Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central

Season Review 70-71
126
Review70-71
Review70-71
Season
Dick Van Arsdale returned for his third season with Phoenix as the only
original Sun remaining. Offseason trades brought veterans Mel Counts and 48-34
Clem Haskins to the team. In spite of the success the club enjoyed at the
tail-end of the 1969-70 season, General Manager Jerry Colangelo felt the Suns needed a
“career” coach. He set out to find a teacher and a motivator who could mold the Suns’ young
players. On June 5, 1970, Lowell “Cotton” Fitzsimmons joined the Suns as head coach.
Fitzsimmons had led the Kansas State Wildcats to the Big Eight title the previous year,
and brought a sense of passion and “Purple Pride” to the Valley. The club responded to his
enthusiasm.
Phoenix posted its best finish with a 48-34 record, fourth best in the league. That
included the team’s best month ever with an 11-4 mark in January. However, due to the
Suns’ place in the tough Midwest Division, the team failed to make the playoffs.
Paul Silas led the team in rebounding for the second-straight season pulling down a
franchise-best 12.5 per game including a team record 27 vs. Cincinnati on January 18.
Van Arsdale led the club in scoring with a 21.9 average while Connie Hawkins netted 20.9
points per game. Van Arsdale and Hawkins were again named NBA All-Stars.
FRONT ROW: Joe Thomas, Art Harris, John Wetzel, Dick Van Arsdale, Clem Haskins, Fred Taylor.
BACK ROW: Trainer Joe Proski, Lamar Green, Greg Howard, Neal Walk, Mel Counts, Connie Hawkins,
Paul Silas, Head Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons.
RECORD