1968–69_Phoenix_Suns_season
1968–69 Phoenix Suns season
NBA team season
The 1968–69 Phoenix Suns season was the inaugural season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. Head coach Red Kerr led the franchise to its first win in their debut game, over the Seattle SuperSonics. The Suns lost more games in their initial season than in any year since, and did not have a winning record against any other team. They played all their home games in the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
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Quick Facts Phoenix Suns season, Head coach ...
| 1968–69 Phoenix Suns season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Johnny "Red" Kerr | ||
| General manager | Jerry Colangelo | ||
| Owners | Karl Eller, Don Pitt, Don Diamond, Bhavik Darji, Marvin Meyer, Richard L. Bloch | ||
| Arena | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | ||
| Results | |||
| Record | 16–66 (.195) | ||
| Place | Division: 7th (Western) | ||
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify | ||
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |||
| Local media | |||
| Television | KTAR-TV | ||
| Radio | KTAR | ||
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Dick Van Arsdale was the franchise's first All-Star selection when he was selected to play in the 1969 All-Star Game. He was the team's second leading scorer at 21 points per game, behind eventual Hall of Fame member Gail Goodrich, who averaged 23.8, the seventh-highest in the league for the season. Goodrich was selected to replace an injured Jerry West in the All-Star Game.
NBA Expansion Draft
Main article: 1968 NBA Expansion Draft
More information Player, Position ...
| Player | Position | Nationality | Former team |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Barnhill | Guard |  United States |
San Diego Rockets |
| Em Bryant | Guard | United States |
New York Knicks |
| Gail Goodrich | Guard | United States |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| Dennis Hamilton | Forward | United States |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| Neil Johnson | Forward | United States |
New York Knicks |
| Dave Lattin | Forward | United States |
San Francisco Warriors |
| Paul Long | Guard | United States |
Detroit Pistons |
| Stan McKenzie | Forward | United States |
Baltimore Bullets |
| McCoy McLemore | Forward | United States |
Chicago Bulls |
| Bill Melchionni | Guard | United States |
Philadelphia 76ers |
| Dave Schellhase | Guard | United States |
Chicago Bulls |
| Dick Snyder | Guard | United States |
Atlanta Hawks |
| Craig Spitzer | Center | United States |
Chicago Bulls |
| Bumper Tormohlen | Center | United States |
Atlanta Hawks |
| Dick Van Arsdale | Forward | United States |
New York Knicks |
| Roland West | Guard | United States |
Baltimore Bullets |
| John Wetzel | Forward | United States |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| George Wilson | Center | United States |
Seattle SuperSonics |
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The Suns participated in the NBA's fourth expansion draft along with the Milwaukee Bucks, the other expansion team that joined the league in 1968. Each of the league's other 12 teams protected seven of their top players, with the remaining unprotected players available in the draft. The two expansion teams selected three players from each team, totaling 18 selections each.
The Suns received the first, fourth and fifth picks, while the Bucks, which had not yet chosen their team name at the time, received the second and third picks. The Suns' first selection was swingman Dick Van Arsdale of the New York Knicks. The Bucks then selected center Wayne Embry of the Boston Celtics, and power forward Fred Hetzel of the San Francisco Warriors. The Suns rounded out the top five by picking point guard Gail Goodrich of the Los Angeles Lakers and shooting guard Dick Snyder of the Atlanta Hawks.[1] "The Original Sun" Dick Van Arsdale would have a historic career with the Suns after being drafted, with him being an All-Star in his first three seasons with the team, as well as be named a member of the All-Defensive Second Team in 1974 and helping the team reach the 1976 NBA Finals before retiring in 1977, having his number become the second in franchise history to be retired into the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor in the 1977–78 season, behind Connie Hawkins.
NBA draft
Main article: 1968 NBA draft
More information Round, Pick ...
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Gary Gregor | Forward | United States |
South Carolina |
| 2 | 22 | Dick Cunningham | Center | United States |
Murray State |
| 3 | 36 | Art Beatty | Center | United States |
American |
| 4 | 49 | Rich Jones | Forward | United States |
Memphis |
| 5 | 64 | Harry Hollines | Guard | United States |
Denver |
| 6 | 77 | Rod Knowles | Center | United States |
Davidson |
| 7 | 92 | Charles Parks | Forward | United States |
Idaho State |
| 8 | 105 | Brian Clare | Center | United States |
Denver |
| 9 | 120 | Mervin Jackson | Guard | United States |
Utah |
| 10 | 133 | Lee Davis | Center | United States |
North Carolina Central |
| 11 | 147 | Ron Boone | Guard | United States |
Idaho State |
| 12 | 160 | Bill Davis | Forward | United States |
Arizona |
| 13 | 171 | Pat Hobart | Forward | United States |
California State |
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More information Players, Coaches ...
| 1968–69 Phoenix Suns roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Standings
More information W, L ...
| W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Neutral | Div | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x-Los Angeles Lakers | 55 | 27 | .671 | – | 32–9 | 21–18 | 2–0 | 30–10 |
| x-Atlanta Hawks | 48 | 34 | .585 | 7 | 28–12 | 18–21 | 2–1 | 26–14 |
| x-San Francisco Warriors | 41 | 41 | .500 | 14 | 22–19 | 18–21 | 1–1 | 20–20 |
| x-San Diego Rockets | 37 | 45 | .451 | 18 | 25–16 | 8–25 | 4–4 | 20–20 |
| Chicago Bulls | 33 | 49 | .402 | 22 | 19–21 | 12–25 | 2–3 | 19–21 |
| Seattle SuperSonics | 30 | 52 | .366 | 25 | 18–18 | 6–29 | 6–5 | 15–23 |
| Phoenix Suns | 16 | 66 | .195 | 39 | 11–26 | 4–28 | 1–12 | 8–30 |
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Record vs. opponents
More information Team, ATL ...
| 1968–69 NBA records | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | ATL | BAL | BOS | CHI | CIN | DET | LAL | MIL | NYK | PHI | PHO | SDR | SFW | SEA |
| Atlanta | — | 2–4 | 3–3 | 6–1 | 4–2 | 6–0 | 3–4 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 6–0 | 3–4 | 4–3 | 4–2 |
| Baltimore | 4–2 | — | 5–2 | 6–0 | 4–3 | 7–0 | 3–3 | 5–1 | 3–4 | 2–4 | 6–0 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 4–2 |
| Boston | 3–3 | 2–5 | — | 4–2 | 5–2 | 5–1 | 2–4 | 5–1 | 1–6 | 5–2 | 6–0 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 3–3 |
| Chicago | 1–6 | 0–6 | 2–4 | — | 1–5 | 3–3 | 3–4 | 5–1 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 4–3 | 4–3 |
| Cincinnati | 2–4 | 3–4 | 2–5 | 5–1 | — | 3–4 | 2–4 | 5–1 | 4–2 | 3–4 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 3–3 |
| Detroit | 0–6 | 0–7 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 4–3 | — | 3–3 | 2–4 | 3–4 | 3–4 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 4–2 |
| Los Angeles | 4–3 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 4–3 | 4–2 | 3–3 | — | 5–1 | 5–1 | 1–5 | 6–0 | 7–0 | 4–3 | 5–1 |
| Milwaukee | 2–4 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 4–2 | 1–5 | — | 0–6 | 0–6 | 6–2 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 3–5 |
| New York | 4–2 | 4–3 | 6–1 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 4–3 | 1–5 | 6–0 | — | 4–3 | 5–1 | 3–3 | 5–1 | 6–0 |
| Philadelphia | 5–1 | 4–2 | 2–5 | 5–1 | 4–3 | 4–3 | 5–1 | 6–0 | 3–4 | — | 5–1 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 6–0 |
| Phoenix | 0–6 | 0–6 | 0–6 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 0–6 | 2–6 | 1–5 | 1–5 | — | 1–7 | 2–4 | 3–3 |
| San Diego | 4–3 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 0–7 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 7–1 | — | 3–3 | 3–3 |
| San Francisco | 3–4 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 3–4 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 3–4 | 3–3 | 1–5 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 3–3 | — | 4–3 |
| Seattle | 2–4 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 3–4 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 1–5 | 5–3 | 0–6 | 0–6 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 3–4 | — |
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Game log
More information 1968–69 game log Total: 16–66 (home: 12–29; road: 4–37), Game ...
| 1968–69 game log Total: 16–66 (home: 12–29; road: 4–37) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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October: 4–3 (home: 3–2; road: 1–1)
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November: 1–12 (home: 1–5; road: 0–7)
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December: 3–15 (home: 2–5; road: 1–10)
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January: 3–12 (home: 3–6; road: 0–6)
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February: 3–14 (home: 2–4; road: 1–10)
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March: 2–10 (home: 1–7; road: 1–3)
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| 1968–69 schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team-by-team results
More information Opponent, Home ...
| Opponent | Home | Road | Total | All-time record | Suns leading scorer | Opp. leading scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Hawks | 0–3 | 0–3 | 0–6 | 0–6 (.000%) | Bob Warlick (16.4) | Zelmo Beaty (24.8) |
| Baltimore Bullets | 0–3 | 0–3 | 0–6 | 0–6 (.000%) | Dick Van Arsdale (31.0) | Earl Monroe (26.8) |
| Boston Celtics | 0–3 | 0–3 | 0–6 | 0–6 (.000%) | Dick Van Arsdale (18.2) | Bailey Howell (21.7) |
| Chicago Bulls | 2–1 | 0–3 | 2–4 | 2–4 (.333%) | Gail Goodrich (26.7) | Bob Boozer (25.8) |
| Cincinnati Royals | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2–4 | 2–4 (.333%) | Gail Goodrich (28.0) | Oscar Robertson (25.2) |
| Detroit Pistons | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2–4 | 2–4 (.333%) | Gail Goodrich (22.7) | Dave DeBusschere (23.5) |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 0–3 | 0–3 | 0–6 | 0–6 (.000%) | Dick Van Arsdale (26.7) | Wilt Chamberlain (31.2) |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–6 | 2–6 (.250%) | Dick Van Arsdale (23.9) | Len Chappell (22.6) |
| New York Knicks | 1–2 | 0–3 | 1–5 | 1–5 (.167%) | Gail Goodrich (21.0) | Willis Reed (27.3) |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 1–2 | 0–3 | 1–5 | 1–5 (.167%) | Dick Van Arsdale (20.2) | Billy Cunningham (26.3) |
| San Diego Rockets | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–7 | 1–7 (.125%) | Gail Goodrich (30.5) | Elvin Hayes (31.6) |
| San Francisco Warriors | 1–2 | 1–2 | 2–4 | 2–4 (.333%) | Gail Goodrich (29.0) | Nate Thurmond (24.8) |
| Seattle SuperSonics | 2–1 | 1–2 | 3–3 | 3–3 (.500%) | Gail Goodrich (23.8) | Bob Rule (26.7) |
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All-Star
- Dick Van Arsdale was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his first All-Star selection.
- Gail Goodrich was selected to replace Jerry West in the All-Star Game. It was his first All-Star selection.
Season
- Gary Gregor was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
More information Legend ...
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | MPG | Minutes per game | ||
| FG% | Field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage | ||
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | ||
| PPG | Points per game | ||||
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Season
More information Player, GP ...
| Player | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ed Biedenbach | 7 | 2.6 | .000 | .667 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Jim Fox* | 51 | 38.8 | .470 | .734 | 13.3 | 2.8 | 13.8 |
| Gail Goodrich | 81 | 40.0 | .411 | .747 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 23.8 |
| Gary Gregor | 80 | 27.3 | .415 | .649 | 8.9 | 1.2 | 11.1 |
| Neil Johnson | 80 | 16.5 | .481^ | .621 | 5.0 | 1.7 | 5.8 |
| Rod Knowles* | 8 | 5.0 | .286 | .333 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 1.1 |
| Dave Lattin | 68 | 14.5 | .410 | .634 | 4.8 | 0.7 | 6.0 |
| Stan McKenzie | 80 | 19.6 | .427 | .763+ | 3.1 | 1.5 | 9.3 |
| McCoy McLemore* | 31 | 22.9 | .385 | .773+ | 5.4 | 1.6 | 11.8 |
| Dick Snyder | 81 | 26.0 | .472^ | .725 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 12.1 |
| Dick Van Arsdale | 80 | 42.4 | .442 | .705 | 6.9 | 4.8 | 21.0 |
| Bob Warlick* | 63 | 15.5 | .423 | .606 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 8.0 |
| George Wilson* | 41 | 31.6 | .397 | .616 | 12.3 | 1.9 | 11.6 |
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* – Stats with the Suns.
^ – Minimum 230 field goals.
+ – Minimum 230 free throws.
Trades
| August 27, 1968 | To Boston Celtics
Em Bryant |
To Phoenix Suns
1969 second-round draft pick ( Gene Williams) |
| September 11, 1968 | To Atlanta Hawks
Dennis Hamilton |
To Phoenix Suns
1969 third-round draft pick ( Lloyd Kerr) |
| September 12, 1968 | To Milwaukee Bucks
Dick Cunningham |
To Phoenix Suns
1973 second-round draft pick ( Gary Melchionni)
|
| December 17, 1968 | To Detroit Pistons
McCoy McLemore |
To Phoenix Suns
Jim Fox
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| January 20, 1969 | To Philadelphia 76ers
George Wilson |
To Phoenix Suns
Jerry Chambers |
Free agents
Additions
More information Date, Player ...
| Date | Player | Contract | Former Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 18, 1968 | Ed Biedenbach | Undisclosed | Los Angeles Lakers |
| November 8, 1968 | Bob Warlick | Undisclosed | Milwaukee Bucks |
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Subtractions
More information Date, Player ...
| Date | Player | Reason Left | New Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 1968 | Paul Long | Waived | Los Angeles Lakers |
| November 6, 1968 | Rod Knowles | Waived | New York Nets (ABA) |
| November 21, 1968 | Ed Biedenbach | Waived | — (Retired for coaching) |
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- Boatner, Verne (May 7, 1968), "Suns Stress Youth in Draft Choices", Arizona Republic