Fansided

Phoenix Suns: 10 Greatest Players In Team History

By Gerald Bourguet

May 3, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash is present for the opening ceremonies as the Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate 40 years as they host the San Jose Earthquakes before the start of the first half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash is present for the opening ceremonies as the Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate 40 years as they host the San Jose Earthquakes before the start of the first half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 11
Next
Phoenix Suns
Dec 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; NBA former player Charles Barkley on the CBS set prior to the 2013 SEC Championship game between the Auburn Tigers and the Missouri Tigers at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Charles Barkley

4 seasons, 23.4 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, .501/.301/.751 shooting, 24.7 PER

Charles Barkley is without a doubt the greatest NBA player to ever play for the Phoenix Suns, but his extremely short tenure with the team prevents him from taking the No. 1 spot. Still, in his first season in the Valley of the Sun, Barkley was able to accomplish something Steve Nash couldn’t in 10 years: make the NBA Finals.

As the driving force behind the 1993 NBA Finals Suns team, Barkley went toe-to-toe with Michael Jordan — the greatest player in the history of the game. Barkley was elite that season, stealing MJ’s MVP Award; Jordan was just a little bit better in the end. In just four seasons, Barkley worked his way up to seventh in franchise history in rebounds and first in Player Efficiency Rating.

Barkley’s memorable moments with the Suns included a Game 4 triple-double in the Finals, a 56-point outing in the playoffs against the Golden State Warriors and a 44-point, 24-rebound game against the Sonics in the playoffs. Sir Charles’ time in Phoenix was limited due to injury issues, but he was still one of the league’s premier players and earned All-Star and All-NBA honors in every season he spent in Phoenix.

Next: No. 1

Home/NBA