Indiana. Garrett averaged 13.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in two years with the Hoosiers. Garrett suffered a fractured foot before appearing in any games, and missed the entire season. He was waived before the start of the 1989–90 season without appearing in any games for the franchise.

The Suns received the 50th pick from a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1985. With the pick they would select guard Steve Kerr from Arizona. Kerr averaged 11.2 points and 3.4 assists per game in four years with the Wildcats. Kerr would spend most of his rookie season on the injured reserve, averaging 2.1 points per game in 26 games, before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989.

The Suns used their third-round pick to select point guard Rodney Johns from Grand Canyon. Johns averaged 13.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in two years with the Antelopes. The Suns signed Johns to a contract on September 27, but he was waived on November 1 before the start of the season.

Roster

1988–89 Phoenix Suns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F 24 Chambers, Tom 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)220 lb (100 kg)1959–06–21 Utah
F 23 Corbin, Tyrone 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)210 lb (95 kg)1962–12–31 DePaul
G 25 Dunn, T. R. 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)192 lb (87 kg)1955–02–01 Alabama
C Garrett, Dean  Cruz Roja.svg (IN)6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)225 lb (102 kg)1966–11–27 Indiana
F 44 Gattison, Kenny 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg)1964–05–23 Old Dominion
F 35 Gilliam, Armen 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)230 lb (104 kg)1964–05–28 UNLV
G 14 Hornacek, Jeff 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)190 lb (86 kg)1963–05–03 Iowa State
F 8 Johnson, Eddie 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)215 lb (98 kg)1959–05–01 Illinois
G 7 Johnson, Kevin 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 lb (82 kg)1966–03–04 California
G 4 Kerr, Steve 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)175 lb (79 kg)1965–09–27 Arizona
C 28 Lang, Andrew 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)245 lb (111 kg)1966–06–28 Arkansas
G 9 Majerle, Dan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)215 lb (98 kg)1965–09–09 Central Michigan
F 45 Nealy, Ed 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)238 lb (108 kg)1960–02–19 Kansas State
F/C 34 Perry, Tim 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)200 lb (91 kg)1965–06–04 Temple
C 41 West, Mark 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg)1960–11–05 Old Dominion
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 5, 1989

Roster Notes

Regular season

Standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 5725.69535–622–1925–9
x-Phoenix Suns 5527.671235–620–2123–11
x-Seattle SuperSonics 4735.5731031–1016–2520–14
x-Golden State Warriors 4339.5241429–1214–2715–19
x-Portland Trail Blazers 3943.4761828–1311–3017–17
Sacramento Kings 2755.3293021–206–3512–22
Los Angeles Clippers 2161.2563617–244–377–27
#
Team W L PCT GB
1c-Los Angeles Lakers 5725.695
2y-Utah Jazz 5131.6226
3x-Phoenix Suns 5527.6712
4x-Seattle SuperSonics 4735.57310
5x-Houston Rockets 4537.54912
6x-Denver Nuggets 4438.53713
7x-Golden State Warriors 4339.52414
8x-Portland Trail Blazers 3943.47618
9 Dallas Mavericks 3844.46319
10 Sacramento Kings 2755.32930
11 San Antonio Spurs 2161.25636
12 Los Angeles Clippers 2161.25636
13 Miami Heat 1567.18342

Record vs. opponents

1988–89 NBA records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMIAMILNJNNYKPHIPHOPORSACSASSEAUTAWAS
Atlanta 3–14–14–24–21–10–21–51–11–15–12–01–11–16–04–12–22–21–11–12–01–11–11–13–1
Boston 1–36–01–31–41–11–11–31–11–12–32–01–12–02–25–13–33–30–21–12–02–00–21–12–4
Charlotte 1–40–61–40–40–20–20–40–20–22–22–00–21–10–42–42–43–30–20–21–12–01–11–11–5
Chicago 2–43–14–10–62–01–10–61–11–14–21–12–02–06–02–23–21–31–12–02–02–02–00–23–1
Cleveland 2–44–14–06–02–02–03–31–11–15–11–10–22–03–34–02–23–22–02–02–02–01–11–12–2
Dallas 1–11–12–00–20–23–30–21–31–51–13–10–46–00–21–10–21–11–32–22–25–12–24–21–1
Denver 2–01–12–01–10–23–31–13–14–21–12–21–35–10–21–11–11–11–32–23–13–32–23–31–1
Detroit 5–13–14–06–03–32–01–11–11–14–22–02–02–02–44–00–45–02–01–12–02–02–02–05–0
Golden State 1–11–12–01–11–13–11–31–11–31–15–12–34–00–22–02–01–12–42–42–33–12–42–21–1
Houston 1–11–12–01–11–15–12–41–13–12–02–21–34–21–12–00–20–21–33–12–26–02–22–40–2
Indiana 1–53–22–22–41–51–11–12–41–10–21–10–21–12–41–30–50–41–12–01–12–01–11–11–3
L.A. Clippers 0–20–20–21–11–11–32–20–21–52–21–11–51–30–21–10–20–21–51–52–33–11–41–30–2
L.A. Lakers 1–11–12–00–22–04–03–10–23–23–12–05–14–01–11–11–12–03–35–05–13–14–21–31–1
Miami 1–10–21–10–20–20–61–50–20–42–41–13–10–40–21–11–10–20–40–41–32–40–41–50–2
Milwaukee 0–62–24–00–63–32–02–04–22–01–14–22–01–12–04–11–33–11–12–02–01–11–11–14–1
New Jersey 1–41–54–22–20–41–11–10–40–20–23–11–11–11–11–42–41–51–10–21–11–12–00–21–5
New York 2–23–34–22–32–22–01–14–00–22–05–02–01–11–13–14–22–41–12–01–11–11–11–15–1
Philadelphia 2–23–33–33–12–31–11–10–51–12–04–02–00–22–01–35–14–20–21–12–01–11–11–14–2
Phoenix1–12–02–01–10–23–13–10–24–23–11–15–13–34–01–11–11–12–02–35–13–14–12–22–0
Portland 1–11–12–00–20–22–22–21–14–21–30–25–10–54–00–22–00–21–13–23–34–02–40–41–1
Sacramento 0–20–21–10–20–22–21–30–23–22–21–13–21–53–10–21–11–10–21–53–32–21–51–30–2
San Antonio 1–10–20–20–20–21–53–30–21–30–60–21–31–34–21–11–11–11–11–30–42–20–41–51–1
Seattle 1–12–01–10–21–12–22–20–24–22–21–14–12–44–01–10–21–11–11–44–25–14–03–11–1
Utah 1–11–11–12–01–12–43–30–22–24–21–13–13–15–11–12–01–11–12–24–03–15–11–32–0
Washington 1–34–25–11–32–21–11–10–51–12–03–12–01–12–01–45–11–52–40–21–12–01–11–10–2

Playoffs

Game log

1989 playoff game log
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 28 Denver W 104–103 Chambers, K. Johnson (26) Tom Chambers (17) Kevin Johnson (9) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471
1–0
2April 30 Denver W 132–114 Kevin Johnson (34) Tom Chambers (12) Kevin Johnson (14) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471
2–0
3May 2@ Denver W 130–121 Chambers, K. Johnson (32) Tom Chambers (17) Kevin Johnson (16) McNichols Sports Arena
12,660
3–0
Conference semifinals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
Conference finals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1May 20@ L.A. Lakers L 119–127 Kevin Johnson (27) Tom Chambers (10) Kevin Johnson (18) Great Western Forum
17,505
0–1
2May 23@ L.A. Lakers L 95–101 Kevin Johnson (22) Tom Chambers (10) Kevin Johnson (10) Great Western Forum
17,505
0–2
3May 26 L.A. Lakers L 107–110 Tom Chambers (26) Jeff Hornacek (11) Kevin Johnson (15) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471
0–3
4May 28 L.A. Lakers L 117–122 Tom Chambers (41) Tom Chambers (13) Kevin Johnson (10) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
14,471
0–4
1989 schedule

Awards and honors

Week/Month

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%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Tom Chambers 818137.1.471.326.8518.42.91.10.725.7
Tyrone Corbin 773021.5.540.000.7885.21.51.10.28.2
Winston Crite 203.0.000..0.50.0.0.00.0
Mark Davis *203.5.200.0001.000^0.50.0.0.02.0
T. R. Dunn 3419.4.343..7501.80.70.4.01.0
Kenny Gattison 204.5.000..5000.50.0.0.00.5
Armon Gilliam 746028.6.503..7437.30.70.70.415.9
Craig Hodges *1009.2.444.333.7500.50.80.2.03.9
Jeff Hornacek 787331.9.495.333.8263.46.01.70.113.5
Eddie Johnson 70729.2.497.413.8684.42.30.70.121.5
Kevin Johnson 818139.2.505.091.882^4.212.21.70.320.4
Steve Kerr 2606.0.435.471.6670.70.90.3.02.1
Andrew Lang 62258.5.513..6502.40.10.30.82.6
Dan Majerle 54525.1.419.329.6143.92.41.20.38.6
Ed Nealy *3005.5.276.000.4291.80.30.1.00.6
Tim Perry 62159.9.537.200.6152.10.30.30.54.1
Mark West 823224.6.653..5356.70.50.42.37.2

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 55 three-pointers made.
^ – Minimum 125 free throws made.

Playoffs

Phoenix Suns statistics
PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Tom Chambers 121241.3.459.409.85910.93.81.11.326.0
Tyrone Corbin 121225.8.523..7607.12.22.00.39.1
T. R. Dunn 809.9.429..5001.90.10.6.00.9
Armon Gilliam 9014.0.529..8645.00.20.10.28.1
Jeff Hornacek 121231.2.497.000.8405.85.21.30.314.1
Eddie Johnson 12032.7.413.342.7697.32.11.00.217.8
Kevin Johnson 121241.2.495.300.9274.312.31.60.423.8
Andrew Lang 402.0.000..1.50.3.0.00.0
Dan Majerle 12029.3.438.286.7924.81.21.10.314.3
Ed Nealy 401.5.333..0.80.0.0.00.5
Tim Perry 404.3.500..0000.50.00.50.31.0
Mark West 121218.9.640..7144.40.50.61.66.2

Transactions

Trades

December 14, 1988To Chicago Bulls
Flag of the United States.svg Craig Hodges
To Phoenix Suns
Flag of the United States.svg Ed Nealy
1989 second-round draft pick

Free agents

Additions

DatePlayerContractFormer Team
July 5, 1988 Tom Chambers Signed 5-year contract for $8.7 million Seattle SuperSonics
December 30, 1988 Mark Davis Signed two ten-day contracts Milwaukee Bucks
January 16, 1989 T. R. Dunn Signed two ten-day contracts Denver Nuggets
February 5, 1989 T. R. Dunn Signed for rest of season Phoenix Suns

Subtractions

DatePlayerReason LeftNew Team
April 29, 1988 Alvan Adams Retiredn/a
July 6, 1988 Walter Davis Free agent Denver Nuggets
June 23, 1988 Bernard Thompson Expansion Draft Charlotte Hornets
June 30, 1988 James Bailey Released Glaxo Verona (Italy)
June 30, 1988 Jeff Cook ReleasedAS Monaco (France)
August 29, 1988Ron MooreReleasedn/a
December 27, 1988 Winston Crite Waived Brisbane Bullets (Australia)
January 14, 1989 Mark Davis Waived Milwaukee Bucks

Player Transactions Citation: [63]

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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 1988–89 season was the 19th season of the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team was racked with dissension, and posted a 25–22 record before head coach Mike Schuler was fired in mid-February; assistant coach Rick Adelman was promoted to replace him on an interim basis. After the Blazers reached the 1989 NBA Playoffs, Adelman was made the head coach on a full-time basis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988–89 Washington Bullets season</span> NBA professional basketball team season

The 1988–89 NBA season was the Bullets' 28th season in the NBA. In the 1988 NBA draft, the Bullets selected Harvey Grant from the University of Oklahoma with the twelfth overall pick, and Ledell Eackles from the University of New Orleans with the 36th overall pick. During the off-season, the team acquired Dave Feitl from the Golden State Warriors.

The 1989–90 NBA season was the Mavericks' 10th season in the National Basketball Association. A year after missing the playoffs, the Mavericks received the eighth overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft, and selected Randy White out of Louisiana Tech, and later on fired head coach John MacLeod at the end of November, replacing with him Richie Adubato. However, things would not all go smoothly for the Mavericks as Roy Tarpley found himself in hot water again, as he was arrested in November for driving under the influence of drugs. The Mavericks played above .500 for the first half of the season, holding a 26–22 record at the All-Star break. As the season progressed, the team released Adrian Dantley to free agency; Dantley averaged 14.7 points per game in 45 games with the team. The Mavericks finished third in the Midwest Division with a 47–35 record.

The 1988–89 NBA season was the Seattle SuperSonics' 22nd season in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Sonics acquired Michael Cage from the Los Angeles Clippers. The SuperSonics won their first three games of the season, and held a 28–18 record at the All-Star break. However, the team lost seven straight games between March and April, but then posted an 8-game winning streak afterwards, and finished third in the Pacific Division with a 47–35 record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988–89 Golden State Warriors season</span> NBA professional basketball team season

The 1988–89 NBA season was the Warriors' 43rd season in the NBA and 26th in the San Francisco Bay Area. General Manager Don Nelson became the Warriors' new head coach this season. In the 1988 NBA draft, the Warriors selected Mitch Richmond out of Kansas State University with the fifth overall pick. During the off-season, the team acquired 7' 7" center Manute Bol from the Washington Bullets. The Warriors went on an 8-game winning streak in January, and held a 25–20 record at the All-Star break. Despite losing their final six games, the team showed a lot of improvement over the previous season, finishing fourth in the Pacific Division with a 43–39 record.

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