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 coach | John MacLeod |
General manager | Jerry Colangelo |
Owners | Karl Eller, Don Pitt, Don Diamond, Marvin Meyer, Richard L. Bloch |
Arena | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
Results | |
Record | 55–27 (.671) |
Place | Division: 3rd (Pacific) Conference: 4th (Western) |
Playoff finish | Conference semifinals (lost to Lakers 1–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | KPNX |
Radio | KTAR |
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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Regular season
Standings
W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-Los Angeles Lakers | 60 | 22 | .732 | – | 37–4 | 23–18 | 19–11 |
x-Seattle SuperSonics | 56 | 26 | .683 | 4 | 33–8 | 23–18 | 18–12 |
x-Phoenix Suns | 55 | 27 | .671 | 5 | 37–5 | 18–22 | 19–11 |
x-Portland Trail Blazers | 38 | 44 | .463 | 22 | 26–15 | 12–29 | 13–17 |
San Diego Clippers | 35 | 47 | .427 | 25 | 24–17 | 11–30 | 13–17 |
Golden State Warriors | 24 | 58 | .293 | 36 | 15–26 | 9–32 | 8–22 |
# | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | W | L | PCT | GB | |
1 | c-Los Angeles Lakers | 60 | 22 | .732 | – |
2 | y-Milwaukee Bucks | 49 | 33 | .598 | 11 |
3 | x-Seattle SuperSonics | 56 | 26 | .683 | 4 |
4 | x-Phoenix Suns | 55 | 27 | .671 | 5 |
5 | x-Kansas City Kings | 47 | 35 | .573 | 13 |
6 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 38 | 44 | .463 | 22 |
7 | San Diego Clippers | 35 | 47 | .427 | 25 |
8 | Chicago Bulls | 30 | 52 | .366 | 30 |
9 | Denver Nuggets | 30 | 52 | .366 | 30 |
10 | Utah Jazz | 24 | 58 | .293 | 36 |
11 | Golden State Warriors | 24 | 58 | .293 | 36 |
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 | — | 2–4 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 6–0 | 2–0 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–3 |
Boston | 4–2 | — | 2–0 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–2 |
Chicago | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 2–0 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 0–2 |
Cleveland | 2–4 | 2–4 | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 6–0 | 2–0 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–3 |
Denver | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | — | 1–1 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–6 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 1–1 |
Detroit | 0–6 | 0–6 | 1–1 | 0–6 | 1–1 | — | 1–1 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 |
Golden State | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 1–1 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 1–5 | 0–6 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 0–6 | 3–3 | 0–2 |
Houston | 4–2 | 0–6 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | — | 4–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–4 |
Indiana | 2–4 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 2–4 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–2 |
Kansas City | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 6–0 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 2–4 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 6–0 | 2–0 |
Los Angeles | 1–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–2 | — | 3–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 4–2 | 6–0 | 1–1 |
Milwaukee | 1–1 | 0–2 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 6–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 3–3 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 1–1 |
New Jersey | 2–4 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — | 2–4 | 1–5 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 |
New York | 2–4 | 1–5 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–2 | — | 0–6 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–3 |
Philadelphia | 2–4 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 6–0 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 |
Phoenix | 1–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — | 6–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 6–0 | 2–0 |
Portland | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 5–1 | 4–2 | 1–5 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–6 | — | 1–1 | 4–2 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 1–1 |
San Antonio | 1–5 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 |
San Diego | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 0–2 | — | 3–3 | 5–1 | 1–1 |
Seattle | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 5–1 | 2–0 | 6–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 5–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | — | 5–1 | 1–1 |
Utah | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–2 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–6 | 0–6 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–6 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 1–5 | 1–5 | — | 0–2 |
Washington | 3–3 | 2–4 | 2–0 | 3–3 | 1–1 | 4–2 | 2–0 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 1–5 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — |
Game log
1979–80 game log Total: 55–27 (home: 36–5; road: 19–22) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October: 7–4 (home: 4–1; road: 3–3)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
November: 9–5 (home: 6–2; road: 3–3)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December: 10–5 (home: 6–0; road: 4–5)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January: 9–5 (home: 7–1; road: 2–4)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February: 8–5 (home: 4–1; road: 4–4)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March: 12–3 (home: 9–0; road: 3–3)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1979 schedule |
Playoffs
Game log
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
- Paul Westphal was named to the All-NBA First Team.
- Don Buse was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
Player statistics
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
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alvan Adams | 75 | 63 | 28.9 | .531 | .000 | .797 | 8.1 | 4.3 | 1.4 | .7+ | 14.9 |
Mike Bratz | 82 | 1 | 19.4 | .392 | .244 | .870 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 1.1 | .1 | 8.5 |
Don Buse | 81 | 81 | 30.9 | .443 | .241 | .664 | 2.9 | 4.0 | 1.6 | .1 | 7.7 |
Jeff Cook | 66 | 14 | 13.7 | .469 | .000 | .806 | 3.7 | 1.3 | .4 | .3 | 5.5 |
Walter Davis | 75 | 73 | 30.8 | .563 | .000 | .819 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 1.5 | .3 | 21.5 |
Garfield Heard | 82 | 5 | 17.1 | .417 | .000 | .744 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 1.0 | .6 | 5.0 |
Johnny High | 82 | 0 | 13.7 | .446 | .143 | .674 | 2.1 | 1.5 | .9 | .2 | 5.0 |
Rich Kelley* | 23 | 0 | 16.2 | .506 | . | .783 | 5.1 | 2.2 | 1.2 | .7+ | 5.8 |
Joel Kramer | 54 | 6 | 13.2 | .469 | .000 | .800 | 2.8 | 1.4 | .5 | .1 | 3.5 |
Truck Robinson | 82 | 82 | 33.0 | .512 | . | .667 | 9.4 | 1.7 | .7 | .7 | 17.3 |
Alvin Scott | 79 | 3 | 16.5 | .422 | .333† | .779 | 2.9 | 1.2 | .6 | .7 | 4.4 |
Paul Westphal | 82 | 82 | 32.5 | .525 | .280† | .862 | 2.3 | 5.1 | 1.5 | .4 | 21.9 |
* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 25 three-pointers made.
+ – Minimum 50 games played.
Playoffs
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alvan Adams | 8 | 8 | 31.4 | .566† | . | .895^ | 9.6 | 5.8 | .9 | 1.3 | 16.1 |
Mike Bratz | 8 | 0 | 21.1 | .512 | .391 | .900^ | 2.5 | 2.0 | 1.1 | .0 | 13.0 |
Don Buse | 8 | 8 | 29.5 | .438 | .385 | .636 | 2.6 | 5.5 | .8 | .0 | 8.5 |
Jeff Cook | 7 | 0 | 14.0 | .667† | . | .846 | 3.0 | 1.0 | .6 | .3 | 7.7 |
Walter Davis | 8 | 8 | 30.6 | .504 | .000 | .737 | 2.9 | 4.4 | .5 | .1 | 20.8 |
Garfield Heard | 8 | 6 | 27.9 | .393 | . | .733 | 6.4 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 6.9 |
Johnny High | 8 | 0 | 15.0 | .387 | .000 | .500 | 3.1 | 2.5 | .8 | .3 | 4.0 |
Rich Kelley | 8 | 0 | 18.3 | .432 | .000 | .900^ | 4.5 | 2.8 | 1.1 | .9 | 5.9 |
Truck Robinson | 3 | 2 | 21.3 | .375 | . | .714 | 6.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 | .7 | 5.7 |
Alvin Scott | 8 | 0 | 17.5 | .515 | .000 | .500 | 2.8 | 1.3 | .5 | .6 | 4.8 |
Paul Westphal | 8 | 8 | 31.6 | .486 | .083 | .875 | 1.3 | 3.9 | 1.4 | .4 | 20.9 |
† – Minimum 20 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 10 free throws made.
Transactions
Trades
June 22, 1979 | To Washington Bullets----
|
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 |