1977–78 Phoenix Suns season

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

1977–78 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
Record49–33 (.598)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 3rd (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Bucks 0–2)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTAR-TV
RadioKTAR
< 1976–77 1978–79 >

The 1977–78 Phoenix Suns season was the tenth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The team finished second in a Pacific division that did not have a team finish below .500, as the Suns returned to the playoffs for the third time in franchise history. The Suns were led by head coach John MacLeod and played all home games in Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Both Paul Westphal and Walter Davis, a rookie from the University of North Carolina, were selected to participate in the All-Star Game and by the end of the season, both were members of the All-NBA Second Team. Davis became the second Sun in three years to be selected as Rookie of the Year, an award teammate Alvan Adams had collected after the 1975–76 season.

Both Westphal and rookie Davis averaged career-highs in scoring, averaging 25.2 and 24.2 points a game. The combined averaged of 49.4 points made for the league's highest-scoring duo on the season. Additionally, Westphal and Davis broke a franchise record of 45.9 points a game, a mark set by Connie Hawkins and Dick Van Arsdale during the 1969–70 season.

Offseason

[edit]

NBA draft

[edit]
Main article: 1977 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 5 Walter Davis Guard  United States North Carolina
3 66 Mike Bratz Guard  United States Stanford
4 71 Greg Griffin Forward  United States Idaho State
5 93 Cecil Rellford Forward  United States St. John's
6 115 Billy McKinney Guard  United States Northwestern
7 136 Alvin Scott Forward  United States Oral Roberts
8 156 Alvin Joseph Center  United States California-Riverside

The Suns used their first-round pick to select swingman Walter Davis from North Carolina. Davis averaged 15.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in four years with the Tar Heels. He would make an immediate impact with the Suns, helping the team make a 15-game improvement and return to the playoffs. Averaging 24.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game his first season, Davis was named Rookie of the Year, receiving 49 1/4 of 66 votes.[1] He would also be named to the All-NBA Second Team, and would finish fifth in Most Valuable Player voting, behind winner Bill Walton, George Gervin, David Thompson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.[2] Davis spent his first eleven seasons with the Suns before joining the Denver Nuggets as the league's second unrestricted free agent in 1988. He left as the Suns' all-time leading scorer (15,666 points), and had his #6 jersey retired by the franchise in 1994.

Roster

[edit]
Phoenix Suns roster
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight DOB (Y-M-D) From
C 33 Adams, Alvan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1954-07-19 Oklahoma
C 21 Awtrey, Dennis 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1948-02-22 Santa Clara
G 23 Bratz, Mike 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1955-10-17 Stanford
G 10 Buse, Don 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1950-08-10 Evansville
G/F 6 Davis, Walter 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1954-09-09 North Carolina
C 35 Forrest, Bayard 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1954-07-08 Grand Canyon
F 25 Griffin, Greg 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1952-09-06 Idaho State
F 24 Heard, Garfield 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 219 lb (99 kg) 1948-05-03 Oklahoma
G 30 Lee, Ron 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1952-11-02 Oregon
F 18 Perry, Curtis Injured 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1948-09-13 Missouri State
F 14 Scott, Alvin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1955-09-14 Oral Roberts
F 32 Terrell, Ira Injured (IN) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1954-06-19 SMU
G 44 Westphal, Paul 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1950-11-30 USC
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Regular season

[edit]

Standings

[edit]
Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Portland Trail Blazers 58 24 .707 – 36–5 22–19 13–3
x-Phoenix Suns 49 33 .598 9 34–7 15–26 8–8
x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 11 31–10 16–25 8–8
x-Los Angeles Lakers 45 37 .549 13 29–12 16–25 6–10
Golden State Warriors 43 39 .524 15 30–11 13–28 5–11
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Portland Trail Blazers 58 24 .707 –
2 y-Denver Nuggets 48 34 .585 10
3 x-Phoenix Suns 49 33 .598 9
4 x-Seattle SuperSonics 47 35 .573 11
5 x-Los Angeles Lakers 45 37 .549 13
6 x-Milwaukee Bucks 44 38 .537 14
7 Golden State Warriors 43 39 .524 15
8 Chicago Bulls 40 42 .488 18
9 Detroit Pistons 38 44 .463 20
10 Indiana Pacers 31 51 .378 27
11 Kansas City Kings 31 51 .378 27

Record vs. opponents

[edit]
1977–78 NBA records
Team ATL BOS BUF CHI CLE DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAL MIL NJN NOJ NYK PHI PHO POR SAS SEA WAS
Atlanta — 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–1 1–3
Boston 2–2 — 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–1 2–2 1–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–3
Buffalo 1–3 1–3 — 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–3 3–1 1–3 1–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3
Chicago 3–1 3–1 1–3 — 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–2 2–2 1–3 3–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–1
Cleveland 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–3 — 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–2 0–4 0–4 3–1 2–2
Denver 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 1–3 — 2–2 2–2 3–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–1 1–3 3–1
Detroit 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 — 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–0 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2
Golden State 3–1 2–2 3–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 — 2–1 3–1 3–1 0–4 2–2 3–1 0–4 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2
Houston 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–3 1–3 1–2 — 3–1 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–3
Indiana 1–3 1–2 3–1 1–3 1–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 — 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 3–1
Kansas City 1–2 2–2 2–1 4–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 — 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 2–2
Los Angeles 1–3 2–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 2–2 — 3–1 4–0 2–1 3–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 1–3 2–2
Milwaukee 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 4–0 4–0 1–3 — 3–1 2–1 3–1 1–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1
New Jersey 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 — 0–4 1–3 0–4 2–2 0–3 0–4 2–2 2–2
New Orleans 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–2 1–2 4–0 — 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 1–3 2–2 0–4
New York 2–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 1–3 3–1 3–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–3 1–3 3–1 3–1 — 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–1 2–2
Philadelphia 2–2 4–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–1 4–0 2–2 3–1 — 2–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2
Phoenix 1–3 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 1–2 — 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2
Portland 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 4–0 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–3 3–0 2–2 3–1 — 2–2 3–1 2–1
San Antonio 3–1 4–0 3–1 2–2 4–0 1–2 2–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 4–0 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 — 2–2 2–2
Seattle 1–2 4–0 3–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–2 — 1–3
Washington 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–2 2–2 3–1 —

Game log

[edit]
1977–78 game log
Total: 49–33 (home: 34–7; road: 15–26)
October: 3–3 (home: 2–1; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 18 Golden State W 100–83 Alvan Adams (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,128 		1–0
2 October 23 @ Los Angeles W 104–101 Paul Westphal (26) The Forum
10,481 		2–0
3 October 25 Seattle W 93–86 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,917 		3–0
4 October 28 @ New Orleans L 107–114 Paul Westphal (23) Louisiana Superdome
10,342 		3–1
5 October 29 @ Houston L 112–125 Paul Westphal (28) The Summit
8,557 		3–2
6 October 31 San Antonio L 143–145 Paul Westphal (37) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,030 		3–3
November: 8–4 (home: 6–0; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
7 November 3 @ San Antonio W 110–89 Walter Davis (24) HemisFair Arena
8,394 		4–3
8 November 4, 1977
6:05 p.m. MST 		@ Washington L 96–113 Ron Lee (21) Capital Centre
8,742 		4–4
9 November 5 @ Chicago L 94–111 Walter Davis (25) Chicago Stadium
13,424 		4–5
10 November 10 New Orleans W 127–111 Alvan Adams (35) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,297 		5–5
11 November 13 Indiana W 116–107 Ron Lee (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,550 		6–5
12 November 18 Chicago W 103–101 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (25) 		Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,543 		7–5
13 November 20 San Antonio W 134–112 Alvan Adams (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,677 		8–5
14 November 22 Los Angeles W 118–107 Walter Davis (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,130 		9–5
15 November 24 @ Cleveland L 82–97 Paul Westphal (22) Coliseum at Richfield
15,445 		9–6
16 November 25 @ Indiana W 118–110 Alvan Adams,
Paul Westphal (30) 		Market Square Arena
15,448 		10–6
17 November 27 Denver W 115–97 Paul Westphal (48) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,658 		11–6
18 November 29 @ Portland L 96–108 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (25) 		Memorial Coliseum
12,666 		11–7
December: 10–6 (home: 5–2; road: 5–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
19 December 2 Portland L 103–106 Paul Westphal (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		11–8
20 December 4 Atlanta L 89–96 Alvan Adams (18) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,577 		11–9
21 December 6 @ Kansas City W 103–92 Walter Davis (29) Kemper Arena
5,976 		12–9
22 December 7 @ Detroit W 113–107 (OT) Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (27) 		Cobo Arena
3,588 		13–9
23 December 10 Houston W 110–93 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,761 		14–9
24 December 14 Buffalo W 113–103 Paul Westphal (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,597 		15–9
25 December 16 @ New Orleans W 126–113 Walter Davis (24) Louisiana Superdome
8,172 		16–9
26 December 17 @ Houston W 101–97 Paul Westphal (26) The Summit
8,134 		17–9
27 December 18 @ Atlanta L 129–134 (2OT) Walter Davis (33) Omni Coliseum
8,062 		17–10
28 December 20 @ New York W 110–99 Paul Westphal (32) Madison Square Garden
13,548 		18–10
29 December 21 @ Philadelphia L 119–125 Walter Davis (35) The Spectrum
14,671 		18–11
30 December 23 Boston W 129–110 Paul Westphal (19) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		19–11
31 December 26 @ Denver L 108–127 Walter Davis (23) McNichols Sports Arena
17,297 		19–12
32 December 27 Seattle W 131–105 Ron Lee (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,543 		20–12
33 December 29 Kansas City W 110–104 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (33) 		Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		21–12
34 December 30 @ Seattle L 110–121 Paul Westphal (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098 		21–13
January: 12–2 (home: 8–0; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
35 January 3 @ Milwaukee W 125–103 Paul Westphal (34) MECCA Arena
8,571 		22–13
36 January 4 @ New Jersey L 83–115 Paul Westphal (21) Rutgers Athletic Center
4,067 		22–14
37 January 5 @ Boston W 121–111 Paul Westphal (43) Hartford Civic Center
10,019 		23–14
38 January 7 @ Buffalo W 107–97 Paul Westphal (29) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
7,029 		24–14
39 January 11 New Orleans W 142–99 Walter Davis (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		25–14
40 January 13 Detroit W 111–100 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		26–14
41 January 15 Cleveland W 113–104 Walter Davis (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,787 		27–14
42 January 19 New York W 134–114 Paul Westphal (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,935 		28–14
43 January 20 @ Golden State L 104–119 Walter Davis (31) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,237 		28–15
44 January 22, 1978
4:45 p.m. MST 		Washington W 114–101 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		29–15
45 January 25 Houston W 118–96 Paul Westphal (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,277 		30–15
46 January 27 Philadelphia W 110–101 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		31–15
47 January 29 New Jersey W 131–100 Bayard Forrest (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,327 		32–15
48 January 31 @ Kansas City W 112–102 Walter Davis (21) Omaha Civic Auditorium
5,182 		33–15
February: 5–8 (home: 4–1; road: 1–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
49 February 1 @ Detroit L 120–127 Walter Davis (26) Cobo Arena
5,143 		33–16
50 February 3 Milwaukee W 115–105 Walter Davis (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		34–16
All-Star Break
51 February 9 Atlanta W 125–98 Walter Davis (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,877 		35–16
52 February 12, 1978
4:45 p.m. MST 		Washington W 121–109 Paul Westphal (43) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,467 		36–16
53 February 14 @ Portland L 100–113 Walter Davis (39) Memorial Coliseum
12,666 		36–17
54 February 16 Boston L 95–98 Walter Davis (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		36–18
55 February 17 @ Golden State L 92–111 Alvan Adams,
Walter Davis (16) 		Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
13,185 		36–19
56 February 18 Indiana W 114–101 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		37–19
57 February 21 @ Buffalo W 114–111 Walter Davis (32) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
4,409 		38–19
58 February 22 @ Atlanta L 95–107 Paul Westphal (37) Charlotte Coliseum
5,843 		38–20
59 February 24, 1978
6:05 p.m. MST 		@ Washington L 120–121 (OT) Paul Westphal (35) Capital Centre
12,432 		38–21
60 February 25 @ New York L 115–122 Paul Westphal (27) Madison Square Garden
17,197 		38–22
61 February 28 @ Chicago L 115–126 Walter Davis (36) Chicago Stadium
14,713 		38–23
March: 9–7 (home: 7–2; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
62 March 1 Detroit L 102–115 Paul Westphal (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,161 		38–24
63 March 3 Milwaukee W 132–126 Paul Westphal (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,139 		39–24
64 March 5 Philadelphia L 92–104 Walter Davis (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,145 		39–25
65 March 7 @ Denver W 126–112 Walter Davis (34) McNichols Sports Arena
17,428 		40–25
66 March 9 Chicago W 112–103 Paul Westphal (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,748 		41–25
67 March 11 Los Angeles W 120–114 Walter Davis (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		42–25
68 March 12 @ Los Angeles L 112–128 Paul Westphal (29) The Forum
17,505 		42–26
69 March 14 @ Milwaukee L 106–121 Walter Davis (38) MECCA Arena
10,938 		42–27
70 March 15 @ New Jersey L 98–117 Alvan Adams (21) Rutgers Athletic Center
4,260 		42–28
71 March 17 @ Boston L 108–115 Paul Westphal (24) Boston Garden
15,276 		42–29
72 March 19 @ Cleveland W 123–112 Paul Westphal (39) Coliseum at Richfield
15,622 		43–29
73 March 21 @ Indiana L 115–119 Walter Davis (27) Market Square Arena
10,633 		43–30
74 March 23 New York W 120–108 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		44–30
75 March 25 Buffalo W 112–106 Alvan Adams (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,642 		45–30
76 March 29 Portland W 127–94 Paul Westphal (33) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		46–30
77 March 31 Kansas City W 136–112 Paul Westphal (35) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,590 		47–30
April: 2–3 (home: 2–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
78 April 2 Golden State W 105–99 Paul Westphal (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,040 		48–30
79 April 4 @ San Antonio L 119–125 Walter Davis (35) HemisFair Arena
9,112 		48–31
80 April 6 Denver L 105–111 Walter Davis (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660 		48–32
81 April 7 @ Seattle L 83–95 Paul Westphal (16) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098 		48–33
82 April 8 New Jersey W 120–109 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,226 		49–33
1977–78 schedule

Playoffs

[edit]

Game log

[edit]
1978 playoff game log
First Round: 0–2 (home: 0–1; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 11 Milwaukee L 103–111 Walter Davis (31) Alvan Adams (9) Paul Westphal (9) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,161 		0–1
2 April 14 @ Milwaukee L 90–94 Paul Westphal (32) Walter Davis (9) Paul Westphal (10) MECCA Arena
10,938 		0–2
1978 schedule

Awards and honors

[edit]

All-Star

[edit]
  • Paul Westphal was voted as a starter for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his second consecutive All-Star selection. Westphal finished second in voting among Western Conference guards with 264,006 votes.
  • Walter Davis was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his first All-Star selection.

Season

[edit]

Player statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games 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

[edit]
Player GP GS MPG FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Alvan Adams 70 49 27.3 .485 .730 8.1 3.2 1.2 .9 15.5
Dennis Awtrey 81 34 20.0 .424 .633 3.7 2.0 .2 .3 3.6
Mike Bratz 80 0 11.7 .403 .824 1.4 1.5 .5 .1 4.7
Don Buse 82 82 31.1 .458 .824 3.0 4.8 2.3 .2 8.4
Walter Davis 81 81 32.0 .526 .830 6.0 3.4 1.4 .2 24.2
Bayard Forrest 64 0 13.9 .466 .476 3.9 2.0 .4 .5 4.2
Greg Griffin 36 0 11.7 .361 .639 2.9 0.7 .4 .0 4.0
Garfield Heard 80 73 26.2 .424 .612 8.2 1.7 1.6 1.3 7.8
Ron Lee 82 2 23.5 .439 .746 3.1 3.7 2.7 .2 12.2
Curtis Perry 45 4 18.2 .453 .785 5.6 1.1 .8 .5 6.0
Alvin Scott 81 5 19.0 .488 .691 4.4 1.1 .6 .5 6.1
Paul Westphal 80 80 31.0 .516 .813 2.1 5.5 1.7 .4 25.2

Playoffs

[edit]
Player GP GS MPG FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Alvan Adams 2 2 35.5 .455 1.000 8.0 2.0 1.0 .5 16.0
Dennis Awtrey 2 0 12.0 .250 1.000 1.0 1.5 .5 .0 1.5
Mike Bratz 2 0 4.5 .200 . 0.0 0.5 .0 .0 1.0
Don Buse 2 2 38.0 .364 . 2.5 2.0 2.0 .0 4.0
Walter Davis 2 2 33.0 .475 .750 8.5 4.0 1.5 .0 25.0
Bayard Forrest 1 0 3.0 1.000 . 0.0 0.0 .0 .0 2.0
Greg Griffin 2 0 12.5 .429 . 2.0 1.5 .5 .5 3.0
Garfield Heard 2 2 31.0 .353 .500 8.0 2.5 1.0 2.0 6.5
Ron Lee 2 0 20.5 .313 1.000 3.0 1.5 2.0 .0 6.0
Alvin Scott 2 0 18.5 .500 .833 3.0 1.5 1.0 .0 6.5
Paul Westphal 2 2 33.0 .468 .889 3.0 9.5 .5 .0 26.0

Transactions

[edit]

Trades

[edit]
July 15, 1977 To Portland Trail Blazers
United States Dale Schlueter 		To Phoenix Suns
1978 fourth-round draft pick (United States Wayne Smith)
September 6, 1977 To Indiana Pacers
United States Ricky Sobers 		To Phoenix Suns
United States Don Buse

Free agents

[edit]

Additions

[edit]
Date Player Contract Old Team
July 23, 1977 Freeman Blade Undisclosed
February 16, 1978 Greg Griffin Undisclosed Phoenix Suns

Subtractions

[edit]
Date Player Reason Left New Team
April 10, 1977 Tom Van Arsdale Retired
May 12, 1977 Dick Van Arsdale Retired
June 6, 1977 Keith Erickson Retired
August 23, 1977 Billy McKinney Waived Kansas City Kings
October 17, 1977 Freeman Blade Waived
October 17, 1977 Butch Feher Waived
November 14, 1977 Greg Griffin Waived Phoenix Suns

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Suns' Walter Davis Named NBA Rookie of the Year". nba.com/history.
  2. ^ "1977–78 NBA Awards Voting". basketball-reference.com.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1977–78_Phoenix_Suns_season&oldid=1228385636"