Friday, August 26, 2022
The Phoenix Suns were founded in 1968 and since then, they have made the postseason more than half of the time they were in the league. But, unfortunately, they couldn’t earn themselves a championship. They’ve had gifted players on their rosters, though, and even to this day.
Here’s my personal Phoenix Suns Mt. Rushmore:
1. Steve Nash
Not only is Nash the greatest Suns player of all-time but he’s largely acknowledged as one of the greatest point guards of all-time. He is also known for his playmaking, ball-handling skills and precise shooting.
Nash spent a combined ten years with the Suns during his 18-year career. While playing for them, he was a six-time All-Star (2005-2008, 2010, 2012) who made the All-NBA First Team three times (2005-2007) and the All-NBA Second Team twice (2008, 2010). He also joined the rare company in the 50-40-90 club four times (2006, 2008-2010). FOUR TIMES!
He even won league MVP twice in a row (2005, 2006).
During his tenure in Phoenix, Nash averaged 14 points, three rebounds, nine assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.1 blocks. He led the league in assists five times (2005-2007, 2010, 2011). He is the Suns’ all-time leader in assists (6,997) and three-pointers made (1,051). He is also their eighth all-time leader in points (10,712) and tenth all-time leader in steals (511).
FUN FACT: While playing in Phoenix, Nash logged in 20-plus assists on eight separate occasions.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Johnson, he was a huge piece for the Suns back in the days.
He was the facilitator of a formidable backcourt and even helped the organization make the postseason 11 years out of the 12 years there. He helped them get as far as two Western Conference Finals appearances and one NBA Finals appearance.
After playing just 52 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers in his rookie year, Johnson was traded to Phoenix, where he spent the rest of his 12-year career. While performing for the Suns, he was a three-time All-Star (1990, 1991, 1994) who was named to the All-NBA Second Team four times (1989-1991, 1994) and the All-NBA Third Team in 1992.
Johnson averaged 18 points with the Suns, as well as three rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and 0.2 blocks. He is currently their third all-time leader in points (12,747), second all-time leader in assists (6,518) and fourth all-time leader in steals (1,022).
FUN FACT: On December 9, 1993, Johnson recorded a rare triple-double which consisted of 17 points, 13 assists, and a career-high 10 steals!
3. Shawn Marion
Of course Marion had to be on this list.
He was widely recognized as one of the most versatile players in the league due to his athleticism and ability to play and defend almost every position on the court. He is also noted for his unorthodox shooting form.
Throughout his nine years with the Suns, he was a four-time All-Star (2003, 2005-2007) who was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2000 and the All-NBA Third Team twice (2005, 2006). He averaged 18 points with them, along with ten rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.
As of right now, Marion is the Suns’ fourth all-time leader in points (12,134), second all-time leader in rebounds (6,616), second all-time leader in steals (1,245), third all-time leader in blocks (894) and fifth all-time leader in three-pointers (652).
Westphal had to be squeezed on this list. Although he spent six years with the Suns and didn’t collect a ton of accolades, he still performed well.
He is better known for Game 5 in the 1976 NBA Finals which has been dubbed “the greatest game ever played”. Even though the Celtics won that matchup, Westphal made multiple critical plays that pushed the game into triple overtime.
While playing in Phoenix, he was a four-time All-Star (1977-1980) who made the All-NBA First Team three times (1977, 1979, 1980) and the All-NBA Second Team in 1978.
He averaged 20 points, two rebounds, five assists, one steal, and 0.3 blocks. He is currently the Suns’ ninth all-time leader in points (9,564) and seventh all-time leader in assists (2,429).
Honorable Mentions: Walter Davis, Alvan Adams, Dick Van Arsdale, Amar’e Stoudemire