“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” The Phoenix Suns have epitomized that kind of determination. Since joining the NBA, they have appeared in the playoffs 28 times. In about a quarter of those years (eight times to be exact), they’ve reached the Conference Finals. In exactly one quarter of those series, the Suns advanced to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, the Suns failed to win an NBA Championship both times.
How did the suns begin to shine? Following a “team name” contest, the franchise chose the name “Suns” over other entries, including the Cougars, Mavericks, Mustangs, Rattlers, Scorpions, Thunderbirds, and Wranglers. The name “Suns” is quite appropriate, considering that Phoenix’s AVERAGE temperature in the summer is approximately 103°F. Here are some interesting facts about the sun:
o The Sun contains hot gases that include various elements on Earth.
o The sun is 93 million miles (give or take) from Earth.
o The core of the Sun is at least 100,000,000°F.
o The Sun is about a million times brighter than a standard light bulb.
o You would need 100 Earths to cover the width of the Sun.
The Suns were born before the 1968-1969 season. In fact, the team was Phoenix’s first major professional sports team. Meanwhile, Dick Van Arsdale was the first player the Suns drafted. Arsdale also scored the team’s first points in their first game, resulting in a 116-107 win over the Seattle Supersonics. Unfortunately, the rest of the season was less successful, with the Suns going to a 16-66 regular season record.
Although the Phoenix Suns’ first playoff appearance was in 1970, they advanced much further during the 1975-1976 season. The Suns were very hot through the first and last part of the regular season, giving them a 42-40 record and a return trip to the playoffs.
Unlike their first playoff appearance, the Suns would achieve more success in 1976. They would first upstage the Seattle Supersonics (4-2). In the Western Conference Finals, the underdog Suns topped the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors (4-3). Then, in the NBA Finals, Phoenix faced the mighty Boston Celtics. In the crucial Game 5, the Suns lost in triple overtime and ultimately lost the series (4-2).
The suns did not set. Prior to the 1992-1993 season, they made a bold move by acquiring “Sir” Charles Barkley. The Suns finished the season with a franchise-best 62-30 record.
Phoenix was now an official contender for the NBA Championship. In the playoffs, the Suns battled past the Lakers (3-2), eliminated the San Antonio Spurs (4-2) and then topped the Seattle Supersonics (4-3) in the Western Conference Finals. However, the Bulls won the NBA Finals series (4-2) after John Paxton hit an open 3-pointer with five seconds remaining in Game 6.
The sun has never set on the possibility of the Phoenix Suns winning an NBA championship. Wear Phoenix Suns merchandise to cheer on the team in a shiny NBA Finals trophy!