Health failing Suns icon Fitzsimmons

[sunsfn]

Health failing Suns icon Fitzsimmons

Norm Frauenheim
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 17, 2004 12:00 AM

The health of former Suns coach Cotton Fitzsimmons has taken a turn for the worse, according to team officials close to him.

Fitzsimmons, 72, has been a patient at an undisclosed Valley care center since suffering a stroke within the last couple of weeks.

A malignant tumor was found on Fitzsimmons' lung, near his heart, April 7 when he saw a throat specialist because of a persistent cough.

Fitzsimmons, who had been doing color commentary on Suns telecasts, also has suffered from circulatory problems. He has been undergoing radiation and taking blood-thinning medication.

A blood clot below his left knee in February forced him to quit traveling with the Suns, because flying aggravated the problem.

The colorful Fitzsimmons, known for his quick wit, has been with the Suns at key junctures throughout their history.

He engineered one of the franchise's most significant trades with the acquisition of guard Kevin Johnson from Cleveland in 1988 for forward Larry Nance. The deal was the cornerstone to a revival of fortunes after drug allegations rocked the team in 1987.



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Fitzsimmons coached the Suns three times. He arrived in Phoenix for the first time in 1970 and became the third coach for a franchise that was beginning only its third season. He succeeded longtime and current Suns Chairman Jerry Colangelo, who had finished the prior season as the interim coach.

Fitzsimmons left in 1972 to coach in Atlanta. For the next 13 years, he was with the Hawks, Buffalo Braves, Kansas City Kings and San Antonio Spurs.

He returned to Phoenix in 1988 and coached for four seasons. He moved back into the job in 1996 after Paul Westphal was fired and coached the first eight games of the 1996-97 season. In addition to his broadcasting duties, he has since been the team's senior executive vice president.

Through six-plus seasons with the Suns, he had a regular-season record of 341-208 for a winning percentage of .621, second-best in franchise history. His playoff record was 22-22, also second in franchise history.

Through two decades as an NBA coach, he was 832-775, among the all-time top 10 in NBA victories. He was voted NBA Coach of the Year twice, 1979 in Kansas City and 1989 with the Suns.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/0717cotton0717.html

 

[Mainstreet]

When I think of Cotton, I think of the Suns. He is such a nice man and he was such an important part of the Suns franchise. In my opinion he was one of the most knowledgeable minds in basketball. My prayers are with him.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Very sad news this Saturday morning.

 

[BC867]

When I think of Cotton, I think of the Suns. He is such a nice man and he was such an important part of the Suns franchise. In my opinion he was one of the most knowledgeable minds in basketball. My prayers are with him.

Cotton is the only person that Jerry allowed to bring new ideas to the Suns . . . once in awhile.

If only Jerry had named him GM and allowed him to make the basketball decisions, leaving Jerry to run the corporate side, the Suns legacy would be alot stronger.

I'll never forget when the Suns faced the K.C./Omaha Kings in the 1979 playoffs. Kings coach Cotton Fitzsimmons lost his starting backcourt to injuries -- PG Phil Ford and SG Otis Birdsong.

And still the Kings eliminated the heavily favored Suns, because Cotton knew that muscle beats finesse, especially in the post-season.

Rather than coach from a position of weakness, and scrambling to slot in two inferior Guards, he used a lineup of 2 Centers and 3 Forwards.

And the Suns were eliminated.

I think of that mentality every time I see the Suns cover "light" -- Power Forwards to Center, Small Forwards and Guards to Power Forward, 3 Guards, etc.

And now Cotton's health is failing. We wish him well. And hope that new ownership will allow on board the kind of strong thinking that Cotton was hardly ever allowed to unleash for the Suns.

Lowell Fitzsimmons. You've earned alot of respect here in the Valley.

 

[sly fly]

Cotton is the only person that Jerry allowed to bring new ideas to the Suns . . . once in awhile.

If only Jerry had named him GM and allowed him to make the basketball decisions, leaving Jerry to run the corporate side, the Suns legacy would be alot stronger.

I'll never forget when the Suns faced the K.C./Omaha Kings in the 1979 playoffs. Kings coach Cotton Fitzsimmons lost his starting backcourt to injuries -- PG Phil Ford and SG Otis Birdsong.

And still the Kings eliminated the heavily favored Suns, because Cotton knew that muscle beats finesse, especially in the post-season.

Rather than coach from a position of weakness, and scrambling to slot in two inferior Guards, he used a lineup of 2 Centers and 3 Forwards.

And the Suns were eliminated.

I think of that mentality every time I see the Suns cover "light" -- Power Forwards to Center, Small Forwards and Guards to Power Forward, 3 Guards, etc.

And now Cotton's health is failing. We wish him well. And hope that new ownership will allow on board the kind of strong thinking that Cotton was hardly ever allowed to unleash for the Suns.

Lowell Fitzsimmons. You've earned alot of respect here in the Valley.

Darnell Valentine.

 

[sly fly]

Cotton, we wouldn't have AWA without you.

 

[schutd]

Lowell Fitzsimmons. You've earned alot of respect here in the Valley.

ONly you can find a way to memorialize Cotton while continuing to SLAM Jerry from the other side of your mouth. Give it a rest for the love of God.

 

[moviebuff316]

Wasnt a suns fan when he coached them but I did enjoy his commentary.

 

[Yuma]

I know this isn't quite the same thing, and I don't want to bury the man prematurly, but to lose Tillman and Cotton in the same year is a lot for Phoenix. Both men are respected and lived how they thought was right. I hope Cotton rebounds.

 

[BC867]

ONly you can find a way to memorialize Cotton while continuing to SLAM Jerry from the other side of your mouth. Give it a rest for the love of God.

What Cotton could have done for the Suns is a part of his legacy, whether you want to hear it or not.

To hide from it is denying the sound part of Cotton's basketball skills.

You're entitled to your opinion, schutd, and I'm entitled to mine (although you're trying to censor mine).

It doesn't change that Cotton has had the ability to make alot of positive changes to the Suns image over the years, but not the authorization to do so.

That's a part of his tenure in Phoenix, in my opinion.

 

[newfan101]

ONly you can find a way to memorialize Cotton while continuing to SLAM Jerry from the other side of your mouth. Give it a rest for the love of God.

Here here! I thought it was just me, but apparently others are sick of it as well.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

I met Cotton and his wife at Los Arcos Mall years ago. We exchanged some fun jabs about our teams. He was with the Suns at that time and I was decked out in Lakers gear. Very nice man, witty, good sense of humor. I'll definitely add him to our prayer list.

 

[NJYAJ09]

Hope you feel better cotton, we love you.