All-time best Suns team youve watched?

[MastersofCombat]

I am not reasearching this so I may be forgetting someone obvious, or theres the possibilities I never saw them play. Ive been a SUns fan since 1975

BEST OF ALL TIME LIST:
PG - Steve Nash (need I even make this argument)
2nd Team - Kevin Johnson (he is the reason we still want to play run and gun)
3rd team - Jason Kidd (He did well for us, but the Kidd/Penny combo never amounted enough for him to be any higher)
4th team - Stephon Marbury (while he has been labeled cant win every where, here he played incredible)

SG - Paul Westphal - (best trade we ever made)
Jeff Hornacek - (maybe most likeable sun of all time)
Dan Majerle (simply hustled on every play and hit big shots when needed)
Rex Chapman ( Im putting him above Fins simply because of his late game heroics)


SF - Shaun Marion - (This is the most underrated Sun of all-time. He does so much and gets no deserving credit outside of Phx)
Tom Chambers - (He and KJ made the suns big turnaround after the infamous drug scandal. Made being a Sun fan fun again.)
Walter Davis - (Purest go to shot any player in the NBA has ever had. Walter Davis on crack wow he was Micheal Jordan but we all will remember him as Sweet D.)
Eddie Johnson - (went on hot streaks and cold streaks definetly in his tenure)

PF - Charles Barkley - (He led us to the championship finals, and won a league MVP. )
Amare Stoudemire - (This Sun has more talent than all the Suns, but we need to see him do things that lead a team to the next level. The most athletic fun to watch sun of all time already he must wait to take over the chuckster position)
Truck Robinson - ( IF it wasnt for the day old pizza we might have made it to the championship. Truck great stats, fun guy)
Gar Heard - ( THE SHOT ... wow need I say more for those that watched the Celtic/suns finals)

C - Alvin Adams - Quick personal story: I dunked a missed shot he had off the back iron in a pickup game at greenway high gym one summer. I stand 5'8 and besides taken a baseball football or a flat basketball I never did that again.
Mark West - Wished he couldve done a little more on offensive side and free throw

 

[nathan]

Gar Heard was not a star player. You also missed Connie Hawkins, Dick Van Arsdale and perhaps also Dennis Johnson and Paul Silas.

I would also put KJ ahead of Nash by a significant margin.

Larry Nance was also pretty solid for several years.

 

[elindholm]

Tom Chambers was a PF. I think Gar Heard was a SF (only 6' 6"), but that's before my time, so I could be wrong.

Larry Nance has to be on the list. He was sort of a tweener F, but I think probably more SF than PF, in spite of the blocks. I'd put him second on the SF list behind Marion.

Johnson ahead of Nash.

Other players from "my time" (starting roughly late 70s) or later deserving of consideration:

Dennis Johnson
Maurice Lucas
Danny Manning
James Edwards (since the center position is so thin)

 

[fordronken]

Well, as for a starting 5, I'd go:

Nash
KJ
Marion
Barkley
Stoudemire

Of course, you'd have to make D'Antoni coach to get them to score enough to make up for all the defensive lapses.

 

[Divide Et Impera]

PG - Nash, KJ, Kidd, Steph

SG - Majerle, Hornacek, Davis, Westphal

SF - Marion, Nance, Chambers, Johnson

PF - Barkley, Stoudemire, Hawkins, Robinson

C - Adams, West, Lang, Kleine(?)

 

[ProdigalSun]

Oliver Miller would have made that list if he had any self-control over his diet. He arguably had the most talent of any center we've ever had.

 

[Zobaczcie suki]

When I saw the thread title I thought you were asking for the best team that actually played together.

In that respect, I would pick the team that lost to the Sonics in the Western Conference finals--I forget the year. It was something like:

G--Westphal
G--Walter Davis (I think they moved him to the backcourt, maybe I'm wrong)
PF--Truck Robinson
C--Alvin Adams.
SF---Maybe Walter Davis was here and Don Buse at PG, I forget

This team came within a dropped pass by Truck under the basket from advancing to the finals. Unbelievable. Sonics went on to win it all v. Bullets.

 

[elindholm]

I think the best team was the '94 squad that lost Game 7 at home to the Rockets when Wesley Person missed an open three-pointer at the end of regulation.

 

[Zobaczcie suki]

Ok, got it together now. Looks like it was 1979, and Buse was still at PG with Walter Davis at Small Forward. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/1979.html

 

[nathan]

PG Randy Livingston
SG Marko Milic/Casey Jacobsen/Toby Bailey
SF Don MacLean/Dan Langhi
PF Jerrod Mustaf/Stefano Rusconi/Loren Meyer/Tim Kempton
C Georgi Glouchkov/Cezary Trybanski/Luc Longley/Horacio Llamas/Chris Dudley

 

[ProdigalSun]

PG Randy Livingston
SG Marko Milic/Casey Jacobsen/Toby Bailey
SF Don MacLean/Dan Langhi
PF Jerrod Mustaf/Stefano Rusconi/Loren Meyer/Tim Kempton
C Georgi Glouchkov/Cezary Trybanski/Luc Longley/Horacio Llamas/Chris Dudley

haha thats good stuff

If we were choosing an all-goofy team it might look something like

PG Elliot Perry
SG Casey Jacobsen
SF Kurt Rambis
PF Joe Kleine
C Danny Schayes

 

[Forrestham]

The 1st team I remember was in the 1970 playoffs. I was 8 years old. Through different eras it is hard to compare the best teams and players. I think the 1994-95 team had the best shot to go all the way until Danny Manning tore up his knee. They were about 50-10 at one point. The door was open because Jordan was still retired. The 78-79 team was also a heartbreaker. Beleive they lost the final game by 1 pt. While the sonics were good. Alvan kept having the ankle turn. The story of this franchise is we have never had a frotn line center. If you want the best all time team here is what I would go with

pg Nash, KJ, Kidd
SG Davis, Westphal, Hornacek,
C Amare, Adams, West
SF Hawkins, Marion, Nance
PF Barkley, Silas,

Of course this roster would have great flexibility. The fast and sleek team would work better. Wouldnt it be cool to see NAsh throwing alley oops to Hawkins. It is a shame his best years were before he came to the Suns.
Would be fun to play this team on a computer game.
IF we need a ganger Silas could be the thug. He was a great lunchpail player
Thunder Dan was a great player but at the guard position I felt Hornacek was a better player

 

[HooverDam]

(Starters listed first)

PG Nash, KJ, Kidd.
SG Davis, Westphal, Majerle.
SF Hawkins, Marion, Van Arsdale.
PF Barkley, Tommy Gun, Nance.
C Amare, Adams.

Obviously any Suns line up is going to be undersized. But I think Nash (MVP), Davis (Suns all time leading scorer), Hawkins (top 15 player of all time), Barkley (MVP) and Amare (ROY, star of tomorrow) is the best starting 5.

You have KJ shooters coming off the bench everywhere w/ Majerle, Westy, TC, KJ, etc. Adams can play decent back up center. You have to have Nance on the team, he is the Suns all time leading shot blocker. Our back up small forward position is where our best defenders are, both Marion and Van Arsdale have earned various All Defensive team honors.

Of course the Coach is Cotton Fitzsimmons. Who is being assisted by Coaches of the Year, Mike D'Antoni and Paul Westphal (yah, he's a player/coach, shut up!).

Honorable mention players: Eddie Johnson, Dennis Johnson, Jeff Hornaceck, Gail Goodrich, Paul Silas.

 

[TucsonDevil]

Oliver Miller had talent, but Alvin Adams had much more talent than the fat man - even if he were skinny.

Too bad we didn't have Maurice Lucas a little earlier in his career and for a few more years. BTW, all-goofy team - you have to put on Jeff Cook and Rich Kelley.

In the Center position, we could throw in Rick Robey. He had talent, but was injured too much and never really panned out...hmm, I wonder what ever happened to the guy we gave up in a trade to get Robey... oh yeah, he went on to win 2 championships with the Celtics...

I agree that the best team was probably 1994-1995, before the D. Manning injury. I think the 1983-1984 team was underrated.

In the Point Guard debate, I throw my support behind KJ as of today. However, by the end of next year when Amare and Steve receive co-Finals MVP, I will switch my vote.

The shooting guard debate is Horny first, everyone else distant second. I absolutely loved him - remember when he tried to dunk the ball in a game and was rejected by the rim. I remember Tom Chambers grabbing him while laughing hysterically. After we traded him for Barkley, he landed on his feet just fine and helped Utah to consecutive NBA Finals. Not bad for a College Walk-on.

While we are reminicing - does anyone find it odd that the coach we had for a long time during the Glory 70s and early 80s - John McCleod - is now just an assitant with the Golden State Warriors? He was great for a long time, and was only fired due to the Drug scandal problem. I know he went on to coach at Notre Dame, but I don't believe he was a head coach again in the NBA, am I wrong?

One final note - the Suns Theme in the early 80s was cool. They used to play it on KTAR before games and such... it had the trumpets... anyone remember that? And do you know how I might be able to obtain a copy?

 

[devilalum]

How about the All "High Times" Team.

James Edwards
William Beford
Don Buse
Walter Davis

Very few people know how close these clowns actually came to killing this franchise. The Suns decided to forgive Davis but the drug scandal was really ugly.

 

[devilalum]

PG Randy Livingston
SG Marko Milic/Casey Jacobsen/Toby Bailey
SF Don MacLean/Dan Langhi
PF Jerrod Mustaf/Stefano Rusconi/Loren Meyer/Tim Kempton
C Georgi Glouchkov/Cezary Trybanski/Luc Longley/Horacio Llamas/Chris Dudley

Malcom Mackey has to be on this squad!?!?

 

[sunsfn]

How about the All "High Times" Team.

James Edwards
William Beford
Don Buse
Walter Davis

Very few people know how close these clowns actually came to killing this franchise. The Suns decided to forgive Davis but the drug scandal was really ugly.

I do not remember Don Buse having a problem at all! Is that so?

Also, Johnny High was in this mess if I remember right?
Johnny high was killed in an auto accident here in Phx. later, right?

 

[BC867]

One final note - the Suns Theme in the early 80s was cool. They used to play it on KTAR before games and such... it had the trumpets... anyone remember that? And do you know how I might be able to obtain a copy?

I don't remember the name of the song, but it was by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. That might help you find it.

 

[BC867]

I do not remember Don Buse having a problem at all! Is that so?

You're right. Walter Davis replaced Don Buse in the backcourt before the scandal hit.

Buse played alongside Paul Westphal, then Davis played alongside Dennis Johnson, after the Westphal-for-D.J. trade with the Sonics.

Don Buse was a straight arrow. He had nothing to do with drugs.

 

[elindholm]

Very few people know how close these clowns actually came to killing this franchise.

It's the worst one-team drug scandal in the history of the four major sports, so if people don't know about it, they're either too young or don't pay attention very well.

 

[nathan]

Malcom Mackey has to be on this squad!?!?

That's funny because in the past I have chosen that name when I go into game chats. He only actually played 69 minutes but was a first round pick. Still there are so many crappy big men in Suns history it's hard to find him a spot. He didn't actually start games like Loren Meyer, he didn't murder anyone like Jerrod Mustaf, and he wasn't brought in multiple times like Tim Kempton.

 

[MastersofCombat]

Wow I did forget Larry Nance but again I was going off memory...
Dick Van Arsdale was at the end of his career by the time I watched him and wasnt that great. Connie Hawkins never saw him anywhere but at a casino in camp verde eating.
Tom Chambers played SF when Barkley arrived so couldnt remember exactly where he played before.
Amare I would love to put at center but he really isnt one..

 

[se7en]

I know this thread is purely for fun and it's just opinion, but I can't believe everyone other than Eric is placing Nash ahead of KJ. KJ was a much better player than Nash is.

 

[fordronken]

It's the worst one-team drug scandal in the history of the four major sports, so if people don't know about it, they're either too young or don't pay attention very well.

It was a bit before my time. I've tried to read up on it, but pretty much only gotten information like "the team was rocked by a drug scandal, but then they got Kevin Johnson".

If anyone has the stomache to recount it, it'd be greatly appreciated.

 

[nowagimp]

The 1st team I remember was in the 1970 playoffs. I was 8 years old. Through different eras it is hard to compare the best teams and players. I think the 1994-95 team had the best shot to go all the way until Danny Manning tore up his knee. They were about 50-10 at one point. The door was open because Jordan was still retired. The 78-79 team was also a heartbreaker. Beleive they lost the final game by 1 pt. While the sonics were good. Alvan kept having the ankle turn. The story of this franchise is we have never had a frotn line center. If you want the best all time team here is what I would go with

pg Nash, KJ, Kidd
SG Davis, Westphal, Hornacek,
C Amare, Adams, West
SF Hawkins, Marion, Nance
PF Barkley, Silas,

Of course this roster would have great flexibility. The fast and sleek team would work better. Wouldnt it be cool to see NAsh throwing alley oops to Hawkins. It is a shame his best years were before he came to the Suns.
Would be fun to play this team on a computer game.
IF we need a ganger Silas could be the thug. He was a great lunchpail player
Thunder Dan was a great player but at the guard position I felt Hornacek was a better player

Of all the two guards, Majerle was the best defender, certainly alot better than Hornacek or westphal(what D?). Putting Hawkins ahead of Marion is touch and go, as its kind of hard to compare those two highly talented players from the different eras. Dennis Johnson was not around for long, but he was a tremendous defender, the best sun ever at the point. I'd put DJ after Nash and KJ at the point.