Stats: 23.9 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 2.3 APG in nine seasons with New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2012-13 to 2018-19) and Los Angeles Lakers (2019-20 to 2020-21)*. RELATED: 10 Best Players In Toronto Raptors History. Accomplishments: Eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1955 All-Star MVP, four-time NBA champ. 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: 11-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, three-time All-Defensive team, 1985-86 Rookie of the Year. 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: 26.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 APG in 10 NBA seasons with San Antonio Spurs (1976-77 to 1984-85) and Chicago Bulls (1985-86); also played four ABA seasons with Virginia Squires (1972-73 to 1973-74) and San Antonio Spurs (1973-74 to 1975-76). / Links. Bob Pettit held the record from 1964 to 1966 and is the first player to eclipse 20,000 career points. In 15 games in the 2005 playoffs, he averaged 29.9 PPG, 10.7 RPG, shot 53.9% from the field, and had a 27.6 PER. Please rank the players based only on their time with the Suns, greatest players to never win a championship. 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. Stats: 10.8 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 3.9 APG in 13 seasons with Baltimore/Capitol/Washington Bullets. 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). Kidd achieved more playoff success with the New Jersey Nets to make that the place fans first think of with his career, but the Suns had some of his best years. They may retire, but the sun never sets for the Phoenix Suns best players. Focus on Sport/Getty Images On April 5, 1984, Abdul-Jabbar received an entry pass from Magic Johnson. 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). Some of the players who are often considered among the greatest of all time include: Michael Jordan: Jordan is widely considered the greatest NBA player of There are no specific criteria for calling one the greatest. Raja Bell assumed the role of Suns' starting SG after Johnson's departure in 2005. 11, as he is the franchise's all-time leader in games, rebounds and steals, while placing in the top five in many other categories. Accomplishments: 11-time NBA All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, 1980-81 MVP, two-time NBA All-Star MVP, 1983 NBA champion. Stats: 18.7 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 1.8 APG in 10 seasons with New York Knicks (1964-65 to 1973-74). Their teams featured talented stars like Kevin Johnson, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, but ultimately, not even outstanding players like Nash and Barkley could push the Suns over the proverbial hump. Count Walter Davis among that latter groupalthough the swingman did go on to have a fantastic career, averaging 20.5 points, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 52.0 percent from the field and 84.1 from the line during his 10 years with the Suns. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, two-time MVP, two-time scoring champ, 2015-16 steals champ, three-time NBA champion. Lists that rank the team's greatest players and coaches, now and throughout history. We know this. Walter Davis, the franchises all-time leading scorer, will also see heavy minutes as the best shooter (outside of Nash) on the team. The normally offensively-inclined Chambers continued to play as a two-way postseason force, twice more leading the Suns to the third round and once helping them reach the NBA Finals. Glenn Robinson - Milwaukee Bucks. Stats: 13.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.4 APG in 10 seasons with Portland Trail Blazers (1974-75 to 1977-78), San Diego/LA Clippers (1979-80 to 1984-85) and Boston Celtics (1985-86 to 1986-87). Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, 1986-87 All-NBA, six-time All-Defensive team, two-time Sixth Man of the Year, three-time NBA champion. Accomplishments: 13-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, 1974 Finals MVP, eight-time NBA champion. The Suns viewed Chambers as one of their most reliable players when on an upswing. Stoudemire was one of the best at his position in Phoenix with five All-Star appearances and four all-NBA selections. Deep. That didn't stop Suns.com's Matt Petersen from picking the Suns The Phoenix Suns are one of the NBA teams still searching for their first NBA Championship victory. Stats: 21.0 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 1.8 APG in 16 season with San Diego/Houston Rockets (1968-69 to 1971-72; 1981-82 to 1983-84) and Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets (1972-73 to 1980-81) . He shot a ridiculous 47.8 percent from deep, draining 177 triples in the process. The Suns ended up with four former players on the all-time list in O'Neal, Barkley (21st), Jason Kidd (33rd), Steve Nash (37th) and one current one in Chris Paul (38th). Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA, two-time MVP, four-time All-Star MVP, two-time scoring champ, 1958 NBA champion. Though he sadly wasnt able to enter the NBA until he was 27, he still made a great impact on the Suns, and was named to the All-NBA first team in his first year with the franchise. He also shot an unparalleled 51.0 percent from the field, 43.7 percent from deep and 91.2 percent from the line. Connie Hawkins is best remembered as an ABA legend, but he was dominant during his four seasons with the Suns as well. Accomplishments: Seven-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, seven-time All-Defensive team, 1975 All-Star MVP, two-time NBA champion. Van Arsdale is fourth on the Suns' all-time games played list, fifth in scoring and third in offensive win shares. He also blocked 1.7 shots, which is 2.8-per-36 minutes. The 13-time All-Star joins Michael Jordan and LeBron James in inking a lifetime contract with Nike. Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, 1968-69 All-NBA, 1968-69 MVP, 1968-69 Rookie of the Year, 1978 Finals MVP, 1974-75 rebounding champ, 1978 NBA champion. Accomplishments: Two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, eight-time All-Defensive team, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, seven-time rebounding champ, five-time NBA champion. Westphal played his first three seasons with the Celtics before coming to the Suns in 1975.In his six seasons with the team (1975-1981), Westphal made four All-Star teams and four All-NBA teams in a row from 1977-1980.While it would have been nice to beat his former team in the Finals in his first year with the team, the Suns came up just short against the Celtics in the Finals. Devin Booker, 26 1. Phoenix has taken part in some of the most memorable games in NBA history featuring some of the greatest players of all time. 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. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, two-time All-Star MVP, 1990 Finals MVP, 1984-85 assists champ, two-time NBA champion. Johnson, who ranks 23rd all-time in steals, played with Seattle from 1977 to 1984 and would have his best years come as a member of the Sonics. While the league has not yet announced the 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. 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. Dwyane Wade His 1.8 SPG aren't bad either, nor are his four All-Star and four All-NBA appearances. Barkley's regular season numbers23.4 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 4.4 APG and 1.6 SPG on 50.1 percent shootingare those of a hard-working, efficient, physically dominant, unselfish player. Stats: 19.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG in 13 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1981-82 to 1993-94). Accomplishments: Six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, 1972-73 scoring and assists champ, 1981 All-Star MVP, 1981 NBA champion. 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. Paul Westphal, Barkleys former coach, was once quoted as saying, next to Shaq, Charles may have been the worst player in history at defending the pick-and-roll. Stoudemire and Nash were poor defenders as well. 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. Stats: 18.5 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 3.1 APG in 15 seasons with Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1949-50 to 1963-64). 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. Stats: 15.0 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 2.7 APG in 14 seasons with San Francisco/Golden State Warriors (1963-64 to 1973-74), Chicago Bulls (1974-75 to 1975-76) and Cleveland Cavaliers (1975-76 to 1976-77). However, the Suns only made the NBA Finals once under Barkley and zero times with Nash. His 3.2 defensive win-shares per season are a major reason why the Suns made the playoffs every year with Robinson on the roster, and his appearance on the 2000 NBA All-Defensive team is a testament to that. Players like Connie Hawkins, Paul Westphal, and Dennis Johnson are examples from the Suns early years to have achieved that honor. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, 1995 NBA champion. Though he wasnt the athletic marvel that he was in Philadelphia, he was still one of the best players in the league on the Suns, and provides them with a dominant low-post scorer. He has fewer win shares than Accomplishments: Four-time All-Star, six-time All-BAA/NBA, 1953 All-Star MVP, three-time scoring champ, 1952-53 rebounding champ, five-time BAA/NBA champion. Notes: - These stats were updated on April 8, 2023. 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) . Phoenix has delivered two of their greatest regular season performances since Paul joined the core that had not even made the postseason without him. Stats: 24.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.5 APG in 11 seasons with Golden State Warriors (2009-10 to 2020-21)*. The legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was among the NBA's highest scorers and had 38,387 points. Stats: 17.0 PPG, 15.6 RPG, 3.3 APG in 11 seasons with Cincinnati Royals (1963-64 to 1969-70), San Francisco Warriors (1969-70 to 1970-71) and New York Knicks (1971-72 to 1973-74). Fans decide in this crowd voted ranking of the best Suns players ever. Stats: 20.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.8 APG in 16 seasons with Boston Celtics (1962-63 to 1977-78). While the league has not yet announced the winner of the Michael Jordan Trophy, the finalists are Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. 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. Who Is Better: Lebron James Or Wilt Chamberlain? Or maybe it's his 51.8 FG percentage and 83.3 FT percentage. Despite the number of outstanding players who have worn the Phoenix Suns uniform, none have been inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Suns player. This could change when Nash eventually gets the call. Silas not only averaged 14.1 points and 12.1 rebounds during his three seasons in Phoenix (along with an absurd 16.1 points, 15.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists during his one playoff appearance in 1970), but he also made one All-Star team, two All-Defensive teams and had a magnificent 1971-72 season, averaging 17.5 points, 11.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Stats: 23.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 8.5 APG in 13 seasons with Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-09 to 2018-19), Houston Rockets (2019-20) and Washington Wizards (2020-21)*. Accomplishments: 19-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA, 11-time All-Defensive Team, six-time MVP, two-time Finals MVP, 1969-70 Rookie of the Year, two-time scoring champ, four-time blocks champ, 1975-76 rebounding champ, six-time NBA champion. 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. Phoenix has showcased some of the best players of their era, along with names that were more loved as a role player. Curry leads the Warriors, and ranks fourth among all NBA players (minimum four games), with 31.4 points per game through five playoff contests. All-Time Houston Rockets vs. During his final three years, however, he became an all-round force. Nash is also one of 10 players to win back-to-back NBA MVP Awards, doing so in 2005 and 2006. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA, 2008 Finals MVP, 2008 NBA champion. 7y. Certain names created legacies that are beloved and respected by the entire Suns fan base. For the first time in Stephen Curry's career he went down 0-2 in a playoff series. 1 as one might think. Kevin Johnson, 57 5. Accomplishments: 10-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA, 1950-51 Rookie of the Year, 1952 All-Star MVP, two-time scoring champ, 1956 NBA champion. For a fifth straight year, the NBA's Most Valuable Player award will go to someone born outside of the United States. At his peak, Stoudemire was one of the best offensive players in the league. Stats: 20.4 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.6 APG in 15 seasons with Portland Trail Blazers (1983-84 to 1994-95) and Houston Rockets (1994-95 to 1997-98). As the greatness level rises, the "what could have been" level rises with it. During his four seasons in Phoenix, Robinson not only averaged 16.4 points on 45.7 percent FG shooting and 37.1 percent three-point shooting, but he also averaged over a steal and block per game. 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. Tom Chambers, Of course, Kevin Johnsonmore so than Stoudemirewas extremely productive for Phoenix. Two of the greatest Suns players ever are Steve Nash and Charles Barkley.They are among the greatest players to never win a championship. Stats: 20.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.4 APG in 21 seasons with Dallas Mavericks (1998-99 to 2018-19). Unfortunately for Scott, his Suns' teams never appeared in the postseason, and it was in fact the Boston Celtics team that he was traded to in 1975 that beat Phoenix in the NBA Finals the very next season. Still on the search for their first championship, the Phoenix Suns have had some fantastic players who have been the greatest in franchise history. The Phoenix Suns are one of the NBA teams still searching for their first NBA Championship victory. They entered the NBA in 1968 and have had their fair share of winning seasons. WebGeorge Mikan held the record from 1952 to 1958 and was the first player to eclipse 10,000 career points. Barkley was among the best players in the world every season in Phoenix with an All-Star appearance and all-NBA selection every year. Accomplishments: Eight-time NBA All-Star, six-time All-NBA, 1975 Finals MVP, 1965-66 Rookie of the Year, 1966-67 scoring champ, 1974-75 steals champ, 1975 NBA champion. Book. He has fewer win shares than Marion or Johnson and never led his team to the finals like Barkley did. 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. Stats: 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, 4.3 APG in 13 seasons with Boston Celtics (1956-57 to 1968-69). 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. Stats: 25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG in 19 seasons with Utah Jazz (1985-86 to 2002-03) and Los Angeles Lakers (2003-04). He appeared on two All-Star teams, one All-NBA first team and three All-NBA Defensive first teams. Johnson felt like the perfect piece to pair with Charles Barkley that continued his run even after Barkleys departure. Kevin Johnson was a dynamic playmaker who has a legitimate Hall-of-Fame case. He wound up playing his first eight NBA seasons with the team (2002-2010).After winning the Rookie of the Year award and making the All-Rookie First team in 2003, Stoudamire went on to make five All-Star teams (2005, 2007-2010) and four All-NBA teams (2005, 2007, 2008, 2010) with the Suns.. Stats: 21.1 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.0 BPG in 14 seasons with San Antonio Spurs (1989-90 to 2002-03). Stats: 18.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 9.4 APG in 16 seasons with New Orleans Hornets (2005-06 to 2010-11), LA Clippers (2011-12 to 2016-17), Houston Rockets (2017-18 to 2018-19), Oklahoma City Thunder (2019-20) and Phoenix Suns (2020-21)*. Both players were part of the most entertaining teams in the NBA. Both first seasons for Paul featured All-Star and all-NBA appearances continuing his legendary run as a point guard. 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. The seed of the rivalry between both franchises traces back to the 1980s when the Showtime Lakers controlled the NBA matches. 5 Knicks vs. No. There have been many great players in the history of the NBA who have made significant contributions to the game and achieved a high level of success. Steve Nash. Stats: 27.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG in 14 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers (1960-61 to 1973-74). Accomplishments: 11-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive Team, 2013 All-Star MVP, 2005-06 Rookie of the Year, six-time steals champ, four-time assists champ. 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. Stats: 7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 1.8 APG in 14 seasons with Detroit Pistons (1986-87 to 1992-93), San Antonio Spurs (1993-94 to 1994-95), Chicago Bulls (1995-96 to 1997-98), Los Angeles Lakers (1998-99) and Dallas Mavericks (1999-2000). Stats: 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 3.6 APG in 20 seasons with Milwaukee Bucks (1969-70 to 1974-75) and Los Angeles Lakers (1975-76 to 1988-89); NBA's career leader in total points. Three All-Star, five All-NBA and 11 playoff appearances later and K.J. 1 / 7 Basketball isn't football. Stats: 18.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG in 18 seasons with Indiana Pacers (1987-88 to 2004-05). Accomplishments: Five-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, 2020 All-Star MVP, 2014-15 steals champ, two-time NBA champion. 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. The NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals, Stockton led the NBA in assists per game for nine consecutive seasons between 1987 and 1996. Two of the greatest Suns players ever are Steve Nash and Charles Barkley.They are among the greatest players to never win a championship. Both won league MVP awards (Nash won it in back-to-back years in 2005 and 2006) and carried Phoenix deep into the playoffs. Paul Westphal is a rare instance of someone having successful stints with the Phoenix Suns as both a coach and a player. Accomplishments: 12-time All-Star, 12-time All-NBA, nine-time All-Defensive team, 1993-94 MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time Finals MVP, two-time rebounding champ, three-time blocks champ, two-time NBA champion. 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).