1995–96_Phoenix_Suns_season

1995–96 Phoenix Suns season

1995–96 Phoenix Suns season

Review of the season

The 1995–96 NBA season was the 28th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Suns acquired Hot Rod Williams from the Cleveland Cavaliers,[2][3][4][5] and signed free agent Tony Smith.[6] The Suns struggled with a 13–13 start to the season, then lost eight of their next nine games. Head coach Paul Westphal, who had led the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals, went 14–19 before being replaced by Cotton Fitzsimmons, who would come on to coach in his third stint with the Suns,[7][8][9] while Smith was traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for rookie guard Terrence Rencher at midseason.[10][11][12] The team played above .500 for the remainder of the season, as they held a 22–24 record at the All-Star break,[13] and finished fourth in the Pacific Division, and seventh in the Western Conference with a 41–41 record.[14] All home games were played at America West Arena. They were also one of the nine teams to defeat the 72–10 Chicago Bulls.[15]

Quick Facts Phoenix Suns season, Head coach ...

Charles Barkley led the Suns with 23.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while point guard Kevin Johnson averaged 18.7 points, led the team with 9.2 assists, and contributed 1.5 steals per game in only 56 games due to hamstring and groin injuries.[15][16][17] In addition, top draft pick Michael Finley, a rookie from the University of Wisconsin, who was selected by the Suns as the 21st overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft,[18][19][20][21] appeared in all 82 regular season games, averaging 15.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while leading the team with 39.2 minutes per game, and was later named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.[22] Sixth man Danny Manning averaged 13.4 points per game off the bench, but only played just 33 games due to a torn ACL, and sprained ankle.[23][24] Second-year guard Wesley Person provided the team with 12.7 points per game, while Wayman Tisdale contributed 10.7 points per game off the bench, Elliott Perry contributed 8.6 points and 4.4 assists per game, A.C. Green provided with 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, and Hot Rod Williams averaged 7.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, and led the team with 1.5 blocks per game.[22]

Despite playing all 82 games, Finley suffered an ankle injury on the final day of the regular season, and did not play in any of the Suns' playoff games.[25][26][27] Without Finley, the Suns were eliminated from the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs, three games to one in the Western Conference First Round.[28][29][30][31]

Barkley also made his 10th consecutive All-Star appearance, being selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game.[32][33][34][35] The power forward, who had turned 33 years of age during the season, made his 11th All-NBA Team, appearing as a selection on the Third Team. It was the first time in Barkley's career he had not been selected to the First or Second Team. Following the season, Barkley was traded to the Houston Rockets after four seasons in Phoenix,[36][37][38][39][40] while Perry was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks,[41][42][43] and Rencher was released to free agency.

Offseason

NBA draft

Main article: 1995 NBA draft
More information Round, Pick ...

The Suns received the 21st pick from a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1994. With the pick they would select future All-Star swingman Michael Finley from Wisconsin. Finley averaged 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in four years with the Badgers. On October 4, the Suns signed Finley to a three-year rookie contract for $2.17 million. In his rookie season, Finley would average 15.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. Finley was traded to the Dallas Mavericks midway through his sophomore season for All-Star point guard Jason Kidd.

The Suns used their first-round pick to select small forward Mario Bennett from Arizona State. Bennett averaged 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in three years with the Sun Devils. On October 4, the Suns signed Bennett to a three-year rookie contract for $1.66 million. Bennett underwent knee surgery before the season and remained on the injured reserve until March 1. Bennett would appear in just 19 regular season games, starting in 14 due to injuries, and two playoff games before being waived prior to the 1996–97 season.

The Suns used their second-round pick to select shooting guard Chris Carr from Southern Illinois. Carr averaged 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in three years with the Salukis. On October 2, the Suns signed Carr to a one-year rookie contract for $200,000. Carr appeared in 60 regular season games, starting in ten, and three playoff games. Carr would sign as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves after the season.

Roster

More information Players, Coaches ...

Regular season

Standings

More information W, L ...
More information #, Team ...

Record vs. opponents

More information Team, ATL ...

Playoffs

Game log

More information 1996 playoff game log, Game ...

Awards and honors

Week/Month

  • Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Week for games played April 1 through April 7.
  • Charles Barkley was named Player of the Month for February.

All-Star

Season

Injuries/Missed Games

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

More information Player, GP ...

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 82 three-pointers made.
# – Minimum 125 free-throws made.

Playoffs

More information Player, GP ...

Transactions

Trades

October 7, 1995 To Cleveland Cavaliers
United States Dan Majerle
United States Antonio Lang
1997 first-round draft pick (United States Brevin Knight)
 To Phoenix Suns
United States John "Hot Rod" Williams
February 22, 1996 To Miami Heat
United States Tony Smith		 To Phoenix Suns
United States Terrence Rencher

Free agents

Additions

More information Date, Player ...

Subtractions

More information Date, Player ...

Player Transactions Citation:[47]

References

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    "1995–96 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats".
  2. [2]
    "Suns Trade Majerle to Cavs". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 8, 1995. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  3. [3]
    "Suns Trade Majerle for 'Hot Rod' Williams: Pro Basketball: The Cavaliers Also Get Lang and a First-Round Draft Pick from Phoenix". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 8, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  4. [4]
    "Trade of Majerle Makes Barkley Unhappy: Pro Basketball: Popular Player Sent to Cleveland for Center John 'Hot Rod' Williams". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 8, 1995. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  5. [5]
    "Suns Deal Majerle, Lang, No. 1 Pick for Cavs' Hot Rod". Deseret News. Associated Press. October 8, 1995. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  6. [6]
    "Bennett Surgery Successful". United Press International. November 1, 1995. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  7. [7]
    "BASKETBALL; Hurting Suns Fire Westphal". The New York Times. Associated Press. January 17, 1996. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  8. [8]
    "Fitzsimmons Replaces Westphal". The Washington Post. January 17, 1996. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  9. [9]
    Weston, Steve (January 17, 1996). "Suns Fire Westphal, Pick Cotton". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  10. [10]
    Brown, Clifton (February 23, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; On Deadline, Riley Makes Bold Moves". The New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  11. [11]
    "Riley's Heat The Big Movers on D-Day". Deseret News. Associated Press. February 23, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  12. [12]
    Patton, Robes (February 24, 1996). "Heat's Months of Preparation Pay Off on Trading Day". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  13. [13]
    "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  14. [14]
    "1995–96 Phoenix Suns Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  15. [15]
    "Too Much Barkley, Too Much for Bulls". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 7, 1996. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  16. [16]
    "Suns' Johnson Undergoes Hernia Surgery". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. September 28, 1996. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  17. [17]
    "Suns' K.J. to Miss 6 to 8 Weeks". Deseret News. September 28, 1996. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  18. [18]
    Heisler, Mark (June 29, 1995). "NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
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    "First-Round Selections in the 1995 NBA Draft". Hartford Courant. June 29, 1995. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
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  21. [21]
    "1995 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
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    "1995–96 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  23. [23]
    "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; His Rehabilitation Over, Manning Is Set for Return". The New York Times. February 2, 1996. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  24. [24]
    Daimos, Jason (March 13, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets End Another Game in Ice". The New York Times. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  25. [25]
    "Suns Limp Into San Antonio". Tucson Citizen. Associated Press. April 26, 1996. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  26. [26]
    "Spurs 120, Suns 98". United Press International. April 26, 1996. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  27. [27]
    "Spurs Attempt to Eliminate Image". The Oklahoman. May 1, 1996. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  28. [28]
    "NBA PLAYOFFS; The Spurs Eliminate the Suns". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 4, 1996. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  29. [29]
    "Spurs Dig in and Bury Suns to Advance". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 4, 1996. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  30. [30]
    "Spurs 116, Suns 98". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. May 4, 1996. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  31. [31]
    "1996 NBA Western Conference First Round: Suns vs. Spurs". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  32. [32]
    Bembry, Jerry (January 31, 1996). "NBA Coaches Recognize Howard's Star Quality; Bullets' 2nd-Year Player Named Eastern Reserve". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  33. [33]
    Heisler, Mark (February 11, 1996). "NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  34. [34]
    "1996 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  35. [35]
    "1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  36. [36]
    "Barkley Confirms His Trade to Rockets". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 19, 1996. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  37. [37]
    "Suns Unload Barkley, Get Four Players from Rockets". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. August 19, 1996. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  38. [38]
    "Barkley Traded to the Rockets". The Washington Post. August 19, 1996. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  39. [39]
    Sharpio, Mark (August 19, 1996). "Rockets to Trade 4 for Barkley". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  40. [40]
    "Rockets Make Barkley Feel All Warm and Fuzzy". Deseret News. Associated Press. August 20, 1996. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  41. [41]
    Herald, Miami (August 12, 1996). "Heat Turns Its Attention to Barkley, But Once Again, NBA May Step in Its Path". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  42. [42]
    "Bucks to Finalize Trade for Perry". The Journal Times. September 25, 1996. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  43. [43]
    "Parish Keeps Rolling". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Services. September 26, 1996. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  44. [44]
    "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  45. [45]
    "Stoudamire Named Top Rookie After Lukewarm NBA Reception". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 16, 1996. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  46. [46]
    "Raptors' Stoudamire Easily Captures Rookie Honors". Chicago Tribune. Tribune News Services. May 16, 1996. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  47. [47]
    "1995–96 Phoenix Suns Transactions". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
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