The Phoenix Suns franchise began to play in the NBA in 1968 and had several winning seasons. However, they are one of the teams that are still searching for their first NBA championship. Although the team could never win the title, they have always had many great talents. Some names created legacy and are beloved by the entire Suns fan base. The Phoenix Suns have featured some of the best players of its era, who are still remembered for their great careers. Let’s have a look at some of the best players in the history of the franchise.
10. Tom Chambers
Tom Chambers became a key part of Phoenix Suns in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was the vital part of their core, averaging an astonishing 27.2 points per game in his best season. Chambers was on Phoenix’s roster for three of his four career All-Star appearances. Chamber was one of their most reliable players and he also managed to receive two All-NBA selections at the prime of his career.
9. Shawn Marion
Marion was a valuable two-way player for the team and helped them find success with smaller and faster lineups in the mid-2000s. The Matrix was tasked with helping Steve Nash lead the offense by defending players in various positions and unselfishly. Marion’s stint with the Suns also saw him get four All-Star appearances and both All-NBA selections with the team.
8. Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd spent five years with the Phoenix Suns and undoubtedly became the best point guard in the league. He made four All-Star appearances and received All-NBA team selections, showing how he ranked compared to other players. The Sun’s trading Kidd for Stephen Marbury turned out to be a bad move for the team, as Marbury proved to be a downgrade. Kidd achieved more success in the playoffs with the New Jersey Nets, but he had some of the best years with the Suns.
7. Paul Westphal
Paul Westphal is someone who has had a successful tenure with the Phoenix Suns, both as a coach and player. During his playing career with the Suns, Paul made four All-NBA appearances and four All-NBA selections. His coaching tenure with the team also turned out amazing, as he led the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals. He is one of the most important figures in the team’s meteoric rise to success.
6. Chris Paul
Chris Paul has only been with the Suns for a few years, but he has made a huge impact in the league. The Phoenix Suns delivered two of their best regular season performances since Paul joined their team that didn’t even make the postseason without him. Paul made both All-Star and All-NBA appearances in his first season, continuing his stellar performance as a point guard. The Suns made the NBA finals for the first time in nearly three decades, with Paul as a game changer while accompanying Devin Booker.
5. Kevin Johnson
Kevin Johnson is one of the most important figures in Phoenix Suns history. He rarely put up superstar statistics, but his presence on the team helped the Suns during their best time as a contender for the championship. Phoenix retired Johnson after his long tenure with the franchise, which ended with four All-Star appearances and five All-NBA selections. Kevin seemed to be the perfect pairing with Charles Barkley, who continued to perform well even after Barkley’s departure.
4. Amare Stoudemire
When the Phoenix Suns drafted Amare Stoudemire, he was a high school player. The franchise found great success with Stoudemire as the team’s best scorer when Steve Nash joined the franchise. Even though Nash and Mike D’Antoni were the main players in the offense, the Suns needed Amare to step up the scoring to make it work. He was one of the best players in his position on the team and made five All-Star appearances and four All-NBA selections.
3. Devin Booker
Devin Booker began his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns in 2015 and is still playing with the team. He is playing his ninth season with the Suns this year, making his stint longer than many of the former Suns’ players. Booker has always been consistent with his performance on court, despite the team’s lack of results. The Suns advanced to the 2021 NBA Finals with Booker as their best overall player. He currently has three All-Star appearances and one All-NBA selection.
2. Steve Nash
The franchise changed when Steve Nash joined them after a great stint with the Dallas Mavericks. The Phoenix Suns had actually drafted Nash years ago, but this was the first time he had much relevance to joining them and becoming a star player. Captain Canada led the Suns to become a title contender. He made six All-Star appearances and five All-NBA selections, which shows how much impact he had in the game.
1. Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley spent only four seasons with the Phoenix Suns, but he was a superstar throughout his tenure with them. Phoenix made a big move to acquire Barkley when he wanted to be transferred from the Philadelphia 76ers. He was the MVP during his team’s run to the 1993 NBA Finals, when the Phoenix gave the best battle against Michael Jordan in the Finals. Barkley was one of the best players in the league, with an All-Star appearance every season in Phoenix and an All-NBA selection every year.
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