Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central
Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central
Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central
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Season Review 97-98<br />
180<br />
Review97-98<br />
Review97-98<br />
Season<br />
RECORD<br />
The 1997-98 season was poised as a rebuilding season, but far exceeded<br />
expectations. The club convinced Kevin Johnson to put off his retirement 56-26<br />
and play his <strong>11</strong>th <strong>NBA</strong> season, signed free agents Clifford Robinson and<br />
George McCloud and acquired Antonio McDyess from Denver for Wesley Person, Tony Dumas<br />
and four draft picks in a three-team trade.<br />
The <strong>Suns</strong>’ 17-9 record at the end of December was their best start since the 1994-95<br />
season when they ended the season with the second-best record in the league. However, an<br />
injury to Danny Manning (torn ACL on April 7) changed the complexion of the team for the<br />
rest of the season and into the playoffs, but the <strong>Suns</strong> were able to finish strong by winning<br />
<strong>11</strong> of their last 12 games.<br />
The club put together a 10-game winning streak, including wins over Seattle, Portland,<br />
L.A. Lakers and Houston, from March 25 to April 17 and the <strong>Suns</strong> were a perfect 6-0 on the<br />
road in April.<br />
<strong>Phoenix</strong> recorded 10 of the 15 top defensive performances in team history. <strong>Suns</strong><br />
opponents were limited to 80 points or less 14 times, and the <strong>Suns</strong> were 45-9 when holding<br />
their opponents to below 100 points.<br />
Manning earned the <strong>NBA</strong>’s Sixth Man Award, becoming only the second player in franchise<br />
history, and the first in nine years, to be so honored. Jason Kidd was named to the West<br />
All-Star team, his second appearance, and the <strong>Suns</strong>’ first since 1996.<br />
The <strong>Suns</strong> faced San Antonio in the first round of playoffs with a homecourt advantage.<br />
The Spurs won the first game but the <strong>Suns</strong> came back and won the second game to even the<br />
series. San Antonio won both games at the Alamodome by an average of 15.5 points to win<br />
the series, 3-1.<br />
Johnson moved past Nate “Tiny” Archibald into 10th place on the all-time <strong>NBA</strong> career<br />
assist list, and on March 29 he scored his 13,000th career point.<br />
FRONT ROW: Assistant Coach Roger Reid, Assistant Coach Scott Skiles, Rex Chapman, Kevin Johnson, Jason<br />
Kidd, Steve Nash, George McCloud, Head Coach Danny Ainge, Assistant Coach Frank Johnson, Trainer Joe Proski.<br />
BACK ROW: Dennis Scott, Danny Manning, Horacio Llamas, Loren Meyer, John “Hot Rod” Williams, Clifford<br />
Robinson, Antonio McDyess, Mark Bryant, Marko Milic.
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