The Suns' luck started to show around in 1988 with the acquisition of Kevin Johnson from the Cleveland Cavaliers, together with Mark West and Tyrone Corbin, for All-Star power ahead Larry Nance and Mike Sanders. This was the start of a franchise-document 13 consecutive playoff appearances. All-Star Tom Chambers came to visit from the Seattle SuperSonics (the first unrestricted free agent in NBA historical past), 1986 second round draft decide Jeff Hornacek continued to develop, and "Thunder" Dan Majerle was drafted with the 14th decide in the 1988 draft. Kurt Rambis was added from the Charlotte Hornets in 1989, and the group upset the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 video games during the playoffs that season, before falling to the Portland Trail Blazers within the Western Conference Finals. In 1990–ninety one, the Suns went fifty five–27 however lost within the first spherical to the Utah Jazz, 3–1.
Marbury had a profitable particular person season, making the All-NBA Third Team and being selected for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game. The Suns have been eliminated in the first round as soon as once more by the San Antonio Spurs; a six-recreation collection with the eventual NBA champions. Most believed Johnson was a attain (The Ringer NBA Draft Guide projected him as a second-rounder), and his relatively advanced age—he’s a couple of hundred days older than 23-year-outdated Devin Booker, presently in his fifth season—only inspired the refrain of jeers. As did the Suns’ seemingly repetitive insistence on constructing a group supposedly able to compete in the Western Conference this season. Last year, hoping to construct on Booker’s emergence and after drafting Deandre Ayton first overall, Phoenix tried to slingshot itself into the playoff hunt.
The Suns advanced to the NBA's Western Conference Finals, eliminating the Portland Trail Blazers in six video games and the San Antonio Spurs in 4 video games, together with an explosive efficiency by Goran Dragić in game three in opposition to the Spurs, scoring 23 points within the fourth quarter. The Suns confronted the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals however misplaced in six games.
Devin Booker scored 40 points, Ricky Rubio added 21 points and 10 assists and the Phoenix Suns beat the NBA's ultimate undefeated team by knocking off the Philadelphia 76ers 114-109 on Monday evening. The Suns received an award within the Advanced Media category for a video on Suns.com during the 2007 NBA Playoffs, Raja Bell Reunion with Teammates, produced by Steven J. Koek. An Emmy was also awarded in 2008 for PlanetOrange.internet, the staff's official online fan neighborhood. The site was produced by Suns VP of Interactive Services Jeramie McPeek and powered by know-how from social media utility developer KickApps.
Despite the turnover in players, the Suns again won the Pacific Division, going 54–28 and capturing the second seed within the Western Conference. Nash was awarded a second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player Award, turning into the second level-guard, after Magic Johnson, to win the award in consecutive seasons. Also, Diaw was named NBA Most Improved Player. Why do we remember Guy Fawkes –03 marketing campaign noticed the emergence of Stoudemire, a graduate of Cypress Creek High School (Orlando, Florida). He grew to become the primary highschool-drafted player to win the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2002–03 season, during which the Suns posted a report of 44–38 and returned to the playoffs.
The Suns misplaced games 5 and 6 by a combined 25 factors and were eradicated from the sequence on June 3. After the Barkley trade, the Suns started the 1996–ninety seven season 0–thirteen, a franchise report for the worst start. During the 13-game shedding streak, Fitzsimmons stepped down because the coach and was changed by former player Danny Ainge. In 2004, the Suns reacquired Steve Nash, and immediately returned into playoff competition.