Accomplishments: Eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1955 All-Star MVP, four-time NBA champ. Based on tenure, productivity and versatility, that's a good enough resume right there to crack the top 20 of this list. How Many Championships Does Kobe Bryant Have? All-Time Houston Rockets vs. Stats: 21.0 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.4 BPG in 17 seasons with New York Knicks (1985-86 to 1999-00), Seattle SuperSonics (2000-01) and Orlando Magic (2001-02). With plenty of time to go in Phoenix most likely, Booker already has made the most three-pointers in team history with 1,089, made the fourth most made free throws with 2,693, dished out the seventh most assists with 2,521, and scored the fourth most points with 12,688.If Booker keeps this pace up, he has a chance to find himself at number one on this list, as well as the Basketball Hall of Fame. Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, 2006-07 MVP, 2011 Finals MVP, 2011 NBA champion. Despite only playing four seasons with the team, Barkley still has the seventh most total rebounds with 3,232, the eighth most offensive rebounds with 881, the fifth most defensive rebounds with 2,351, and the fourth most triple doubles with 8.Additionally, his 23.4 points per game average ranks third in team history.After a great career with three different teams, Barkley was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. The legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was among the NBA's highest scorers and had 38,387 points. One of the longest-tenured players in team history, the best pure center in Suns history is Alvan Adams.A member of the Suns for thirteen years, Adams was a Sun from 1975 to 1988. Charles Barkley is widely considered (no pun intended) the greatest Phoenix Suns' power forward by a long shot, but Amar'e Stoudemire makes the debate closer than one might believe. Copyright 2023. landofbasketball.com - All rights reserved. Stats: 19.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.9 APG in 10 seasons with San Antonio Spurs (2011-12 to 2017-18), Toronto Raptors (2018-19) and LA Clippers (2019-20 to 2020-21)*. Players like Connie Hawkins, Paul Westphal, and Dennis Johnson are examples from the Suns early years to have achieved that honor. 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. As you may have noticed by now, the list of the greatest Suns of all time is riddled with ridiculously versatile players. Stats: 24.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.5 APG in 15 seasons with Atlanta Hawks (1982-83 to 1993-94), LA Clippers (1993-94), Boston Celtics (1994-95), San Antonio Spurs (1996-97) and Orlando Magic (1998-99). He provides this team with great flexibility, since he can play either forward position. Gar Heard's 6.7 PPG and 6.9 RPG are not the stuff of legend. He's first on the overall list with 93.1 total win shares. A poor man's Charles Barkley, Truck Robinson spit in the face of the "tweener" stigma. In that time, he made the 1976 All-Star team, 1976 All-Rookie First team, and won the Rookie of the Year award in 1976.That same year, in 1976, he led the Suns to their first Finals appearance, where they ultimately lost to the Celtics. Louis Hawks (1954-55 to 1964-65). We know this. He has fewer win shares than Theres little drop off to the guards on the bench. * Players in bold played in the 2023 Regular Season, Comments? The following Phoenix players deserve to be called the best in franchise history. Even on a franchise that has seen so much incredible two-way play and do-it-all-ness, Shawn Marion's versatility stands out. Deep. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, 2016-17 MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, two-time scoring champ, three-time assists champ. For a fifth straight year, the NBA's Most Valuable Player award will go to someone born outside of the United States. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, five-time All-Defensive team. Teams, players profiles, awards, stats, records and championships. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, 1971 All-Star MVP, 1969-70 assists champ. This helped guide the Suns to the postseason during each of his three seasons in Phoenix, where Lucas improved to 17.3 PPG and 9.7 RPG on 50.8 percent shooting. If youre ever wondering who the all-time leader in points is for Steve Nash, 49 2. Accomplishments: 17-time All-Star, 17-time All-NBA, six-time All-Defensive team, four-time MVP, four-time Finals MVP, three-time All-Star MVP, 2003-04 Rookie of the Year, 2007-08 scoring champ, 2019-20 assists champ, four-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: Two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive team, 1977-78 MVP, 1977 Finals MVP, 1985-86 Sixth Man of the Year, 1976-77 rebounding champ, 1976-77 blocks champ, two-time NBA champion. Copyright 2017-2023 Rookie Road Inc. All rights reserved. The complete list of players is in alphabetical order below. 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.. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, two-time All-Defensive team, 1968-69 scoring champ, two-time rebounding champ, 1978 NBA champion. The second is his playoff legacy. In his 20th NBA season, LeBron nailed a 21-foot shot late against the Oklahoma City Thunder by breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbars record of 38,387 points on February 8, 2023. Charles Barkley, the teams first MVP, who led the franchise to its second NBA Finals appearance, is the starting power forward. Rookie Road may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. In eight years with Phoenix (twice the time Chuck spent), Stoudemire averaged 21.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks on 54.4 percent shooting. 10 Best Players In Toronto Raptors History, Stoudemire was one of the best at his position, scoring 70 points for a shocking career high, Phoenix made a big move acquiring Barkley, 10 Lesser Known Pro Wrestling Terms That Even Casual Fans Should Know About, 10 Wrestlers In AEW Right Now Who Are Most "Over" With Fans, 10 Wrestling Finishers That Have An "Upgraded Version". Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, 1994-95 MVP, 1991-92 Defensive Player of the Year, 1989-90 Rookie of the Year, 1993-94 scoring champ, 1990-91 rebounding champ, 1991-92 blocks champ, two-time NBA champion. Throughout all six of Jeff Hornacek's seasons with the Suns, he was a great passer and a pest on defense. Westphal deserves a lot of love for his coaching tenure as well, leading the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals. Stats: 20.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 4.5 APG in eight seasons with Milwaukee Bucks (2013-14 to 2020-21)*. Marion was tasked with taking on every pressure by defending players of various positions and having to help Steve Nash lead the offense in an unselfish manner. Where he clearly makes his distinction from Johnson is on the defensive end. While the league has not yet announced the winner of the Michael Jordan Trophy, the finalists are Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Regardless, all the names involved have been synonymous with Suns basketball. Though he was only there for a limited time, Charles Barkley was an outstanding power forward for the Suns. Or maybe it's his 51.8 FG percentage and 83.3 FT percentage. He shot a ridiculous 47.8 percent from deep, draining 177 triples in the process. Connie Hawkins is best remembered as an ABA legend, but he was dominant during his four seasons with the Suns as well. Devin Booker, 26 1. Stats: 20.8 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 4.0 APG in nine seasons with Philadelphia 76ers (1965-66 to 1971-72; 1974-75 to 1975-76); also played two ABA seasons with Carolina Cougars (1972-73 to 1973-74). Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, five-time MVP, six-time Finals MVP, three-time All-Star MVP, 1987-88 Defensive Player of the Year, 1984-85 Rookie of the Year, 10-time scoring champ, three-time steals champ, six-time NBA champion. Full of brilliant play makers. When you add on his final five seasons, Adams vaults up to No. Stats: 18.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.5 APG in 14 seasons with Boston Celtics (1950-51 to 1962-63) and Cincinnati Royals (1969-70). Accomplishments: 15-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 15-time All-Defensive team, two-time MVP, three-time Finals MVP, 2000 All-Star MVP, 1997-98 Rookie of the Year, five-time NBA champion. 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 In his four healthy seasons (after his rookie year), Stoudemire averaged 23.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks with a 57.0 FG percentage, 25.0 PER and an astounding 51.1 win shares. For the first time in Stephen Curry's career he went down 0-2 in a playoff series. 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. Who Is Better: Lebron James Or Wilt Chamberlain? That didn't stop Suns.com's Matt Petersen from picking the Suns Amare Stoudemire, 40 3. After averaging over 20 points and 10 assists during his first three seasonsa feat only done before by Oscar Robertson and Isaiah Thomasand nearly his fourth, Johnson played in only 339 of 492 possible games. Twice he led the Suns out of the first round, averaging 20.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks during the playoffs. List with the stats for the top 50 players with the most career total points in the Regular Season in Suns history. Phoenix ended up finding huge success with Stoudemire as the teams best scorer when Steve Nash joined the franchise. Phoenix has delivered two of their greatest regular season performances since Paul joined the core that had not even made the postseason without him. This career year facilitated a trade that netted the Suns Kevin Johnson, Mark West and Dan Majerle, all three of whom appear on this list. His numbers don't scream at you (14.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG), but his ability to defend (two All-Defensive teams), slash, space the floor for Jeff Hornacek and Kevin Johnson and provide instant offense off the bench made Majerle a consummate team player and winner. 18. Alvan Adams' teammate on the 1976 Finals team, Paul Westphal was another key contributor on that team. Support your favorite players by voting them up to get them higher in the rankings. Accomplishments: Nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, 1995-96 Defensive Player of the Year, 1995-96 steals champ, 2006 NBA champion. In 1996, the Suns took Nash with the fifteenth overall pick in the NBA draft.He played two seasons for them (1996-1998) before leaving for the Dallas Mavericks.He returned in 2004 and played eight more seasons in the desert (2004-2012).It was during this second stint that Nash made his mark in Phoenix. Paul Westphal is a rare instance of someone having successful stints with the Phoenix Suns as both a coach and a player. In recent years, a star studded Phoenix Suns roster, led by Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton, took the team to the NBA Finals in 2021. Raja Bell assumed the role of Suns' starting SG after Johnson's departure in 2005. Sunday's schedule. Any longtime Phoenix fan will ultimately think of Westphal among the most important figures for having two drastic levels of success. In relatively limited time with the team compared to most on this list, Chambers made the eighth most free throws (1,944), grabbed the ninth most defensive rebounds (1,941), had the ninth highest free throw percentage (84.4%), and averaged the seventh most points per game (20.6) in Suns history. Stats: 18.9 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.4 APG in 18 seasons with Milwaukee Bucks (1996-97 to 2002-03), Seattle SuperSonics (2002-03 to 2006-07), Boston Celtics (2007-08 to 2011-12) and Miami Heat (2012-13 to 2013-14); NBA's all-time leader in career 3-point field goals. For a fifth straight year, the NBA's Most Valuable Player award will go to someone born outside of the United States. The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. Larry Nance is perhaps best remembered as the NBA's first slam-dunk champion, but he was far more than a high flyer for Phoenix. His 11.6 defensive-win shares during his four seasons are phenomenal considering his minutes. 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. Stats: 30.1 PPG, 22.9 RPG, 4.4 APG in 14 seasons with Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959-60 to 1964-65), Philadelphia 76ers (1964-65 to 1967-68) and Los Angeles Lakers (1968-69 to 1972-73). The future Hall of Famer spent only four of his 19 NBA seasons with Phoenix, but that doesn't make his 14.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 9.8 APG or 2.1 SPG any easier to believe. Stats: 22.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.3 APG in 14 seasons with Buffalo Braves. He also blocked 1.7 shots, which is 2.8-per-36 minutes. Stats: 16.1 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.9 APG in 12 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1962-63 to 1968-69) and New York Knicks (1968-69 to 1973-74). Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, eight-time assists champ, 1956-57 MVP, two-time All-Star MVP, six-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, 2012-13 scoring champ. 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. He also appeared in four All-Star games and on two All-NBA teams during his five seasons in the desert. The nine-time All-Star also has limitless range. They've made 29 trips to the postseason, and their all-time winning percentage is .552.That's the fourth-best in NBA history, behind the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs.That isn't to say that Phoenix has the history of those three teamswho have won a combined 37 titlesbut so much consistent winning over decades and decades means that this is one of the most competitive top 25 lists in the league.In order to select the greatest Suns of all time, I used the following primary criteria: seasons spent with the Suns, statistical averages and playoff success. The greatest player of all time. Two of the greatest Suns players ever are Steve Nash and Charles Barkley.They are among the greatest players to never win a championship. LeBron James has become the player with the most playoff series won in NBA history, tied with Derek Fisher at 40. Marion was considered a valuable two-way player that helped the Phoenix Suns mid-2000s era of success work with a smaller and faster lineup. Tom Chambers was another offensively talented big man, and Alvan Adams, one of the great passing centers ever, rounds out the bench. Oftentimes the best players have modest rookie seasons and break out a couple years down the line, whereas superstar-level rookies can struggle to build on or even match their early productivity. Why have they not been able to win it all? In his Phoenix career, Westphal comes in at number seven in made free throws with 1,961, number eight in assists with 2,429, number six in steals with 753, number nine in points scored with 9,564, and number nine in made field goals with 3,785.Westphal went on to have a coaching career in the NBA, coaching ten total seasons in the league that included four with the Suns.He was the head coach of the team that made the Finals in 1993, losing to the Bulls.When combining his coaching and playing days, Westphal made it into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019. Is it his 22.5 PPG and 5.6 APG? Stats: 18.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.9 APG in 13 seasons with Baltimore Bullets (1967-68 to 1971-72) and New York Knicks (1971-72 to 1979-80). The big man averaged 19.2 points and 8.6 rebounds during his tenure with the Suns, but more impressive than that were his 56.8 FG percentage, 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocks. David Aldridge: Explaining the criteria behind our selection process. The Suns have a rich tradition, currently Kevin Durant becomes 3rd NBA player to sign lifetime deal with Nike The 13-time All-Star joins Michael Jordan and LeBron James in inking a lifetime contract with Nike. They entered the NBA in 1968 and have had their fair share of winning seasons. Bob Pettit held the record from 1964 to 1966 and is the first player to eclipse 20,000 career points. On an episode of Throwing Bones in December, Green listed his top five players of all time, and Curry ranked fourth on the list. A number of Suns players have made selected to the All-NBA First Team. WebFour All-NBA Team Selections (2005, 2007, 2008, 2010; 2003 Rookie of the Year; Steve Nashs partner in crime for many years, Amare Stoudamire is the fifth-best Suns player Stats: 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.8 APG in 16 seasons with Boston Celtics (1962-63 to 1977-78). The Phoenix Suns have been around since 1968.During their 45 seasons of existence, they have exactly zero championships to their name. The Suns have a rich tradition, currently ranking fourth among all active franchises in all-time winning percentage, at .551, behind three teams that have combined for 38 championships (the Lakers, Spurs, and Celtics). Steve Nash is not as easy a choice for No. WebCheck out the current Phoenix Suns roster and learn more about your favorite players with access to bios, photos and stats on NBA.com Both won The Phoenix Suns witnessed Tom Chambers becoming a major part of their team in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Looking at the current roster, it will take a wild turn of events for that to change before the team celebrates its 50th anniversary.Do not be fooled, however. Stats: 21.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.0 BPG in 14 seasons with San Antonio Spurs (1989-90 to 2002-03). Stats: 19.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.5 APG in 19 seasons with Boston Celtics (1998-99 to 2012-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-14), Washington Wizards (2014-15) and LA Clippers (2015-16 to 2016-17). Suns Points Leaders:Regular Season, Career Total. Charles Barkley only spent four total seasons with the Phoenix Suns, but he was a superstar for the entire stint. Stats: 18.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.1 APG in 15 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1949-50 to 1963-64). The Phoenix Suns trusted Kevin Johnson to be one of the most important figures in franchise history. Johnson rarely put up superstar stats, but his presence helped the Suns during arguably their best time as a contender. Game 1: Heat 108, Knicks 101 Game 7: Warriors 120, Kings 100 Series-by-Series schedules Eastern Conference semifinals No. Chambers became a pivotal part of the core with his best season featuring a shocking 27.2 points per game. Phoenix actually drafted Nash years prior, but this was the first time he held great relevance joining them and becoming a superstar. He responded with a season-saving game, dropping 36 points on 6-of-12 from three. RELATED: 10 Best Players In Oklahoma City Thunder History. It's one thing to read those stats next to each other, but the sheer absurdity of Marion's all-around dominance is perhaps better described the following way. Phoenix made a big move acquiring Barkley when the star player wanted to be moved from the Philadelphia 76ers. Stats: 27.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.4 APG in 18 seasons with Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-04 to 2009-10; 2014-15 to 2017-18), Miami Heat (2010-11 to 2013-14) and Los Angeles Lakers (2018-19 to 2020-21)*. On the contrary, it makes his three All-Star, three All-NBA first team and three All-Defensive first team appearances even harder to fathom. Van Arsdale is fourth on the Suns' all-time games played list, fifth in scoring and third in offensive win shares. Stats: 26.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.2 APG in 14 seasons with Philadelphia 76ers (1996-97 to 2006-07; 2009-10), Denver Nuggets (2006-07 to 2008-09), Detroit Pistons (2008-09) and Memphis Grizzlies (2009-10) . 10 Best Players In Oklahoma City Thunder History, continuing his legendary run as a point guard, 10 Best Players In Boston Celtics History, helped the Phoenix Suns mid-2000s era of success. Certain calculations had Nash leading the leagues top offense for nine straight years, and even if his two MVP awards sparked some controversy, hes undoubtedly one of greatest offensive players ever. When it comes to Nashs career numbers with the Suns, he has the most assists (6,997), the second most three-pointers made (1,051), the tenth most steals (511), the eighth most points scored (10,712), and the third most games played (744).After an incredible career with the Mavericks, Suns, and Los Angeles Lakers, Nash was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. Other than the period from 1989-1993, however, they havent been great on both ends of the court at the same time, which may be a reason why theyve never been able to win the big prize. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, 1974 Finals MVP, eight-time NBA champion. 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. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, 1969-70 All-Defensive team, 1969-70 NBA MVP, 1964-65 Rookie of the Year, 1970 All-Star MVP, two-time Finals MVP, two-time NBA champion. 25 25. The 5 best NBA players of all time. He made six All-Star teams (2005-2008, 2010, 2012), five All-NBA teams (2005-2008, 2010), led the league in assists five times (2005-2007, 2010, 2011), and won two Most Valuable Player Awards in 2005 and 2006.. The primary reason that Cliff Robinson beats out his close competitors for this final spot is his two-way game and the impact that it had on his Suns. Until then, voteor rerank this list according to who you think is the greatest Phoenix Suns player in franchise history. The NBA is celebrating its 75th anniversary throughout the 2021-22 season, and part of that celebration includes the unveiling of the list of the greatest players in NBA history. 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. ESPN has been counting down the 100 best NBA players of all-time. Stats: 18.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 6.1 APG in 13 seasons with New York Knicks (1967-68 to 1976-77) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1977-78 to 1979-80). Accomplishments: 14-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, five-time All-Defensive team, 1969 Finals MVP, 1972 All-Star MVP, 1969-70 scoring champ, 1971-72 assists champ, 1972 NBA champion. While the trade doesn't greatly boost Nance's ranking, it should be noted that his dominance made him valuable enough to be traded for much of the core of Phoenix's great 1990s teams. Stats: 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG in 15 seasons with Chicago Bulls (1984-85 to 1992-93; 1994-95 to 1997-98) and Washington Wizards (2001-02 to 2002-03); NBA's career leader in points per game. Phoenix has taken part in some of the most memorable games in NBA history featuring some of the greatest players of all time. How Many Championships Does Steph Curry Have? Stats: 23.1 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.8 APG in seven seasons with Minneapolis Lakers (1948-49 to 1955-56). Kevin Johnson was a dynamic playmaker who has a legitimate Hall-of-Fame case. For a fifth straight year, the NBA's Most Valuable Player award will go to someone born outside of the United States.