Phoenix Suns: 10 Greatest Players In Team History

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 /

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10. Paul Westphal

6 seasons, 20.6 PPG, 5.2 APG, 2.2 RPG, 1.6 SPG, .516/.277/.832 shooting, 21.3 PER

Like many of the players on this list, Westphal’s tenure in Phoenix wasn’t particularly lengthy. However, he had a major impact on the 1976 Suns team that went to the franchise’s first NBA Finals, losing to a legendary Boston Celtics team. In Game 5 of that series, a triple-overtime thriller that is often called one of the greatest NBA contests of all time, Westphal made a number of critical late-game plays that nearly got Phoenix the win.

Four of Westphal’s five All-Star selections came during his time with the Suns and he also made the All-NBA First Team three times and the All-NBA Second Team once. Though he wasn’t much of a three-point shooter, Westphal was extremely efficient from the floor and continued to give back to the organization when he became the Suns’ head coach in 1992 and helped lead Phoenix back to the Finals the following year.

His best season came in 1977-78, when he averaged 25.2 points and 5.5 assists per game. Westphal ranks eighth on the Suns’ all-time scoring list (9,564), seventh in points per game (20.6) and third in Player Efficiency Rating (21.3), which is why its no surprise his No. 44 jersey hangs proudly among the all-time greats in U.S. Airways Center.

Next: No. 9

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