2011–12 Phoenix Suns season

Last updated • 8 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

2011–12   Phoenix Suns season
Head coach Alvin Gentry
General manager Lance Blanks
Owners Robert Sarver
Arena US Airways Center
Results
Record3333 (.500)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Pacific)
Conference: 10th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television Fox Sports Arizona
Radio KTAR
< 2010–11 2012–13 >

The 2011–12 Phoenix Suns season was the 44th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as the last season the Suns had point guard Steve Nash on the team. The season was shortened to sixty-six games due to the 2011 NBA Lockout. Going into the All-Star break with a 14–20 record, the Suns went 14–6 in their next 20 games to push back into playoffs contention. Towards the end of the season, the eighth-seeded Suns were still in the hunt, but a loss after their second-to-last game on the road against the Utah Jazz eliminated them from playoff contention. They went 8–7 in April, finishing the season with a 33–33 record, 10th-best in the West.

Contents

Nash led the team in assists per game (10.7; second-best average in the league, most assists in total), three-point percentage (.390%), and free throw percentage (.894%), while averaging a career-high in field goal percentage (.532%). Center Marcin Gortat led the team in most statistical categories, including games played (66), games started (66), minutes per game (32.0), field goal percentage (.555%), rebounds per game (10.0), blocks per game (1.5), and points per game (15.4). Nash was the lone member of the Suns selected for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, his eighth appearance. In a game against the Denver Nuggets on April 21, Nash passed Oscar Robertson for fifth all-time in total assists.

Key dates

Offseason

NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
113 Markieff Morris ForwardFlag of the United States.svg United States Kansas

The Suns used their only draft pick to select power forward Markieff Morris from Kansas. Morris averaged 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in his last year with the Jayhawks. [3] The Suns traded their other first-round pick, which they acquired from the Orlando Magic, to the Houston Rockets when they dealt Goran Dragić for Aaron Brooks. [4] Their second-round pick was traded to the Chicago Bulls for Hakim Warrick in a sign and trade. [5] Around a year and a half later, the Suns ended up with the 14th draft pick in Marcus Morris, who would be a part of the team for two or so seasons before being traded himself in 2015.

Free agency

Veteran forward Grant Hill became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2010–11 season. Newly acquired point guard Aaron Brooks became a restricted free agent at the end of the season. On June 23, the Suns extended a $3 million qualifying offer to Brooks. [6] However, due to the lockout, Brooks signed a contract with the Guangdong Southern Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association on November 22. With no opt-out clause, Brooks had to complete the CBA season before returning to the NBA. On February 6, 2011, reserve point guard Zabian Dowdell was signed for the remainder of the 2010–11 season, with a team option for a second year.

Coaching changes

On July 14, the Suns signed Elston Turner as an assistant coach. Turner is considered to be a defensive specialist and has been called the Suns' unofficial "defensive coordinator". [7]

Roster

2011–12 Phoenix Suns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 26 Brown, Shannon 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)210 lb (95 kg)1985–11–29 Michigan State
G/F 1 Childress, Josh 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)209 lb (95 kg)1983–06–20 Stanford
F 3 Dudley, Jared 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)235 lb (107 kg)1985–07–10 Boston College
F 8 Frye, Channing 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)255 lb (116 kg)1983–05–17 Arizona
C 4 Gortat, Marcin 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)240 lb (109 kg)1984–02–17 Poland
F 33 Hill, Grant 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg)1972–10–05 Duke
C 15 Lopez, Robin 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)275 lb (125 kg)1988–04–01 Stanford
F 11 Morris, Markieff 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)245 lb (111 kg)1989–09–02 Kansas
G 13 Nash, Steve 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)178 lb (81 kg)1974–02–07 Santa Clara
G 2 Price, Ronnie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg)1984–06–21 Utah Valley
G 22 Redd, Michael 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)215 lb (98 kg)1979–08–24 Ohio State
G 31 Telfair, Sebastian 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)175 lb (79 kg)1985–06–09 Lincoln HS (NY)
F 21 Warrick, Hakim 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)219 lb (99 kg)1982–07–08 Syracuse
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

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

Salaries

The final year of Vince Carter's contract was non-guaranteed. Carter's contract stipulated that if he was not waived by the Suns before the start of free agency on July 1, his $18 million would become fully guaranteed. However, with the onset of the lockout, the Suns delayed the deadline until the date on which free agency began at the end of the lockout. Since he was waived by the time the lockout ended and the free agency period officially began that season, he would receive a guaranteed $4 million outside of the team instead. [8] The second-year contracts of Gani Lawal and Garret Siler were non-guaranteed. [9]

Preseason

2011 pre-season game log
Pre-season: 0–2 (home: 0–1; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1December 20@ Denver L 110–127 Marcin Gortat,
Hakim Warrick (14)
Marcin Gortat,
Markieff Morris (8)
Steve Nash,
Sebastian Telfair (5)
Pepsi Center
11,475
0–1
2December 22 Denver L 85–110 Jared Dudley (17) Markieff Morris (7) Steve Nash (8) US Airways Center
12,613
0–2
2011–12 season schedule

Regular season

Standings

Pacific Division WLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
y- Los Angeles Lakers 4125.62126715189–566
x- Los Angeles Clippers 4026.6061.024916177–766
Phoenix Suns 3333.5008.0191414199–566
Golden State Warriors 2343.34818.0122111227–866
Sacramento Kings 2244.33319.016176273–1066
Western Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1c- San Antonio Spurs  *5016.75866
2y- Oklahoma City Thunder  *4719.7123.066
3y- Los Angeles Lakers  *4125.6219.066
4x- Memphis Grizzlies 4125.6219.066
5x- Los Angeles Clippers 4026.60610.066
6x- Denver Nuggets 3828.57612.066
7x- Dallas Mavericks 3630.54514.066
8x- Utah Jazz 3630.54514.066
9 Houston Rockets 3432.51516.066
10 Phoenix Suns 3333.50017.066
11 Portland Trail Blazers 2838.42422.066
12 Minnesota Timberwolves 2640.39424.066
13 Golden State Warriors 2343.34827.066
14 Sacramento Kings 2244.33328.066
15 New Orleans Hornets 2145.31829.066

Game log

All games from November 1 through December 24 were canceled due to the 2011 NBA Lockout. A new schedule was created with games starting on December 25.

2011–12 game log
Total: 33–33 (Home: 19–14; Road: 14–19)
December: 1–3 (home: 0–2; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1December 26 New Orleans L 84–85 Robin Lopez (21) Markieff Morris (9) Steve Nash (12) US Airways Center
17,776
0–1
2December 28 Philadelphia L 83–103 Ronnie Price (16) Channing Frye,
Marcin Gortat (8)
Ronnie Price (4) US Airways Center
16,360
0–2
3December 30@ New Orleans W 93–78 Hakim Warrick (18) Channing Frye (16) Steve Nash (12) New Orleans Arena
15,790
1–2
4December 31@ Oklahoma City L 97–107 Markieff Morris,
Hakim Warrick (15)
Marcin Gortat,
Markieff Morris (6)
Steve Nash (6) Chesapeake Energy Arena
18,203
1–3
January: 6–10 (home: 4–4; road: 2–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
5January 2 Golden State W 102–91 Steve Nash (21) Channing Frye (10) Steve Nash (9) US Airways Center
14,793
2–3
6January 4@ Dallas L 89–98 Marcin Gortat (22) Channing Frye,
Marcin Gortat (10)
Steve Nash (12) American Airlines Center
19,885
2–4
7January 6 Portland W 102–77 Jared Dudley (18) Robin Lopez (12) Steve Nash (9) US Airways Center
16,235
3–4
8January 8 Milwaukee W 109–93 Marcin Gortat (18) Markieff Morris (10) Steve Nash (17) US Airways Center
13,420
4–4
9January 10@ L. A. Lakers L 83–99 Channing Frye (17) Marcin Gortat (12) Steve Nash (8) Staples Center
18,997
4–5
10January 12 Cleveland L 90–101 Steve Nash (16) Marcin Gortat (10) Steve Nash (15) US Airways Center
14,636
4–6
11January 13 New Jersey L 103–110 Marcin Gortat (20) Marcin Gortat (10) Ronnie Price (8) US Airways Center
15,191
4–7
12January 15@ San Antonio L 91–102 Marcin Gortat (24) Marcin Gortat (15) Steve Nash (10) AT&T Center
18,581
4–8
13January 17@ Chicago L 97–118 Steve Nash (25) Marcin Gortat (15) Steve Nash (9) United Center
21,347
4–9
14January 18@ New York W 91–88 Steve Nash (26) Marcin Gortat (12) Steve Nash (11) Madison Square Garden
19,763
5–9
15January 20@ Boston W 79–71 Marcin Gortat (24) Marcin Gortat (12) Steve Nash (9) TD Garden
18,624
6–9
16January 23@ Dallas L 87–93 Marcin Gortat,
Grant Hill (19)
Marcin Gortat (17) Steve Nash (12) American Airlines Center
19,944
6–10
17January 24 Toronto L 96–99 Marcin Gortat (21) Marcin Gortat (12) Steve Nash (14) US Airways Center
15,404
6–11
18January 27@ Portland L 71–109 Grant Hill (12) Marcin Gortat (10) Steve Nash (7) Rose Garden
20,664
6–12
19January 28 Memphis W 86–84 Steve Nash (21) Marcin Gortat (12) Steve Nash (6) US Airways Center
14,903
7–12
20January 30 Dallas L 99–122 Marcin Gortat (17) Marcin Gortat (10) Sebastian Telfair (6) US Airways Center
13,132
7–13
February: 7–7 (home: 3–3; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
21February 1@ New Orleans W 120–103 Steve Nash (30) Marcin Gortat (11) Steve Nash (10) New Orleans Arena
13,598
8–13
22February 3@ Houston L 81–99 Jared Dudley,
Marcin Gortat (15)
Marcin Gortat (12) Steve Nash (9) Toyota Center
15,941
8–14
23February 4 Charlotte W 95–89 Michael Redd (17) Marcin Gortat (12) Steve Nash (10) US Airways Center
14,928
9–14
24February 6@ Atlanta W 99–90 Steve Nash (24) Channing Frye,
Marcin Gortat (9)
Steve Nash (11) Philips Arena
11,823
10–14
25February 7@ Milwaukee W 107–105 Marcin Gortat (21) Josh Childress (12) Steve Nash (11) Bradley Center
13,203
11–14
26February 9 Houston L 89–96 Channing Frye (21) Channing Frye (10) Steve Nash (13) US Airways Center
16,122
11–15
27February 11@ Sacramento W 98–84 Jared Dudley (20) Jared Dudley (10) Steve Nash (15) Power Balance Pavilion
16,964
12–15
28February 13@ Golden State L 96–102 Marcin Gortat (25) Marcin Gortat (12) Steve Nash (14) Oracle Arena
19,106
12–16
29February 14@ Denver L 92–109 Markieff Morris (21) Marcin Gortat (14) Ronnie Price (6) Pepsi Center
17,873
12–17
30February 15 Atlanta L 99–101 Steve Nash (22) Channing Frye (11) Steve Nash (16) US Airways Center
15,392
12–18
31February 17@ L. A. Lakers L 99–111 Marcin Gortat (21) Marcin Gortat (16) Steve Nash (17) Staples Center
18,997
12–19
32February 19 L. A. Lakers W 102–90 Jared Dudley (25) Marcin Gortat (15) Steve Nash (14) US Airways Center
18,023
13–19
33February 20 Washington W 104–88 Marcin Gortat (20) Channing Frye (11) Steve Nash (11) US Airways Center
13,921
14–19
34February 22 Golden State L 104–106 Channing Frye (22) Marcin Gortat (15) Steve Nash (9) US Airways Center
14,558
14–20
All-Star Break
March: 11–6 (home: 8–2; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
35March 1 Minnesota W 104–95 Grant Hill (20) Steve Nash (8) Steve Nash (17) US Airways Center
15,071
15–20
36March 2 L. A. Clippers W 81–78 Jared Dudley (22) Channing Frye,
Marcin Gortat (14)
Steve Nash (6) US Airways Center
18,091
16–20
37March 4 Sacramento W 96–88 Steve Nash (19) Marcin Gortat (17) Steve Nash (7) US Airways Center
15,026
17–20
38March 7@ Oklahoma City L 104–115 Marcin Gortat (28) Jared Dudley,
Marcin Gortat (11)
Steve Nash (13) Chesapeake Energy Arena
18,203
17–21
39March 8 Dallas W 96–94 Jared Dudley (18) Marcin Gortat (12) Steve Nash (11) US Airways Center
15,498
18–21
40March 10 Memphis W 98–91 Jared Dudley (19) Marcin Gortat (9) Steve Nash (15) US Airways Center
16,350
19–21
41March 12 Minnesota L 124–127 Jared Dudley (28) Jared Dudley (9) Steve Nash (10) US Airways Center
14,568
19–22
42March 14 Utah W 120–111 Channing Frye (26) Channing Frye (9) Steve Nash (16) US Airways Center
14,076
20–22
43March 15@ L. A. Clippers W 91–87 Shannon Brown (21) Jared Dudley,
Channing Frye,
Marcin Gortat,
Markieff Morris (6)
Sebastian Telfair (8) Staples Center
19,060
21–22
44March 16 Detroit W 109–101 Jared Dudley (23) Channing Frye (13) Steve Nash (17) US Airways Center
17,148
22–22
45March 18 Houston W 99–86 Michael Redd (25) Marcin Gortat (10) Steve Nash (11) US Airways Center
15,645
23–22
46March 20@ Miami L 95–99 Grant Hill (19) Marcin Gortat (8) Steve Nash (10) American Airlines Arena
20,212
23–23
47March 21@ Orlando L 93–103 Jared Dudley (17) Marcin Gortat (9) Marcin Gortat,
Sebastian Telfair (3)
Amway Center
18,930
23–24
48March 23@ Indiana W 113–111 Marcin Gortat (23) Marcin Gortat (8) Steve Nash (17) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
14,786
24–24
49March 25@ Cleveland W 108–83 Marcin Gortat,
Markieff Morris (22)
Marcin Gortat (8) Steve Nash (13) Quicken Loans Arena
17,307
25–24
50March 27 San Antonio L 100–107 Shannon Brown (32) Marcin Gortat (14) Steve Nash (8) US Airways Center
16,573
25–25
51March 28@ L. A. Clippers L 86–103 Marcin Gortat (23) Channing Frye,
Marcin Gortat (7)
Steve Nash (15) Staples Center
19,060
25–26
April: 8–7 (home: 4–3; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
52April 1 New Orleans W 92–75 Jared Dudley (21) Channing Frye (11) Steve Nash (14) US Airways Center
15,753
26–26
53April 3@ Sacramento W 109–100 Marcin Gortat (20) Marcin Gortat (10) Steve Nash (12) Power Balance Pavilion
12,462
27–26
54April 4@ Utah W 107–105 Michael Redd (19) Marcin Gortat (8) Steve Nash (9) EnergySolutions Arena
19,911
28–26
55April 6@ Denver L 99–105 Shannon Brown (18) Marcin Gortat (14) Steve Nash (11) Pepsi Center
19,155
28–27
56April 7 L. A. Lakers W 125–105 Shannon Brown (24) Marcin Gortat (9) Steve Nash (11) US Airways Center
18,237
29–27
57April 9@ Minnesota W 114–90 Markieff Morris (21) Shannon Brown,
Marcin Gortat (7)
Sebastian Telfair (7) Target Center
17,274
30–27
58April 11@ Memphis L 93–104 Marcin Gortat (19) Markieff Morris (6) Steve Nash (10) FedExForum
15,239
30–28
59April 13@ Houston W 112–105 Marcin Gortat (20) Marcin Gortat (15) Steve Nash (10) Toyota Center
18,223
31–28
60April 14@ San Antonio L 91–105 Sebastian Telfair (21) Robin Lopez,
Markieff Morris (9)
Markieff Morris,
Sebastian Telfair (4)
AT&T Center
18,581
31–29
61April 16 Portland W 125–107 Marcin Gortat (20) Marcin Gortat (10) Steve Nash (13) US Airways Center
15,322
32–29
62April 18 Oklahoma City L 97–109 Jared Dudley (21) Marcin Gortat (12) Steve Nash (5) US Airways Center
14,873
32–30
63April 19 L. A. Clippers W 93–90 Jared Dudley (18) Marcin Gortat (14) Steve Nash (6) US Airways Center
14,644
33–30
64April 21 Denver L 107–118 Shannon Brown (28) Marcin Gortat (11) Steve Nash (13) US Airways Center
15,877
33–31
65April 24@ Utah L 88–100 Jared Dudley,
Michael Redd (15)
Marcin Gortat (12) Steve Nash (11) EnergySolutions Arena
19,911
33–32
66April 25 San Antonio L 106–110 Shannon Brown (21) Marcin Gortat (10) Steve Nash (7) US Airways Center
17,172
33–33
2011–12 season schedule

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

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Shannon Brown 591923.7.420.362.8082.71.2.7.311.0
Josh Childress 34014.4.485.167.0002.81.0.4.22.9
Jared Dudley 656031.1.485.383.7264.61.7.8.312.7
Channing Frye 645926.1.416.346.8905.91.4.71.110.5
Marcin Gortat 666632.0.555.000.64910.00.9.71.515.4
Grant Hill 494628.1.446.264.7613.52.2.8.610.2
Robin Lopez 64014.0.461.000.7143.30.3.3.95.4
Markieff Morris 63719.5.399.347.7174.41.0.7.77.4
Steve Nash 626231.6.532.390.8943.010.7.6.112.5
Ronnie Price 36814.4.377.295.8001.61.9.9.13.6
Michael Redd 51215.1.400.318.7931.50.6.3.08.2
Sebastian Telfair 60114.9.412.314.7911.52.3.7.26.1
Hakim Warrick 35014.4.411.100.7682.60.9.2.16.4

Awards, records and milestones

Awards

Week/Month

All-Star

Records

Team Records

Milestones

Team Milestones

Injuries/Missed games

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Additions

PlayerSignedFormer Team
Sebastian Telfair Signed a 1-year deal that was worth $1.5 Million. Minnesota Timberwolves
Shannon Brown Signed a 1-year deal that was worth $3.5 Million. Los Angeles Lakers
Grant Hill Signed a 1-year deal that was worth $6.5 Million. Phoenix Suns
Ronnie Price Signed a 1-year deal that was worth $854,389. Utah Jazz
Michael Redd Signed a 1-year deal that was worth $1.3 Million. [a] Milwaukee Bucks

^  a: Michael Redd signed onto the team two games after the beginning of the 2011–12 season. However, he didn't start playing until January 12, 2012 due to Redd fully recovering from some knee injuries during his last two seasons in Milwaukee.

Subtractions

PlayerReason LeftNew Team
Aaron Brooks Lockout Concerns Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Guangdong Winnerway (Hongyuan) Southern Tigers
Gani Lawal Lockout Concerns / Waived [b] Flag of Poland.svg Zastal Zielona Góra / San Antonio Spurs / Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers / Flag of France.svg Chorale Roanne Basket
Vince Carter Waived [c] Dallas Mavericks
Zabian Dowdell Waived Flag of Turkey.svg Anadolu Efes Pilsen Spor Kulübü / Flag of Spain.svg Club Baloncesto Gran Canaria – Claret, S.A.D. [d] [10]
Mickaël Piétrus Waived [e] Boston Celtics
Garret Siler Waived [f] Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Jiangsu Nangang Dragons [g] [11]

^  b: Gani Lawal originally left due to the 2011 NBA lockout in concerns of playing the season. He signed with Zastal Zielona Góra in Poland before returning to Phoenix once the lockout ended. However, Gani was waived by the team alongside Vince Carter once the season began, and he tried a stint with the San Antonio Spurs for their training camp before being waived again. He later found a new team in the Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers , but due to personal problems, he returned to playing with Zastal once more before finishing his season with Chorale Roanne Basket in France.
^  c: Vince Carter was paid $4 million in order to get out of his contract with the Suns.
^  d: Zabian Dowdell originally signed a deal to play with Anadolu Efes Pilsen Spor Kulübü in Turkey on January 18, 2012. However, due to a failed physical, he would be waived from the team before even having a change to play for them. He would then play with Club Baloncesto Gran Canaria – Claret, S.A.D. on March 17, 2016 after passing their own physical exam.
^  e: Mickaël Piétrus was paid $1.2 million in order to get out of his contract with the Suns.
^  f: Garret Siler was waived after the January 2 game against the Golden State Warriors . He didn't play a single game with the Phoenix Suns in the regular season.
^  g: Garret Siler signed with the Jiangsu Nangang Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association quite some time after this season ended.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix Suns</span> National Basketball Association team in Phoenix, Arizona

The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They are the only team in their division not to be based in California. The Suns play their home games at the Footprint Center. The Suns are one of three major league sports teams based in the Phoenix area, but are the only one to bill themselves as representing the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Nash</span> Canadian basketball player and coach (born 1974)

Stephen John Nash is a Canadian professional basketball coach and former player who most recently served as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played 18 seasons in the NBA, where he was an eight-time All-Star and a seven-time All-NBA selection. Nash was a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player while playing for the Phoenix Suns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Richardson</span> American basketball player

Jason Anthoney Richardson is an American former professional basketball player who played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Richardson was taken by the Golden State Warriors as the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft after playing college basketball for Michigan State University. He won the NBA Dunk Contest in both 2002 and 2003, becoming the second player, after Michael Jordan, to win the competition back-to-back. Richardson has also played for the Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, and the Philadelphia 76ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mickaël Piétrus</span> French basketball player

Mickaël Marvin Soriano Piétrus is a French former professional basketball player. Listed at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), 215 lb (98 kg), he played both the small forward and shooting guard positions. Piétrus was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the 11th pick of the 2003 NBA draft, and is originally from Guadeloupe, a Caribbean island that is a part of France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcin Gortat</span> Polish basketball player (born 1984)

Marcin Janusz Gortat also known as "The Polish Hammer" is a Polish former professional basketball player, and current player development and assistant coach at the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), 240 pounds (110 kg) center is the son of boxer Janusz Gortat. He was drafted in the second round by the Phoenix Suns in the 2005 NBA draft and played for the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers. He retired from professional basketball in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie Price</span> American basketball player and scout (born 1983)

Ronald D'Wayne Price is an American former professional basketball player and current scout for the Phoenix Suns. Price grew up in Friendswood, Texas and played college basketball for one year at Nicholls State and three years at Utah Valley State. Price went undrafted in the 2005 NBA draft and played for the Sacramento Kings from 2005 to 2008. Price then played for the Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers before returning to Phoenix for a second and final playing stint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goran Dragić</span> Slovenian basketball player (born 1986)

Goran Dragić is a Slovenian former professional basketball player. Nicknamed "the Dragon", he played professional basketball in Slovenia and Spain before entering the NBA in 2008. Dragić also played for the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and the Milwaukee Bucks. He was an All-NBA Third Team selection and the NBA Most Improved Player with the Suns in 2014. He was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in 2018 with Miami. He led the senior Slovenian national team to its first FIBA EuroBasket title in 2017, while being named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

The 1996–97 NBA season was the 29th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. This season is notable for the Suns drafting Steve Nash out of Santa Clara University with the fifteenth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft. During the off-season, the team acquired Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Mark Bryant and Chucky Brown from the Houston Rockets, and signed free agent Rex Chapman. However, the Suns struggled losing their first 13 games of the season, as Kevin Johnson missed the first eleven games with a hernia injury. After an 0–8 start, head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons resigned and was replaced by former Suns guard Danny Ainge, who led the team to a 40–34 finish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zabian Dowdell</span> American professional basketball player

Zabian Dowdell is an American former professional basketball player. Born in Pahokee, Florida, he played basketball for his hometown's high school. He played college basketball for the Virginia Tech Hokies from 2003 to 2007. In his senior season he was named in the First-team All-ACC and the ACC All-Defensive team. Following his graduation from college, Dowdell played professionally mainly in Europe, also having brief stints in the NBA and the NBA D-League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gani Lawal</span> Nigerian-American basketball player

Gani Oladimeji Lawal Jr. is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Georgia Tech.

The 2004–05 NBA season was the 37th for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Suns re-acquired All-Star guard Steve Nash from the Dallas Mavericks, and signed free agent Quentin Richardson. During that same period of time, it also became the team's first season under Robert Sarver's ownership tenure, as he controlled major duties with the franchise for 18 seasons after Jerry Colangelo sold the team to him until a year-long suspension during the 2022–23 season for actions he did behind the scenes from as early as this season caused him to eventually sell off the team during that season in 2023. Also during that same period of time, the Suns would honor former head coach and broadcaster Cotton Fitzsimmons, who passed away on July 25, 2004, by wearing a white patch on their jerseys for the entire season, including their playoff run. The Suns got off to a fast start winning 31 of their first 35 games, but then lost six straight afterwards. They finished with the best record in the NBA at 62–20 under head coach Mike D'Antoni, tying their franchise best 1992–93 season record which would hold until 2021-22, when they won 64 games. Three members of the team, Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion were all selected for the 2005 NBA All-Star Game. The Suns also gained solid play from Richardson and Joe Johnson. Nash finished the season averaging 11.5 assists per game, while making 50.2% of his field goals and 43.1% of his three-pointers in the regular season. He ended up winning the MVP award. D'Antoni was awarded Coach of the Year, and Bryan Colangelo Executive of the Year.

The 2010–11 Phoenix Suns season was the 43rd season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). For the first time in eight seasons, the Suns were without the play of power forward Amar'e Stoudemire, a 5-time All-Star and former Rookie of the Year who joined the New York Knicks in the summer. The Suns traded Jason Richardson on December 18, 2010, as part of a trade that brought Vince Carter to the Suns. On February 24, 2011, the Suns traded Goran Dragić and the draft pick they got earlier from Orlando in exchange for Aaron Brooks. Alvin Gentry was head coach and the Suns played their home games at US Airways Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garret Siler</span> American basketball player

Garret Andrew Siler is an American former professional basketball player. He formerly played center for Augusta State University. When he went undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft, he first signed with the D-League's Utah Flash and then the Chinese Basketball Association's Shanghai Sharks. During his one year with the Sharks, he averaged 14.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game on 74 percent shooting from the field.

The 1997–98 NBA season was the 30th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. In the off-season, the Suns acquired Antonio McDyess from the Denver Nuggets in a three-team trade, and signed free agents Clifford Robinson, and George McCloud. The team also signed former Suns, and All-Star forward Tom Chambers, who played for the team from 1988 to 1993, and also appeared in the 1993 NBA Finals; however, he was out with a lower strained back injury before the regular season began. In November, Chambers got into trouble after punching Suns strength and conditioning coach Robin Pound during an altercation, and was soon traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for rookie forward Marko Milič; Chambers would play one game for the Sixers before retiring from the NBA in December.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Morris Sr.</span> American basketball player (born 1989)

Marcus Thomas Morris Sr. is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball at Kansas before being drafted 14th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2011 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Markieff Morris</span> American basketball player (born 1989)

Markieff Morris is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks before being drafted 13th overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. Morris won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

The 2012–13 Phoenix Suns season was the organization's 45th season in the National Basketball Association. This season was the first since the 2004–05 season that the Suns were without star point guard and former two-time MVP Steve Nash after Nash was sign-and-traded to the rival Los Angeles Lakers. Another fan favorite, Grant Hill, also left for Los Angeles in this season, but he would sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. By technicality, the player who held the most playing experience for the Suns this season was Jermaine O'Neal.

The 2013–14 NBA season was the Phoenix Suns' 46th season in the NBA. This season marked the first time that purple was not a primary color for the team. It was also the first time since the beginning of the 1987–88 NBA season that the Suns ended up drafting in the top 5 of a draft. In addition, it was the first time since the beginning of the 2000–01 NBA season that the Suns made complete changes in not only their logos, but also their jerseys. When the Suns began the regular season, Goran Dragić, P. J. Tucker, Markieff Morris, and his twin brother Marcus Morris were the only players returning from playing with last season's team.

The 2015–16 NBA season was the Phoenix Suns' 48th season in the NBA. It was their first season where the Suns played in the Talking Stick Resort Arena with its new name, having played there since the 1992–93 season, when it used to be called the America West Arena and then later on, the U.S. Airways Center.

The 2018–19 Phoenix Suns season was the 51st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as their 26th season at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. They finished with 19 wins to 63 losses, the franchise's worst regular season record since the inaugural season 1968–69.

References

  1. "Report: NBA draft moving to Newark". ESPN.com. October 27, 2010. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  2. "League locks out players until new collective bargaining agreement is reached – ESPN". ESPN.com. July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  3. "Markieff Morris NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  4. "Phoenix Suns trade Goran Dragic, pick for Rockets' Aaron Brooks". wearesuns.com. February 24, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  5. "Bulls sign-and-trade Hakim Warrick to Suns". insidehoops.com. July 9, 2010. Archived from the original on September 12, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  6. "Suns extend qualifying offer to Aaron Brooks". nbasports.com. October 27, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  7. "Elston Turner, the new defensive coordinator for the Phoenix Suns". ESPN.com. July 14, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  8. "Suns delay Vince Carter contract deadline, extend qualifying offer to Aaron Brooks". azcentral.com. June 23, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  9. "Phoenix Suns Team Salary – NBA News & NBA Rumors". hoopsworld.com. July 19, 2011. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  10. Zabian Dowdell Agrees To Terms With Gran Canaria
  11. "Siler to play in China again | ABC 6 WJBF-TV". Archived from the original on February 9, 2013.