Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central

Season Review 71-72
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Season71-72
Season71-72
Review RECORD
Cotton Fitzsimmons began his second year at the helm with great
anticipation. The Suns drafted Dennis “Moe” Layton, a 6-1 point guard 49-33
from USC who played previously at Phoenix College. The Suns opened the
season with a starting lineup of Clem Haskins and Dick Van Arsdale at guard, Neal Walk
at center and Connie Hawkins and Paul Silas at the forward spots.
On March 14, the Suns obtained the rights to Charlie Scott from the Boston Celtics in
exchange for future considerations. Scott, a 6-6 guard from North Carolina, had played for the
Virginia Squires of the ABA, where he averaged 35 points and was the 1971 ABA Co-Rookie
of the Year along with Kentucky’s Dan Issel.
Phoenix compiled a then, club record mark of 49-33, improving for the fourth
consecutive year. Despite having the sixth-best record in the NBA, the Suns finished behind
Milwaukee and Chicago in the tough Midwest Division and failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Hawkins and Silas represented the West team in the All-Star Game. It was Hawkins’
third-straight appearance, as he led the West squad to a 112-110 win with 13 points.
Silas was named as the Suns’ Most Valuable Player by the fans as he led the team in
rebounding for the third-straight year (11.9). Hawkins led the club in scoring with a 21.0
average while Van Arsdale added 19.7 points per game. The Suns topped their previous best
in attendance totaling 342,922 fans, an average of 8,346 per contest. Phoenix also became
only the fourth team in league history to lead the NBA in free throws attempted, free
throws made and free throw accuracy.
FRONT ROW: Paul Silas, Neal Walk, Otto Moore, Head Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, Mel Counts, Connie Hawkins,
Lamar Green.
BACK ROW: Trainer Joe Proski, Art Harris, Fred Taylor, Dick Van Arsdale, John Wetzel, Clem Haskins, Dennis Layton.