Best Players in Phoenix Suns History

The breakdown of the top five player in the history of every NBA franchise continues with a look at the Phoenix Suns.

The best point-guard in Suns history was Kevin Johnson. Johnson was every a great all-around point-guard who combined great scoring numbers and assist numbers to become one of the best point-guards during the 90s. Johnson averaged 18 points, 9 assists and 2 steals per game to key the Suns offensive attack. Johnson was the franchise leader in assists, until Steve Nash took the record in February 2012. Johnson is still the franchise leader in free throws made. Johnson's weakness was his outside shooting where he only shot 30 percent for his career. However, Johnson overcame his poor outside with great ball-handling and athleticism.

The best shooting-guard in Suns history was Danny Ainge. With all due respect to Ainge, shooting-guard is the weakest position in Suns franchise history. Ainge came to the Suns after being signed as a free agent away from the Boston Celtics. Ainge brought a winning mentality the Suns lacked and during his three year stint with the Suns showcased the veteran leadership the Suns needed. During his career, Ainge averaged 12 points, 4 assists and shot 38 percent from 3-point range providing the Suns with the 3-point threat they desperately needed. At this point in his career, Ainge had slowed down considerably in the speed department and became a liability on defense.

The best small-forward in Suns history was Walter Davis. Davis is still considered to be the best shooters in Suns' history. Davis had one of the purest shooting strokes in the league from 1977 to 1992 averaging 19 points per game. In today's game, the best pure shooters are great 3-point shooters, but Davis' great shooting touch came from mid-range. Davis is still the franchise leader in points. His best season may have been his rookie season when he put up 24 points and 6 rebounds both would be his career highs in both categories.

The best power-forward and best player in Suns history was Charles Barkley. Make no mistake, Barkley was as great a player in Philadelphia as he was with the Phoenix Suns, but since Barkley is the best player in Suns history I will put him here. Barkley had the unenviable task of playing during the Michael Jordan era. Barkley was a beast of a player, despite being 6'6" he was able to use his incredible athleticism to out jump taller power-forwards. During his career with the Suns he averaged, 23 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steal per game. Barkley's tenacity on the boards intimidated opponents.

The best center in Suns history was Alvan Adams. Adams was a great rebounder and team defensive player who could score when needed, but primarily focused on being the team's stalwart on defense. Adams averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds per game, but in 1977 broke exploded with a triple-double of 47 points, 18 rebounds and 12 assists. Adams is the franchise leader in rebounds and steals for the Suns.

The Phoenix Suns have always been an exciting team from the Paul Westphal-Adams days in the the 70s to the Barkley-Johnson era in the to the current Steve Nash era. The franchises' strongest positions are point-guard and power-forward. Point-guard has featured Johnson, Jason Kidd and Nash, while power-forward featured Tom Chambers, Charles Barkley and Amare Stoudemire.