Suns News: Weeks 12 & 13 (1/6-1/19)

[AmareIsGod]

Top 10, in order:

Alvan Adams (1975–1988)
Reason: A versatile, loyal franchise icon who spent his entire career with the Suns and anchored their 1976 Finals run.

Mark West (1988–1994, 1999–2000)
Reason: A defensive anchor known for shot-blocking efficiency, contributing greatly to the 1993 Finals appearance.

Deandre Ayton (2018–2023)
Reason: A former #1 overall pick who helped propel the Suns to the 2021 Finals with his improved defense and rebounding.

Neal Walk (1969–1974)
Reason: The franchise’s first true center, drafted second overall behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and a solid early-1970s contributor.

Shaquille O’Neal (2008–2009)
Reason: Though brief, his Suns stint featured an All-Star appearance and a strong veteran presence down low.

Marcin Gortat (2010–2013)
Reason: Provided reliable rebounding and pick-and-roll finishing, quickly becoming a double-double machine.

Oliver Miller (1992–1994, 1995–1996)
Reason: Showed surprising passing ability and solid rebounding, contributing to deep playoff runs in the early 1990s.

Richaun Holmes (2018–2019)
Reason: A high-energy rim-runner who offered spark off the bench with shot blocking and hustle.

Jermaine O’Neal (2012–2013)
Reason: Enjoyed a mini-resurgence in Phoenix, providing veteran leadership and interior presence in limited minutes.

Joe Kleine (1989–1993, 1997–1998)
Reason: A reliable role player who brought size, defense, and steadiness off the bench during playoff-contending seasons.

Okay, ChatGPT is off its rocker now.

And Joe Kleine played here from 1993-1997 and 1999.

But Richaun Holmes was incredible and Jermaine O'Neal had one of the most memorable seasons on the Suns I can't remember that he should definitely be mentioned!

[JeremyG]

Here is what Grok says:

The best center in Phoenix Suns history is generally considered to be **Alvan Adams**. Adams played for the Suns from 1975 to 1988 and holds numerous franchise records, including games played, minutes played, rebounds, and blocked shots. He was also named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1976 and was an All-Star in 1976. However, opinions can vary, and some might argue for other centers like **Mark West** or **Deandre Ayton** based on different criteria or eras of play.

[Split T]

AI hates Amare

[JeremyG]

AI understands that he was not a center.

[AmareIsGod]

AI understands that he was not a center.

Because Amar’e Stoudemire spent most of his career listed at power forward, he’s often excluded from “all-time center” lists; however, he did spend significant time at the five—particularly in Mike D’Antoni’s smaller, faster lineups. If we consider Amar’e a center, he would rank near the very top of this list, likely just below Alvan Adams (or even contending for the number-one spot, depending on personal criteria). Here’s why:

All-Star & All-NBA Credentials

Stoudemire was a perennial All-Star and an All-NBA performer in Phoenix, something very few Suns centers (as listed traditionally) achieved.

Dominance in the Pick-and-Roll

Paired with Steve Nash, Amar’e formed one of the most lethal pick-and-roll tandems in NBA history, translating into deep playoff runs and high-powered offenses.

Team Impact

Even though he was often labeled as a PF, Amar’e’s explosiveness, rim-running, and ability to slide to center in small-ball lineups were critical to the “Seven Seconds or Less” Suns era.

Longevity & Playoff Contributions in Phoenix

He played eight seasons (2002–2010) in Phoenix, consistently producing and making multiple playoff appearances, including two Western Conference Finals (2005, 2010).

Verdict:

#1 Still Alvan Adams: Thanks to Adams’s 13-year tenure in Phoenix, his versatile all-around play, and the way he anchored the 1976 Finals run.
#2 Amar’e (if listed as a center): His peak performance and accolades outshine most traditional Suns centers, but Adams’s longevity and all-around impact give him the slightest edge.

So, if he’s considered part of the “center” group, Amar’e jumps straight into the top two—arguably top one—given his All-Star résumé and postseason impact.

[Kryptonic]

AI understands that he was not a center.

Because Amar’e Stoudemire spent most of his career listed at power forward, he’s often excluded from “all-time center” lists; however, he did spend significant time at the five—particularly in Mike D’Antoni’s smaller, faster lineups. If we consider Amar’e a center, he would rank near the very top of this list, likely just below Alvan Adams (or even contending for the number-one spot, depending on personal criteria). Here’s why:

All-Star & All-NBA Credentials

Stoudemire was a perennial All-Star and an All-NBA performer in Phoenix, something very few Suns centers (as listed traditionally) achieved.

Dominance in the Pick-and-Roll

Paired with Steve Nash, Amar’e formed one of the most lethal pick-and-roll tandems in NBA history, translating into deep playoff runs and high-powered offenses.

Team Impact

Even though he was often labeled as a PF, Amar’e’s explosiveness, rim-running, and ability to slide to center in small-ball lineups were critical to the “Seven Seconds or Less” Suns era.

Longevity & Playoff Contributions in Phoenix

He played eight seasons (2002–2010) in Phoenix, consistently producing and making multiple playoff appearances, including two Western Conference Finals (2005, 2010).

Verdict:

#1 Still Alvan Adams: Thanks to Adams’s 13-year tenure in Phoenix, his versatile all-around play, and the way he anchored the 1976 Finals run.
#2 Amar’e (if listed as a center): His peak performance and accolades outshine most traditional Suns centers, but Adams’s longevity and all-around impact give him the slightest edge.

So, if he’s considered part of the “center” group, Amar’e jumps straight into the top two—arguably top one—given his All-Star résumé and postseason impact.

100% agree…. I’m sure it kills Amare watching a fully healthy DA pull the crap he’s pulling knowing he was only slowed because of bad knees.

[Cap]

Amar’e may have spent most of his career at PF, but he had his best season at center.

[Superbone]

That looks very ChatGPT.

Who said it wasn't?

[Superbone]

1-Alvan Adams
2-Amare Stoudamire
3-Mark West
4-Deandre Ayton
5-Shaquille O'Neal
6-Neal Walk
7-Marcin Gortat
8-James Edwards
9-Kurt Thomas
10-Jusuf Nurkic
HM-Tyson Chandler

Mark West did the most with the least, James Edwards did the least with the most.

Bobster knows what's up and was around longer than most of you fools.

[Superbone]

The day is coming when AI bots will write better posts than any of us and we’ll all be obsolete.

You mean the AI will be reading and commenting on them too?

[Cap]

The day is coming when AI bots will write better posts than any of us and we’ll all be obsolete.

You mean the AI will be reading and commenting on them too?

Yup. The AI bots eventually become the in group and chase all the limited biointelligence out. We’ll try to retreat to our humans-only safe spaces, but Turing tests will be so utterly obsolete there will be no way to keep the AIs out.

[Wally_West]

Adams played basically his whole career before I was born, so I’ll mostly defer on that one, but I’d have no problem listing him 1, especially since Amaré played a lot of PF.

1. Adams
2. Amare
3. Ayton(I just have to blackout his final year)

You're gonna just skip Mark West because he didn't have much of an offensive game?

I mean his career best season he averaged 10/9/2…I was a toddler though so I’ll happily listen to an argument. It better be good though because his suns career numbers were 7/6/2….11/10/3 per 36. He looks clearly like a very limited player that only took shots at the rim and was mostly playing because of defense.

Sounds like a good back up C who’s starting because there’s not a better option.

[AmareIsGod]

Adams played basically his whole career before I was born, so I’ll mostly defer on that one, but I’d have no problem listing him 1, especially since Amaré played a lot of PF.

1. Adams
2. Amare
3. Ayton(I just have to blackout his final year)

You're gonna just skip Mark West because he didn't have much of an offensive game?

I mean his career best season he averaged 10/9/2…I was a toddler though so I’ll happily listen to an argument. It better be good though because his suns career numbers were 7/6/2….11/10/3 per 36. He looks clearly like a very limited player that only took shots at the rim and was mostly playing because of defense.

Sounds like a good back up C who’s starting because there’s not a better option.

Exactly. Hard to fault West for being on the list. It's a byproduct of abysmal C's playing for the Suns over the years. We've always been a guard centric team.

[Mori Chu]

The day is coming when AI bots will write better posts than any of us and we’ll all be obsolete.

You mean the AI will be reading and commenting on them too?

Yup. The AI bots eventually become the in group and chase all the limited biointelligence out. We’ll try to retreat to our humans-only safe spaces, but Turing tests will be so utterly obsolete there will be no way to keep the AIs out.

Look up Dead Internet Theory. Some think we are close to this point already. I find it disheartening that various social media networks are explicitly deploying fake AI users to drum up conversation and fool human users. Really dystopian stuff.

[Cap]

The day is coming when AI bots will write better posts than any of us and we’ll all be obsolete.

You mean the AI will be reading and commenting on them too?

Yup. The AI bots eventually become the in group and chase all the limited biointelligence out. We’ll try to retreat to our humans-only safe spaces, but Turing tests will be so utterly obsolete there will be no way to keep the AIs out.

Look up Dead Internet Theory. Some think we are close to this point already. I find it disheartening that various social media networks are explicitly deploying fake AI users to drum up conversation and fool human users. Really dystopian stuff.

LOL. Well I see this stuff happening in the future, not secretly happening in the present, so it’s not quite the same. And it probably won’t be a secret cabal behind all the bots, just a natural evolution of the tech.

[Furlanfufi]

The day is coming when AI bots will write better posts than any of us and we’ll all be obsolete.

Call me when AI play better defense than our Cs! Wait...they already do?

[Cap]

The day is coming when AI bots will write better posts than any of us and we’ll all be obsolete.

Call me when AI play better defense than our Cs! Wait...they already do?

Al would play better defense than our C’s, despite being about 5’2” and dead.

[The Bobster]

The thing about Alvan Adams is that he did everything pretty well, but he really stood out at one thing - as a passer. He could shoot, defend, block shots, whatever the team needed from him. He was terribly under-sized for a center in the 70s/80s, but he would thrive nowadays.

Mark West wasn't pretty, and he was really limited offensively, but he anchored the defense, rebounded the ball, blacked shots and was what Cotton called a "Dirt Worker." His teammates all loved him. And with good reason.

James Edwards was his opposite - he could really score, but he didn't rebound or defend much. He really found a niche in Detroit though - they just wanted some offense from him off the bench.

[Superbone]

A surprise to nobody:

[SunsRIt]

Maybe Nurk was good for something.