Phoenix Suns Logo — Phoenix Suns is a professional basketball team in the NBA based in Phoenix, Arizona. They reached the NBA in its expansion in 1968, the Suns play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Play their home games at U.S. Airways Center. In its 40 year history, the team has won 2 conference titles, six division titles and has played in two NBA Finals in 1976 and 1993, losing both.

On January 22 of 1968, the NBA awarded expansion franchises of two based in Phoenix and Milwaukee. The main investors in the Phoenix franchise had close ties to Tucson, the second largest city in the state of Arizona. All four were students at the University of Arizona. In addition, other investors were actors Andy Williams and Henry Mancini. As the official Phoenix Suns, the logo was designed by Stanley Fabe, owner of a Tucson printing, for 200 U.S. dollars.

The new Suns general manager chose to Jerry Colangelo, then manager of Chicago Bulls, when he was only 28 years. Colangelo in turn hired Johnny “Red” Kerr to occupy the post of head coach of the Suns. In the 1969-70 season, Colangelo had to be ordered to run some games. Cotton Fitzsimmons replaced Colangelo as Suns coach in the 1970-71 season. Under his leadership, the team witnessed his first season with positive numbers, ending it with a record of 48-34.

Fitzsimmons would coach the team in the late 1980’s. He was a very loved by the fans of the Suns, a popular and successful coach, commentator and director of the Phoenix organization. In the year 1970, the Suns experienced mild success season, combining the talents of players like Dick Van Arsdale and his twin brother Tom Van Arsdale, the “hall of fame” Connie Hawkins, Len “Truck” Robinson, Alvan Adams and pivot Neal Walk. In 1976, the Suns finished the season with 42 victories and 40 defeats in the playoffs and surprisingly defeated the defending champion Golden State Warriors to play in the NBA Finals to Boston Celtics in a legendary series, falling in 6 games. The fifth meeting had 3 extensions and is considered by many as the best game of the NBA history, with forward Gar Heard the Suns scoring a shot at the buzzer to take the match into the third overtime in the Boston Garden.

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