The Phoenix Suns - The Early Years
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Recreation Sports -> subcategory Tennis.
The Phoenix Suns: The Early Years
The Phoenix Suns, a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On January 22, 1968, the NBA granted expansion franchises to two ownership groups: one in Phoenix and another in Milwaukee.
Founding and Ownership
The initial investors in the Phoenix franchise were closely connected to Tucson, Arizona's second-largest city. These included:
- Richard Bloch: A Southern California investment broker and real estate developer, Bloch was a former Tucson resident (unrelated to H&R Block's co-founder Richard Bloch).
- Karl Eller: Owner of a prominent outdoor advertising company and a leading business figure in Phoenix, Eller was previously a football player at The University of Arizona.
- Donald Pitt: A Tucson-based attorney.
- Don Diamond: A real estate investor from Tucson who eventually joined the ownership team, replacing Eller.
All four were graduates of The University of Arizona. Other notable investors included entertainers like Andy Williams and Henry Mancini. The original Suns logo was designed by Stanley Fabe from a Tucson printing firm for $200.
Leadership and Coaching
The Suns hired Jerry Colangelo, a former Chicago Bulls executive, as their general manager at just 28 years old. Colangelo appointed Johnny "Red" Kerr as the first head coach. After Kerr's resignation in the 1969-70 season, Colangelo temporarily stepped in as coach until Cotton Fitzsimmons took over for the 1970-71 season, guiding the team to its first winning season with a 48-34 record. Fitzsimmons became beloved by fans for his success and enthusiasm.
Early Achievements
In the 1970s, the Suns saw moderate success, featuring players like Dick Van Arsdale, Hall of Famer Connie Hawkins, Len "Truck" Robinson, Alvan Adams, and Neal Walk. The 1976 season was particularly notable as they reached the NBA Finals, overcoming the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors, before facing the Boston Celtics. Game 5 against the Celtics, a triple-overtime thriller, is often remembered as one of the NBA's greatest, highlighted by Gar Heard's famous buzzer-beater, "The Shot."
Challenges and Turnaround
The late '70s and early '80s brought continuous playoff appearances, but the mid-'80s introduced challenges both on and off the court. In 1987, a drug scandal implicated three players?"James Edwards, Jay Humphries, and Grant Gondrezick?"based in part on testimony from star player Walter Davis. Though perceived as a witch hunt, the scandal marred the franchise's reputation but also allowed Colangelo to purchase the team for a record $44 million.
The franchise faced further difficulties with the tragic death of promising center Nick Vanos in a plane crash. However, a key trade in 1987 brought Kevin Johnson, Mark West, and Tyrone Corbin from the Cleveland Cavaliers, turning the team's fortunes around. Tom Chambers joined in 1988 as the NBA's first unrestricted free agent, and with drafts like Jeff Hornacek and "Thunder" Dan Majerle, the team initiated a 13-year playoff streak. Fitzsimmons coached the Suns to a surprising victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in 1989 before falling to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Building Toward Success
By 1991, the Suns achieved a 55-27 record but were eliminated in the first round by the Utah Jazz. In 1992, they posted a 53-29 regular season record, sweeping the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs, yet falling to the Trail Blazers again in a thrilling series. Despite these playoff exits, the foundation was set for even greater achievements in the coming seasons.
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