As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of
the game being in constant change, conventional wisdom
suggests that players from different eras cannot be compared.
However, I have decided to defy those odds.
The Phoenix Suns entered the NBA in 1968 along with the
Milwaukee Bucks as expansion teams. Today, I put together a
Suns Dream Team. The Suns are the lone professional sports
franchise in that market that uses “Phoenix” as its identifier as
opposed to “Arizona.” MLB’s Diamondbacks, the NFL’s Cardinals
and NHL’s Coyotes use “Arizona.”
The Suns do not have an NBA title to their name but reached the
NBA Finals twice. The Suns reached the finals in 1975-1976,
losing to the Boston Celtics, who along with the Los Angeles
Lakers are considered NBA royalty. The Suns also reached the
finals in 1992-1993, losing to the Chicago Bulls, who were the
NBA’s Rolls Royce in the 1990s. Though the Suns are currently
in a ten-year drought, pun intended considering the desert
landscape of Arizona, they have been a regular playoff participant
that gave an honest effort to contend for an NBA championship.
There are some rigid criteria in making this team. First of all, the
player needed to have played for the Suns for a minimum of four
seasons -- no exceptions. Since the free agency era began 30
years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals
don’t make this list. This roster is all-encompassing from all eras.
Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.
This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame
is the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise.
The number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with
longevity also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard
to compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
Being on the Suns during a season of being a contender does
not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Suns
during the fallow years of the 2010s is no deterrent to getting a
spot on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers
get considered.
To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into
positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players
encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position specific,
after that it will be the best of the rest with four years playing for
the franchise being the first requirement.
So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team,
don’t just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you
would remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the
list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”
Starting lineup
Point guard: Steve Nash
Nash was a perfect blend of play making, ball handling, and
shooting. Along with the likes of John Stockton and Magic
Johnson, perhaps the best pure passer in the history of the NBA.
Nash is one of three point guards to win back-to-back NBA
MVPs along with Johnson and Steph Curry.
Nash had two different stints with the Suns (1996-1998; 2004-
2012), in between playing for the Dallas Mavericks. On the way
to a Hall of Fame career, Nash was also an eight-time All-Star
and seven-time All NBA (three as a first-teamer). Nash also led
the league in assists five times. On four occasions, Nash
connected on at least 50% of his field-goal attempts, 40% of
his three-point shot attempts and 90% of his free throws.
Shooting guard: Devin Booker
Though the Suns have not been a contender since drafting
Booker with the 13th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, Booker
is not the reason. Though his legacy is still in progress, Booker
is the best shooting guard in franchise history even if he never
plays another minute of NBA basketball. Booker has averaged
over 20 points per contest in four of his first five seasons.
Booker earned his first NBA All-Star appearance in the 2019-
2020 season, potentially more, and was on the All-Rookie Team
in 2015-2016. Booker became the youngest player to score
over 60 points in a game finishing with 70 against the Boston
Celtics.
Small forward: Shawn Marion
Marion played for five different teams but his best seasons were
a decade (1999-2008) with the Suns. Marion was a four-time
All-Star, including three consecutive seasons. Marion was also
a two-time All NBA Third-Team selection and NBA All-Rookie
second team selection.
Marion also became the first player in NBA history to record
15,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 1,000 block shots and 500
three-pointers. He also surpassed the 16,000 point plateau
becoming the 95th player in NBA history with at least 16,000
career points. He also joined Hakeem Olajuwon, Karl Malone
and Kevin Garnett as the only players in NBA history with at
least 16,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals and 1,000
blocked shots.
Power forward: Charles Barkley
Barkley was acquired in a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers
before the 1992-1993 season. Though his career with the
Suns was short-lived at four years, it was very impactful. In his
first season, Barkley was the 1992-93 NBA MVP and led the
Suns to the NBA finals before they lost to the Chicago Bulls.
Though Barkley remains a controversial figure as an NBA
commentator, one cannot deny his Hall of Fame career.
Barkley was an 11-time All-Star and 11-time All NBA (five as
a first teamer). Barkley retired as one of four players in NBA
history to record at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and
4,000 assists in their career.
Center: Amar’e Stoudamire
Though the Suns had a lot of playoff disappointments in his
time, Stoudamire had a spectacular run in his career with the
franchise. Stoudamire played eight seasons with the Suns
(2002-2010). In his career, he was a six-time All-Star and
five-time All NBA (one as a first-teamer). He was also the
NBA Rookie of the Year in 2002-2003.
In his eight seasons with the franchise, Stoudemire averaged
at least 20 points in six of those seasons. Stoudamire finished
his tenure with the Suns fourth in franchise history in scoring
average (21.4 points), 3rd and rebounds, free throws made
and attempted, blocked shots and single-game records of
consecutive free throws in one game (20) and block shots
(10).
Bench
Alvan Adams: Adams played his entire 14-year career with
the Suns. He was both an NBA All-Star and NBA Rookie of
the Year in 1976. Adams is the franchise leader in games
played, minutes played, rebounds and steals. He is second
and field goals made an attempted. Adams is third in assists
and fourth and blocked shots.
Tom Chambers: Chambers spent five seasons with the
Suns and was an All-Star in three of them. Chambers was
also a member of the 1992-1993 NBA Finals team. After
years as a starter, he graciously accepted his role as a sixth
man. Chambers averaged 20.4 points per game as a Sun.
Walter Davis: Davis played 11 of his 16-year NBA career
in Phoenix. He was a six-time All-Star and two-time All NBA
second team. He was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1977-
1978. Though Davis had his baggage with drug use, he
averaged 18.9 points, 3.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds per
game. Davis was nicknamed “The Greyhound.”
Jeff Hornacek: Though known most prominently for his
seasons with the Utah Jazz, Hornacek had a solid career
with the Suns that spanned six seasons. The trio of
Hornacek, Kevin Johnson and Chambers guided the
Suns to four consecutive playoff seasons. Hornacek’s
lone All Star season was 1991-1992. The Suns traded
Hornacek to Philadelphia as part of a deal to acquire
Barkley.
Kevin Johnson: Johnson spent most of his rookie season
with the Cleveland Cavaliers before coming to the Suns in
a trade. That season Johnson was named NBA Rookie of
the Year despite spending much of his time in Cleveland
playing behind Mark Price. Johnson was a three-time All-
Star and five-time all NBA (four as a second-teamer, one
as a third -team choice). Johnson was a member of the
1992-1993 Suns. He was voted the NBA Most Improved
Player in the 1988-89 season.
Jason Kidd: Kidd spent five of his 19 NBA Seasons as a
member of the Suns during his Hall of Fame career. In his
stint with the franchise, Kidd was an All-Star three times
and led the NBA in assists for three consecutive seasons.
It was also his time with the Suns that kid became recognized
as the best playmaker as he made first-team All-NBA three
times.
Dan Majerle: Nicknamed "Thunder Dan" because of his
thunderous slamdunks. Majerle played his first seven
seasons with the Suns. He was a three-time All Star and two-
time NBA All Defensive first team. Majerle was long on
intangibles. Majerle was a strong defensive player and three-
point shooter who was key to the Suns reaching the NBA
finals in 1993.
Larry Nance: Nance spent seven seasons with the Suns
before being traded to Cleveland Cavaliers in a trade that
brought Johnson to the Suns. Nance was a good mid-range
shooter and low post player. One of his three All-Star seasons
came with the Suns. In a Phoenix uniform, he averaged 17.3
points 7.8 rebounds and 1.9 block shots per contest.
Dick Van Arsdale: Van Arsdale spent his first three seasons
as a member of the New York Knicks before becoming an
original Sun as he was drafted by the franchise in the expansion
draft of 1968. In his 10 years with the franchise, Van Arsdale
was a three-time All-Star and All-NBA Defense second team in
1974. Van Arsdale was a member of the 1975-1976 team that
reached the NBA Finals.
Paul Westphal: Westphall has a multi-layered legacy with the
franchise both as a player and as a coach. As a player, he was
acquired from the Boston Celtics, who he played for in 1973-
1974 helping them win an NBA championship. One year later,
he helped the Suns reach the NBA Finals losing to the Celtics.
He had two stints for the Suns as a player and was a five-time
All-Star, averaging 17.1 points per game. As a coach, he guided
the Suns to the best record in the Western Conference and
reaching the NBA Finals in 1992-1993.
Coach: John MacLeod
Similar to Westphal, MacLeod led the Suns to the NBA Finals
only to fall short to NBA royalty. Though one could make a case
for Cotton Fitzsimmons or Mike D’Antoni, it’s hard to argue
against MacLeod leading a franchise-record 579 regular
season wins and 37 postseason wins. Lack of an NBA title
shouldn’t be held against him either since the Lakers and
Celtics that were among the best in NBA history were ruling
the roost.
Team: 1992-1993.
The decision to trade for Barkley signaled that the Suns wanted
to go from being “good to great.” The Suns won a franchise
record 62 games, later tied by the 2004-2005 team. The season
also generated excitement because the Suns moved into their
new downtown arena. Barkley and Dan Majerle were both All-
Stars. The Suns raced to a 21-4 start but the postseason had
its trials and tribulations. The Suns had to rally from an 0-2 deficit
to beat the No. 8 seeded Lakers in the first round and win a
grueling seven game series against the Seattle Supersonics
before losing to the Bulls in the NBA Finals.
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