1978–79 Phoenix Suns season

The 1978–79 Phoenix Suns season was the 11th season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association and the first time they reached the 50-win mark to end the regular season. The team repeated a second-place finish in an expanded Pacific division and the Western Conference's second-best record, thus earning a spot in the playoffs, the franchise's first time extending the season in back-to-back seasons. For the first time since the '75–'76 team, the Suns returned to the Western Conference finals, before being dispatched by Pacific division champion Seattle in seven games. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

1978–79 Phoenix Suns season
Head coachJohn MacLeod
General managerJerry Colangelo
OwnersKarl Eller, Don Pitt, Don Diamond, Bhavik Darji, Marvin Meyer, Richard L. Bloch
ArenaArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record50–32 (.610)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finishConference finals
(lost to SuperSonics 3–4)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTAR-TV
RadioKTAR
< 1977–78 1979–80 >

Paul Westphal, whom led the Suns with his 24 points per game, made his third straight appearance in the All-Star Game and was again named to the All-NBA First Team. Walter Davis followed up his Rookie of the Year Award performance from the previous season with his second consecutive All-Star selection and by season's end, voted to the All-NBA Second Team. Fourth-year big man Alvan Adams hauled in a career-high 9.2 rebounds a game to go with an average of 17.8 points.

Offseason

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NBA draft

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RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
119Marty ByrnesForward  United StatesSyracuse
363Joel KramerForward  United StatesSan Diego State
485Bob MillerCenter  United StatesCincinnati
488Wayne SmithGuard  United StatesCalifornia-Irvine
5107Andre WakefieldGuard  United StatesLoyola (IL)
6128Charles ThompsonForward  United StatesHouston
7149Steve MalovicCenter  United StatesSan Diego State
8167George FowlerCenter  United StatesPacific
9184Nate StokesForward  United StatesGrand Canyon
10199Lewis CohenGuard  United StatesCal Poly

Roster

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1978–79 Phoenix Suns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F/C33Adams, Alvan6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)210 lb (95 kg)1954-07-19Oklahoma
PG23Bratz, Mike6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg)1955-10-17Stanford
G10Buse, Don6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)190 lb (86 kg)1950-08-10Evansville
G/F6Davis, Walter6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)193 lb (88 kg)1954-09-09North Carolina
C35Forrest, Bayard6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)235 lb (107 kg)1954-07-08Grand Canyon
PF24Heard, Garfield6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)219 lb (99 kg)1948-05-03Oklahoma
F/C50Kramer, Joel6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)203 lb (92 kg)1955-11-30San Diego State
G12McClain, Ted6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 lb (82 kg)1946-08-30Tennessee State
PF21Robinson, Leonard6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)225 lb (102 kg)1951-10-04Tennessee State
SF14Scott, Alvin6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)185 lb (84 kg)1955-09-14Oral Roberts
G44Westphal, Paul6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg)1950-11-30USC
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

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Standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics5230.63431–1021–2011–9
x-Phoenix Suns5032.610232–918–2311–9
x-Los Angeles Lakers4735.573531–1016–2511–9
x-Portland Trail Blazers4537.549733–812–298–12
San Diego Clippers4339.524929–1214–2711–9
Golden State Warriors3844.4631423–1815–268–12
#
Team W L PCT GB
1z-Seattle SuperSonics5230.634
2y-Kansas City Kings4834.5854
3x-Phoenix Suns5032.6102
4x-Denver Nuggets4735.5735
5x-Los Angeles Lakers4735.5735
6x-Portland Trail Blazers4537.5497
7San Diego Clippers4339.5249
8Indiana Pacers3844.46314
9Milwaukee Bucks3844.46314
10Golden State Warriors3844.46314
11Chicago Bulls3151.37821

Record vs. opponents

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1978–79 NBA records
TeamATLBOSCHICLEDENDETGSWHOUINDKCKLALMILNJNNOJNYKPHIPHOPORSASSDCSEAWAS
Atlanta2–23–13–13–13–11–33–11–32–21–33–02–22–22–22–22–12–23–13–11–32–2
Boston2–21–22–21–32–22–11–33–11–31–31–31–32–23–12–20–41–30–41–32–20–4
Chicago1–32–11–32–22–23–12–22–20–41–31–32–22–23–11–31–34–00–30–40–41–3
Cleveland1–32–23–11–21–32–12–21–31–32–21–33–12–22–22–20–40–40–42–22–20–4
Denver1–33–12–22–12–24–01–33–11–33–12–24–03–13–10–33–11–33–12–23–11–3
Detroit1–32–22–23–12–21–32–22–22–22–22–10–42–21–31–30–41–31–32–20–31–3
Golden State3–11–21–31–20–43–12–22–22–21–32–21–33–13–13–11–32–21–31–33–12–2
Houston1–33–12–22–23–12–22–20–43–12–12–23–14–04–00–42–23–13–12–12–22–2
Indiana3–11–32–23–11–32–22–24–01–30–42–21–22–12–22–22–23–13–11–30–41–3
Kansas City2–23–14–03–13–12–22–21–33–12–22–23–13–12–12–22–21–31–32–22–23–0
Los Angeles3–13–13–12–21–32–23–11–24–02–23–12–22–23–01–32–22–22–22–22–22–2
Milwaukee0–33–13–13–12–21–22–22–22–22–21–32–23–11–32–22–22–21–31–32–21–3
New Jersey2–23–12–21–30–44–03–11–32–11–32–22–23–11–32–23–02–20–42–20–41–3
New Orleans2–22–22–22–21–32–21–30–41–21–32–21–31–32–22–21–31–32–20–40–30–4
New York2–21–31–32–21–33–11–30–42–21–20–33–13–12–22–20–41–31–32–22–21–3
Philadelphia2–22–23–12–23–03–11–34–02–22–23–12–22–22–22–21–31–23–13–11–33–1
Phoenix1–24–03–14–01–34–03–12–22–22–22–22–20–33–14–03–13–13–12–21–31–3
Portland2–23–10–44–03–13–12–21–31–33–12–22–22–23–13–12–11–32–12–21–33–1
San Antonio1–34–03–04–01–33–13–11–31–33–12–23–14–02–23–11–31–31–24–02–21–3
San Diego1–33–14–02–22–22–23–11–23–12–22–23–12–24–02–21–32–22–20–42–20–3
Seattle3–12–24–02–21–33–01–32–24–02–22–22–24–03–02–23–13–13–12–22–22–2
Washington2–24–03–14–03–13–12–22–23–10–32–23–13–14–03–11–33–11–33–13–02–2

Game log

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1978–79 game log
Total: 50–32 (home: 32–9; road: 18–23)
October: 7–3 (home: 4–1; road: 3–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
1October 13San DiegoW 128–114Paul Westphal (21)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,217
1–0W 1
2October 15Golden StateW 129–110Walter Davis (35)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,750
2–0W 2
3October 17San AntonioL 107–110Paul Westphal (24)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,755
2–1L 1
4October 18@ Golden StateW 122–112Paul Westphal (33)Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
7,139
3–1W 1
5October 22@ PortlandW 124–116Walter Davis (28)Memorial Coliseum
12,666
4–1W 2
6October 24MilwaukeeW 124–116Walter Davis (38)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,728
5–1W 3
7October 25@ DenverL 104–108Paul Westphal (29)McNichols Sports Arena
14,448
5–2L 1
8October 27@ ChicagoW 115–110 (OT)Paul Westphal (38)Chicago Stadium
7,807
6–2W 1
9October 28@ Kansas CityL 102–112Alvan Adams,
Walter Davis (23)
Kemper Arena
9,534
6–3L 1
10October 31New YorkW 120–108Paul Westphal (35)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,197
7–3W 1
November: 10–4 (home: 5–1; road: 5–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
11November 2@ New OrleansW 106–99Paul Westphal (27)Louisiana Superdome
6,943
8–3W 2
12November 4@ HoustonL 103–110Walter Davis (25)The Summit
9,163
8–4L 1
13November 8ClevelandW 118–96Ron Lee (24)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,311
9–4W 1
14November 10DenverL 132–150Paul Westphal (27)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,277
9–5L 1
15November 12New OrleansW 128–122Alvan Adams (33)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,158
10–5W 1
16November 15@ San AntonioW 125–119Paul Westphal (39)HemisFair Arena
10,489
11–5W 2
17November 17@ PhiladelphiaL 94–95Paul Westphal (25)The Spectrum
11,513
11–6L 1
18November 18@ DetroitW 119–105Paul Westphal (28)Pontiac Silverdome
10,789
12–6W 1
19November 21@ ClevelandW 110–108Walter Davis (28)Coliseum at Richfield
6,524
13–6W 2
20November 22@ IndianaW 115–110Walter Davis (32)Market Square Arena
9,432
14–6W 3
21November 24HoustonW 120–113Walter Davis (37)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
15–6W 4
22November 26ChicagoW 125–109Alvan Adams (22)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,921
16–6W 5
23November 28@ ChicagoL 112–124Walter Davis (26)Chicago Stadium
7,826
16–7L 1
24November 30DetroitW 119–109Paul Westphal (29)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,633
17–7W 1
December: 7–7 (home: 5–2; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
25December 1@ Los AngelesL 122–130Paul Westphal (32)The Forum
10,529
17–8L 1
26December 2Golden StateL 108–116Alvan Adams (29)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,167
17–9L 2
27December 6AtlantaW 136–109Walter Davis (25)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,345
18–9W 1
28December 8@ BostonW 124–104Paul Westphal (30)Boston Garden
11,762
19–9W 2
29December 9@ WashingtonL 98–101Paul Westphal (30)Capital Centre
17,438
19–10L 1
30December 12@ MilwaukeeL 114–120Paul Westphal (36)MECCA Arena
10,938
19–11L 2
31December 16Los AngelesW 119–100Alvan Adams,
Paul Westphal (25)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,327
20–11W 1
32December 17@ San DiegoL 110–116Alvan Adams (32)San Diego Sports Arena
6,068
20–12L 1
33December 20WashingtonL 129–137Paul Westphal (36)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,789
20–13L 2
34December 22Kansas CityW 123–103Alvan Adams (32)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,533
21–13W 1
35December 26@ DenverW 106–102Walter Davis (31)McNichols Sports Arena
16,325
22–13W 2
36December 28PortlandW 129–127 (OT)Walter Davis (42)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,510
23–13W 3
37December 29@ SeattleL 92–119Mike Bratz (15)Kingdome
20,565
23–14L 1
38December 30BostonW 112–109Alvan Adams (28)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
24–14W 1
January: 7–6 (home: 4–3; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
39January 2@ New YorkW 114–102Alvan Adams (28)Madison Square Garden
11,266
25–14W 2
40January 5@ WashingtonL 94–104Ron Lee (19)Capital Centre
14,929
25–15L 1
41January 6@ PhiladelphiaW 143–139 (OT)Walter Davis (35)The Spectrum
16,109
26–15W 1
42January 7@ New JerseyL 112–117Alvan Adams (32)Rutgers Athletic Center
3,439
26–16L 1
43January 11SeattleL 106–109Walter Davis (26)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
26–17L 2
44January 13IndianaL 99–102Walter Davis (24)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
26–18L 3
45January 17@ MilwaukeeL 118–123Truck Robinson (25)MECCA Arena
10,661
26–19L 4
46January 18@ DetroitW 97–87Walter Davis (26)Pontiac Silverdome
5,839
27–19W 1
47January 20HoustonW 116–97Paul Westphal (28)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
28–19W 2
48January 24PhiladelphiaW 101–94Truck Robinson (26)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
29–19W 3
49January 26New YorkW 108–107Walter Davis (24)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,813
30–19W 4
50January 28New JerseyL 114–117Alvan Adams,
Walter Davis (25)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,357
30–20L 1
51January 31MilwaukeeW 123–118Paul Westphal (28)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,736
31–20W 1
February: 6–6 (home: 5–1; road: 1–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
52February 2San AntonioW 133–108Alvan Adams (24)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
32–20W 2
53February 6@ PortlandL 93–110Truck Robinson (19)Memorial Coliseum
12,666
32–21L 1
54February 9AtlantaL 102–105Paul Westphal (32)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,928
32–22L 2
55February 11ClevelandW 136–101Truck Robinson (24)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,972
33–22W 1
56February 15WashingtonW 119–108Paul Westphal (32)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
34–22W 2
57February 16@ SeattleL 104–119Mike Bratz (19)Kingdome
23,103
34–23L 1
58February 17New OrleansW 136–112Alvan Adams (22)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
35–23W 1
59February 20@ New YorkW 117–107Paul Westphal (36)Madison Square Garden
10,921
36–23W 2
60February 21@ New JerseyL 112–123Paul Westphal (25)Rutgers Athletic Center
3,812
36–24L 1
61February 23@ Kansas CityL 112–121Truck Robinson (28)Kemper Arena
10,768
36–25L 2
62February 24@ AtlantaL 85–110Truck Robinson (21)Omni Coliseum
12,281
36–26L 3
63February 28IndianaW 103–102Paul Westphal (27)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,735
37–26W 1
March: 10–4 (home: 6–1; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
64March 2DenverL 105–119Paul Westphal (28)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,835
37–27L 1
65March 4PhiladelphiaW 119–94Walter Davis (26)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,722
38–27W 1
66March 8ChicagoW 132–117Alvan Adams,
Don Buse,
Walter Davis (21)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,126
39–27W 2
67March 11@ IndianaL 111–112Paul Westphal (24)Market Square Arena
14,173
39–28L 1
68March 13@ ClevelandW 124–120Walter Davis (36)Coliseum at Richfield
7,690
40–28W 1
69March 14@ BostonW 126–117Paul Westphal (39)Boston Garden
10,308
41–28W 2
70March 16@ San AntonioW 128–122Paul Westphal (43)HemisFair Arena
14,864
42–28W 3
71March 17@ HoustonL 122–134Paul Westphal (22)The Summit
12,557
42–29L 1
72March 18@ New OrleansL 117–121Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (29)
Louisiana Superdome
5,108
42–30L 2
73March 21BostonW 134–113Walter Davis (33)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,568
43–30W 1
74March 23Kansas CityW 126–107Paul Westphal (36)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
44–30W 2
75March 25@ Golden StateW 111–95Paul Westphal (25)Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
10,651
45–30W 3
76March 28Los AngelesW 112–106Paul Westphal (32)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,805
46–30W 4
77March 30SeattleW 113–111 (OT)Walter Davis (40)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
47–30W 5
April: 3–2 (home: 3–0; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsLocation
Attendance
RecordStreak
78April 1DetroitW 116–105Alvan Adams (23)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,550
48–30W 6
79April 4PortlandW 106–95Paul Westphal (21)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,305
49–30W 7
80April 6San DiegoW 118–117Alvan Adams (23)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
50–30W 8
81April 7@ San DiegoL 116–120Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (22)
San Diego Sports Arena
11,614
50–31L 1
82April 8@ Los AngelesL 103–111Walter Davis (21)The Forum
11,973
50–32L 2
1978–79 schedule

Playoffs

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Game log

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1979 playoff game log
First Round: 2–1 (home: 2–0; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 10PortlandW 107–103Paul Westphal (28)Adams, Davis (5)Alvan Adams (9)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
1–0
2April 13@ PortlandL 92–96Walter Davis (31)Gar Heard (9)Paul Westphal (6)Memorial Coliseum
12,666
1–1
3April 15PortlandW 101–91Paul Westphal (26)Gar Heard (12)Walter Davis (8)Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
2–1
Conference semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
Conference finals: 3–4 (home: 2–1; road: 1–3)
1979 schedule

Awards and honors

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All-Star

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  • Paul Westphal was voted as a starter for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his third consecutive All-Star selection. Westphal finished second in voting among Western Conference guards with 251,829 votes.
  • Walter Davis was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his second consecutive All-Star selection. Davis finished fifth in voting among Western Conference forwards with 118,546 votes.

Season

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Player statistics

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Legend
  GPGames played  GSGames started MPG Minutes per game
 FG% 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

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PlayerGPGSMPGFG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Alvan Adams777430.7.530.7999.24.71.4.817.8
Mike Bratz77016.8.454.8181.82.3.8.18.1
Don Buse828231.0.495.7692.64.31.9.27.8
Marty Byrnes*43117.1.489.7302.31.4.3.06.8
Walter Davis797830.8.561.8314.74.31.9.323.6
Bayard Forrest75716.6.434.5394.22.2.4.54.0
Garfield Heard633719.3.441.6895.61.0.8.96.3
Joel Kramer82117.1.489.7104.11.1.5.35.9
Ron Lee*43122.0.452.7122.63.11.6.19.8
Ted McClain36012.9.470.913^1.91.7.5.04.6
Truck Robinson*262029.1.508.6428.71.5.7.516.0
Alvin Scott812821.4.535.7144.41.61.0.86.7
Paul Westphal818132.6.535.837^2.06.51.4.324.0

* – Stats with the Suns.
^ – Minimum 125 free throws made.

Playoffs

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PlayerGPGSMPGFG%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Alvan Adams121231.0.475.7107.54.4.91.012.8
Mike Bratz15019.5.496.7631.42.01.0.210.6
Don Buse151534.1.405.7273.73.51.5.37.9
Walter Davis151532.7.520.8134.65.31.7.322.1
Bayard Forrest1407.9.556.2002.10.8.3.11.6
Garfield Heard15921.3.372.6007.10.9.81.75.5
Joel Kramer15317.1.542.7223.81.3.6.56.0
Ted McClain1407.4.441.8131.10.9.4.03.1
Truck Robinson15626.1.403.6528.10.7.4.810.5
Alvin Scott15014.5.385.6192.81.5.41.13.5
Paul Westphal151535.6.495.7882.24.31.0.322.4

† – Minimum 20 field goals made.

Transactions

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Trades

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October 11, 1978To Boston Celtics
Dennis Awtrey
To Phoenix Suns
1979 second-round draft pick ( Johnny High)
Cash considerations
January 12, 1979To New Orleans Jazz
Marty Byrnes
Ron Lee
1979 first-round draft pick ( Larry Knight)
1980 first-round draft pick ( John Duren)
Cash considerations
To Phoenix Suns
Truck Robinson

Free agents

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Additions

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DatePlayerContractOld Team
January 15, 1979Ted McClainUndisclosedPhiladelphia 76ers

Subtractions

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DatePlayerReason LeftNew Team
August 23, 1978Greg GriffinSuspended for signing overseas
August 23, 1978Wayne SmithWaived
September 13, 1978Curtis PerryRetired
October 12, 1978Ira TerrellWaivedNew Orleans Jazz
October 12, 1978Andre WakefieldWaivedChicago Bulls

References

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