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1978–79 Phoenix Suns season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 >

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.

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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Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 19 Marty Byrnes Forward  United States Syracuse
3 63 Joel Kramer Forward  United States San Diego State
4 85 Bob Miller Center  United States Cincinnati
4 88 Wayne Smith Guard  United States California-Irvine
5 107 Andre Wakefield Guard  United States Loyola (IL)
6 128 Charles Thompson Forward  United States Houston
7 149 Steve Malovic Center  United States San Diego State
8 167 George Fowler Center  United States Pacific
9 184 Nate Stokes Forward  United States Grand Canyon
10 199 Lewis Cohen Guard  United States Cal Poly

Roster

[edit]
1978–79 Phoenix Suns roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F/C 33 Adams, Alvan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1954-07-19 Oklahoma
PG 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
PF 24 Heard, Garfield 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 219 lb (99 kg) 1948-05-03 Oklahoma
F/C 50 Kramer, Joel 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 1955-11-30 San Diego State
G 12 McClain, Ted 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1946-08-30 Tennessee State
PF 21 Robinson, Leonard 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1951-10-04 Tennessee State
SF 14 Scott, Alvin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1955-09-14 Oral Roberts
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

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Standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Seattle SuperSonics 52 30 .634 31–10 21–20 11–9
x-Phoenix Suns 50 32 .610 2 32–9 18–23 11–9
x-Los Angeles Lakers 47 35 .573 5 31–10 16–25 11–9
x-Portland Trail Blazers 45 37 .549 7 33–8 12–29 8–12
San Diego Clippers 43 39 .524 9 29–12 14–27 11–9
Golden State Warriors 38 44 .463 14 23–18 15–26 8–12
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Seattle SuperSonics 52 30 .634
2 y-Kansas City Kings 48 34 .585 4
3 x-Phoenix Suns 50 32 .610 2
4 x-Denver Nuggets 47 35 .573 5
5 x-Los Angeles Lakers 47 35 .573 5
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 45 37 .549 7
7 San Diego Clippers 43 39 .524 9
8 Indiana Pacers 38 44 .463 14
9 Milwaukee Bucks 38 44 .463 14
10 Golden State Warriors 38 44 .463 14
11 Chicago Bulls 31 51 .378 21

Record vs. opponents

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1978–79 NBA records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DEN DET GSW HOU IND KCK LAL MIL NJN NOJ NYK PHI PHO POR SAS SDC SEA WAS
Atlanta 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–0 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 1–3 2–2
Boston 2–2 1–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–1 1–3 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–3 2–2 0–4
Chicago 1–3 2–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 4–0 0–3 0–4 0–4 1–3
Cleveland 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–2 1–3 2–1 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 0–4 0–4 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4
Denver 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–1 2–2 4–0 1–3 3–1 1–3 3–1 2–2 4–0 3–1 3–1 0–3 3–1 1–3 3–1 2–2 3–1 1–3
Detroit 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–1 0–4 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–3 1–3
Golden State 3–1 1–2 1–3 1–2 0–4 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–2
Houston 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 3–1 2–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 4–0 0–4 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–1 2–2 2–2
Indiana 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 4–0 1–3 0–4 2–2 1–2 2–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–3
Kansas City 2–2 3–1 4–0 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–0
Los Angeles 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–2 4–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2
Milwaukee 0–3 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 1–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3
New Jersey 2–2 3–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 4–0 3–1 1–3 2–1 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–0 2–2 0–4 2–2 0–4 1–3
New Orleans 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 0–4 0–3 0–4
New York 2–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 1–3 0–4 2–2 1–2 0–3 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–3
Philadelphia 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 3–0 3–1 1–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–3 1–2 3–1 3–1 1–3 3–1
Phoenix 1–2 4–0 3–1 4–0 1–3 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 0–3 3–1 4–0 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 1–3 1–3
Portland 2–2 3–1 0–4 4–0 3–1 3–1 2–2 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–1 1–3 2–1 2–2 1–3 3–1
San Antonio 1–3 4–0 3–0 4–0 1–3 3–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–2 3–1 4–0 2–2 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–2 4–0 2–2 1–3
San Diego 1–3 3–1 4–0 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–2 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 2–2 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 0–4 2–2 0–3
Seattle 3–1 2–2 4–0 2–2 1–3 3–0 1–3 2–2 4–0 2–2 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–0 2–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2
Washington 2–2 4–0 3–1 4–0 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–3 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–3 3–1 3–0 2–2

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)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
1 October 13 San Diego W 128–114 Paul Westphal (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,217
1–0 W 1
2 October 15 Golden State W 129–110 Walter Davis (35) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,750
2–0 W 2
3 October 17 San Antonio L 107–110 Paul Westphal (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,755
2–1 L 1
4 October 18 @ Golden State W 122–112 Paul Westphal (33) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
7,139
3–1 W 1
5 October 22 @ Portland W 124–116 Walter Davis (28) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
4–1 W 2
6 October 24 Milwaukee W 124–116 Walter Davis (38) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,728
5–1 W 3
7 October 25 @ Denver L 104–108 Paul Westphal (29) McNichols Sports Arena
14,448
5–2 L 1
8 October 27 @ Chicago W 115–110 (OT) Paul Westphal (38) Chicago Stadium
7,807
6–2 W 1
9 October 28 @ Kansas City L 102–112 Alvan Adams,
Walter Davis (23)
Kemper Arena
9,534
6–3 L 1
10 October 31 New York W 120–108 Paul Westphal (35) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,197
7–3 W 1
November: 10–4 (home: 5–1; road: 5–3)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
11 November 2 @ New Orleans W 106–99 Paul Westphal (27) Louisiana Superdome
6,943
8–3 W 2
12 November 4 @ Houston L 103–110 Walter Davis (25) The Summit
9,163
8–4 L 1
13 November 8 Cleveland W 118–96 Ron Lee (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,311
9–4 W 1
14 November 10 Denver L 132–150 Paul Westphal (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,277
9–5 L 1
15 November 12 New Orleans W 128–122 Alvan Adams (33) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,158
10–5 W 1
16 November 15 @ San Antonio W 125–119 Paul Westphal (39) HemisFair Arena
10,489
11–5 W 2
17 November 17 @ Philadelphia L 94–95 Paul Westphal (25) The Spectrum
11,513
11–6 L 1
18 November 18 @ Detroit W 119–105 Paul Westphal (28) Pontiac Silverdome
10,789
12–6 W 1
19 November 21 @ Cleveland W 110–108 Walter Davis (28) Coliseum at Richfield
6,524
13–6 W 2
20 November 22 @ Indiana W 115–110 Walter Davis (32) Market Square Arena
9,432
14–6 W 3
21 November 24 Houston W 120–113 Walter Davis (37) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
15–6 W 4
22 November 26 Chicago W 125–109 Alvan Adams (22) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,921
16–6 W 5
23 November 28 @ Chicago L 112–124 Walter Davis (26) Chicago Stadium
7,826
16–7 L 1
24 November 30 Detroit W 119–109 Paul Westphal (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,633
17–7 W 1
December: 7–7 (home: 5–2; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
25 December 1 @ Los Angeles L 122–130 Paul Westphal (32) The Forum
10,529
17–8 L 1
26 December 2 Golden State L 108–116 Alvan Adams (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,167
17–9 L 2
27 December 6 Atlanta W 136–109 Walter Davis (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,345
18–9 W 1
28 December 8 @ Boston W 124–104 Paul Westphal (30) Boston Garden
11,762
19–9 W 2
29 December 9 @ Washington L 98–101 Paul Westphal (30) Capital Centre
17,438
19–10 L 1
30 December 12 @ Milwaukee L 114–120 Paul Westphal (36) MECCA Arena
10,938
19–11 L 2
31 December 16 Los Angeles W 119–100 Alvan Adams,
Paul Westphal (25)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,327
20–11 W 1
32 December 17 @ San Diego L 110–116 Alvan Adams (32) San Diego Sports Arena
6,068
20–12 L 1
33 December 20 Washington L 129–137 Paul Westphal (36) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,789
20–13 L 2
34 December 22 Kansas City W 123–103 Alvan Adams (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,533
21–13 W 1
35 December 26 @ Denver W 106–102 Walter Davis (31) McNichols Sports Arena
16,325
22–13 W 2
36 December 28 Portland W 129–127 (OT) Walter Davis (42) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,510
23–13 W 3
37 December 29 @ Seattle L 92–119 Mike Bratz (15) Kingdome
20,565
23–14 L 1
38 December 30 Boston W 112–109 Alvan Adams (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
24–14 W 1
January: 7–6 (home: 4–3; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
39 January 2 @ New York W 114–102 Alvan Adams (28) Madison Square Garden
11,266
25–14 W 2
40 January 5 @ Washington L 94–104 Ron Lee (19) Capital Centre
14,929
25–15 L 1
41 January 6 @ Philadelphia W 143–139 (OT) Walter Davis (35) The Spectrum
16,109
26–15 W 1
42 January 7 @ New Jersey L 112–117 Alvan Adams (32) Rutgers Athletic Center
3,439
26–16 L 1
43 January 11 Seattle L 106–109 Walter Davis (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
26–17 L 2
44 January 13 Indiana L 99–102 Walter Davis (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
26–18 L 3
45 January 17 @ Milwaukee L 118–123 Truck Robinson (25) MECCA Arena
10,661
26–19 L 4
46 January 18 @ Detroit W 97–87 Walter Davis (26) Pontiac Silverdome
5,839
27–19 W 1
47 January 20 Houston W 116–97 Paul Westphal (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
28–19 W 2
48 January 24 Philadelphia W 101–94 Truck Robinson (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
29–19 W 3
49 January 26 New York W 108–107 Walter Davis (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,813
30–19 W 4
50 January 28 New Jersey L 114–117 Alvan Adams,
Walter Davis (25)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,357
30–20 L 1
51 January 31 Milwaukee W 123–118 Paul Westphal (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,736
31–20 W 1
February: 6–6 (home: 5–1; road: 1–5)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
52 February 2 San Antonio W 133–108 Alvan Adams (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
32–20 W 2
53 February 6 @ Portland L 93–110 Truck Robinson (19) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
32–21 L 1
54 February 9 Atlanta L 102–105 Paul Westphal (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,928
32–22 L 2
55 February 11 Cleveland W 136–101 Truck Robinson (24) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,972
33–22 W 1
56 February 15 Washington W 119–108 Paul Westphal (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
34–22 W 2
57 February 16 @ Seattle L 104–119 Mike Bratz (19) Kingdome
23,103
34–23 L 1
58 February 17 New Orleans W 136–112 Alvan Adams (22) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
35–23 W 1
59 February 20 @ New York W 117–107 Paul Westphal (36) Madison Square Garden
10,921
36–23 W 2
60 February 21 @ New Jersey L 112–123 Paul Westphal (25) Rutgers Athletic Center
3,812
36–24 L 1
61 February 23 @ Kansas City L 112–121 Truck Robinson (28) Kemper Arena
10,768
36–25 L 2
62 February 24 @ Atlanta L 85–110 Truck Robinson (21) Omni Coliseum
12,281
36–26 L 3
63 February 28 Indiana W 103–102 Paul Westphal (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,735
37–26 W 1
March: 10–4 (home: 6–1; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
64 March 2 Denver L 105–119 Paul Westphal (28) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,835
37–27 L 1
65 March 4 Philadelphia W 119–94 Walter Davis (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,722
38–27 W 1
66 March 8 Chicago W 132–117 Alvan Adams,
Don Buse,
Walter Davis (21)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,126
39–27 W 2
67 March 11 @ Indiana L 111–112 Paul Westphal (24) Market Square Arena
14,173
39–28 L 1
68 March 13 @ Cleveland W 124–120 Walter Davis (36) Coliseum at Richfield
7,690
40–28 W 1
69 March 14 @ Boston W 126–117 Paul Westphal (39) Boston Garden
10,308
41–28 W 2
70 March 16 @ San Antonio W 128–122 Paul Westphal (43) HemisFair Arena
14,864
42–28 W 3
71 March 17 @ Houston L 122–134 Paul Westphal (22) The Summit
12,557
42–29 L 1
72 March 18 @ New Orleans L 117–121 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (29)
Louisiana Superdome
5,108
42–30 L 2
73 March 21 Boston W 134–113 Walter Davis (33) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,568
43–30 W 1
74 March 23 Kansas City W 126–107 Paul Westphal (36) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
44–30 W 2
75 March 25 @ Golden State W 111–95 Paul Westphal (25) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
10,651
45–30 W 3
76 March 28 Los Angeles W 112–106 Paul Westphal (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,805
46–30 W 4
77 March 30 Seattle W 113–111 (OT) Walter Davis (40) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
47–30 W 5
April: 3–2 (home: 3–0; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
78 April 1 Detroit W 116–105 Alvan Adams (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,550
48–30 W 6
79 April 4 Portland W 106–95 Paul Westphal (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
11,305
49–30 W 7
80 April 6 San Diego W 118–117 Alvan Adams (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
50–30 W 8
81 April 7 @ San Diego L 116–120 Walter Davis,
Paul Westphal (22)
San Diego Sports Arena
11,614
50–31 L 1
82 April 8 @ Los Angeles L 103–111 Walter Davis (21) The Forum
11,973
50–32 L 2
1978–79 schedule

Playoffs

[edit]

Game log

[edit]
1979 playoff game log
First Round: 2–1 (home: 2–0; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 10 Portland W 107–103 Paul Westphal (28) Adams, Davis (5) Alvan Adams (9) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
1–0
2 April 13 @ Portland L 92–96 Walter Davis (31) Gar Heard (9) Paul Westphal (6) Memorial Coliseum
12,666
1–1
3 April 15 Portland W 101–91 Paul 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 17 Kansas City W 102–99 Paul Westphal (25) Truck Robinson (12) Don Buse (5) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
1–0
2 April 20 @ Kansas City L 91–111 Truck Robinson (17) Truck Robinson (13) Walter Davis (5) Kemper Arena
13,659
1–1
3 April 22 Kansas City W 108–93 Walter Davis (22) Alvan Adams (9) Walter Davis (7) Arizona State University Activity Center
14,301
2–1
4 April 25 @ Kansas City W 108–94 Paul Westphal (26) Gar Heard (14) Alvan Adams (8) Kemper Arena
13,184
3–1
5 April 27 Kansas City W 120–99 Paul Westphal (32) Joel Kramer (11) Bratz, Kramer (5) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
4–1
Conference finals: 3–4 (home: 2–1; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 May 1 @ Seattle L 93–108 Alvan Adams (18) Alvan Adams (12) Adams, Davis (4) Seattle Center Coliseum
14,098
0–1
2 May 4 @ Seattle L 97–103 Paul Westphal (29) Truck Robinson (9) Buse, Davis (5) Kingdome
31,964
0–2
3 May 6 Seattle W 113–103 Paul Westphal (25) Walter Davis (10) Paul Westphal (6) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
1–2
4 May 8 Seattle W 100–91 Walter Davis (27) Gar Heard (12) Paul Westphal (10) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
2–2
5 May 11 @ Seattle W 99–93 Paul Westphal (27) Truck Robinson (14) Paul Westphal (5) Kingdome
28,935
3–2
6 May 13 Seattle L 105–106 Paul Westphal (29) Joel Kramer (8) Paul Westphal (8) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
12,660
3–3
7 May 17 @ Seattle L 110–114 Walter Davis (26) Truck Robinson (14) Paul Westphal (9) Kingdome
37,552
4–3
1979 schedule

Awards and honors

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All-Star

[edit]
  • 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

[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 77 74 30.7 .530 .799 9.2 4.7 1.4 .8 17.8
Mike Bratz 77 0 16.8 .454 .818 1.8 2.3 .8 .1 8.1
Don Buse 82 82 31.0 .495 .769 2.6 4.3 1.9 .2 7.8
Marty Byrnes* 43 1 17.1 .489 .730 2.3 1.4 .3 .0 6.8
Walter Davis 79 78 30.8 .561 .831 4.7 4.3 1.9 .3 23.6
Bayard Forrest 75 7 16.6 .434 .539 4.2 2.2 .4 .5 4.0
Garfield Heard 63 37 19.3 .441 .689 5.6 1.0 .8 .9 6.3
Joel Kramer 82 1 17.1 .489 .710 4.1 1.1 .5 .3 5.9
Ron Lee* 43 1 22.0 .452 .712 2.6 3.1 1.6 .1 9.8
Ted McClain 36 0 12.9 .470 .913^ 1.9 1.7 .5 .0 4.6
Truck Robinson* 26 20 29.1 .508 .642 8.7 1.5 .7 .5 16.0
Alvin Scott 81 28 21.4 .535 .714 4.4 1.6 1.0 .8 6.7
Paul Westphal 81 81 32.6 .535 .837^ 2.0 6.5 1.4 .3 24.0

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

Playoffs

[edit]
Player GP GS MPG FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Alvan Adams 12 12 31.0 .475 .710 7.5 4.4 .9 1.0 12.8
Mike Bratz 15 0 19.5 .496 .763 1.4 2.0 1.0 .2 10.6
Don Buse 15 15 34.1 .405 .727 3.7 3.5 1.5 .3 7.9
Walter Davis 15 15 32.7 .520 .813 4.6 5.3 1.7 .3 22.1
Bayard Forrest 14 0 7.9 .556 .200 2.1 0.8 .3 .1 1.6
Garfield Heard 15 9 21.3 .372 .600 7.1 0.9 .8 1.7 5.5
Joel Kramer 15 3 17.1 .542 .722 3.8 1.3 .6 .5 6.0
Ted McClain 14 0 7.4 .441 .813 1.1 0.9 .4 .0 3.1
Truck Robinson 15 6 26.1 .403 .652 8.1 0.7 .4 .8 10.5
Alvin Scott 15 0 14.5 .385 .619 2.8 1.5 .4 1.1 3.5
Paul Westphal 15 15 35.6 .495 .788 2.2 4.3 1.0 .3 22.4

† – Minimum 20 field goals made.

Transactions

[edit]

Trades

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

Free agents

[edit]

Additions

[edit]
Date Player Contract Old Team
January 15, 1979 Ted McClain Undisclosed Philadelphia 76ers

Subtractions

[edit]
Date Player Reason Left New Team
August 23, 1978 Greg Griffin Suspended for signing overseas
August 23, 1978 Wayne Smith Waived
September 13, 1978 Curtis Perry Retired
October 12, 1978 Ira Terrell Waived New Orleans Jazz
October 12, 1978 Andre Wakefield Waived Chicago Bulls

References

[edit]