The Phoenix Sun are an NBA basketball team based out of Phoenix, Arizona and compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1968,…
The Phoenix Sun are an NBA basketball team based out of Phoenix, Arizona and compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1968, they have enjoyed consistent playoff success since their inaugural year and drafted many legendary players such as Connie Hawkins, Paul Westphal and Amar’e Stoudemire – among many more! Their home arena, Footprint Center serves as an iconic symbol of both their legacy and future goals.
Over time, the Suns have demonstrated remarkable success on multiple occasions, reaching multiple NBA Finals. Of particular note are Charles Barkley-led squads from 1993 that met and defeated Chicago Bulls, and 1976 team that faced Boston Celtics in one of greatest Finals series ever played.
Although the Suns have achieved much on and off the court, issues began to plague them in the late ’80s and early ’90s. In 1987, for instance, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office indicted 13 individuals — three Suns players among them — for drug charges that stemmed from 1987 Maricopa County Attorney’s Office drug trials; although none of those charged were ultimately convicted, this scandal left lasting marks both locally and nationally on their team’s reputation.
After an underwhelming start to the decade, the Suns made several strategic changes that helped their fortunes on-court. They acquired Tom Chambers from Seattle SuperSonics in 1988; selected second-round pick Jeff Hornacek that same year; signed free agent Dan Majerle aka Thunder; and popularized a fast break offense known as 7 seconds or less style of play under head coach Mike D’Antoni.
In the 2000s, the Suns made regular playoff appearances thanks to players like Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire. Nash, a two-time MVP who excelled at court vision and clutch shots; Stoudemire provided physicality in the paint but could also score easily; both provided superior play for Suns coaches and management alike.
Since 2016, the Phoenix Suns have struggled, yet an overhaul of their front office has enabled the franchise to rebound. General Manager Ryan McDonough replaced Larry Miller and new head coach Eric Bledsoe and All-Rookie Second Team selection Marquese Chriss have helped revitalize their offense. Following Nike’s entry into the NBA as uniform supplier in 2017, Suns updated their uniforms, eliminating modernized sunburst and striping elements and reinstating purple as part of their identity – offering fans four primary uniforms as well as multiple alternate uniforms as merchandise available through team stores as well.