1975–76 Phoenix Suns season

1975–76 Phoenix Suns season
Conference Champions
Head coach	John MacLeod
General manager	Jerry Colangelo
Owner(s)	Richard Bloch
Arena	Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record	42–40 (.512)
Place	Division: 3rd (Pacific) Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finish	Lost in NBA Finals to Boston (2–4)
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Radio	KTAR

The 1975–76 Phoenix Suns season was the eighth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. The season included an improbable run to the NBA Finals by a team that had never won a playoff series and made the playoffs only one other season in the franchise's existence. With a regular season record of 42–40, the Suns had finished third in the Pacific division standings and improved upon last season's win total by 10 games. The ensuing playoff run took plenty by surprise, including a seven-game series win against the Western Conference's top seed Golden State Warriors, a team that had finished 17 games ahead of the Suns in the divisional standings. The franchise's first Finals appearance pitted them against a 12-time champion in the Boston Celtics, whose roster featured three players from that season's All-Star Game. The 1976 NBA Finals would feature a memorable Game 5 triple-overtime thriller filled with controversies in which the Suns narrowly lost. Returning home for Game 6, the demoralized Suns would lose Game 6 and the series but not before endearing a generation of fans to the Suns franchise and showcasing a basketball from the desert southwest. The team's "Cinderella" season earned them the nickname Sunderella Suns.^[1] John MacLeod was head coach and the Suns played their home games at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Offseason

NBA Draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
1	4	Alvan Adams	Center	United States	Oklahoma
1	16	Ricky Sobers	Guard	United States	UNLV
2	35	Allen Murphy	Guard	United States	Louisville
2	36	Jimmy Dan Conner	Guard	United States	Kentucky
3	54	Bayard Forrest	Center	United States	Grand Canyon
4	58	Sam McCants	Guard	United States	Oral Roberts
5	76	Joe Pace	Center	United States	Coppin State
6	94	Clark "Biff" Burrell	Guard	United States	USC
7	112	Dave Edmunds	Guard	United States	West Georgia
8	130	Jack Schrader	Forward	United States	Arizona State
9	147	Owen Brown	Forward	United States	Maryland
10	163	Mike Moon	Guard	United States	Arizona State

Finishing the previous season with a 32–50 record, the Suns earned the fourth pick in the draft, which they used to select center Alvan Adams from Oklahoma. Adams averaged 23.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game in three seasons with the Sooners.^[2] With averages of 19 points, 9.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks a game, Adams would become an All-Star in his first NBA season, and go on to be named Rookie of the Year. Adams would spend his entire 13 year career with the Suns, and would have his #33 jersey retired by the franchise in 1988.^[3]

On draft day, the Suns traded one of their 1976 first-round picks (acquired from a trade with the New Orleans Jazz in 1974) to the Buffalo Braves for the 16th pick in the 1975 draft. The Suns used their additional pick to select guard Ricky Sobers from UNLV. In 1976, the Braves would use the sixth pick to select future Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley. Sobers would play two seasons for the Suns, contributing significantly to their Finals run, before being traded to the Indiana Pacers for Don Buse.^[4]

In the third round, the Suns selected center Bayard Forrest from Grand Canyon University. Forrest would play another season with the Antelopes, and be drafted again by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1976. The Sonics would trade the rights to Forrest back to the Suns in 1977 for a 1979 second-round pick. Forrest played two seasons for the Suns as a backup center, before being sidelined by thyroid cancer, forcing him to retire in 1980.^[5]

Free agency

On June 10, the Suns signed free agent point guard Dennis "Mo" Layton. Layton began his career with the Suns in 1971, playing two seasons before being waived. He would then play for the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Tams of the ABA in 1973–74, and sit for the 1974–75 season as a free agent. Layton was waived by the Suns during the preseason and would again sit through 1975–76 season as a free agent.^[6]

On October 24, the Suns claimed veteran swingman John Wetzel off of waivers from the Atlanta Hawks.^[7] Wetzel would play sparingly throughout the season, averaging 6.7 minutes in 37 regular season games, and 2.5 minutes in two playoff games. Wetzel had played for the Suns from 1970 to 1972, and would spend his final season with the Suns before retiring in August 1976.^[8] Wetzel would later become an assistant coach with the Suns from 1979 to 1987, before becoming the team's head coach for the 1987–88 season.^[9]

Trades

On May 23, the Suns traded three-time All-Star guard Charlie Scott to the Boston Celtics for guard Paul Westphal, a 1975 second-round draft pick, and a 1976 second-round draft pick. Suns general manager Jerry Colangelo released this statement after the trade:

It takes a team concept of play to win in this league. Although Charlie Scott is a talent, our decision was made on the basis that Scott's talents were of an individual nature and did not fit into a team style of play. In Paul Westphal, we are acquiring a player from a winning situation. He is a stable, quality individual who will add leadership and experience to our club. We are confident that this decision will prove to be a major step in developing a winner and that the Phoenix Suns are more important than any one individual.

— Jerry Colangelo, ^[10]

Westphal had spent his first three years playing a limited role for Boston, but would blossom as a starter for the Suns. From 1976–77 to 1979–80, Westphal would make four consecutive All-Star appearances, voted as a starter three times, and be named to four All-NBA Teams, including three First Team selections.^[11] Scott's minutes and points would decrease with the Celtics, and he would not again be selected as an All-Star.^[12]

On May 28, the Suns traded center Earl Williams to the Detroit Pistons for forward Willie Norwood. Unable to play in training camp due to knee injuries, the Suns exercised a contract clause that allowed them to send Norwood back to the Pistons.^[13] On September 30, the Pistons would send the Suns a 1976 second-round draft pick as compensation for Williams.^[14]

On June 9, the Suns traded a 1976 second-round draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for guard Phil Lumpkin. Playing the 1975–76 season as a backup point guard, Lumpkin would average 2.1 points and 1.4 assists in 34 regular season games, and 1.8 points and 1.2 assists in 17 playoff games. Lumpkin was waived prior to the 1976–77 season and would not play in the NBA again.^[15]

On September 17, the Suns traded guard Greg Jackson to the Washington Bullets for future draft considerations. Jackson was waived by the Bullets a month later and did not play in the NBA again.^[16]

Roster

Phoenix Suns roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Height Weight DOB (Y-M-D) From F/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/F 14 Erickson, Keith 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1944-04-19 UCLA G/F 32 Hawthorne, Nate 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1950-01-15 Southern Illinois F 24 Heard, Garfield 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 219 lb (99 kg) 1948-05-03 Oklahoma G 10 Lumpkin, Phil 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1951-12-20 Miami F 18 Perry, Curtis 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1948-09-13 Missouri State G 12 Riley, Pat 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1945-03-20 Kentucky G 40 Sobers, Ricky 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 1953-01-15 UNLV G/F 5 Van Arsdale, Dick 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1943-02-22 Indiana G 44 Westphal, Paul 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1950-11-30 Southern California G/F 25 Wetzel, John 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1944-10-20 Virginia Tech	Head coach John MacLeod (Bellarmine) Assistant coach(es) Al Bianchi (Bowling Green) Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured

Preseason

The Suns held their training camp from September 25 to October 5 at the Yavapai College Gymnasium in Prescott, Arizona. The initial training camp roster consisted of returning Suns Dennis Awtrey, Mike Bantom, Keith Erickson, Nate Hawthorne, Gary Melchionni, Curtis Perry, Fred Saunders and Dick Van Arsdale, as well as newly acquired players Mo Layton, Phil Lumpkin, Willie Norwood and Paul Westphal, rookies Alvan Adams, John Shumate and Ricky Sobers, and training camp invitee Duane Read.^[17] Norwood, acquired in an earlier trade with the Detroit Pistons, was unable to play due to knee problems and sent back to the Pistons on October 30. Layton was waived on October 2 after appearing in one exhibition game.^[18] Read, a free agent guard from Portland State, had impressed the Suns staff during Los Angeles summer league play and was invited to training camp. Read started in the Suns first preseason game but was cut from the roster before the season.^[19] Melchionni was waived on October 24, one day prior to the start of the regular season. Melchionni had played with the Suns for the last two years as a backup point guard, averaging 7.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 137 games.^[20]

The loss of Norwood and injuries to Awtrey, Lumpkin, Melchionni and Saunders cut the team's initial preseason roster down to 11. Even with an abbreviated roster, the Suns finished the preseason with a 5–1 record, including three wins over the rival Los Angeles Lakers, a win over the Seattle SuperSonics, and a win over the Kansas City Kings. Their one loss came at the hands of the Kings, who beat the Suns 105–109 in overtime to close the preseason. Westphal led the Suns with 21.2 points a game in exhibition play, while Adams averaged 15.3 points and a team high 6.2 assists a game.^[21] Not included in the Suns preseason record was an exhibition game against the United States Pan American team on October 6 at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The collegiate squad, who would go on to win the gold medal at the 1975 Pan American Games, narrowly defeated the Suns 72–70 off a last second layup from future NBA champion Johnny Davis.^[22]

Game log

1975 preseason game log
October: 5–1 Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record Streak 1 October 1 Los Angeles W 114–112 Alvan Adams (24) Robertson Gymnasium 1–0 W 1 2 October 8 Los Angeles W 111–106 Alvan Adams (17) Bakersfield, CA 2–0 W 2 3 October 11 Los Angeles W 104–94 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 3–0 W 3 4 October 12 Seattle W 104–92 Paul Westphal (32) Ellensburg, WA 4–0 W 4 5 October 18 Kansas City W 101–90 5–0 W 5 6 November 8 Kansas City L 105–109 (OT) Paul Westphal (17) Las Vegas, NV 5–1 L 1

Regular season

Standings

Pacific Division	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div
y-Golden State Warriors	59	23	.720	–	36–5	23–18	17–9
x-Seattle SuperSonics	43	39	.524	16	31–10	12–29	12–14
x-Phoenix Suns	42	40	.512	17	27-14	15-26	15–11
Los Angeles Lakers	40	42	.488	19	31–11	9–31	10–16
Portland Trail Blazers	37	45	.451	22	25–15	12–30	11–15

#	Western Conference
	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	z-Golden State Warriors	59	23	.720	–
2	x-Seattle SuperSonics	43	39	.524	16
3	x-Phoenix Suns	42	40	.512	17
4	y-Milwaukee Bucks	38	44	.463	21
5	x-Detroit Pistons	36	46	.439	23
6	Los Angeles Lakers	40	42	.488	19
7	Portland Trail Blazers	37	45	.451	22
8	Kansas City Kings	31	51	.378	28
9	Chicago Bulls	24	58	.293	35

Game log

1975–76 game log Total: 42–40 (Home: 27–14; Road: 15–26)
October: 1–1 (Home: 0–0; Road: 1–1) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record Streak 1 October 25 @ Portland W 89–88 Paul Westphal (17) Memorial Coliseum 11,274 1–0 W 1 2 October 26 @ Seattle L 99–113 Alvan Adams (29) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,288 1–1 L 1
November: 6–6 (Home: 5–1; Road: 1–5) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record Streak 3 November 1 @ Kansas City L 100–106 Paul Westphal (22) Kemper Arena 6,632 1–2 L 2 4 November 4 @ Chicago W 96–80 Alvan Adams (18) Chicago Stadium 5,216 2–2 W 1 5 November 7 @ Philadelphia L 99–103 Curtis Perry (21) The Spectrum 9,549 2–3 L 1 6 November 8 @ Buffalo L 105–110 Paul Westphal (29) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium 10,253 2–4 L 2 7 November 11 New York W 112–81 Paul Westphal (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 8,576 3–4 W 1 8 November 13 Seattle W 106–103 Dick Van Arsdale (20) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5,016 4–4 W 2 9 November 14 @ Los Angeles L 107–114 Alvan Adams (35) The Forum 11,450 4–5 L 1 10 November 19 Milwaukee L 94–96 Dick Van Arsdale (18) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5,582 4–6 L 2 11 November 21 Houston W 107–92 Paul Westphal (22) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6,230 5–6 W 1 12 November 26 Buffalo W 107–106 John Shumate (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 8,157 6–6 W 2 13 November 28 Portland W 110–101 Paul Westphal (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 7,769 7–6 W 3 14 November 29 @ Golden State L 100–112 Paul Westphal (27) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 12,787 7–7 L 1
December: 8–7 (Home: 5–5; Road: 3–2) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record Streak 15 December 2 Golden State W 115–98 Alvan Adams (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5,179 8–7 W 1 16 December 5 Washington L 87–92 Alvan Adams (17) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 8,065 8–8 L 1 17 December 7 Chicago W 114–97 Dick Van Arsdale (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 4,383 9–8 W 1 18 December 9 @ New Orleans W 104–89 Dick Van Arsdale (25) Louisiana Superdome 7,619 10–8 W 2 19 December 10 @ Houston W 105–91 Paul Westphal (32) The Summit 5,358 11–8 W 3 20 December 11 Philadelphia L 106–110 Alvan Adams (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6,310 11–9 L 1 21 December 13 Los Angeles W 116–108 Paul Westphal (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 7,842 12–9 W 1 22 December 14 @ Portland W 105–96 Alvan Adams (20) Memorial Coliseum 10,544 13–9 W 2 23 December 17 Milwaukee W 116–111 Alvan Adams, Keith Erickson (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5,689 14–9 W 3 24 December 19 Cleveland L 124–128 (2OT) Keith Erickson, Dick Van Arsdale (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6,809 14–10 L 1 25 December 21 New Orleans L 107–120 John Shumate (18) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6,853 14–11 L 2 26 December 25 Kansas City W 122–111 Curtis Perry (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 11,114 15–11 W 1 27 December 26 Boston L 106–112 Paul Westphal (22) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 11,842 15–12 L 1 28 December 28 @ Milwaukee L 85–88 Keith Erickson (22) MECCA Arena 10,938 15–13 L 2 29 December 30 @ New York L 88–114 John Shumate (21) Madison Square Garden 16,064 15–14 L 3
January: 4–13 (Home: 2–6; Road: 2–7) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record Streak 30 January 1 @ Washington L 103–114 Paul Westphal (25) Capital Centre 4,919 15–15 L 4 31 January 3 @ Atlanta W 100–89 Dick Van Arsdale (18) Omni Coliseum 5,803 16–15 W 1 32 January 4 @ Kansas City L 86–98 Keith Erickson (17) Kemper Arena 5,040 16–16 L 1 33 January 7 Golden State L 110–114 Paul Westphal (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6,696 16–17 L 2 34 January 8 @ Golden State L 113–129 Keith Erickson (25) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 9,807 16–18 L 3 35 January 9 Seattle L 110–112 (OT) Alvan Adams (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5,774 16–19 L 4 36 January 11 New York L 98–99 Keith Erickson (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6,429 16–20 L 5 37 January 15 Buffalo L 119–126 John Shumate (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6,138 16–21 L 6 38 January 17 @ Cleveland L 85–105 Alvan Adams (18) Coliseum at Richfield 8,082 16–22 L 7 39 January 18 @ Detroit W 122–118 John Shumate (28) Cobo Arena 3,054 17–22 W 1 40 January 20 @ Buffalo L 103–112 Paul Westphal (27) Buffalo Memorial Auditorium 8,478 17–23 L 1 41 January 21 @ Boston L 100–114 Alvan Adams (23) Boston Garden 11,562 17–24 L 2 42 January 23 Houston W 124–115 Paul Westphal (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6,341 18–24 W 1 43 January 24 Washington L 84–100 Alvan Adams, Paul Westphal (16) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 7,263 18–25 L 1 44 January 28 @ Los Angeles L 118–121 Paul Westphal (30) The Forum 11,735 18–26 L 2 45 January 29 Milwaukee L 96–105 Paul Westphal (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 7,125 18–27 L 3 46 January 31 Philadelphia W 119–105 Alvan Adams (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 8,134 19–27 W 1
February: 8–5 (Home: 4–2; Road: 4–3) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record Streak All-Star Break 47 February 6 Golden State W 118–111 Alvan Adams (33) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 7,187 20–27 W 1 48 February 8 @ Seattle W 107–101 (OT) Nate Hawthorne (25) Seattle Center Coliseum 13,039 21–27 W 2 49 February 11 Detroit W 123–94 Alvan Adams (22) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5,718 22–27 W 3 50 February 13 Boston L 108–109 Paul Westphal (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 8,130 22–28 L 1 51 February 14 New Orleans W 112–93 Alvan Adams (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6,539 23–28 W 1 52 February 17 @ Chicago L 111–114 (OT) Alvan Adams (32) Chicago Stadium 4,313 23–29 L 1 53 February 18 @ Detroit L 94–105 Paul Westphal (22) Cobo Arena 3,045 23–30 L 2 54 February 20 @ New Orleans W 103–102 Alvan Adams (28) Louisiana Superdome 10,519 24–30 W 1 55 February 21 @ Houston W 110–108 (OT) Alvan Adams, Paul Westphal (24) The Summit 6,043 25–30 W 2 56 February 24 Kansas City L 117–120 (OT) Alvan Adams (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6,416 25–31 L 1 57 February 26 Atlanta W 115–97 Ricky Sobers, Paul Westphal (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5,820 26–31 W 1 58 February 28 @ Washington L 89–92 Paul Westphal (23) Capital Centre 9,245 26–32 L 1 59 February 29 @ Detroit W 109–98 Paul Westphal (32) Cobo Arena 6,143 27–32 W 1
March: 12–5 (Home: 8–0; Road: 4–5) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record Streak 60 March 3 Cleveland W 108–92 Paul Westphal (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 4,523 28–32 W 2 61 March 5 Chicago W 99–97 Alvan Adams, Paul Westphal (22) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5,346 29–32 W 3 62 March 6 @ Portland L 99–118 Nate Hawthorne (19) Memorial Coliseum 9,142 29–33 L 1 63 March 7 Portland W 106–84 Paul Westphal (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5,039 30–33 W 1 64 March 10 @ Philadelphia L 108–125 Alvan Adams (24) The Spectrum 10,061 30–34 L 1 65 March 11 @ Atlanta W 104–99 Paul Westphal (32) Omni Coliseum 4,137 31–34 W 1 66 March 13 @ Cleveland L 77–99 Curtis Perry (14) Coliseum at Richfield 17,592 31–35 L 1 67 March 14 @ Milwaukee W 108–106 Alvan Adams (25) MECCA Arena 10,938 32–35 W 1 68 March 16 @ Chicago L 87–120 Alvan Adams (15) Chicago Stadium 3,392 32–36 L 1 69 March 18 Detroit W 106–100 Gar Heard (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 5,687 33–36 W 1 70 March 20 Los Angeles W 106–93 Alvan Adams (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 9,123 34–36 W 2 71 March 23 Seattle W 104–97 Paul Westphal (39) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 7,589 35–36 W 3 72 March 25 Atlanta W 107–98 Paul Westphal (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 6,257 36–36 W 4 73 March 27 Kansas City W 117–110 Paul Westphal (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 9,386 37–36 W 5 74 March 28 @ Los Angeles W 100–97 Paul Westphal (27) The Forum 11,732 38–36 W 6 75 March 30 @ New York W 113–97 Paul Westphal (29) Madison Square Garden 13,494 39–36 W 7 76 March 31 @ Boston L 102–122 Nate Hawthorne (22) Boston Garden 8,200 39–37 L 1
April: 3–3 (Home: 3–0; Road: 0–3) Game Date Team Score High points Location Attendance Record Streak 77 April 2 Portland W 106–103 Alvan Adams (20) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 10,424 40–37 W 1 78 April 3 @ Portland L 97–112 Paul Westphal (28) Memorial Coliseum 9,010 40–38 L 1 79 April 4 @ Seattle L 89–117 Alvan Adams (21) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,096 40–39 L 2 80 April 6 @ Golden State L 106–111 (OT) Alvan Adams (30) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 11,809 40–40 L 3 81 April 8 Los Angeles W 113–98 Ricky Sobers (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 13,036 41–40 W 1 82 April 10 Seattle W 121–95 Alvan Adams (19) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 9,577 42–40 W 2
1975–76 season schedule

Playoffs

Game log

1976 playoff game log
Conference Semifinals: 4–2 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds Location Attendance Series Streak 1 April 13 @ Seattle L 99–102 Paul Westphal (24) Gar Heard (10) Seattle Center Coliseum 12,408 0–1 L 1 2 April 15 @ Seattle W 116–111 Alvan Adams (23) Curtis Perry (12) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,096 1–1 W 1 3 April 18 Seattle W 103–91 Gar Heard, Paul Westphal (16) Gar Heard (14) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 13,036 2–1 W 2 4 April 20 Seattle W 130–114 Paul Westphal (39) Gar Heard (11) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 13,036 3–1 W 3 5 April 25 @ Seattle L 108–114 Paul Westphal (27) Dennis Awtrey (12) Seattle Center Coliseum 14,096 3–2 L 1 6 April 27 Seattle W 123–112 Keith Erickson (20) Alvan Adams, Gar Heard (9) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 13,192 4–2 W 1
Conference Finals: 4–3 (Home: 2–1; Road: 2–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds Location Attendance Series Streak 1 May 2 @ Golden State L 103–128 Curtis Perry (22) Alvan Adams (14) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 12,475 0–1 L 1 2 May 5 @ Golden State W 108–101 Paul Westphal (31) Gar Heard (12) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 13,067 1–1 W 1 3 May 7 Golden State L 91–99 Paul Westphal (24) Alvan Adams (14) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 13,306 1–2 L 1 4 May 9 Golden State W 133–129 (2OT) Keith Erickson (28) Gar Heard (18) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,884 2–2 W 1 5 May 12 @ Golden State L 95–111 Curtis Perry (23) Curtis Perry (18) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 13,067 2–3 L 1 6 May 14 Golden State W 105–104 Keith Erickson (24) Gar Heard (15) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 13,036 3–3 W 1 7 May 16 @ Golden State W 94–86 Gar Heard, Paul Westphal (21) Alvan Adams (20) Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 13,067 4–3 W 2
NBA Finals: 2–4 (Home: 2–1; Road: 0–3) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds Location Attendance Series Streak 1 May 23 @ Boston L 87–98 Alvan Adams (26) Curtis Perry (10) Boston Garden 15,320 0–1 L 1 2 May 27 @ Boston L 90–105 Paul Westphal (28) Alvan Adams (15) Boston Garden 15,320 0–2 L 2 3 May 30 Boston W 105–98 Alvan Adams (33) Alvan Adams (14) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 12,884 1–2 W 1 4 June 2 Boston W 109–107 Paul Westphal (28) Gar Heard (15) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 13,306 2–2 W 2 5 June 4 @ Boston L 126–128 (3OT) Ricky Sobers, Paul Westphal (25) Curtis Perry (15) Boston Garden 15,320 2–3 L 1 6 June 6 Boston L 80–87 Alvan Adams (20) Gar Heard (10) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 13,306 2–4 L 2
1976 playoff schedule

Awards and honors

All-Star

• Alvan Adams was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his first and only All-Star selection.

Season

• Alvan Adams received the Rookie of the Year Award.
• Jerry Colangelo received the Executive of the Year Award.
• Alvan Adams was named to the All-Rookie First Team.
• Paul Westphal finished 24th in MVP voting.

Player statistics

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

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Alvan Adams	80	78	33.2	.469	.735	9.1	5.6	1.5	1.5	19.0
Dennis Awtrey	74	4	18.6	.467	.688	4.0	2.1	.3	.3	4.9
Mike Bantom*	7	2	9.7	.308	1.000^	3.3	0.4	.3	.3	3.0
Keith Erickson	74	39	25.0	.470	.854^	4.5	2.5	1.1	.1	10.1
Nate Hawthorne	79	1	14.5	.430	.676	2.6	0.6	.4	.2	6.1
Garfield Heard*	36	36	33.9	.452	.673	9.9+	1.8	1.4	1.1	12.4
Phil Lumpkin	34	0	10.9	.338	.867^	0.7	1.4	.4	.0	2.1
Curtis Perry	71	70	33.1	.497†	.732	9.6+	2.6	1.2	.9	13.3
Pat Riley*	60	5	13.2	.389	.730	0.8	1.0	.4	.1	4.6
Fred Saunders	17	0	8.6	.438	.545	2.2	0.8	.3	.1	3.6
John Shumate*	43	11	21.6	.550†	.628	5.6	1.4	1.0	.4	11.3
Ricky Sobers	78	30	24.3	.449	.823	3.3	2.8	1.4	.1	9.2
Dick Van Arsdale	58	54	32.2	.484	.830	2.4	2.4	.9	.2	12.9
Paul Westphal	82	80	36.1	.494	.830	3.2	5.4	2.6	.5	20.5
John Wetzel	37	0	6.7	.478	.833	1.0	0.5	.2	.1	1.7

* - Stats with the Suns.
† - Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ - Minimum 125 free throws made.
+ - Minimum 70 games played or 800 rebounds.

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
Alvan Adams	19	19	35.2	.452	.817	10.1	5.2	1.3	1.1	17.9
Dennis Awtrey	19	0	15.1	.467	.545	3.3	1.3	.3	.5	3.2
Keith Erickson	19	0	22.4	.462	.809	3.5	1.8	.6	.2	11.3
Nate Hawthorne	15	0	5.4	.346	.727	1.1	0.3	.3	.1	1.7
Garfield Heard	19	19	37.9	.441	.679	10.4	1.7	2.1	1.9	13.9
Phil Lumpkin	17	0	8.0	.333	.786	0.8	1.2	.1	.0	1.8
Curtis Perry	19	19	32.4	.454	.647	7.7	1.9	.6	.9	12.7
Pat Riley	5	0	5.4	.400	1.000^	0.0	1.0	.0	.0	2.6
Ricky Sobers	19	19	29.6	.468	.833	3.3	4.2	.9	.3	13.0
Dick Van Arsdale	19	0	24.8	.488	.870^	1.2	2.0	.7	.1	8.5
Paul Westphal	19	19	36.1	.511	.763	2.5	5.1	1.8	.5	21.1
John Wetzel	2	0	2.5	.	1.000^	1.0	.0	.0	.0	1.0

^ - Minimum 10 free throws made.

Transactions

Trades

May 23, 1975	To Boston Celtics---- Charlie Scott	To Phoenix Suns---- Paul Westphal 1975 second-round draft pick ( Jimmy Dan Conner) 1976 second-round draft pick ( Butch Feher)
May 29, 1975	To Buffalo Braves---- 1976 first-round draft pick ( Adrian Dantley)	To Phoenix Suns---- 1975 first-round draft pick ( Ricky Sobers)
June 9, 1975	To Portland Trail Blazers---- 1976 second-round draft pick ( Jacky Dorsey)	To Phoenix Suns---- Phil Lumpkin
September 17, 1975	To Washington Bullets---- Greg Jackson	To Phoenix Suns---- Future draft pick
September 30, 1975	To Detroit Pistons---- Earl Williams	To Phoenix Suns---- 1976 second-round draft pick ( Earl Tatum)
November 3, 1975	To Los Angeles Lakers---- John Roche 1976 second-round draft pick ( Earl Tatum)	To Phoenix Suns---- Pat Riley
November 22, 1975	To Seattle SuperSonics---- Mike Bantom	To Phoenix Suns---- Cash considerations
February 1, 1976	To Buffalo Braves---- John Shumate	To Phoenix Suns---- Garfield Heard 1976 second-round draft pick ( Al Fleming)

Free agents

Additions Date Player Contract Former Team June 10, 1975 Mo Layton Undisclosed Memphis Tams (ABA) October 24, 1975 John Wetzel Undisclosed Atlanta Hawks Subtractions Date Player Reason Left New Team July 16, 1975 Jim Owens Waived n/a October 2, 1975 Mo Layton Waived New York Knicks October 24, 1975 Gary Melchionni Waived Hazleton Bullets (EBA) February 11, 1976 Fred Saunders Waived Boston Celtics References "SUNS: 1975-76". NBA.com/Suns. "Alvan Adams NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. "Phoenix honors Alvan Adams; retires his jersey". The Prescott Courier. "Ricky Sobers NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. "Cancer Sidelines Forrest". Eugene Register-Guard. "Mo Layton NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. "Sportswhirl". Toledo Blade. "John Wetzel NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. "Suns move Wetzel up to top spot". The Times-News. "Celtics Acquire Scott In Trade For Westphal". Eugene Register-Guard. "Paul Westphal NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. "Charlie Scott NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. "Hurt riddled Suns face Lakers tonight". Prescott Courier. "Earl Williams NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. "Phil Lumpkin NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. "Basketball Transactions Search Results". prosportstransactions.com. "Suns arrive for fall camp tomorrow". Prescott Courier. "Suns cut Layton". Prescott Courier. "Suns, Lakers Play Tonight". Kingman Daily Miner. "Gary Melchionni NBA & ABA Statistics". basketball-reference.com. "Confident Suns Open Campaign". basketball-reference.com. "U.S. Winner". Spokane Daily Chroncile.