Phoenix Suns Fleece: Square

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:

• Alvan Adams (1976-1988)

• Charles Barkley (1993-96)

• Raja Bell (2006-)

• Walter Davis (1978-1988)

• Gail Goodrich (1969-1970) Hall of Famer

• Jeff Hornacek (1987-1992)

• Dennis Johnson (1981-83)

• Eddie Johnson (1988-1990)

• Joe Johnson (2002-05)

• Kevin Johnson (1988-1998, 2000)

• Clem Haskins (1971-74)

• Connie Hawkins (1970-73) Hall of Famer

• Jason Kidd (1997-2001)

• Maurice Lucas (1983-85)

• Dan Majerle (1989-1995)

• Stephon Marbury (2002-03)

• Shawn Marion (2000-)

• Larry Nance (1982-87)

• Steve Nash (1997, 2005-)

• Clifford Robinson (1998-2001)

• Truck Robinson (1979-1982)

• Charlie Scott (1972-77)

• Paul Silas (1970-72)

• Amare Stoudemire (2003-)

• Dick Van Arsdale (1969-1977)

• Neal Walk (1970-74)

• Paul Westphal (1976-1980, 84)

The pattern of the Phoenix Suns Fleece: Square fabric consists of #46 jerseys, basketballs, blue backboards, basketballs swishing through nets, the Suns' logo and the team mascot: the Gorilla over a grape and orange background. The print also includes the NBA's logo.

This Phoenix Suns Fleece: Square fabric is licensed by the NBA and is for individual consumption. Any other use of this NBA polar fleece fabric is prohibited and illegal. The Phoenix Suns fleece fabric is not suitable for children's sleepwear.