The pattern of the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns were founded in the midst of a period of
great expansion in the NBA. Between 1966-67 and 1970-71 seasons eight new teams
were introduced to the NBA, out of which the Suns were one. The Chicago Bulls
had preceded them in 1966-67, then the Houston Rockets and Seattle
Supersonics in 1967-68. For the 1968-69 season, the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee
Bucks were new additions. 1970-71 saw the arrivals of the Portland Trail
Blazers, Buffalo Braves (later the LA Clippers) and Cleveland Cavaliers.
As for the Suns, their first season was as dismal as can be
expected for an expansion franchise as they posted a 16-66 record. The following
season they had improved enough to make the playoffs for the first time. They
were eliminated in 7 games by the Lakers, but were able to showcase the talents
of Connie Hawkins, Gail Goodrich and Dick van Arsdale.
In 1976 the Suns an unlikely run to the NBA Finals behind the
leadership of Paul Westphal and Alvan Adams. The Suns lost in 6 games to a
Boston Celtics team that featured Charlie Scott, Jo Jo White, Dave Cowens and
John Havlicek.
In 1979, the Suns made it all the way to the Western
Conference Finals before losing in 7 games to the eventual champions, the
Seattle Supersonics. They were in the midst of a string of seasons which saw
them make the playoffs 8 straight times between 1978 and 1985.
In 1984 the Suns returned to the Western Conference Finals
but were turned away in 6 games by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns of these
seasons revolved around Walter Davis, Larry Nance and Maurice Lucas.
With a retooled lineup that included Tom Chambers, Kevin
Johnson, Eddie Johnson, Armon Gilliam and Jeff Hornacek, the Suns made another
run to the Conference Finals in 1989, once again losing to the Lakers in only 4
games.
In 1991, the Suns made yet another trip to the Western
Conference Finals, where they lost in 6 games to the Portland Blazers of Clyde
Drexler.
Charles Barkley joined the Suns prior to the 1992 seasons and
was a prominent figure in one of their most successful seasons ever. In this
1992-93 season, the Suns reach the NBA Finals by dispatching the Lakers, Spurs
and Supersonics in three competitive series. Despite having the league's MVP in
Barkley, the Suns lost in 6 games to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
The Phoenix Suns made back-to-back trips to the Western
Conference Finals in 2005 and 2006. In 2005 they lost to the San Antonio Spurs
in 5 games, while in 2006 they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in 6 games.
Some of the Phoenix Suns' notable players have been:
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Alvan Adams (1976-1988)
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Charles Barkley (1993-96)
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Raja Bell (2006-)
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Walter Davis (1978-1988)
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Gail Goodrich (1969-1970) Hall of Famer
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Jeff Hornacek (1987-1992)
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Dennis Johnson (1981-83)
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Eddie Johnson (1988-1990)
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Joe Johnson (2002-05)
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Kevin Johnson (1988-1998, 2000)
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Clem Haskins (1971-74)
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Connie Hawkins (1970-73) Hall of Famer
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Jason Kidd (1997-2001)
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Maurice Lucas (1983-85)
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Dan Majerle (1989-1995)
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Stephon Marbury (2002-03)
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Shawn Marion (2000-)
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Larry Nance (1982-87)
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Steve Nash (1997, 2005-)
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Clifford Robinson (1998-2001)
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Truck Robinson (1979-1982)
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Charlie Scott (1972-77)
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Paul Silas (1970-72)
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Amare Stoudemire (2003-)
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Dick Van Arsdale (1969-1977)
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Neal Walk (1970-74)
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Paul Westphal (1976-1980, 84)
The pattern of the Phoenix Suns fabric consists of
purple and orange squares. Within the squares are basketballs, #42 jerseys and the
Suns' logo.
This Phoenix Suns fabric is licensed by the NBA and
is for individual consumption. Any other use of this NBA fabric is prohibited
and illegal. The Phoenix Suns cotton fabric is not suitable for
children's sleepwear.