1977–78 Phoenix Suns season

The 1977–78 Phoenix Suns season was the tenth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The team finished second in a Pacific division that did not have a team finish below .500, as the Suns returned to the playoffs for the third time in franchise history. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

1977–78 Phoenix Suns season
Head coachJohn MacLeod
General managerJerry Colangelo
OwnersKarl Eller, Don Pitt, Don Diamond, Marvin Meyer, Richard L. Bloch
ArenaArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record49–33 (.598)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Bucks 0–2)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTAR-TV
RadioKTAR

Both Paul Westphal and Walter Davis, a rookie from the University of North Carolina, were selected to participate in the All-Star Game and by the end of the season, both were members of the All-NBA Second Team. Davis became the second Sun in three years to be selected as Rookie of the Year, an award teammate Alvan Adams had collected after the 1975–76 season.

Both Westphal and rookie Davis averaged career-highs in scoring, averaging 25.2 and 24.2 points a game. The combined averaged of 49.4 points made for the league's highest-scoring duo on the season. Additionally, Westphal and Davis broke a franchise record of 45.9 points a game, a mark set by Connie Hawkins and Dick Van Arsdale during the 1969–70 season.

Offseason

NBA draft
Main article: 1977 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 5 Walter Davis Guard  United States North Carolina
3 66 Mike Bratz Guard  United States Stanford
4 71 Greg Griffin Forward  United States Idaho State
5 93 Cecil Rellford Forward  United States St. John's
6 115 Billy McKinney Guard  United States Northwestern
7 136 Alvin Scott Forward  United States Oral Roberts
8 156 Alvin Joseph Center  United States California-Riverside

The Suns used their first-round pick to select swingman Walter Davis from North Carolina. Davis averaged 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in four years with the Tar Heels. He would make an immediate impact with the Suns, helping the team make a 15-game improvement and return to the playoffs. Averaging 24.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game his first season, Davis was named Rookie of the Year, receiving 49 1/4 of 66 votes.[1] He would also be named to the All-NBA Second Team, and would finish fifth in Most Valuable Player voting, behind winner Bill Walton, George Gervin, David Thompson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.[2] Davis spent his first eleven seasons with the Suns before joining the Denver Nuggets as the league's second unrestricted free agent in 1988. He left as the Suns' all-time leading scorer (15,666 points), and had his #6 jersey retired by the franchise in 1994.

Roster
Phoenix Suns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOB (Y-M-D)From
C 33 United States Adams, Alvan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1954-07-19 Oklahoma
C 21 United States Awtrey, Dennis 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1948-02-22 Santa Clara
G 23 United States Bratz, Mike 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1955-10-17 Stanford
G 10 United States Buse, Don 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1950-08-10 Evansville
G/F 6 United States Davis, Walter 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1954-09-09 North Carolina
C 35 United States Forrest, Bayard 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1954-07-08 Grand Canyon
F 25 United States Griffin, Greg 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1952-09-06 Idaho State
F 24 United States Heard, Garfield 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 219 lb (99 kg) 1948-05-03 Oklahoma
G 30 United States Lee, Ron 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1952-11-02 Oregon
F 18 United States Perry, Curtis Injured 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1948-09-13 Missouri State
F 14 United States Scott, Alvin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1955-09-14 Oral Roberts
F 32 United States Terrell, Ira Injured (IN) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1954-06-19 SMU
G 44 United States Westphal, Paul 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1950-11-30 USC
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Regular season

Standings
Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers 5824.707–36–522–1913–3
x-Phoenix Suns 4933.598934–715–268–8
x-Seattle SuperSonics 4735.5731131–1016–258–8
x-Los Angeles Lakers 4537.5491329–1216–256–10
Golden State Warriors 4339.5241530–1113–285–11
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Portland Trail Blazers5824.707–
2 y-Denver Nuggets4834.58510
3 x-Phoenix Suns4933.5989
4 x-Seattle SuperSonics4735.57311
5 x-Los Angeles Lakers4537.54913
6 x-Milwaukee Bucks4438.53714
7 Golden State Warriors4339.52415
8 Chicago Bulls4042.48818
9 Detroit Pistons3844.46320
10 Indiana Pacers3151.37827
11 Kansas City Kings3151.37827

Record vs. opponents
1977–78 NBA records
Team ATL BOS BUF CHI CLE DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAL MIL NJN NOJ NYK PHI PHO POR SAS SEA WAS
Atlanta —2–23–11–31–31–32–21–33–13–12–13–12–23–12–22–22–23–11–31–32–11–3
Boston 2–2—3–11–31–31–31–32–22–22–12–21–23–13–12–22–20–42–21–30–40–41–3
Buffalo 1–31–3—3–11–31–31–30–33–11–31–21–31–32–22–23–11–30–41–31–31–31–3
Chicago 3–13–11–3—3–12–22–21–33–13–10–42–21–31–22–21–33–02–21–32–22–22–1
Cleveland 3–13–13–11–3—3–12–22–22–22–12–22–23–13–12–23–11–31–20–40–43–12–2
Denver 3–13–13–12–21–3—2–22–23–02–22–23–13–13–13–11–31–32–23–12–11–33–1
Detroit 2–23–13–12–22–22–2—2–23–11–31–32–22–23–13–00–40–42–21–31–31–32–2
Golden State 3–12–23–03–12–22–22–2—2–13–13–10–42–23–10–42–21–32–21–33–12–22–2
Houston 1–32–21–31–32–20–31–31–2—3–12–21–31–32–21–32–22–21–32–21–30–41–3
Indiana 1–31–23–11–31–22–23–11–31–3—2–21–30–42–22–21–32–21–31–31–31–33–1
Kansas City 1–22–22–14–02–22–23–11–32–22–2—2–20–42–22–20–41–30–40–40–41–32–2
Los Angeles 1–32–13–12–22–21–32–24–03–13–12–2—3–14–02–13–12–21–30–42–21–32–2
Milwaukee 2–21–33–13–11–31–32–22–23–14–04–01–3—3–12–13–11–21–31–32–21–33–1
New Jersey 1–31–32–22–11–31–31–31–32–22–22–20–41–3—0–41–30–42–20–30–42–22–2
New Orleans 2–22–22–22–22–21–31–34–03–12–22–21–21–24–0—1–32–21–33–11–32–20–4
New York 2–22–21–33–11–33–13–02–22–23–14–01–31–33–13–1—1–31–31–32–22–12–2
Philadelphia 2–24–03–11–33–13–14–03–12–22–23–12–22–14–02–23–1—2–12–23–13–12–2
Phoenix 1–32–24–02–22–12–22–22–23–13–14–03–13–12–23–13–11–2—1–32–22–22–2
Portland 3–13–13–13–14–01–33–13–12–23–14–04–03–13–11–33–02–23–1—2–23–12–1
San Antonio 3–14–03–12–24–01–22–11–33–13–14–02–22–24–03–12–21–32–22–2—2–22–2
Seattle 1–24–03–12–21–33–13–12–24–03–13–13–13–12–22–11–31–32–21–32–2—1–3
Washington 3–13–13–11–22–21–32–22–23–11–32–22–21–32–24–02–22–22–21–22–23–1—

Game log
1977–78 game log
Total: 49–33 (home: 34–7; road: 15–26)
October: 3–3 (home: 2–1; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 October 18 Golden State W 100–83 Alvan Adams (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,128		 1–0
2 October 23 @ Los Angeles W 104–101 Paul Westphal (26) The Forum
10,481		 2–0
3 October 25 Seattle W 93–86 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,917		 3–0
4 October 28 @ New Orleans L 107–114 Paul Westphal (23) Louisiana Superdome
10,342		 3–1
5 October 29 @ Houston L 112–125 Paul Westphal (28) The Summit
8,557		 3–2
6 October 31 San Antonio L 143–145 Paul Westphal (37) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,030		 3–3
November: 8–4 (home: 6–0; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
7 November 3 @ San Antonio W 110–89 Walter Davis (24) HemisFair Arena
8,394		 4–3
8 November 4, 1977
6:05 p.m. MST		 @ Washington L 96–113 Ron Lee (21) Capital Centre
8,742		 4–4
9 November 5 @ Chicago L 94–111 Walter Davis (25) Chicago Stadium
13,424		 4–5
10 November 10 New Orleans W 127–111 Alvan Adams (35) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,297		 5–5
11 November 13 Indiana W 116–107 Ron Lee (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,550		 6–5
12 November 18 Chicago W 103–101 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (25)		 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,543		 7–5
13 November 20 San Antonio W 134–112 Alvan Adams (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,677		 8–5
14 November 22 Los Angeles W 118–107 Walter Davis (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,130		 9–5
15 November 24 @ Cleveland L 82–97 Paul Westphal (22) Coliseum at Richfield
15,445		 9–6
16 November 25 @ Indiana W 118–110 Alvan Adams,
Paul Westphal (30)		 Market Square Arena
15,448		 10–6
17 November 27 Denver W 115–97 Paul Westphal (48) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,658		 11–6
18 November 29 @ Portland L 96–108 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (25)		 Memorial Coliseum
12,666		 11–7
December: 10–6 (home: 5–2; road: 5–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
19 December 2 Portland L 103–106 Paul Westphal (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 11–8
20 December 4 Atlanta L 89–96 Alvan Adams (18) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,577		 11–9
21 December 6 @ Kansas City W 103–92 Walter Davis (29) Kemper Arena
5,976		 12–9
22 December 7 @ Detroit W 113–107 (OT) Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (27)		 Cobo Arena
3,588		 13–9
23 December 10 Houston W 110–93 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,761		 14–9
24 December 14 Buffalo W 113–103 Paul Westphal (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,597		 15–9
25 December 16 @ New Orleans W 126–113 Walter Davis (24) Louisiana Superdome
8,172		 16–9
26 December 17 @ Houston W 101–97 Paul Westphal (26) The Summit
8,134		 17–9
27 December 18 @ Atlanta L 129–134 (2OT) Walter Davis (33) Omni Coliseum
8,062		 17–10
28 December 20 @ New York W 110–99 Paul Westphal (32) Madison Square Garden
13,548		 18–10
29 December 21 @ Philadelphia L 119–125 Walter Davis (35) The Spectrum
14,671		 18–11
30 December 23 Boston W 129–110 Paul Westphal (19) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 19–11
31 December 26 @ Denver L 108–127 Walter Davis (23) McNichols Sports Arena
17,297		 19–12
32 December 27 Seattle W 131–105 Ron Lee (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,543		 20–12
33 December 29 Kansas City W 110–104 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (33)		 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 21–12
34 December 30 @ Seattle L 110–121 Paul Westphal (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098		 21–13
January: 12–2 (home: 8–0; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
35 January 3 @ Milwaukee W 125–103 Paul Westphal (34) MECCA Arena
8,571		 22–13
36 January 4 @ New Jersey L 83–115 Paul Westphal (21) Rutgers Athletic Center
4,067		 22–14
37 January 5 @ Boston W 121–111 Paul Westphal (43) Hartford Civic Center
10,019		 23–14
38 January 7 @ Buffalo W 107–97 Paul Westphal (29) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
7,029		 24–14
39 January 11 New Orleans W 142–99 Walter Davis (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 25–14
40 January 13 Detroit W 111–100 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 26–14
41 January 15 Cleveland W 113–104 Walter Davis (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,787		 27–14
42 January 19 New York W 134–114 Paul Westphal (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,935		 28–14
43 January 20 @ Golden State L 104–119 Walter Davis (31) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,237		 28–15
44 January 22, 1978
4:45 p.m. MST		 Washington W 114–101 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 29–15
45 January 25 Houston W 118–96 Paul Westphal (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,277		 30–15
46 January 27 Philadelphia W 110–101 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 31–15
47 January 29 New Jersey W 131–100 Bayard Forrest (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,327		 32–15
48 January 31 @ Kansas City W 112–102 Walter Davis (21) Omaha Civic Auditorium
5,182		 33–15
February: 5–8 (home: 4–1; road: 1–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
49 February 1 @ Detroit L 120–127 Walter Davis (26) Cobo Arena
5,143		 33–16
50 February 3 Milwaukee W 115–105 Walter Davis (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 34–16
All-Star Break
51 February 9 Atlanta W 125–98 Walter Davis (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,877		 35–16
52 February 12, 1978
4:45 p.m. MST		 Washington W 121–109 Paul Westphal (43) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,467		 36–16
53 February 14 @ Portland L 100–113 Walter Davis (39) Memorial Coliseum
12,666		 36–17
54 February 16 Boston L 95–98 Walter Davis (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 36–18
55 February 17 @ Golden State L 92–111 Alvan Adams,
Walter Davis (16)		 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,185		 36–19
56 February 18 Indiana W 114–101 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 37–19
57 February 21 @ Buffalo W 114–111 Walter Davis (32) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
4,409		 38–19
58 February 22 @ Atlanta L 95–107 Paul Westphal (37) Charlotte Coliseum
5,843		 38–20
59 February 24, 1978
6:05 p.m. MST		 @ Washington L 120–121 (OT) Paul Westphal (35) Capital Centre
12,432		 38–21
60 February 25 @ New York L 115–122 Paul Westphal (27) Madison Square Garden
17,197		 38–22
61 February 28 @ Chicago L 115–126 Walter Davis (36) Chicago Stadium
14,713		 38–23
March: 9–7 (home: 7–2; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
62 March 1 Detroit L 102–115 Paul Westphal (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,161		 38–24
63 March 3 Milwaukee W 132–126 Paul Westphal (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,139		 39–24
64 March 5 Philadelphia L 92–104 Walter Davis (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,145		 39–25
65 March 7 @ Denver W 126–112 Walter Davis (34) McNichols Sports Arena
17,428		 40–25
66 March 9 Chicago W 112–103 Paul Westphal (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,748		 41–25
67 March 11 Los Angeles W 120–114 Walter Davis (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 42–25
68 March 12 @ Los Angeles L 112–128 Paul Westphal (29) The Forum
17,505		 42–26
69 March 14 @ Milwaukee L 106–121 Walter Davis (38) MECCA Arena
10,938		 42–27
70 March 15 @ New Jersey L 98–117 Alvan Adams (21) Rutgers Athletic Center
4,260		 42–28
71 March 17 @ Boston L 108–115 Paul Westphal (24) Boston Garden
15,276		 42–29
72 March 19 @ Cleveland W 123–112 Paul Westphal (39) Coliseum at Richfield
15,622		 43–29
73 March 21 @ Indiana L 115–119 Walter Davis (27) Market Square Arena
10,633		 43–30
74 March 23 New York W 120–108 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 44–30
75 March 25 Buffalo W 112–106 Alvan Adams (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,642		 45–30
76 March 29 Portland W 127–94 Paul Westphal (33) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 46–30
77 March 31 Kansas City W 136–112 Paul Westphal (35) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,590		 47–30
April: 2–3 (home: 2–1; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
78 April 2 Golden State W 105–99 Paul Westphal (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,040		 48–30
79 April 4 @ San Antonio L 119–125 Walter Davis (35) HemisFair Arena
9,112		 48–31
80 April 6 Denver L 105–111 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660		 48–32
81 April 7 @ Seattle L 83–95 Paul Westphal (16) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098		 48–33
82 April 8 New Jersey W 120–109 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,226		 49–33
1977–78 schedule

Playoffs

Game log
1978 playoff game log
First Round: 0–2 (home: 0–1; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 11 Milwaukee L 103–111 Walter Davis (31) Alvan Adams (9) Paul Westphal (9) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,161		 0–1
2 April 14 @ Milwaukee L 90–94 Paul Westphal (32) Walter Davis (9) Paul Westphal (10) MECCA Arena
10,938		 0–2
1978 schedule

Awards and honors

All-Star
  • Paul Westphal was voted as a starter for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his second consecutive All-Star selection. Westphal finished second in voting among Western Conference guards with 264,006 votes.
  • Walter Davis was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his first All-Star selection.

Season

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game
 PPG  Points per game

Season
Player GP GS MPG FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Alvan Adams704927.3.485.7308.13.21.2.915.5
Dennis Awtrey813420.0.424.6333.72.0.2.33.6
Mike Bratz80011.7.403.8241.41.5.5.14.7
Don Buse828231.1.458.8243.04.82.3.28.4
Walter Davis818132.0.526.8306.03.41.4.224.2
Bayard Forrest64013.9.466.4763.92.0.4.54.2
Greg Griffin36011.7.361.6392.90.7.4.04.0
Garfield Heard807326.2.424.6128.21.71.61.37.8
Ron Lee82223.5.439.7463.13.72.7.212.2
Curtis Perry45418.2.453.7855.61.1.8.56.0
Alvin Scott81519.0.488.6914.41.1.6.56.1
Paul Westphal808031.0.516.8132.15.51.7.425.2

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Alvan Adams2235.5.4551.0008.02.01.0.516.0
Dennis Awtrey2012.0.2501.0001.01.5.5.01.5
Mike Bratz204.5.200.0.00.5.0.01.0
Don Buse2238.0.364.2.52.02.0.04.0
Walter Davis2233.0.475.7508.54.01.5.025.0
Bayard Forrest103.01.000.0.00.0.0.02.0
Greg Griffin2012.5.429.2.01.5.5.53.0
Garfield Heard2231.0.353.5008.02.51.02.06.5
Ron Lee2020.5.3131.0003.01.52.0.06.0
Alvin Scott2018.5.500.8333.01.51.0.06.5
Paul Westphal2233.0.468.8893.09.5.5.026.0

Transactions

Trades
July 15, 1977 To Portland Trail Blazers
United States Dale Schlueter		 To Phoenix Suns
1978 fourth-round draft pick (United States Wayne Smith)
September 6, 1977 To Indiana Pacers
United States Ricky Sobers		 To Phoenix Suns
United States Don Buse

Additions
Date Player Contract Old Team
July 23, 1977 Freeman Blade Undisclosed
February 16, 1978 Greg Griffin Undisclosed Phoenix Suns

Subtractions
Date Player Reason Left New Team
April 10, 1977 Tom Van Arsdale Retired
May 12, 1977 Dick Van Arsdale Retired
June 6, 1977 Keith Erickson Retired
August 23, 1977 Billy McKinney Waived Kansas City Kings
October 17, 1977 Freeman Blade Waived
October 17, 1977 Butch Feher Waived
November 14, 1977 Greg Griffin Waived Phoenix Suns

References
  1. "Suns' Walter Davis Named NBA Rookie of the Year". nba.com/history.
  2. "1977–78 NBA Awards Voting". basketball-reference.com.
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