Langbahn Team – Weltmeisterschaft

1995–96 Phoenix Suns season

1995–96 Phoenix Suns season
Head coach
General managerBryan Colangelo
Owner(s)Jerry Colangelo
ArenaAmerica West Arena
Results
Record41–41 (.500)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Pacific)
Conference: 7th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Spurs 1–3)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioKTAR
< 1994–95 1996–97 >

The 1995–96 NBA season was the 28th season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the off-season, the Suns acquired Hot Rod Williams from the Cleveland Cavaliers,[2][3][4][5] and signed free agent Tony Smith.[6] The Suns struggled with a 13–13 start to the season, then lost eight of their next nine games. Head coach Paul Westphal, who had led the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals, went 14–19 before being replaced by Cotton Fitzsimmons, who would come on to coach in his third stint with the Suns,[7][8][9] while Smith was traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for rookie guard Terrence Rencher at midseason.[10][11][12]

The team played above .500 for the remainder of the season, as they held a 22–24 record at the All-Star break,[13] and finished fourth in the Pacific Division, and seventh in the Western Conference with a 41–41 record.[14] All home games were played at America West Arena. They were also one of the nine teams to defeat the 72–10 Chicago Bulls.[15]

Charles Barkley led the Suns with 23.2 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game, while point guard Kevin Johnson averaged 18.7 points, led the team with 9.2 assists, and contributed 1.5 steals per game in only 56 games due to hamstring and groin injuries.[15][16][17] In addition, top draft pick Michael Finley, a rookie from the University of Wisconsin, who was selected by the Suns as the 21st overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft,[18][19][20][21] appeared in all 82 regular season games, averaging 15.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while leading the team with 39.2 minutes per game, and was later named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.[22] Sixth man Danny Manning averaged 13.4 points per game off the bench, but only played just 33 games due to a torn ACL, and sprained ankle.[23][24] Second-year guard Wesley Person provided the team with 12.7 points per game, while Wayman Tisdale contributed 10.7 points per game off the bench, Elliott Perry contributed 8.6 points and 4.4 assists per game, A.C. Green provided with 7.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, and Hot Rod Williams averaged 7.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, and led the team with 1.5 blocks per game.[22]

Despite playing all 82 games, Finley suffered an ankle injury on the final day of the regular season, and did not play in any of the Suns' playoff games.[25][26][27] Without Finley, the Suns were eliminated from the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs, three games to one in the Western Conference First Round.[28][29][30][31]

Barkley also made his 10th consecutive All-Star appearance, being selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game.[32][33][34][35] The power forward, who had turned 33 years of age during the season, made his 11th All-NBA Team, appearing as a selection on the Third Team. It was the first time in Barkley's career he had not been selected to the First or Second Team.

Following the season, Barkley was traded to the Houston Rockets after four seasons in Phoenix,[36][37][38][39][40] while Perry was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks,[41][42][43] and Rencher was released to free agency.

Offseason

NBA draft

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 21 Michael Finley Guard/Forward  United States Wisconsin
1 27 Mario Bennett Forward  United States Arizona State
2 56 Chris Carr Guard  United States Southern Illinois

The Suns received the 21st pick from a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1994. With the pick they would select future All-Star swingman Michael Finley from Wisconsin. Finley averaged 18.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in four years with the Badgers. On October 4, the Suns signed Finley to a three-year rookie contract for $2.17 million. In his rookie season, Finley would average 15.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. Finley was traded to the Dallas Mavericks midway through his sophomore season for All-Star point guard Jason Kidd.

The Suns used their first-round pick to select small forward Mario Bennett from Arizona State. Bennett averaged 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in three years with the Sun Devils. On October 4, the Suns signed Bennett to a three-year rookie contract for $1.66 million. Bennett underwent knee surgery before the season and remained on the injured reserve until March 1. Bennett would appear in just 19 regular season games, starting in 14 due to injuries, and two playoff games before being waived prior to the 1996–97 season.

The Suns used their second-round pick to select shooting guard Chris Carr from Southern Illinois. Carr averaged 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in three years with the Salukis. On October 2, the Suns signed Carr to a one-year rookie contract for $200,000. Carr appeared in 60 regular season games, starting in ten, and three playoff games. Carr would sign as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves after the season.

Roster

1995–96 Phoenix Suns roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 34 Barkley, Charles 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 252 lb (114 kg) 1963–02–20 Auburn
F 8 Bennett, Mario 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1973–08–01 Arizona State
G 43 Carr, Chris 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1974–03–12 Southern Illinois
C 40 Coker, John 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 1971–10–28 Boise State
G/F 4 Finley, Michael 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1973–03–06 Wisconsin
F 45 Green, A.C. 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1963–10–04 Oregon State
G 7 Johnson, Kevin 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1966–03–04 California
C 35 Kleine, Joe 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1962–01–04 Arkansas
F 15 Manning, Danny 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1966–05–17 Kansas
G 2 Perry, Elliot 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 150 lb (68 kg) 1969–03–28 Memphis
G/F 11 Person, Wesley 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1971–03–28 Auburn
G 14 Rencher, Terrence 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1973–02–19 Texas
F 23 Tisdale, Wayman 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1964–06–09 Oklahoma
C 18 Williams, Hot Rod 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1962–08–09 Tulane
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: February 22, 1996

Regular season

Standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
c-Seattle SuperSonics 64 18 .780 38–3 26–15 21–3
x-Los Angeles Lakers 53 29 .646 11 30–11 23–18 17–7
x-Portland Trail Blazers 44 38 .537 20 26–15 18–23 11–13
x-Phoenix Suns 41 41 .500 23 25–16 16–25 9–15
x-Sacramento Kings 39 43 .476 25 26–15 13–28 11–13
Golden State Warriors 36 46 .439 28 23–18 13–28 7–17
Los Angeles Clippers 29 53 .354 35 19–22 10–31 7–17
# Team W L PCT GB GP
1 c-Seattle SuperSonics * 64 18 .780 82
2 y-San Antonio Spurs * 59 23 .720 5 82
3 x-Utah Jazz 55 27 .671 9 82
4 x-Los Angeles Lakers 53 29 .646 11 82
5 x-Houston Rockets 48 34 .585 16 82
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 44 38 .537 20 82
7 x-Phoenix Suns 41 41 .500 23 82
8 x-Sacramento Kings 39 43 .476 25 82
9 Golden State Warriors 36 46 .439 28 82
10 Denver Nuggets 35 47 .427 29 82
11 Los Angeles Clippers 29 53 .354 35 82
12 Minnesota Timberwolves 26 56 .317 38 82
13 Dallas Mavericks 26 56 .317 38 82
14 Vancouver Grizzlies 15 67 .183 49 82

Record vs. opponents

1995–96 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA VAN WAS
Atlanta 4–0 3–1 0–4 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–1 2–2 2–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–3
Boston 0–4 2–2 0–3 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–2 0–4 1–3 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–2
Charlotte 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–3 3–0 0–4 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1
Chicago 4–0 3–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 3–0 3–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 4–0
Cleveland 1–3 3–1 1–3 0–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0 1–2 3–1 1–2 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 0–2 2–0 3–1
Dallas 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 1–3 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–3 4–0 0–2
Denver 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 0–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 2–0 3–1 3–1 1–1
Detroit 2–2 1–2 3–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 4–0 0–4 1–3 4–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–2
Golden State 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1
Houston 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Indiana 3–1 4–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–0 3–1 1–1 1–3 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 0–2 2–0 3–0
L.A. Clippers 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1
L.A. Lakers 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 4–0 1–1
Miami 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 0–3 1–1 0–2 3–0 1–1 5–0 1–3 1–3 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–1 0–2 1–1 2–2
Milwaukee 2–2 1–3 1–3 0–4 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–3 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3
Minnesota 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 0–4 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 2–2 0–2
New Jersey 0–4 2–2 3–0 0–3 2–1 1–1 2–0 0–4 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 0–5 3–1 1–1 2–2 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–2
New York 1–2 4–0 0–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 3–1
Orlando 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–3 2–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Philadelphia 1–2 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–4 2–0 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–3
Phoenix 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–0 1–3 4–0 2–0
Portland 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 4–0 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 0–2 4–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–3 2–2 0–2
Sacramento 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–2 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–3 0–4 2–0 0–4 2–2 0–2
San Antonio 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–2 4–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 1–1
Seattle 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 0–2 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1
Toronto 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–2 2–2 1–1 2–2 0–4 1–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1
Utah 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 4–0 1–3 1–3 2–0 4–0 1–1
Vancouver 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–4 2–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–4 0–2
Washington 3–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 0–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 0–4 3–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 2–0

Playoffs

Game log

1996 playoff game log
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 April 26 @ San Antonio L 98–120 Charles Barkley (26) Charles Barkley (12) Kevin Johnson (11) Alamodome
16,545
0–1
2 April 28 @ San Antonio L 105–110 Charles Barkley (30) Charles Barkley (20) Kevin Johnson (16) Alamodome
19,507
0–2
3 May 1 San Antonio W 94–93 Charles Barkley (25) Charles Barkley (13) Kevin Johnson (8) America West Arena
19,023
1–2
4 May 3 San Antonio L 98–116 Charles Barkley (21) Charles Barkley (9) Kevin Johnson (8) America West Arena
19,023
1–3
1996 schedule

Awards and honors

Week/Month

  • Kevin Johnson was named Player of the Week for games played April 1 through April 7.
  • Charles Barkley was named Player of the Month for February.

All-Star

Season

Injuries/Missed Games

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Charles Barkley 71 71 37.1 .500 .280 .777 11.6 3.7 1.6 .8 23.2
Mario Bennett 19 14 12.1 .453 .000 .643 2.6 0.3 .6 .6 4.5
Chris Carr 60 10 9.8 .415 .262 .817 1.7 0.7 .2 .1 4.0
John Coker 5 0 2.2 .800 . . 0.4 0.2 .0 .2 1.6
Michael Finley 82 72 39.2 .476 .328 .749 4.6 3.5 1.0 .4 15.0
A.C. Green 82 36 25.8 .484 .269 .709 6.8 0.9 .5 .3 7.5
Kevin Johnson 56 55 35.8 .507 .368 .859# 3.9 9.2 1.5 .2 18.7
Joe Kleine 56 9 11.8 .420 .286 .800 2.4 0.8 .2 .1 2.9
Danny Manning 33 4 24.7 .459 .214 .752 4.3 2.0 1.2 .7 13.4
Elliot Perry 81 26 20.6 .475 .407^ .778 1.7 4.4 1.1 .1 8.6
Wesley Person 82 47 31.8 .445 .374^ .771 3.9 1.7 .7 .3 12.7
Terrence Rencher* 2 0 4.0 1.000 . .333 1.0 0.0 .0 .5 1.5
Stefano Rusconi 7 0 4.3 .333 . .400 0.9 0.4 .0 .3 1.1
Tony Smith* 34 2 15.5 .405 .325 .649 1.6 2.5 .6 .1 5.6
Wayman Tisdale 63 6 18.3 .495 . .765 3.4 0.9 .2 .6 10.7
Hot Rod Williams 62 58 26.6 .453 .000 .731 6.0 1.0 .7 1.5 7.3
David Wood* 4 0 8.5 .167 . 1.000# 1.3 0.5 .3 .0 1.0

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 82 three-pointers made.
# – Minimum 125 free-throws made.

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Charles Barkley 4 4 41.0 .443 .250 .787 13.5 3.8 1.0 1.0 25.5
Mario Bennett 2 0 4.0 .500 . . 1.5 0.0 .0 .0 2.0
Chris Carr 3 0 12.0 .643 .667 .800 2.3 1.3 .7 .3 8.0
A.C. Green 4 4 21.8 .353 .000 .875 4.5 0.5 .3 .0 4.8
Kevin Johnson 4 4 37.8 .474 .250 .824 4.3 10.8 .5 .5 17.3
Joe Kleine 2 0 4.0 .000 . . 0.5 0.0 .5 .0 0.0
Danny Manning 4 0 22.5 .458 .000 .625 2.8 1.3 1.0 .3 12.3
Elliot Perry 4 0 12.8 .500 . .000 0.5 3.0 .5 .0 3.5
Wesley Person 4 4 45.8 .393 .310 .800 5.8 0.8 .8 .3 14.3
Wayman Tisdale 4 0 16.8 .333 . .500 1.0 0.5 .3 .3 5.3
Hot Rod Williams 4 4 28.8 .438 . .667 6.5 0.3 .0 1.8 9.0

Transactions

Trades

October 7, 1995 To Cleveland Cavaliers
United States Dan Majerle
United States Antonio Lang
1997 first-round draft pick (United States Brevin Knight)
To Phoenix Suns
United States John "Hot Rod" Williams
February 22, 1996 To Miami Heat
United States Tony Smith
To Phoenix Suns
United States Terrence Rencher

Free agents

Additions

Date Player Contract Former Team
June 15, 1995 Stefano Rusconi Signed multi-year contract Benetton Treviso
September 22, 1995 Elliot Perry Signed 6-year contract for $12 million Phoenix Suns
September 25, 1995 John Coker Undisclosed Boise State Broncos
October 3, 1995 Orlando Smart Undisclosed
October 3, 1995 Steve Turner Undisclosed
October 4, 1995 Isaac Burton Undisclosed
October 4, 1995 Wayman Tisdale Signed 2-year contract for $6.65 million Phoenix Suns
October 12, 1995 Danny Manning Signed 6-year contract for $40 million Phoenix Suns
November 1, 1995 Tony Smith Signed 1-year contract for $500,000 Los Angeles Lakers
January 18, 1996 David Wood Signed 10-day contract Golden State Warriors

Subtractions

Date Player Reason Left New Team
June 24, 1995 Trevor Ruffin Expansion Draft Vancouver Grizzlies
September 18, 1995 Danny Ainge Retired — (Retired)
October 15, 1995 Isaac Burton Waived
October 15, 1995 Steve Turner Waived
November 2, 1995 Orlando Smart Waived
January 28, 1996 David Wood 10-day contract expired Dallas Mavericks
January 31, 1996 Stefano Rusconi Waived Benetton Treviso

Player Transactions Citation:[47]

References

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