Phoenix Suns LINES, ODDS, PICKS AND REVIEWS

How is The Phoenix Suns' History?

The Phoenix Suns are a National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Western Conference titles have been won by the NBA's Phoenix Suns three times.

Suns fans can take pride in "the Original Sun," Dick Van Arsdale, and future Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins, who played for the team during its first two seasons. With Alvan Adams and Paul Westphal, a 42-40 Phoenix team, the "Sunderalla" Suns went on a surprising playoff run in 1976, where the "Sunderalla" Suns snuck into the NBA final against the Boston Celtics in a dramatic six-game series. 

A triple-overtime shootout in game five marked the finals, but the Suns were outmatched and lost in the sixth game of the playoffs. The Phoenix Suns drafted Walter Davis in 1977, and he would go on to become the team's all-time leading scorer.

How Were the Phoenix Suns Founded?

The Phoenix Suns were founded in 1976. With Dick Van Arsdale and Alvan Adams as partners and Paul Westphal as the team's coach, the team became one of NBA history's greatest underdogs, reaching the NBA Finals in 1976 in what is regarded as one of the greatest upsets in NBA history. Following a disappointing championship run, the Suns rebuilt around Walter Davis for a long period from 1980 to 1988 until they signed Kevin Johnson in 1988.

After a 20-year absence, they were the first major professional sports franchise in Phoenix and Arizona and remained the only one for most of that time. A Phoenix Roadrunners team played in the World Hockey Association from 1974 to 1977. The "Madhouse on McDowell," as fans affectionately knew the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, was where the Suns played for their first 24 seasons. Karl Eller, the owner of a government firm, Donald Pitt, Richard L. Bloch, Bhavik Darji, Don Diamond, and Marvin Meyer formed the NBA team. Andy Williams, Bobbie Gentry, and Ed Ames held a small minority stake in the company.

At 28, Jerry Colangelo, a player scout for the Chicago Bulls, joined Johnny "Red" Kerr as the Suns' first general manager and head coach. For comparison's sake, Chicago's Colangelo and Kerr had a first-year expansion record of 33 victories and a playoff berth (plus Kerr won Coach of the Year). In contrast, Phoenix's first year ended with a record of 16–66 and a final playoff spot 25 games away.

How is the Phoenix Suns' Charles Barkley Era?

One of the greatest Phoenix Suns players, Charles Barkley, has a legitimate claim to be No. 1.

Barkley was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player after leading the Suns to the best record in the league in his first season with the team. He led the Suns to the NBA finals the following year, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls in a six-game series. Barkley was traded to the Houston Rockets in 1996 after a stellar season in Phoenix. 

In the 1996–97 season, the Rockets made it to the conference finals thanks to his immediate impact on the team. Barkley retired in 2000 after failing to win the championship he had been chasing for so long in Houston.

Barkley began to worry that the 1993–94 season would be his last in Phoenix due to back problems. With his career's most serious injury problems, Barkley averaged 21.6 points per game on 495 percent shooting and 11.2 rebounds. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team despite missing the All-Star Game due to a torn right quadriceps tendon. Despite Barkley's absence, the Suns finished with a 56–26 record and advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals despite his absence.

The table below shows the career summary of Charles Barkley:

How is the Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash Era?

To lead the run-and-gun offense of head coach Mike D'Antoni's Phoenix Suns, he signed on as a free agent in 2004. Nash won NBA MVP awards in 2005 and 2006 due to their collaboration, and he may have done so again in 2007 if it weren't for his overabundance of accolades.

In Phoenix, Nash was unable to play at his peak level. Sam Cassell, Kevin Johnson, and Jason Kidd were big names and established players who took over the point guard position.

During his eight years in Phoenix, Nash averaged a 50-40-90 season, making him one of only five players in NBA history to accomplish this feat.

In 2005 and 2006, Nash became one of only ten players in NBA history to win MVP awards in consecutive seasons. He's running for the title of best offensive PG ever because of this and his astronomical stats.

Even though Nash only played 10.5 minutes a game in his rookie season, he played significantly more minutes the following year and even improved his three-point field-goal percentage to 13th in the league. Nevertheless, the Canadian's tenure with the Suns did not last. Nelson had just taken a job as assistant general manager of the Dallas Mavericks under his father, Don Nelson, and convinced him to acquire the under-utilized Nash. 

After the 1998 NBA draft, the Mavericks acquired Nash from the Suns in exchange for Martin Müürsepp, Bubba Wells, Pat Garrity's draft rights, and a first-round draft pick. Nash had originally signed with the Suns.

The table below shows the career summary of Steve Nash:

How is the Phoenix Suns' Jason Kidd Era?

During the 1996–97 season, the Phoenix Suns acquired Kidd, Tony Dumas, and Loren Meyer along with Michael Finley, A. C. Green, and Sam Cassell. When he joined the Suns in 1997–98, the team's win total went up by 16 games. Kidd frequently led a small lineup of four guards (Kidd, Kevin Johnson, Rex Chapman, and Steve Nash) on the floor simultaneously, with Antonio McDyess playing at center for the Suns, who finished the season with a 56–26 record.

In 2001, when the Suns traded Kidd to the New Jersey Nets, his true worth was revealed. After the Nets had been dormant for two decades, Kidd was instrumental in bringing them back to the NBA Finals in each of his first two seasons as a team member (losses to the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs in 2002 and 2003, respectively).

However, it will be revisited before the end of this list.

Only four of his 19 NBA seasons were spent in Phoenix, but that doesn't make his 14.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 9.8 APG, or 2.1 SPG any less impressive.

His three All-Star appearances, three All-NBA first team, and three All-Defensive first-team appearances are even more incomprehensible.

The table below shows the career summary of Jason Kidd:

What are the Symbols of Phoenix Suns?

The Phoenix Suns are represented by several symbols, the most prominent of which is the basketball itself. As the team's name suggests, the Suns are all about fiery passion and energy, which is perfectly embodied in their logo. The basketball-shaped sunburst infuses the trademark orange of the sunrise with purple and yellow, commanding attention and representing both power and defiance. 

What are the Phoenix Suns' Colors?

The colors of the Phoenix Suns are purple, orange, black, gray, yellow, dark orange, and light gray.

The table belows shows the specific color codes of the Phoenix Suns:

What is the Phoenix Suns' Logo?

The Phoenix Suns logo features a basketball with rays emanating from it. Their visual identity has undergone four iterations, but the team's logo has always featured a basketball with a sun. The sun is depicted in all its splendor in the logo. Symbolism: The logo symbolizes victory, strength, power, and youth.

The shape and color scheme of the current emblem makes it stand out from the crowd. Before the red square with a basketball became the current Phoenix Suns logo, the team was known as the Phoenix Suns. White rays protruded from the basketball. Above and below a rectangular frame, the logo's wordmark was split in half. Just above the rectangular frame, the word "Phoenix" was inscribed. Underneath this red rectangular box was the second half of the "Sun's" inscription: The letter "n" appeared in lowercase in both Phoenix and Suns.

The team made many alterations in the redesign of 1992. The red rectangular box was replaced with a purple badge, while the text was reduced in size and positioned beneath the badge. The sun's rays and the basketball appeared in varying shades of orange. The fonts had rounded edges and appeared more contemporary.

When it was redone in 2000, the Suns' upgraded the colors and lettering of the previous logo. The badge was given a new gray and black outline, while the lettering was given a darker shade of gray. The logo appeared more dynamic and full after the new changes were implemented. The ball's black accents added to the logo's sophisticated appearance.

The current logo is a partial rework of the one introduced in 2000. The 2013 logo was reworked with a black and orange color scheme, while the rest of the design remained unchanged. An orange ball is in the middle of a black badge, flanked by white and gray wordmarks. Modern and futuristic fonts are used here.

A company's internal changes are reflected in the evolution of its logo. It also shows how it wants to connect with its audience. The Phoenix Suns logo reflects the team's feelings and values at various points in its history. Colors and fonts have changed a lot over the years, showing how the franchise has changed and evolved.

How is the Phoenix Suns' Uniform?

The Phoenix Suns’ uniform uses a black, blue, white, and yellow colors scheme. However, when the NBA began using Nike uniforms in 2017–18, the Phoenix Suns underwent a major overhaul. The Suns' previous uniforms, which featured a more modernized "Streaking Sun" and sunburst, were retired in favor of a more traditional look. Purple was also a strong presence. It was replaced by the white "Association" uniform, primary color "Icon" uniform, secondary color "Statement" uniform, and annual "City" uniform, which is worn only once per season.

The word "Suns" appeared in orange on the uniforms of the Suns of the "Association," while the team's numbers were purple. The word "Phoenix" appeared in grey on the purple "Icon" uniforms, while the uniform numbers were orange. With a grey "PHX" and orange numerals, the black "Standard" uniform read "PHX." This logo is found on the beltline of all three uniforms.

For the 2019–20 season, the Suns will don an orange uniform with a "Streaking Sun" logo on the front, white numbers, and the abbreviation "PHX" on the beltline, replacing their black uniforms.

Going back, purple and orange were chosen as primary colors for Phoenix Suns' uniforms after they were awarded an NBA franchise in 1968. An orange "Phoenix" wordmark was placed on the front, as well as orange block numbers and letters. The shorts were given an orange sunburst logo on the sides.

During the 2000–01 season, the Suns adopted a more pared-down uniform design. The word "Suns" and the team numbers appear in purple on the white home uniform, with orange trim and purple side stripes. The word "Phoenix" and the numbers are white with orange trim on the purple road uniform, which also has grey side stripes. Before the 2003–04 season, the team introduced an orange alternate uniform with the abbreviation "PHX" and the numbers in white with purple trim and grey side stripes. The updated "Streeking Sun" alternate logo appeared on the stripes of all three uniforms until the 2005–06 season when the players' numbers appeared on the left leg.

Who are the Phoenix Suns' Players?

The Phoenix Suns’ starting players include Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton. This lineup is similar to the lineup used in the previous year. 

In an effort to secure another playoff run, the Suns signed Chris Paul and are investing in their key players for the year. Torrey Craig was the only notable player they lost. Everyone else, on the other hand, has returned. Landry Shamet was acquired in exchange for Jevon Carter and the No. 29 overall pick, giving them more options at guard. This Suns team has a great need for a bench player like Shamet. 

How did Robert Sarver's Ownership Affect the Phoenix Suns?

Robert Sarver has been a part of the best and worst of Arizona's NBA team since purchasing the Suns in 2004 for a then-NBA record of $401 million.

In 2005, 2006, and 2010, the Western Conference finals were held. Several seasons of losing, including the worst record in the team's history (in 50 years) of 19-63 in 2018-19.

He used his position well by contributing to various charitable causes and supporting his teams. A total of $275 million was spent by Sarver on the renovation of the Suns and Mercury's arena and the construction of a new practice facility, with the city of Phoenix sharing the cost.

On January 1, 2019, the interim title was removed from James Jones, giving him control over all aspects of the team's operations and personnel. In the past few years, the Suns have been working to rebuild their team. Around Devin Booker, they have drafted Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton, signed Jae Crowder, and acquired Chris Paul through trade. They have also hired Monty Williams as their head coach for the next five years. All of these moves have been made with the confidence that Sarver has in Jones.

Having established the team's foundation, Sarver went to work providing them with cutting-edge technology. A Verizon 5G Performance Center near Camelback Mountain will house the Suns and Mercury in 2020. The 53,000-square-foot facility, which includes practice courts, weight rooms, locker rooms, a players lounge, and natural light, costs $45 million. With Verizon's 5G Ultra-Wideband, Phoenix is also processing data from cameras and sensors on the field.

New suites and common areas were added, as was a grand lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows and upgrades to the hotel's lighting, sound, and video systems. Footprint, an environmental technology firm looking to develop substitutes for single-use plastics, was allowed to assist the arena in becoming one of the most environmentally friendly in the country through this project.

How are the Phoenix Suns' last five years?

The table shows the Phoenix Suns' last five years:

How is the Phoenix Suns' season-by-season record?

The table shows the Phoenix Suns' season-by-season record: 

What Is the Average Cost for Phoenix Suns Tickets?

The average cost for a ticket to see the Phoenix Suns play is $166. Prices for tickets to see the Phoenix Suns can vary depending on several factors, including the game you're attending and where you purchase your tickets. 

Where to Buy Phoenix Suns Tickets?

You can buy Phoenix Suns tickets through Ticketmaster. You can also find tickets on the secondary market, but be aware that prices will likely be higher than face value. If you're looking to get the best price on tickets, your best bet is to buy them as early as possible.