Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central

Season Review 82-83
150
Review82-83
Review82-83
Season
RECORD
The Suns were ready for change. They traded Truck Robinson to New
York for forward Maurice Lucas. They installed second-year man Larry 53-29
Nance at the small forward slot and welcomed back a healthy Walter
Davis at guard. The only holdovers in the starting lineup from 1981-82 were center Alvan
Adams and guard Dennis Johnson.
As the season progressed, so did Nance. He finished the year by leading the Suns in field
goal percentage (.550) and set a new franchise record for blocked shots in a season with 217.
In spite of their success, the Suns had a glaring weakness at backup center, where they
juggled Jeff Cook, Joel Kramer and Lucas. With starting center Adams undersized at 6-9,
the Suns needed help in the middle. Phoenix traded Cook, cash, a third-round draft pick in
1983 and other considerations to Cleveland in exchange for 7-1 center James Edwards, who
was coming back after early season knee surgery.
Following the All-Star break, the Suns won 23 of the 30 games and finished the season as
the hottest team in the league, winning six straight. Phoenix won 14 of its final 16 games
and in the process matched its best-ever season road record (21-20). The Suns qualified for
postseason play for the sixth-straight year and the seventh time in eight seasons, but were
eliminated by Denver, 2-1, in the opening round.
FRONT ROW: Assistant Coach Al Bianchi, Head Coach John MacLeod, Kyle Macy, Walter Davis, Dennis Johnson,
Johnny High,Trainer Joe Proski, Assistant Coach John Wetzel.
BACK ROW: Rory White, Alvin Scott, Maurice Lucas, Larry Nance, James Edwards, Alvan Adams, Charles Pittman,
Joel Kramer, David Thirdkill.