Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central

Season Review 87-88
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Review87-88
Review87-88
Season
RECORD
When the Phoenix Suns projected their opening night lineup, rookie
Head Coach John Wetzel envisioned a starting unit of Larry Nance and 28-54
Armon Gilliam at forward, James Edwards at center with Walter Davis
and Jay Humphries at guard. During the season’s final month, the Suns’ starting unit had
evolved into Eddie Johnson at small forward, Gilliam at power forward, Mark West at
center, Kevin Johnson and Jeff Hornacek at guard.
The Suns finished the season with a 28-54 record, their poorest record since their 16-66
expansion season in 1968-69. However, in Suns history, 1987-88 will likely be referred to as
“The Year of the Trade.” In late February, Suns Director of Player Personnel, Cotton
Fitzsimmons, orchestrated a series of trades that changed the face and the fortunes of the
Suns. In the largest single transaction to that point in the 20-year history of the Suns
franchise, Fitzsimmons dealt Nance and Mike Sanders, along with Detroit’s first-round pick
in 1988 to Cleveland in exchange for the Cavs’ first- and second-round draft picks in 1988,
and players KJ, West and Tyrone Corbin. The Suns finished off the trading flurry by sending
Humphries to Milwaukee for Craig Hodges.
The new-look Suns put together a respectable 11-9 record over the last quarter of the
season and KJ won Rookie of the Month honors for April. Shortly after the end of the
season, Wetzel was released and was replaced by Fitzsimmons, who was making his second
appearance as the Suns’ head coach.
FRONT ROW: Head Coach John Wetzel, Ron Moore, Jeff Cook, Armon Gilliam, Mark West, Alvan Adams, James
Bailey, Assistant Coach Herb Brown, Trainer Joe Proski.
BACK ROW: Kevin Johnson, Jeff Hornacek, Walter Davis, Winston Crite, Kenny Gattison, Bernard Thompson,
Eddie Johnson, Tyrone Corbin, Craig Hodges.