The Phoenix Suns have a rich history as a franchise. They have not won a championship in team history but have had lots of great teams. Who are the top five teams in Suns’ history?
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Honorable Mention: 1975-76
The 1975-76 Phoenix Suns were ranked eighth in the NBA in points per game scored and opponent points per game. Despite their offensive and defensive ratings, the Suns ended the regular season with a record of 42-40. The leading scorers on this team were Paul Westphal and Alvan Adams. Westphal averaged 20.5 points per game and Adams scored 19.5 points per game.
They found their groove in the playoffs as they defeated the 43-39 Seattle SuperSonics in six games in the western conference semi-finals. After that they would go beat the 59-23 Golden State Warriors in the western finals. Phoenix would lose in the NBA finals to the John Havilek and Dave Cowens led Boston Celtics.
5. 1988-89
The 1988-89 Phoenix Suns were machine like on offense as they scored at will. The Suns lead the league in scoring that season. They averaged 118.6 points per game. The offense carried this team to a 55-27 record. Tom Chambers was the leading scorer on this squad. He averaged 25.7 points per game. Kevin Johnson had a great all-around season as he averaged 20.4 points and 12.2 assists per game. Johnson was also very efficient, he shot 50% from the floor. Phoenix also had great scoring off of the bench as Eddie Johnson averaged 21.5 points per game.
In the playoffs, the Suns swept the Denver Nuggets in the first round. After that they defeated the Chris Mullin and Mitch Richmond led Golden State Warriors in five games. In the western conference finals, they were swept by Magic Johnson, James Worthy and the Los Angeles Lakers.
4. 2009-10
The 2009-10 Phoenix Suns were another great offensive team in the valley. They were ranked first in offense, scoring 110 points per game. The offense carried them to a 54-28 record. Amar’e Stoudemire played all 82 games during the regular season and averaged 23.1 points per game. He was also wildly efficient shooting 55% from the floor. Steve Nash at age 35 was still one of the best point guards in the NBA. He averaged 16.5 points and 11 assists per game, while shooting 50% from the floor, 42% from three, and 93% from the free throw line.
Phoenix beat the Portland Trailblazers in six games to start the playoffs. In the second round they swept the Tim Duncan led San Antonio Spurs. Then ran into Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference finals. Where they would lose in six games. The Lakers went on to win the NBA championship.
3. 2004-05
The 2004-05 Phoenix Suns were led by Most Valuable Player Steve Nash. Nash led the Suns to the best record in the NBA, 62-20. This was the first MVP award for Nash, who averaged 15.5 points and 11.5 assists per game. The leading scorer on the team was Amar’e Stoudemire who averaged 26 points per game on 55% shooting from the field.
The Suns started the playoffs of by sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies. In the second round they defeated Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks in six games. In the conference finals they would lose in five games to the eventual NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.
2. 2020-21
The 2020-21 Phoenix Suns were a very balanced team as they ranked seventh in points per game and opponent points per game. They scored 115.3 points per game while only giving up 109.5 points per game. This team was led by Chris Paul and Devin Booker. Paul averaged 16.4 points and 8.9 assists per game, while shooting 49% from the floor and 39% from three. Booker averaged 25.6 points per game as he shot 48% from the floor.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were no match for the Suns in the first round of the playoffs. Phoenix won that series in six. In the second round the Suns would sweep Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. Making a Suns’ fan a celebrity in the process.
This guy created a toy of the "Suns in 4" fan that went viral
Amazing 😂🔥
(via @handsofdoomtoy) pic.twitter.com/b86kPK2lEz
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 18, 2021
In the western conference finals, the Suns defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in six games. They would go on to meet the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA finals. Phoenix would take a 2-0 lead in the series but go on to lose four straight.
1. 1992-93
Prior to the 1992-93 season, the Suns traded Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Charles Barkley. This was a genius move as Barkley had his best season in his first year with Phoenix. Barkley would win the MVP award as he averaged 25.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. He was also very efficient, shooting 52% from the floor. Barkley led this team to the top ranked offense in the NBA. They scored 113.4 points per game. That offense helped the Suns have the best record in the NBA, 62-20.
The playoffs would be filled with battles. The first round with the maximum five games as they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, 3-2. In the second round they would beat the David Robinson led San Antonio Spurs, 4-2. Then in the conference finals they would be victorious over the Seattle SuperSonics in a classic seven game series. In game seven, Charles Barkley had one of the greatest playoff performances of all time. He scored 44 points and grabbed 24 rebounds. He also shot 60% from the floor in that game. In the NBA Finals, Phoenix would fall short to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Will this year’s team be on this list?
The 2023-24 Phoenix Suns have a good chance of changing this list. On paper, this is the most talented team in Suns’ history. The Suns have never had a big three like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. Will this talent be enough to win a NBA championship? Will this be another great offensive team that falls short in the playoffs? The expectations are very high. Will this team succumb to those expectations or rise up to become the greatest team the valley has seen?
