"If at first you do not succeed, try, try again." The Phoenix Suns have epitomized that type of determination. Since joining the NBA, they have appeared in the playoffs on 28 occasions. In about a quarter of those years (eight times to be exact), they have reached the Conference Finals. In exactly one-fourth of those series, the Suns advanced to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, the Suns failed on both occasions to win an NBA Championship.
How did the Suns start shining? Following a "name the team" contest, the franchise chose the name "Suns" over other entries, including Cougars, Mavericks, Mustangs, Rattlers, Scorpions, Thunderbirds, and Wranglers. The name "Suns" is quite appropriate, considering that the AVERAGE Phoenix temperature in the summer is about 103°F. Here are some interesting facts about the sun:
The Sun contains hot gases that include various elements on Earth.
The sun is 93 million miles (give or take a few) from the Earth.
The core of the Sun is at least 100,000,000°F.
The Sun is roughly one million times brighter than a standard light bulb.
You would need 100 Earths to cover the Sun's width.
The Suns were born prior to the 1968-1969 season. In fact, the team was Phoenix's first major pro sports squad. Meanwhile, Dick Van Arsdale was the first player that the Suns picked. Arsdale also scored the team's first points in their first game, which resulted in a 116-107 victory over the Seattle Supersonics. Unfortunately, the remainder of the season was less successful, with the Suns earning a 16-66 regular season record.
Though the Phoenix Suns' first playoff appearance was 1970, they advanced much further during the 1975-1976 season. The Suns were sizzling hot during the first and last part of the regular season, which gave them a 42-40 record and a return trip to the playoffs.
Unlike their first appearance in the playoffs, the Suns would achieve more success in 1976. They would first outshine the Seattle Supersonics (4-2). In the Western Conference Finals, the underdog Suns edged the Golden State Warriors, who were the NBA's defending champions (4-3). Then in the NBA Finals, Phoenix faced the powerhouse Boston Celtics. In the crucial Game 5, the Suns lost in triple overtime, and they eventually lost the series (4-2).
The Suns did not set. Prior to the 1992-1993 season, they made a bold move by acquiring "Sir" Charles Barkley. The Suns ended the season with a franchise-best 62-30 record.
Phoenix was now an official contender for the NBA Championship. In the playoffs, the Suns battled back to edge the Lakers (3-2), disposed of the San Antonio Spurs (4-2), and then outlasted the Seattle Supersonics (4-3) in the Western Conference Finals. However, the Bulls won the NBA Final series (4-2) after John Paxton hit an open 3-pointer with five seconds left in Game 6.
The sun has never set on the Phoenix Suns' chance of winning an NBA Championship. Use Phoenix Suns merchandise to cheer on the team to a shiny NBA Finals Trophy!
Rick Grantham is an avid sports fan. Most of Rick's articles focus on Phoenix Suns merchandise. Many articles are related to NBA stores and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village
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