Sunderella Suns
- The Bobster
- Posts: 6731
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 1:04 pm
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
Re: Sunderella Suns
The biggest difference between the 1976 team and the 1993 team is that the '93 team had so much natural talent (Barkley, KJ, Ainge, Chambers, Ceballos, Dumas, Miller) and the '76 team had a couple of guys who had great talent (Westphal and Adams) complimented by a bunch of rugged guys who got the most out of their talent (Sobers, Van Arsdale, Awtrey, Heard, Perry).
The '93 team SHOULD have been challenging the Bulls for the title, but the '76 team had no business upsetting Golden State. They were completely over-matched, but they still did it. And then they gave Boston a scare in the Finals.
Fans love over-achievers and that team was two wins away from what no rational person thought was possible.
The '93 team SHOULD have been challenging the Bulls for the title, but the '76 team had no business upsetting Golden State. They were completely over-matched, but they still did it. And then they gave Boston a scare in the Finals.
Fans love over-achievers and that team was two wins away from what no rational person thought was possible.
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
- LazarusLong
- Posts: 3154
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:58 pm
Re: Sunderella Suns
Don't forget Keith Erickson ... a great sixth man and shooter. Erickson was on the Pre-Alcindor UCLA team that won the NCAAs with no starter taller than 6-5 (Goodrich was a starting guard on that UCLA) team.
Of all the players on all the great teams John Wooden had, he singled out Erickson as the finest athlete he ever coached.
Erickson would later team with Wilt Chamberlain to ramp up pro-beach volleyball on the coast.
Of all the players on all the great teams John Wooden had, he singled out Erickson as the finest athlete he ever coached.
Erickson would later team with Wilt Chamberlain to ramp up pro-beach volleyball on the coast.
Window is open again ... blue skies ahead?
- The Bobster
- Posts: 6731
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 1:04 pm
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
Re: Sunderella Suns
40 years ago today.
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
- The Bobster
- Posts: 6731
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 1:04 pm
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
Re: Sunderella Suns
Every NBA team has a time in their history when they finally feel like they made it. Seattle had the 1978 & 1979 Championship Series, Portland had their 1977 championship, Philadelphia had their 1967 championship, the Lakers had 1972, Golden State had 1975, Boston had 1957, etc., etc.
For the Suns it was the 1976 NBA Playoffs when they upset the defending champion Warriors in the Conference Finals and gave Boston more than they bargained for in the Championship Series. Up to that point they had played in one playoff series in their first six years and they blew a 3-1 lead against the Lakers team that had Chamberlain, West and Baylor, but that was the highlight prior to 1976.
Anyway, for anyone who lived here at the time it was incredibly exciting because the Suns were our only professional team and nobody expected much from them.
For the Suns it was the 1976 NBA Playoffs when they upset the defending champion Warriors in the Conference Finals and gave Boston more than they bargained for in the Championship Series. Up to that point they had played in one playoff series in their first six years and they blew a 3-1 lead against the Lakers team that had Chamberlain, West and Baylor, but that was the highlight prior to 1976.
Anyway, for anyone who lived here at the time it was incredibly exciting because the Suns were our only professional team and nobody expected much from them.
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
Re: Sunderella Suns
That year's team predates my birth by 3 years, so I don't have much connection to them. To me the great Suns team from olden days is the early 90s Barkley Suns. But I've seen clips and highlights and read about the great '70s team. They looked awesome to watch and root for. Can't believe it has been 40 years already. Someday we will celebrate 40 years since Barkley, and 40 years since Nash (which Nash season??).
Re: Sunderella Suns
My 13-year-old self remembers it well.
"Too little, too late, too unbothered."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
"Be Legendary."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
"Be Legendary."
Re: Sunderella Suns
Hard to believe it was that long ago.
Re: Sunderella Suns
Just happened to catch that NBA TV has a 40th Anniversery special about the Suns-Celtics triple OT game. I'm watching it now. Very entertaining.
"Too little, too late, too unbothered."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
"Be Legendary."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
"Be Legendary."
Re: Sunderella Suns
These guys look so scrawny compared to today's players.
- Ring_Wanted
- Posts: 5011
- Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:47 am
Re: Sunderella Suns
Awesome thread!
To me, 2005-2006.Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:Someday we will celebrate 40 years since Barkley, and 40 years since Nash (which Nash season??).
Re: Sunderella Suns
SuperBone wrote:My 13-year-old self remembers it well.
Hard to believe SuperBone is that old!!JCSunsfan wrote:Hard to believe it was that long ago.
- The Bobster
- Posts: 6731
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 1:04 pm
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
Re: Sunderella Suns
Careful! Superbone, JCSunsFan and I appear to all be the same age! And LL? Well, we haven't had him carbon dated yet.....
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
Re: Sunderella Suns
Marty [Mori Chu] wrote:SuperBone wrote:My 13-year-old self remembers it well.Hard to believe SuperBone is that old!!JCSunsfan wrote:Hard to believe it was that long ago.
Careful is right!The Bobster wrote:Careful! Superbone, JCSunsFan and I appear to all be the same age! And LL? Well, we haven't had him carbon dated yet.....
"Too little, too late, too unbothered."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
"Be Legendary."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
"Be Legendary."
- LazarusLong
- Posts: 3154
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:58 pm
Re: Sunderella Suns
I've had blind dates, but never dated carbon ...as for age, I'm as old as my tongue and slightly older than my teeth ...The Bobster wrote:Careful! Superbone, JCSunsFan and I appear to all be the same age! And LL? Well, we haven't had him carbon dated yet.....
Window is open again ... blue skies ahead?
Re: Sunderella Suns
You're only as old as you feel. I apparently just turned 84!LazarusLong wrote:...as for age, I'm as old as my tongue and slightly older than my teeth ...
Re: Sunderella Suns
Holy crap, what kind of lifeform do you date? Hortas?LazarusLong wrote:
I've had blind dates, but never dated carbon ...
- LazarusLong
- Posts: 3154
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:58 pm
Re: Sunderella Suns
Right, as in "carbon-based life forms." Silly me.Cap wrote:Holy crap, what kind of lifeform do you date? Hortas?LazarusLong wrote:
I've had blind dates, but never dated carbon ...
Window is open again ... blue skies ahead?
- Ring_Wanted
- Posts: 5011
- Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:47 am
Re: Sunderella Suns
HahahaCap wrote:Holy crap, what kind of lifeform do you date? Hortas?LazarusLong wrote:
I've had blind dates, but never dated carbon ...
LL was around during the ARN world.