Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central
Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central
Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central
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Season Review 05-06<br />
196<br />
Review05-06<br />
Review05-06<br />
Season<br />
A resilient and determined <strong>Phoenix</strong> <strong>Suns</strong> team advanced to the Western Conference<br />
Finals for the second year in a row after overcoming numerous obstacles.<br />
An unfortunate preseason knee injury to All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire and an<br />
RECORD<br />
54-28<br />
overhauled roster had critics dismissing the <strong>Suns</strong> as a playoff contender, but the run-and-gun <strong>Suns</strong><br />
won their second consecutive Pacific Division title for the first time in franchise history. Despite<br />
returning only three active players from the 2004-05 roster (Steve Nash, Shawn Marion, Leandro<br />
Barbosa) and the loss of the <strong>NBA</strong>’s fifth-leading scorer (Stoudemire), <strong>Phoenix</strong> became the first team<br />
in <strong>NBA</strong> history to lead the league in scoring (108.4), field goal percentage (.479), three-point field<br />
goal percentage (.399) and free-throw percentage (.806).<br />
Nash directed an explosive offense that featured seven players who recorded career years in scoring.<br />
For his efforts, Nash was awarded his second consecutive <strong>NBA</strong> MVP award after posting career highs<br />
in scoring (18.8), rebounds (4.2), field goal percentage (.512), free throw percentage (franchiserecord<br />
.921) and minutes played (35.4). Equally impressive was teammate Marion, who enjoyed a<br />
career year, posting career highs in scoring (21.8), rebounds (<strong>11</strong>.8), blocks (1.69), double-doubles<br />
(60) and field goal percentage (.525). Perhaps, the biggest surprise was the emergence of newcomer<br />
Boris Diaw, who came to <strong>Phoenix</strong> from Atlanta in the Joe Johnson sign-and-trade deal, and became<br />
the second player (Kevin Johnson, 1988-89) in franchise history to be named the <strong>NBA</strong>’s Most<br />
Improved Player after averaging 13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists.<br />
After locking up the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, the <strong>Suns</strong> became only the eighth<br />
team in <strong>NBA</strong> history to wipe out a 3-1 deficit and defeat the L.A. Lakers in the first round. In yet<br />
another grueling seven-game series, <strong>Phoenix</strong> ousted the L.A. Clippers in the conference semifinals<br />
and took a stunning 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals with a 121-<strong>11</strong>8 road win in Dallas on<br />
May 24. Unfortunately, the win came at a cost. Starting guard Raja Bell suffered a left calf strain<br />
late in the game that hampered the team’s inspirational leader the rest of the series as the pesky<br />
<strong>Suns</strong> finally bowed out in six games.<br />
On Jan. 6, 2006, America West Arena, the <strong>Suns</strong> home since 1992-93, was officially renamed the<br />
US Airways Center.<br />
FRONT ROW: Video Coordinator Noel Gillespie, Assistant Video Coordinator Jason March, Assistant Athletic<br />
Trainer Mike Elliott, Strength Coach/Assistant Trainer Erik Phillips, Athletic Trainer Aaron Nelson, Equipment<br />
Managers Jay Gaspar and Rich Howell. MIDDLE ROW: Assistant Coach Phil Weber, Head Coach Mike D’Antoni,<br />
Eddie House, Leandro Barbosa, Raja Bell, Shawn Marion, Dijon Thompson, Steve Nash, Andre Barrett, Assistant<br />
Coach Alvin Gentry, Assistant Coach Marc Iavaroni, Assistant Coach Dan D’Antoni. BACK ROW: James Jones,<br />
Boris Diaw, Pat Burke, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Amar’e Stoudemire, Kurt Thomas, Brian Grant, Tim Thomas.
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