You might have seen the articles being passed around over the last several weeks. Or maybe it's his 51.8 FG percentage and 83.3 FT percentage. Who Are the Best Phoenix Suns Basketball Players of All Time? He responded with a season-saving game, dropping 36 points on 6-of-12 from three. Stats: 17.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 3.7 APG in 21 seasons with Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-96 to 2006-07; 2014-15 to 2015-16), Boston Celtics (2007-08 to 2012-13) and Brooklyn Nets (2013-14 to 2014-15). "only" comes in at No. Phoenix Suns Historical Statistics and All-Time Top Stats: 16.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.7 APG in 15 seasons with St. Louis Hawks (1960-61 to 1967-68), Seattle SuperSonics (1968-69 to 1971-72), Cleveland Cavaliers (1972-73 to 1973-74) and Portland Trail Blazers (1974-75). Doubling as the greatest Sunof all time, Steve Nash is certainly the greatest guard in Suns history.A point guard, Nash played ten total seasons across two different stints (1996-1998, 2004-2012) with the team. Certain names created legacies that are beloved and respected by the entire Suns fan base. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, 1994-95 Rookie of the Year, five-time assists champ, 2011 NBA champion. Hornacek was eventually traded for Charles Barkley, but is forever a Phoenix legend, remembered as one half of the Suns' best backcourt of all-time (alongside Kevin Johnson) and one of the most efficient scorers of his generation. Stats: 7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 1.8 APG in 14 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1986-87 to 1992-93), San Antonio Spurs (1993-94 to 1994-95), Chicago Bulls (1995-96 to 1997-98), Los Angeles Lakers (1998-99) and Dallas Mavericks (1999-2000). Johnson rarely put up superstar stats, but his presence helped the Suns during arguably their best time as a contender. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, 2012-13 scoring champ. John Stockton as the top-20 player in NBA Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, 1995 NBA champion. If not for injury problems, Stoudemire would not only be higher on this list; he would likely unseat Barkley. Marions career numbers with the Suns amounted to him having the second most steals (1,245), the second most rebounds (6,616), the third most blocks (894), the fifth most points scored (12,134), the fifth most three-pointers (652), and the sixth most games played (660) in franchise history.Marion went on to win an NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 after leaving Phoenix, and he was a solid all-around player wherever he went in his career. Stats: 15.0 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 2.7 APG in 14 seasons with San Francisco/Golden State Warriors (1963-64 to 1973-74), Chicago Bulls (1974-75 to 1975-76) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1975-76 to 1976-77). The forward averaged 20.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists in Phoenix, making the All-Star team every single year. Despite his short run with the team, Charles Barkley is definitely the best forward to ever play for the Suns.For each of the four seasons (1993-1996) that he played for the Phoenix-based team, Barkley was selected as an NBA All-Star. The career of Devin Booker is still going, but hes already in the top tier of all-time Phoenix Suns players. Stats: 22.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG in 16 seasons with Miami Heat (2003-04 to 2015-16; 2017-18 to 2018-19), Chicago Bulls (2016-17) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-18). This page features a list with the leaders in points in NBA history Notes: - These stats were updated on May 1, 2023- Three-pointers were implemented in 1979-80. Warriors' Draymond Green Says Stephen Curry Has GOAT How Many Championships Does Michael Jordan Have? Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, two-time NBA champion. NBA all But the one thing that the franchise continues to chase is its first NBA championship. All They may retire, but the sun never sets for the Phoenix Suns best players. Some of the players who are often considered among the greatest of all time include: Michael Jordan: Jordan is widely considered the greatest NBA player of Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, 1993-94 MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time Finals MVP, two-time rebounding champ, three-time blocks champ, two-time NBA champion. 25 25. During halftime of the 1997 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, 47 of the 50 members of that team were honored in person. For a fifth straight year, the NBA's Most Valuable Player award will go to someone born outside of the United States. Stats: 16.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.7 APG in 17 seasons with Seattle SuperSonics (1990-91 to 2002-03), Milwaukee Bucks (2002-03), Los Angeles Lakers (2003-04), Boston Celtics (2004-05) and Miami Heat (2005-06 to 2006-07). Another member of the 1993 NBA Finals team, Tom Chambers is the tenth-best Suns player of all time.Chambers first played for the San Diego Clippers and the Seattle SuperSonics before joining the Suns in 1988.In five seasons with the team (1988-1993), Chambers made three All-Star teams (1989-1991) and two All-NBA teams (1989, 1990), along with helping the team make the aforementioned Finals in 1993, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan.. His 3.2 defensive win-shares per season are a major reason why the Suns made the playoffs every year with Robinson on the roster, and his appearance on the 2000 NBA All-Defensive team is a testament to that. Two of the greatest Suns players ever are Steve Nash and Charles Barkley.They are among the greatest players to never win a championship. The greatest player of all time. If not, you surely must have caught the response when John Stockton (#19) and Scottie Pippen (#25) appeared before Isiah Thomas (#26)? The first of two players in a row who were on the Suns 1976 NBA Finals team is Alvan Adams.1976 was Adamss rookie season, and in terms of awards won, it was his best with the team.After being taken with the fourth overall pick in the draft by the Suns in 1975, Adams won the 1976 Rookie of the Year award, was named to the 1976 All-Rookie First team, and made the All-Star team in 1976.Ultimately, his rookie season was almost perfect, but the team lost to the Boston Celtics in the 1976 NBA Finals.He wound up playing all thirteen of his NBA seasons with the team (1975-1988).. The Suns tenure saw all four All-Star appearances and both all-NBA selections coming with the squad before falling off after leaving. Nance was especially great during his final season in the desert, averaging 22.5 points. Stats: 25.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 9.5 APG in 14 seasons with Cincinnati Royals (1960-61 to 1969-70) and Milwaukee Bucks (1970-71 to 1973-74). Some of Johnsons notable numbers include having the third most points scored with 12,747, the second most assists with 6,518, the fourth most steals with 1,022, the most made free throws with 3,851, and the fifth most games played with 683.He also helped the team reach the NBA Finals for the second time in team history in 1993, losing to Michael Jordan and the Bulls.He may not have been a Hall of Famer, but Johnson was a key player on some of the best Suns teams ever. View player profile, bio, stats, news and video highlights. Stats: 25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG in 19 seasons with Utah Jazz (1985-86 to 2002-03) and Los Angeles Lakers (2003-04). Stats: 24.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.4 APG in 10 seasons with Atlanta Hawks (1970-71 to 1973-74), New Orleans/Utah Jazz (1974-75 to 1979-80) and Boston Celtics (1979-80). Considering that his five All-Star and four All-NBA appearances came despite all his health problems, it's fair to say that Amar'e Stoudemire was the most talented player to ever put on a Suns' uniform. Mike Goodpaster Chief Editor Publish Date: 02/18/2022 Fact checked by: Simon Briffa PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 4: Phoenix Suns Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, 2006 Finals MVP, 2010 All-Star MVP, 2008-09 scoring champ, three-time NBA champion. Alvan Adams spent his entire NBA career with Phoenix, and his averages with the team are brought down by his later years. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, 1963-64 MVP, 1960-61 Rookie of the Year, three-time All-Star MVP, six-time assists champ, 1971 NBA champion. Kevin Johnson, 57 5. The following Phoenix players deserve to be called the best in franchise history. Lists that rank the team's greatest players and coaches, now and throughout history. Warriors vs. Kings prediction, odds, time: 2023 NBA playoff picks, Top-20 Biggest NBA Rivalries Ever Accomplishments: 12-time NBA All-Star, eight-time All-NBA, two-time NBA All-Defensive team, three-time NBA MVP, 1983 Finals MVP, six-time NBA rebounding champ, 1983 NBA champion. Deep. Phoenix has showcased some of the best players of their era, along with names that were more loved as a role player. Ranking the top 74 NBA players of all time - Nos. 10-1 - ESPN But here's the thing: Nash averaged 10.9 assists during his eight years in Phoenix, averaging over 11.0 and leading the league five times each. LeBron James has become the player with the most playoff series won in NBA history, tied with Derek Fisher at 40. After three-plus seasons, during which the shooting guard improved from erratic rookie to all-world marksman, Johnson left via restricted free agency after telling the Suns not to match the Atlanta Hawks' offer. Phoenix had Chambers on the roster for three of his four career All-Star appearances. Amare Stoudemire, one of the great pick-and-roll big men ever in his prime, is the starting center. Stats: 22.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.3 APG in 14 seasons with Buffalo Braves. Imagining AllTime Suns as Football Players. The NBA's 75th anniversary team was selected by a blue-ribbon panel of media, current and former players, coaches, general managers and team executives. While the league has not yet announced the Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, three-time scoring champ, 2016-17 assists champ, 2017-18 MVP, 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year. Alvan Adams' teammate on the 1976 Finals team, Paul Westphal was another key contributor on that team. The MVP Award for Barkley and 1993 NBA Finals appearance saw his team putting up the best fight that any West team did against Michael Jordan in the finals. Though he was only there for a limited time, Charles Barkley was an outstanding power forward for the Suns. WebNBA Classic Teams: Players Added to All-Time Teams in NBA 2K22. NBA player ESPN has been counting down the 100 best NBA players of all-time. What happens when you give Gar Heard more offensive talent and more minutes? Ed Macauley held the record for 39 days in 1958, the shortest in NBA history. Ranking the Top 25 Players in Phoenix Suns History NBA As a result of a tie in the voting, the 75th anniversary team includes 76 players. This dilemma of which attribute to call Paul Westphal's best is exactly why he posted 50 win shares in five seasons with the Suns. Stats: 18.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.4 APG in 16 seasons with New Orleans Hornets (2005-06 to 2010-11), LA Clippers (2011-12 to 2016-17), Houston Rockets (2017-18 to 2018-19), Oklahoma City Thunder (2019-20) and Phoenix Suns (2020-21)*. The Suns made the NBA Finals for the first time in nearly three decades with Paul as the game changer giving help to Devin Booker. 1 as one might think. Active Greats : L. James , G. Antetokounmpo , C. Paul , J. Phoenix Suns Career Leaders | Basketball-Reference.com It's only fitting that "The Matrix" spent the prime of his career with the Suns. He's first on the overall list with 93.1 total win shares. Like previously listed guard named Johnson, Dennis Johnson would be higher on this list if his three years in the Valley of the Sun didn't end with a desire to leave due to fallout with the coaching staff and management. The NBA defines clutch time as the last five minutes of a game when the margin is five points or fewer. Six All-Star Selections (2005-2008, 2010, 2012), Four All-Star, All-NBA Team Selections (1993-1996), Six All-Star Selections (1978-1981, 1984, 1987), Three All-Star Selections (1990, 1991, 1994), Five All-NBA Team Selections (1989-1992, 1994), Five All-Star Selections (2005, 2007-2010), Four All-NBA Team Selections (2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, Four All-Star Selections (2003, 2005-2007). During that time, he also was named to the All-NBA team, was named the 1993 MVP, and had the third-highest game score average in team history. NBA Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA, 1976-77 scoring champ. NBA Players Top 25 NBA Players of All Time Any longtime Phoenix fan will ultimately think of Westphal among the most important figures for having two drastic levels of success. Jason Kidd takes that theme to an entirely new level, although it is a level that will be encountered again before this list is concluded. Stats: 17.6 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 3.8 APG in 11 seasons with Boston Celtics (1970-71 to 1979-80) and Milwaukee Bucks (1982-83). This team will be an offensive force that can throw many different looks at their opponents. WebGeorge Mikan held the record from 1952 to 1958 and was the first player to eclipse 10,000 career points. NBA 75: Top 75 NBA players of all time - The Athletic He also appeared in four All-Star games and on two All-NBA teams during his five seasons in the desert. Rookie Road may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Cameroon-born Embiid (the league's leading scorer), Serbia's Jokic Another great player on the early 2000s Suns teams was power forward Shawn Marion.Yet another ninth overall pick in the draft, the Suns took Marion with that pick in the 1999 edition.His first nine seasons in the league came with the Suns (1999-2008), and he was named to the All-Rookie Second team after his first season.Moreover, he made four All-Star teams (2003, 2005-2007) and two All-NBA teams (2005, 2006) during his time there. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, 1974-75 MVP, 1972-73 Rookie of the Year, three-time scoring champ, two-time NBA champion. Ranking the 10 best Phoenix Suns players of all time, including A player who really took off once he got to Phoenix is Kevin Johnson.Johnson was initially drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers but was traded to Phoenix during his first season in 1988.He went on to play all twelve of his NBA seasons in Phoenix (1988-1998, 1999-00).His first full season in the desert, he won the 1989 MVP Award, increasing his point production from around 9 per game to over 20 per game.Furthermore, he made five All-NBA teams (1989-1992, 1994) and three All-Star teams (1990, 1991, 1994).. The NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals, Stockton led the NBA in assists per game for nine consecutive seasons between 1987 and 1996. Stats: 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics (1956-57 to 1968-69). Stats: 23.7 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 2.3 BPG in 19 seasons with Orlando Magic (1992-93 to 1995-96), Los Angeles Lakers (1996-97 to 2003-04), Miami Heat (2004-05 to 2007-08), Phoenix Suns (2007-08 to 2008-09), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-10) and Boston Celtics (2010-11).