1979–80 Phoenix Suns season

The 1979–80 Phoenix Suns season was the 12th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association and at 55–27, the team's best regular season record since the franchise's inception. The Suns defeated Western Conference foe Kansas City in the opening round of the playoffs, marking the first time the Suns had won a playoff series in back-to-back seasons. In the Western Conference semifinals, the Suns would lose to the Pacific-winning Los Angeles Lakers, who later went on to win the season's championship. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod, his seventh season with the team, and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

1979–80 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
Record5527 (.671)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Pacific)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finishConference semifinals
(lost to Lakers 1–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKPNX
RadioKTAR

Paul Westphal led the Suns in scoring with a 21.9 point-per-game average and earned All-NBA First Team honors, while Walter Davis was second in team scoring with a 21.5 average. Both Westphal and Davis would return as selections to the All-Star Game. Truck Robinson and Alvan Adams provided an inside presence, averaging 17 and 15 points per game to go with nine and eight rebounds each. Robinson would play in just three of the eight Suns' playoff games, however.

Offseason

NBA draft

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 22 Kyle Macy Guard  United States Kentucky
2 24 Johnny High Guard  United States Nevada
3 64 Al Green Guard  United States Louisiana State
4 86 Malcolm Cesare Forward  United States Florida
5 107 Mark Eaton Center  United States Cypress JC
6 127 Dale Shackelford Forward  United States Syracuse
7 147 Ollie Matson Forward  United States Pepperdine
8 165 Charles Jones Center  United States Albany State
9 183 Hosea Champine Guard  United States Robert Morris
10 201 Korky Nelson Center  United States Santa Clara

Roster

1979–80 Phoenix Suns roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F/C 33 Adams, Alvan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1954-07-19 Oklahoma
G 23 Bratz, Mike 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1955-10-17 Stanford
G 10 Buse, Don 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1950-08-10 Evansville
F/C 45 Cook, Jeff 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1956-10-21 Idaho State
G/F 6 Davis, Walter 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1954-09-09 North Carolina
C 35 Forrest, Bayard Injured (IN) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1954-07-08 Grand Canyon
F 24 Heard, Garfield 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 219 lb (99 kg) 1948-05-03 Oklahoma
G 22 High, Johnny 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1957-04-25 Nevada
C 53 Kelley, Rich 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1953-03-23 Stanford
F 50 Kramer, Joel Injured 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 1955-11-30 San Diego State
F 21 Robinson, Leonard 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1951-10-04 Tennessee State
F 14 Scott, Alvin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1955-09-14 Oral Roberts
G 44 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

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 6022.73237–423–1819–11
x-Seattle SuperSonics 5626.683433–823–1818–12
x-Phoenix Suns 5527.671537–518–2219–11
x-Portland Trail Blazers 3844.4632226–1512–2913–17
San Diego Clippers 3547.4272524–1711–3013–17
Golden State Warriors 2458.2933615–269–328–22
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Los Angeles Lakers6022.732
2 y-Milwaukee Bucks4933.59811
3 x-Seattle SuperSonics5626.6834
4 x-Phoenix Suns5527.6715
5 x-Kansas City Kings4735.57313
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers3844.46322
7 San Diego Clippers3547.42725
8 Chicago Bulls3052.36630
9 Denver Nuggets3052.36630
10 Utah Jazz2458.29336
11 Golden State Warriors2458.29336

Record vs. opponents

1979–80 NBA records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAL MIL NJN NYK PHI PHO POR SAS SDC SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 2–41–14–21–16–02–02–44–20–21–11–14–24–24–21–12–05–11–10–22–03–3
Boston 4–22–04–22–06–02–06–04–21–10–22–05–15–13–31–12–04–22–00–22–04–2
Chicago 1–10–22–02–41–14–21–10–23–31–51–51–10–21–11–53–30–24–22–42–40–2
Cleveland 2–42–40–21–16–02–02–42–42–01–10–23–33–31–51–10–24–21–10–21–13–3
Denver 1–10–24–21–11–13–31–11–10–61–53–31–11–10–21–52–41–13–31–53–31–1
Detroit 0–60–61–10–61–11–11–51–50–20–21–12–42–41–50–20–22–40–20–21–12–4
Golden State 0–20–22–40–23–31–11–11–13–31–50–62–00–20–22–42–40–23–30–63–30–2
Houston 4–20–61–14–21–15–11–14–20–20–21–13–33–32–41–11–13–32–01–12–02–4
Indiana 2–42–42–04–21–15–11–12–41–10–20–22–44–21–50–22–02–41–10–21–14–2
Kansas City 2–01–13–30–26–02–03–32–01–12–43–31–11–11–11–51–51–15–13–36–02–0
Los Angeles 1–12–05–11–15–12–05–12–02–04–23–32–02–01–13–32–42–05–14–26–01–1
Milwaukee 1–10–25–12–03–31–16–01–12–03–33–31–11–10–24–25–10–24–22–44–21–1
New Jersey 2–41–51–13–31–14–20–23–34–21–10–21–12–41–51–10–23–31–11–11–13–3
New York 2–41–52–03–31–14–22–03–32–41–10–21–14–20–62–02–04–21–10–21–13–3
Philadelphia 2–43–31–15–12–05–12–04–25–11–11–12–05–16–01–12–04–21–11–11–15–1
Phoenix 1–11–15–11–15–12–04–21–12–05–13–32–41–10–21–16–01–12–44–26–02–0
Portland 0–20–23–32–04–22–04–21–10–25–14–21–52–00–20–20–61–14–21–53–31–1
San Antonio 1–52–42–02–41–14–22–03–34–21–10–22–03–32–42–41–11–12–01–11–14–2
San Diego 1–10–22–41–13–32–03–30–21–11–51–52–41–11–11–14–22–40–23–35–11–1
Seattle 2–02–04–22–05–12–06–01–12–03–32–44–21–12–01–12–45–11–13–35–11–1
Utah 0–20–24–21–13–31–13–30–21–10–60–62–41–11–11–10–63–31–11–51–50–2
Washington 3–32–42–03–31–14–22–04–22–40–21–11–13–33–31–50–21–12–41–11–12–0

Game log

1979–80 game log
Total: 55–27 (home: 36–5; road: 19–22)
October: 7–4 (home: 4–1; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
1 October 12 Golden State W 97–89 Paul Westphal (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,785
1–0 W 1
2 October 14 Chicago W 112–102 Walter Davis (20) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,039
2–0 W 2
3 October 16 Seattle W 102–86 Alvan Adams (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,253
3–0 W 3
4 October 19 @ Milwaukee L 94–95 Paul Westphal (29) MECCA Arena
10,938
3–1 L 1
5 October 20 @ Chicago L 104–116 Alvan Adams (32) Chicago Stadium
12,117
3–2 L 2
6 October 21 @ Kansas City L 85–122 Truck Robinson (21) Kemper Arena
6,648
3–3 L 3
7 October 23 Milwaukee L 108–114 Truck Robinson (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,538
3–4 L 4
8 October 24 @ Golden State W 110–108 (OT) Paul Westphal (37) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
6,296
4–4 W 1
9 October 26 @ Seattle W 92–86 Walter Davis (22) Kingdome
18,514
5–4 W 2
10 October 28 @ Portland W 89–88 Paul Westphal (25) Memorial Coliseum
12,66
6–4 W 3
11 October 30 San Antonio W 142–109 Truck Robinson (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,489
7–4 W 4
November: 9–5 (home: 6–2; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
12 November 2 @ Los Angeles L 110–112 Alvan Adams (29) The Forum
14,344
7–5 L 1
13 November 6 @ Utah W 120–107 Paul Westphal (31) Salt Palace
6,197
8–5 W 1
14 November 7 San Diego L 102–114 Alvan Adams (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,097
8–6 L 1
15 November 9 Cleveland W 110–106 Truck Robinson (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,911
9–6 W 1
16 November 11 Denver W 116–91 Truck Robinson (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,118
10–6 W 2
17 November 14 Indiana W 104–100 Walter Davis (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,762
11–6 W 3
18 November 16 Portland W 98–97 Walter Davis (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,464
12–6 W 4
19 November 18 Golden State L 95–99 Walter Davis Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,409
12–7 L 1
20 November 20 @ San Diego L 110–117 Walter Davis (23) San Diego Sports Arena
6,992
12–8 L 2
21 November 21 Kansas City W 128–120 Walter Davis (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,704
13–8 W 1
22 November 23 Los Angeles W 126–112 Paul Westphal (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
14–8 W 2
23 November 24 @ Denver W 115–101 Walter Davis (40) McNichols Sports Arena
13,664
15–8 W 3
24 November 25 @ Portland W 87–86 Walter Davis (22) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
16–8 W 4
25 November 28 @ Seattle L 116–127 Paul Westphal (30) Kingdome
28,248
16–9 L 1
December: 10–5 (home: 6–0; road: 4–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
26 December 1 Chicago W 99–86 Truck Robinson,
Paul Westphal (17)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
17–9 W 1
27 December 4 @ New York L 114–118 Paul Westphal (35) Madison Square Garden
11,042
17–10 L 1
28 December 5 @ New Jersey L 100–115 Walter Davis (28) Rutgers Athletic Center
5,162
17–11 L 2
29 December 7 @ Boston L 92–100 Walter Davis (27) Boston Garden
15,320
17–12 L 3
30 December 8 @ Philadelphia L 96–117 Truck Robinson (19) The Spectrum
12,051
17–13 L 4
31 December 11 @ Washington W 123–99 Paul Westphal (27) Capital Centre
8,216
18–13 W 1
32 December 13 Houston W 121–113 Walter Davis (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,841
19–13 W 2
33 December 15 Detroit W 126–105 Walter Davis (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,844
20–13 W 3
34 December 19 Utah W 117–99 Paul Westphal (20) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,501
21–13 W 4
35 December 21 @ Chicago W 127–117 Truck Robinson (27) Chicago Stadium
5,706
22–13 W 5
36 December 22 @ Kansas City W 115–111 Paul Westphal (30) Kemper Arena
8,868
23–13 W 6
37 December 23 @ Milwaukee W 106–103 Paul Westphal (26) MECCA Arena
10,938
24–13 W 7
38 December 26 Portland W 119–99 Truck Robinson (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
25–13 W 8
39 December 28 Kansas City W 118–112 Paul Westphal (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
26–13 W 9
40 December 30 @ Los Angeles L 105–113 Paul Westphal (29) The Forum
15,544
26–14 L 1
January: 9–5 (home: 7–1; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
41 January 2 @ San Antonio L 109–118 Truck Robinson (29) HemisFair Arena
8,276
26–15 L 2
42 January 5 @ Houston L 110–111 Paul Westphal (26) The Summit
9,122
26–16 L 3
43 January 9 Golden State W 113–100 Walter Davis (19) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,706
27–16 W 1
44 January 12 @ Golden State L 96–107 Walter Davis (19) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
9,547
27–17 L 1
45 January 13 Utah W 106–103 Paul Westphal (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,725
28–17 W 1
46 January 15 @ Denver W 107–99 Paul Westphal (19) McNichols Sports Arena
13,057
29–17 W 2
47 January 16 @ Utah W 115–108 Truck Robinson (27) Salt Palace
6,588
30–17 W 3
48 January 17 Atlanta W 101–99 Paul Westphal (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
31–17 W 4
49 January 19 San Diego W 137–123 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
32–17 W 5
50 January 23 New York L 109–119 Paul Westphal (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,504
32–18 L 1
51 January 25 Milwaukee W 110–96 Truck Robinson (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
33–18 W 1
52 January 27 Philadelphia W 125–118 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
34–18 W 2
53 January 29 @ San Diego L 121–133 Truck Robinson (31) San Diego Sports Arena
11,428
34–19 L 1
54 January 30 Denver W 122–114 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,069
35–19 W 1
February: 8–5 (home: 4–1; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
55 February 6 Kansas City W 97–95 Walter Davis (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,310
36–19 W 2
56 February 8 @ Chicago W 113–109 Mike Bratz (20) Chicago Stadium
10,403
37–19 W 3
57 February 10 @ Milwaukee L 107–109 Walter Davis (27) MECCA Arena
10,938
37–20 L 1
58 February 13 Boston W 135–134 Paul Westphal (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
38–20 W 1
59 February 15 Washington W 116–104 Truck Robinson (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
39–20 W 2
60 February 17 New Jersey W 128–98 Paul Westphal (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,466
40–20 W 3
61 February 19 @ Cleveland L 109–128 Walter Davis (32) Coliseum at Richfield
5,739
40–21 L 1
62 February 21 @ Detroit W 125–116 Paul Westphal (49) Pontiac Silverdome
5,317
41–21 W 1
63 February 22 @ Atlanta L 104–111 Alvan Adams (19) Omni Coliseum
13,150
41–22 L 1
64 February 24 @ Indiana W 113–105 Walter Davis (29) Market Square Arena
9,174
42–22 W 1
65 February 26 @ Denver L 112–121 Truck Robinson (25) McNichols Sports Arena
11,149
42–23 L 1
66 February 27 Milwaukee L 110–119 (OT) Walter Davis (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,683
42–24 L 2
67 February 28 @ Utah W 111–101 Paul Westphal (30) Salt Palace
6,903
43–24 W 1
March: 12–3 (home: 9–0; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
68 March 2 Los Angeles W 125–115 Paul Westphal (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
44–24 W 2
69 March 5 Seattle W 127–111 Walter Davis (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
45–24 W 3
70 March 7 Utah W 110–94 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (24)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,245
46–24 W 4
71 March 9 Chicago W 113–103 (OT) Paul Westphal (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,210
47–24 W 5
72 March 12 @ Golden State W 122–113 Paul Westphal (31) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
6,936
48–24 W 6
73 March 15 @ San Diego L 109–120 Truck Robinson (29) San Diego Sports Arena
10,635
48–25 L 1
74 March 16 @ Los Angeles L 106–128 Truck Robinson (26) The Forum
16,587
48–26 L 2
75 March 18 @ Kansas City W 112–109 Walter Davis (25) Kemper Arena
11,448
49–26 W 1
76 March 19 Los Angeles W 112–108 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
50–26 W 2
77 March 21 @ Portland W 111–100 Truck Robinson (23) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
51–26 W 3
78 March 23 Denver W 118–102 Walter Davis (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,705
52–26 W 4
79 March 25 @ Seattle L 95–104 Walter Davis (21) Kingdome
34,152
52–27 L 1
80 March 26 Seattle W 109–99 Walter Davis (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
53–27 W 1
81 March 28 Portland W 114–100 Walter Davis (20) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,224
54–27 W 2
82 March 30 San Diego W 122–104 Walter Davis (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,807
55–27 W 3
1979 schedule

Playoffs

Game log

1980 playoff game log
First Round: 2–1 (home: 2–0; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1 April 2 Kansas City W 96–93 Paul Westphal (23) Truck Robinson (14) Walter Davis (7) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
1–0
2 April 4 @ Kansas City L 96–106 Alvan Adams (22) Alvan Adams (12) Alvan Adams (7) Kemper Arena
9,637
1–1
3 April 6 Kansas City W 114–99 Walter Davis (22) Alvan Adams (20) Adams, Davis (7) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,306
2–1
Conference semifinals: 1–4 (home: 1–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1 April 8 @ Los Angeles L 110–119 Mike Bratz (25) Rich Kelley (10) Don Buse (9) The Forum
15,892
0–1
2 April 9 @ Los Angeles L 128–131 (OT) Paul Westphal (37) Gar Heard (9) Alvan Adams (12) The Forum
14,286
0–2
3 April 11 Los Angeles L 105–108 Walter Davis (28) Gar Heard (11) Davis, Buse (5) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
0–3
4 April 13 Los Angeles W 127–101 Paul Westphal (25) Gar Heard (9) Buse, Adams (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
1–3
5 April 15 @ Los Angeles L 101–126 Walter Davis (24) Adams, Cook (6) Rich Kelley (7) The Forum
17,505
1–4
1980 schedule

Awards and honors

All-Star

  • Paul Westphal was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his fourth consecutive All-Star selection. Westphal finished fourth in voting among Western Conference guards with 127,409 votes.
  • Walter Davis was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his third consecutive All-Star selection. Davis finished fourth in voting among Western Conference forwards with 100,546 votes.

Season

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point 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

Phoenix Suns statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Alvan Adams756328.9.531.000.7978.14.31.4.7+14.9
Mike Bratz82119.4.392.244.8702.02.71.1.18.5
Don Buse818130.9.443.241.6642.94.01.6.17.7
Jeff Cook661413.7.469.000.8063.71.3.4.35.5
Walter Davis757330.8.563.000.8193.64.51.5.321.5
Garfield Heard82517.1.417.000.7444.61.21.0.65.0
Johnny High82013.7.446.143.6742.11.5.9.25.0
Rich Kelley*23016.2.506..7835.12.21.2.7+5.8
Joel Kramer54613.2.469.000.8002.81.4.5.13.5
Truck Robinson828233.0.512..6679.41.7.7.717.3
Alvin Scott79316.5.422.333.7792.91.2.6.74.4
Paul Westphal828232.5.525.280.8622.35.11.5.421.9

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 25 three-pointers made.
+ – Minimum 50 games played.

Playoffs

Phoenix Suns statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Alvan Adams8831.4.566..895^9.65.8.91.316.1
Mike Bratz8021.1.512.391.900^2.52.01.1.013.0
Don Buse8829.5.438.385.6362.65.5.8.08.5
Jeff Cook7014.0.667..8463.01.0.6.37.7
Walter Davis8830.6.504.000.7372.94.4.5.120.8
Garfield Heard8627.9.393..7336.41.51.11.46.9
Johnny High8015.0.387.000.5003.12.5.8.34.0
Rich Kelley8018.3.432.000.900^4.52.81.1.95.9
Truck Robinson3221.3.375..7146.71.31.0.75.7
Alvin Scott8017.5.515.000.5002.81.3.5.64.8
Paul Westphal8831.6.486.083.8751.33.91.4.420.9

† – Minimum 20 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 10 free throws made.

Transactions

Trades

June 22, 1979 To Washington Bullets----
  • Rights to United States Steve Malovic
To Phoenix Suns----
August 20, 1979 To Detroit Pistons---- To Phoenix Suns----
February 15, 1980 To New Jersey Nets---- To Phoenix Suns----

Additions

Date Player Contract Old Team
May 22, 1979 Jeff Cook Undisclosed Washington Lumberjacks (WBA)
September 13, 1979 Greg Griffin Undisclosed Phoenix Suns

Subtractions

Date Player Reason Left New Team
September 4, 1979 Ted McClain Waived
October 1, 1979 Al Green Waived
October 1, 1979 Charles Jones Waived Maine Lumberjacks (CBA)
October 1, 1979 Greg Griffin Waived
October 12, 1979 Andre Wakefield Waived Utah Jazz

References

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