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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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Main article: 1978 NBA draft
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

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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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Pacific Division
 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
#
Western Conference
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

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Game log

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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

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  • 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

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