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1968–69 Phoenix Suns season

The 1968–69 Phoenix Suns season was the inaugural season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. Head coach Red Kerr led the franchise to its first win in their debut game, over the Seattle SuperSonics. The Suns lost more games in their initial season than in any year since, and did not have a winning record against any other team. They played all their home games in the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

1968–69 Phoenix Suns season
Head coachJohnny "Red" Kerr
General managerJerry Colangelo
OwnersKarl Eller, Don Pitt, Don Diamond, Bhavik Darji, Marvin Meyer, Richard L. Bloch
ArenaArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record16–66 (.195)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTAR-TV
RadioKTAR

Dick Van Arsdale was the franchise's first All-Star selection when he was selected to play in the 1969 All-Star Game. He was the team's second leading scorer at 21 points per game, behind eventual Hall of Fame member Gail Goodrich, who averaged 23.8, the seventh-highest in the league for the season. Goodrich was selected to replace an injured Jerry West in the All-Star Game.

Offseason edit

NBA Expansion Draft edit

Player Position Nationality Former team
John Barnhill Guard   United States San Diego Rockets
Em Bryant Guard   United States New York Knicks
Gail Goodrich Guard   United States Los Angeles Lakers
Dennis Hamilton Forward   United States Los Angeles Lakers
Neil Johnson Forward   United States New York Knicks
Dave Lattin Forward   United States San Francisco Warriors
Paul Long Guard   United States Detroit Pistons
Stan McKenzie Forward   United States Baltimore Bullets
McCoy McLemore Forward   United States Chicago Bulls
Bill Melchionni Guard   United States Philadelphia 76ers
Dave Schellhase Guard   United States Chicago Bulls
Dick Snyder Guard   United States Atlanta Hawks
Craig Spitzer Center   United States Chicago Bulls
Bumper Tormohlen Center   United States Atlanta Hawks
Dick Van Arsdale Forward   United States New York Knicks
Roland West Guard   United States Baltimore Bullets
John Wetzel Forward   United States Los Angeles Lakers
George Wilson Center   United States Seattle SuperSonics

The Suns participated in the NBA's fourth expansion draft along with the Milwaukee Bucks, the other expansion team that joined the league in 1968. Each of the league's other 12 teams protected seven of their top players, with the remaining unprotected players available in the draft. The two expansion teams selected three players from each team, totaling 18 selections each.

The Suns received the first, fourth and fifth picks, while the Bucks, which had not yet chosen their team name at the time, received the second and third picks. The Suns' first selection was swingman Dick Van Arsdale of the New York Knicks. The Bucks then selected center Wayne Embry of the Boston Celtics, and power forward Fred Hetzel of the San Francisco Warriors. The Suns rounded out the top five by picking point guard Gail Goodrich of the Los Angeles Lakers and shooting guard Dick Snyder of the Atlanta Hawks.[1] "The Original Sun" Dick Van Arsdale would have a historic career with the Suns after being drafted, with him being an All-Star in his first three seasons with the team, as well as be named a member of the All-Defensive Second Team in 1974 and helping the team reach the 1976 NBA Finals before retiring in 1977, having his number become the second in franchise history to be retired into the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor in the 1977–78 season, behind Connie Hawkins.

NBA draft edit

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 8 Gary Gregor Forward   United States South Carolina
2 22 Dick Cunningham Center   United States Murray State
3 36 Art Beatty Center   United States American
4 49 Rich Jones Forward   United States Memphis
5 64 Harry Hollines Guard   United States Denver
6 77 Rod Knowles Center   United States Davidson
7 92 Charles Parks Forward   United States Idaho State
8 105 Brian Clare Center   United States Denver
9 120 Mervin Jackson Guard   United States Utah
10 133 Lee Davis Center   United States North Carolina Central
11 147 Ron Boone Guard   United States Idaho State
12 160 Bill Davis Forward   United States Arizona
13 171 Pat Hobart Forward   United States California State

Roster edit

1968–69 Phoenix Suns roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 31 Fox, Jim 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1943-04-07 South Carolina
PG 25 Goodrich, Gail (C) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1943-04-23 UCLA
PF 44 Gregor, Gary 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1945-08-13 South Carolina
PF 11 Johnson, Neil 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1943-04-17 Creighton
PF 43 Lattin, Dave 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1943-12-23 UTEP
SF 40 McKenzie, Stan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1944-10-06 NYU
SF 10 Snyder, Dick 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1944-02-01 Davidson
SG 5 Van Arsdale, Dick (C) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1943-02-22 Indiana
SG 23 Warlick, Bob 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1941-03-20 Pepperdine
Head coach

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

Roster
Last transaction: January 20, 1969

Regular season edit

Standings edit

W L PCT GB Home Road Neutral Div
x-Los Angeles Lakers 55 27 .671 32–9 21–18 2–0 30–10
x-Atlanta Hawks 48 34 .585 7 28–12 18–21 2–1 26–14
x-San Francisco Warriors 41 41 .500 14 22–19 18–21 1–1 20–20
x-San Diego Rockets 37 45 .451 18 25–16 8–25 4–4 20–20
Chicago Bulls 33 49 .402 22 19–21 12–25 2–3 19–21
Seattle SuperSonics 30 52 .366 25 18–18 6–29 6–5 15–23
Phoenix Suns 16 66 .195 39 11–26 4–28 1–12 8–30

Record vs. opponents edit

1968–69 NBA records
Team ATL BAL BOS CHI CIN DET LAL MIL NYK PHI PHO SDR SFW SEA
Atlanta 2–4 3–3 6–1 4–2 6–0 3–4 4–2 2–4 1–5 6–0 3–4 4–3 4–2
Baltimore 4–2 5–2 6–0 4–3 7–0 3–3 5–1 3–4 2–4 6–0 5–1 3–3 4–2
Boston 3–3 2–5 4–2 5–2 5–1 2–4 5–1 1–6 5–2 6–0 4–2 3–3 3–3
Chicago 1–6 0–6 2–4 1–5 3–3 3–4 5–1 2–4 1–5 4–2 3–3 4–3 4–3
Cincinnati 2–4 3–4 2–5 5–1 3–4 2–4 5–1 4–2 3–4 4–2 2–4 3–3 3–3
Detroit 0–6 0–7 1–5 3–3 4–3 3–3 2–4 3–4 3–4 4–2 3–3 2–4 4–2
Los Angeles 4–3 3–3 4–2 4–3 4–2 3–3 5–1 5–1 1–5 6–0 7–0 4–3 5–1
Milwaukee 2–4 1–5 1–5 1–5 1–5 4–2 1–5 0–6 0–6 6–2 4–2 3–3 3–5
New York 4–2 4–3 6–1 4–2 2–4 4–3 1–5 6–0 4–3 5–1 3–3 5–1 6–0
Philadelphia 5–1 4–2 2–5 5–1 4–3 4–3 5–1 6–0 3–4 5–1 4–2 2–4 6–0
Phoenix 0–6 0–6 0–6 2–4 2–4 2–4 0–6 2–6 1–5 1–5 1–7 2–4 3–3
San Diego 4–3 1–5 2–4 3–3 4–2 3–3 0–7 2–4 3–3 2–4 7–1 3–3 3–3
San Francisco 3–4 3–3 3–3 3–4 3–3 4–2 3–4 3–3 1–5 4–2 4–2 3–3 4–3
Seattle 2–4 2–4 3–3 3–4 3–3 2–4 1–5 5–3 0–6 0–6 3–3 3–3 3–4

Game log edit

1968–69 game log
Total: 16–66 (home: 12–29; road: 4–37)
October: 4–3 (home: 3–2; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
1 October 18 Seattle W 116–107 Gail Goodrich (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,112
1–0 W 1
2 October 20 Baltimore L 122–134 Dick Van Arsdale (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,474
1–1 L 1
3 October 22 @ San Francisco L 101–109 Gail Goodrich (29) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
4,291
1–2 L 2
4 October 24 New York W 109–92 Gail Goodrich (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,450
2–2 W 1
5 October 27 Atlanta L 100–123 Gail Goodrich (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
4,603
2–3 L 1
6 October 30 @ Seattle W 115–108 Gail Goodrich (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
2,657
3–3 W 1
7 October 31 Chicago W 112–103 Gail Goodrich (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,029
4–3 W 2
November: 1–12 (home: 1–5; road: 0–7)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
8 November 3 Los Angeles L 109–127 Dick Van Arsdale (38) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,150
4–4 L 1
9 November 4 San Francisco L 108–119 Dick Van Arsdale (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,019
4–5 L 2
10 November 10 Detroit W 130–128 (OT) George Wilson (33) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
4,440
5–5 W 1
11 November 14 Detroit L 109–111 Gail Goodrich (25) Tucson, AZ
2,712
5–6 L 1
12 November 15 @ Seattle L 124–128 (2OT) Dick Van Arsdale (34) Seattle Center Coliseum
4,368
5–7 L 2
13 November 17 Boston L 98–130 Gail Goodrich,
Dave Lattin (13)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,109
5–8 L 3
14 November 19 @ Philadelphia L 110–126 Dick Van Arsdale (29) New York City, NY
16,664
5–9 L 4
15 November 22 @ Boston L 106–133 McCoy McLemore (18) Boston Garden
8,224
5–10 L 5
16 November 23 @ Milwaukee L 112–115 McCoy McLemore (28) Milwaukee Arena
6,090
5–11 L 6
17 November 26 Philadelphia L 119–126 Gail Goodrich (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,209
5–12 L 7
18 November 27 @ Detroit L 111–125 George Wilson (24) Cobo Arena
11,016
5–13 L 8
19 November 29 @ Baltimore L 106–124 Gail Goodrich,
Dick Van Arsdale (24)
Baltimore Civic Center
6,596
5–14 L 9
20 November 30 @ Chicago L 96–100 Dick Van Arsdale (29) Chicago Stadium
3,246
5–15 L 10
December: 3–15 (home: 2–5; road: 1–10)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
21 December 2 Seattle L 108–118 Gail Goodrich (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,171
5–16 L 11
22 December 3 @ Los Angeles L 108–122 Gail Goodrich (23) The Forum
8,277
5–17 L 12
23 December 4 San Francisco W 126–97 Gail Goodrich (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,387
6–17 W 1
24 December 6 @ San Diego L 106–117 Dick Van Arsdale (33) San Diego Sports Arena
5,782
6–18 L 1
25 December 8 Atlanta L 99–121 Dick Van Arsdale (17) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,243
6–19 L 2
26 December 10 @ New York L 106–111 Gail Goodrich (29) Madison Square Garden
16,337
6–20 L 3
27 December 11 @ Philadelphia L 123–143 Gail Goodrich (19) The Spectrum
6,780
6–21 L 4
28 December 13 @ Cincinnati L 123–130 (OT) Dick Van Arsdale (31) Cleveland, OH
2,114
6–22 L 5
29 December 14 @ Detroit W 123–118 Gail Goodrich (41) Cobo Arena
5,024
7–22 W 1
30 December 15 @ Cincinnati L 101–119 Stan McKenzie (28) Omaha, NE
5,886
7–23 L 1
31 December 17 Philadelphia L 128–145 Dick Snyder (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
1,946
7–24 L 2
32 December 18 Cincinnati W 123–114 Gail Goodrich (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,462
8–24 W 1
33 December 21 @ Baltimore L 117–131 Gail Goodrich (28) Baltimore Civic Center
8,529
8–25 L 1
34 December 22 @ Milwaukee L 116–127 Dick Van Arsdale (26) Milwaukee Arena
3,466
8–26 L 2
35 December 25 Los Angeles L 99–119 Dick Van Arsdale (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,355
8–27 L 3
36 December 26 @ San Francisco L 118–119 Gail Goodrich (40) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
4,916
8–28 L 4
37 December 28 San Diego L 126–136 Gail Goodrich (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
5,749
8–29 L 5
38 December 30 @ Seattle L 118–120 Jim Fox (24) Seattle Center Coliseum
3,920
8–30 L 6
January: 3–12 (home: 3–6; road: 0–6)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
39 January 1 Boston L 87–93 Dick Van Arsdale (22) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
4,757
8–31 L 7
40 January 3 @ Milwaukee L 104–121 Dick Snyder (22) Milwaukee Arena
4,230
8–32 L 8
41 January 4 @ Chicago L 92–103 Jim Fox (27) Chicago Stadium
3,107
8–33 L 9
42 January 5 @ Atlanta L 96–97 Dick Snyder,
Dick Van Arsdale (22)
Alexander Memorial Coliseum
3,235
8–34 L 10
43 January 7 Seattle W 116–112 Gail Goodrich (35) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,875
9–34 W 1
44 January 9 New York L 120–134 Stan McKenzie (18) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,591
9–35 L 1
45 January 11 Baltimore L 107–118 Gary Gregor (19) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,807
9–36 L 2
All-Star Break
46 January 16 @ Atlanta L 107–112 Gary Gregor (26) Columbia, SC
5,815
9–37 L 3
47 January 17 @ Atlanta L 107–112 Gail Goodrich (27) Alexander Memorial Coliseum
4,565
9–38 L 4
48 January 19 San Diego L 118–136 Gail Goodrich (29) San Diego Sports Arena
2,867
9–39 L 5
49 January 22 Atlanta L 107–125 Bob Warlick (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,527
9–40 L 6
50 January 24 Chicago W 117–106 Dick Van Arsdale (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
6,275
10–40 W 1
51 January 25 @ San Diego L 120–133 Jim Fox,
Gail Goodrich (22)
San Diego Sports Arena
4,128
10–41 L 1
52 January 26 San Francisco L 93–117 Neil Johnson (22) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,452
10–42 L 2
53 January 29 Milwaukee W 111–107 Gail Goodrich (33) Tacoma, WA
3,013
11–42 W 1
February: 3–14 (home: 2–4; road: 1–10)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
54 February 2 Milwaukee W 122–121 Gail Goodrich (37) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,926
12–42 W 2
55 February 4 Philadelphia W 125–116 Jim Fox,
Dick Van Arsdale (25)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,317
13–42 W 3
56 February 6 Cincinnati L 103–124 Gail Goodrich (35) Tucson, AZ
3,849
13–43 L 1
57 February 7 @ San Diego L 119–130 Gail Goodrich (33) San Diego Sports Arena
6,214
13–44 L 2
58 February 8 Los Angeles L 104–122 Gail Goodrich (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,106
13–45 L 3
59 February 9 @ Los Angeles L 116–134 Gail Goodrich (29) The Forum
8,840
13–46 L 4
60 February 12 @ New York L 105–112 Gail Goodrich (26) Madison Square Garden
12,017
13–47 L 5
61 February 14 @ Detroit L 123–128 Jim Fox (24) Cobo Arena
2,853
13–48 L 6
62 February 16 @ Cincinnati W 125–113 Gail Goodrich (25) Cincinnati Gardens
3,922
14–48 W 1
63 February 18 @ Boston L 110–116 Gail Goodrich (29) Boston Garden
7,022
14–49 L 1
64 February 20 @ Baltimore L 121–124 Dick Van Arsdale (44) Detroit, MI
7,066
14–50 L 2
65 February 21 Chicago L 121–133 Gail Goodrich (43) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
4,939
14–51 L 3
66 February 22 Boston L 100–124 Dick Van Arsdale (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,295
14–52 L 4
67 February 23 @ Milwaukee L 103–107 Gail Goodrich (29) Green Bay, WI
4,347
14–53 L 5
68 February 25 @ Boston L 99–112 Dick Van Arsdale (22) New York City, NY
19,500
14–54 L 6
69 February 26 @ Philadelphia L 97–104 Dick Van Arsdale (22) The Spectrum
7,781
14–55 L 7
70 February 28 @ Los Angeles L 117–121 Gail Goodrich (43) The Forum
15,728
14–56 L 8
March: 2–10 (home: 1–7; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
71 March 1 @ San Francisco W 119–118 Gail Goodrich (33) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
3,580
15–56 W 1
72 March 4 Cincinnati L 122–141 Gail Goodrich (37) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,165
15–57 L 1
73 March 6 @ Chicago L 117–125 (OT) Gail Goodrich (33) Carbondale, IL
3,125
15–58 L 2
74 March 7 @ New York L 87–119 Bob Warlick (18) Philadelphia, PA
15,244
15–59 L 3
75 March 9 San Diego W 146–133 Gail Goodrich (47) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,384
16–59 W 1
76 March 10 Baltimore L 121–140 Dick Van Arsdale (37) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
4,133
16–60 L 1
77 March 11 @ San Diego L 106–116 Dick Van Arsdale (26) San Diego Sports Arena
4,172
16–61 L 2
78 March 15 San Diego L 124–141 Gail Goodrich (38) Tucson, AZ
2,616
16–62 L 3
79 March 17 Detroit L 95–119 Stan McKenzie (18) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,128
16–63 L 4
80 March 19 Milwaukee L 110–117 Dick Van Arsdale (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,033
16–64 L 5
81 March 21 New York L 104–139 Gary Gregor (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,175
16–65 L 6
82 March 23 Milwaukee L 118–128 Dick Van Arsdale (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,204
16–66 L 7
1968–69 schedule

Team-by-team results edit

Opponent Home Road Total All-time record Suns leading scorer Opp. leading scorer
Atlanta Hawks 0–3 0–3 0–6 0–6 (.000%) Bob Warlick (16.4) Zelmo Beaty (24.8)
Baltimore Bullets 0–3 0–3 0–6 0–6 (.000%) Dick Van Arsdale (31.0) Earl Monroe (26.8)
Boston Celtics 0–3 0–3 0–6 0–6 (.000%) Dick Van Arsdale (18.2) Bailey Howell (21.7)
Chicago Bulls 2–1 0–3 2–4 2–4 (.333%) Gail Goodrich (26.7) Bob Boozer (25.8)
Cincinnati Royals 1–2 1–2 2–4 2–4 (.333%) Gail Goodrich (28.0) Oscar Robertson (25.2)
Detroit Pistons 1–2 1–2 2–4 2–4 (.333%) Gail Goodrich (22.7) Dave DeBusschere (23.5)
Los Angeles Lakers 0–3 0–3 0–6 0–6 (.000%) Dick Van Arsdale (26.7) Wilt Chamberlain (31.2)
Milwaukee Bucks 2–2 0–4 2–6 2–6 (.250%) Dick Van Arsdale (23.9) Len Chappell (22.6)
New York Knicks 1–2 0–3 1–5 1–5 (.167%) Gail Goodrich (21.0) Willis Reed (27.3)
Philadelphia 76ers 1–2 0–3 1–5 1–5 (.167%) Dick Van Arsdale (20.2) Billy Cunningham (26.3)
San Diego Rockets 1–3 0–4 1–7 1–7 (.125%) Gail Goodrich (30.5) Elvin Hayes (31.6)
San Francisco Warriors 1–2 1–2 2–4 2–4 (.333%) Gail Goodrich (29.0) Nate Thurmond (24.8)
Seattle SuperSonics 2–1 1–2 3–3 3–3 (.500%) Gail Goodrich (23.8) Bob Rule (26.7)

Awards and honors edit

All-Star edit

Season edit

Player statistics edit

Legend
  GP Games played  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game
 PPG  Points per game

Season edit

Player GP MPG FG% FT% RPG APG PPG
Ed Biedenbach 7 2.6 .000 .667 0.3 0.4 0.6
Jim Fox* 51 38.8 .470 .734 13.3 2.8 13.8
Gail Goodrich 81 40.0 .411 .747 5.4 6.4 23.8
Gary Gregor 80 27.3 .415 .649 8.9 1.2 11.1
Neil Johnson 80 16.5 .481^ .621 5.0 1.7 5.8
Rod Knowles* 8 5.0 .286 .333 1.1 0.0 1.1
Dave Lattin 68 14.5 .410 .634 4.8 0.7 6.0
Stan McKenzie 80 19.6 .427 .763+ 3.1 1.5 9.3
McCoy McLemore* 31 22.9 .385 .773+ 5.4 1.6 11.8
Dick Snyder 81 26.0 .472^ .725 4.0 2.6 12.1
Dick Van Arsdale 80 42.4 .442 .705 6.9 4.8 21.0
Bob Warlick* 63 15.5 .423 .606 2.4 2.1 8.0
George Wilson* 41 31.6 .397 .616 12.3 1.9 11.6

* – Stats with the Suns.
^ – Minimum 230 field goals.
+ – Minimum 230 free throws.

Transactions edit

Trades edit

Free agents edit

Additions edit

Date Player Contract Former Team
October 18, 1968 Ed Biedenbach Undisclosed Los Angeles Lakers
November 8, 1968 Bob Warlick Undisclosed Milwaukee Bucks

Subtractions edit

Date Player Reason Left New Team
October 1, 1968 Paul Long Waived Los Angeles Lakers
November 6, 1968 Rod Knowles Waived New York Nets (ABA)
November 21, 1968 Ed Biedenbach Waived — (Retired for coaching)

References edit

  1. ^ Boatner, Verne (May 7, 1968), "Suns Stress Youth in Draft Choices", Arizona Republic

1968, phoenix, suns, season, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources 1968 69 Phoenix Suns season news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2017 Learn how and when to remove this message The 1968 69 Phoenix Suns season was the inaugural season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association Head coach Red Kerr led the franchise to its first win in their debut game over the Seattle SuperSonics The Suns lost more games in their initial season than in any year since and did not have a winning record against any other team They played all their home games in the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 1968 69 Phoenix Suns seasonHead coachJohnny Red KerrGeneral managerJerry ColangeloOwnersKarl Eller Don Pitt Don Diamond Bhavik Darji Marvin Meyer Richard L BlochArenaArizona Veterans Memorial ColiseumResultsRecord16 66 195 PlaceDivision 7th Western Playoff finishDid not qualifyStats at Basketball Reference comLocal mediaTelevisionKTAR TVRadioKTAR1969 70 gt Dick Van Arsdale was the franchise s first All Star selection when he was selected to play in the 1969 All Star Game He was the team s second leading scorer at 21 points per game behind eventual Hall of Fame member Gail Goodrich who averaged 23 8 the seventh highest in the league for the season Goodrich was selected to replace an injured Jerry West in the All Star Game Contents 1 Offseason 1 1 NBA Expansion Draft 1 2 NBA draft 2 Roster 3 Regular season 3 1 Standings 3 2 Record vs opponents 3 3 Game log 3 4 Team by team results 4 Awards and honors 4 1 All Star 4 2 Season 5 Player statistics 5 1 Season 6 Transactions 6 1 Trades 6 2 Free agents 6 2 1 Additions 6 2 2 Subtractions 7 ReferencesOffseason editNBA Expansion Draft edit Main article 1968 NBA Expansion Draft Player Position Nationality Former team John Barnhill Guard nbsp United States San Diego Rockets Em Bryant Guard nbsp United States New York Knicks Gail Goodrich Guard nbsp United States Los Angeles Lakers Dennis Hamilton Forward nbsp United States Los Angeles Lakers Neil Johnson Forward nbsp United States New York Knicks Dave Lattin Forward nbsp United States San Francisco Warriors Paul Long Guard nbsp United States Detroit Pistons Stan McKenzie Forward nbsp United States Baltimore Bullets McCoy McLemore Forward nbsp United States Chicago Bulls Bill Melchionni Guard nbsp United States Philadelphia 76ers Dave Schellhase Guard nbsp United States Chicago Bulls Dick Snyder Guard nbsp United States Atlanta Hawks Craig Spitzer Center nbsp United States Chicago Bulls Bumper Tormohlen Center nbsp United States Atlanta Hawks Dick Van Arsdale Forward nbsp United States New York Knicks Roland West Guard nbsp United States Baltimore Bullets John Wetzel Forward nbsp United States Los Angeles Lakers George Wilson Center nbsp United States Seattle SuperSonics The Suns participated in the NBA s fourth expansion draft along with the Milwaukee Bucks the other expansion team that joined the league in 1968 Each of the league s other 12 teams protected seven of their top players with the remaining unprotected players available in the draft The two expansion teams selected three players from each team totaling 18 selections each The Suns received the first fourth and fifth picks while the Bucks which had not yet chosen their team name at the time received the second and third picks The Suns first selection was swingman Dick Van Arsdale of the New York Knicks The Bucks then selected center Wayne Embry of the Boston Celtics and power forward Fred Hetzel of the San Francisco Warriors The Suns rounded out the top five by picking point guard Gail Goodrich of the Los Angeles Lakers and shooting guard Dick Snyder of the Atlanta Hawks 1 The Original Sun Dick Van Arsdale would have a historic career with the Suns after being drafted with him being an All Star in his first three seasons with the team as well as be named a member of the All Defensive Second Team in 1974 and helping the team reach the 1976 NBA Finals before retiring in 1977 having his number become the second in franchise history to be retired into the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor in the 1977 78 season behind Connie Hawkins NBA draft edit Main article 1968 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 8 Gary Gregor Forward nbsp United States South Carolina 2 22 Dick Cunningham Center nbsp United States Murray State 3 36 Art Beatty Center nbsp United States American 4 49 Rich Jones Forward nbsp United States Memphis 5 64 Harry Hollines Guard nbsp United States Denver 6 77 Rod Knowles Center nbsp United States Davidson 7 92 Charles Parks Forward nbsp United States Idaho State 8 105 Brian Clare Center nbsp United States Denver 9 120 Mervin Jackson Guard nbsp United States Utah 10 133 Lee Davis Center nbsp United States North Carolina Central 11 147 Ron Boone Guard nbsp United States Idaho State 12 160 Bill Davis Forward nbsp United States Arizona 13 171 Pat Hobart Forward nbsp United States California StateRoster edit1968 69 Phoenix Suns roster Players Coaches Pos No Name Height Weight DOB From C 31 Fox Jim 6 ft 10 in 2 08 m 230 lb 104 kg 1943 04 07 South Carolina PG 25 Goodrich Gail C 6 ft 1 in 1 85 m 170 lb 77 kg 1943 04 23 UCLA PF 44 Gregor Gary 6 ft 7 in 2 01 m 225 lb 102 kg 1945 08 13 South Carolina PF 11 Johnson Neil 6 ft 7 in 2 01 m 220 lb 100 kg 1943 04 17 Creighton PF 43 Lattin Dave 6 ft 6 in 1 98 m 225 lb 102 kg 1943 12 23 UTEP SF 40 McKenzie Stan 6 ft 5 in 1 96 m 195 lb 88 kg 1944 10 06 NYU SF 10 Snyder Dick 6 ft 5 in 1 96 m 207 lb 94 kg 1944 02 01 Davidson SG 5 Van Arsdale Dick C 6 ft 5 in 1 96 m 210 lb 95 kg 1943 02 22 Indiana SG 23 Warlick Bob 6 ft 5 in 1 96 m 200 lb 91 kg 1941 03 20 Pepperdine Head coach Johnny Red Kerr Legend C Team captain DP Unsigned draft pick FA Free agent S Suspended nbsp Injured Roster Last transaction January 20 1969Regular season editStandings edit Western Divisionvte W L PCT GB Home Road Neutral Div x Los Angeles Lakers 55 27 671 32 9 21 18 2 0 30 10 x Atlanta Hawks 48 34 585 7 28 12 18 21 2 1 26 14 x San Francisco Warriors 41 41 500 14 22 19 18 21 1 1 20 20 x San Diego Rockets 37 45 451 18 25 16 8 25 4 4 20 20 Chicago Bulls 33 49 402 22 19 21 12 25 2 3 19 21 Seattle SuperSonics 30 52 366 25 18 18 6 29 6 5 15 23 Phoenix Suns 16 66 195 39 11 26 4 28 1 12 8 30 Record vs opponents edit 1968 69 NBA records Team ATL BAL BOS CHI CIN DET LAL MIL NYK PHI PHO SDR SFW SEA Atlanta 2 4 3 3 6 1 4 2 6 0 3 4 4 2 2 4 1 5 6 0 3 4 4 3 4 2 Baltimore 4 2 5 2 6 0 4 3 7 0 3 3 5 1 3 4 2 4 6 0 5 1 3 3 4 2 Boston 3 3 2 5 4 2 5 2 5 1 2 4 5 1 1 6 5 2 6 0 4 2 3 3 3 3 Chicago 1 6 0 6 2 4 1 5 3 3 3 4 5 1 2 4 1 5 4 2 3 3 4 3 4 3 Cincinnati 2 4 3 4 2 5 5 1 3 4 2 4 5 1 4 2 3 4 4 2 2 4 3 3 3 3 Detroit 0 6 0 7 1 5 3 3 4 3 3 3 2 4 3 4 3 4 4 2 3 3 2 4 4 2 Los Angeles 4 3 3 3 4 2 4 3 4 2 3 3 5 1 5 1 1 5 6 0 7 0 4 3 5 1 Milwaukee 2 4 1 5 1 5 1 5 1 5 4 2 1 5 0 6 0 6 6 2 4 2 3 3 3 5 New York 4 2 4 3 6 1 4 2 2 4 4 3 1 5 6 0 4 3 5 1 3 3 5 1 6 0 Philadelphia 5 1 4 2 2 5 5 1 4 3 4 3 5 1 6 0 3 4 5 1 4 2 2 4 6 0 Phoenix 0 6 0 6 0 6 2 4 2 4 2 4 0 6 2 6 1 5 1 5 1 7 2 4 3 3 San Diego 4 3 1 5 2 4 3 3 4 2 3 3 0 7 2 4 3 3 2 4 7 1 3 3 3 3 San Francisco 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 2 3 4 3 3 1 5 4 2 4 2 3 3 4 3 Seattle 2 4 2 4 3 3 3 4 3 3 2 4 1 5 5 3 0 6 0 6 3 3 3 3 3 4 Game log edit 1968 69 game logTotal 16 66 home 12 29 road 4 37 October 4 3 home 3 2 road 1 1 Game Date Team Score High points LocationAttendance Record Streak 1 October 18 Seattle W 116 107 Gail Goodrich 27 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum7 112 1 0 W 1 2 October 20 Baltimore L 122 134 Dick Van Arsdale 26 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 474 1 1 L 1 3 October 22 San Francisco L 101 109 Gail Goodrich 29 Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Arena4 291 1 2 L 2 4 October 24 New York W 109 92 Gail Goodrich 31 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 450 2 2 W 1 5 October 27 Atlanta L 100 123 Gail Goodrich 23 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum4 603 2 3 L 1 6 October 30 Seattle W 115 108 Gail Goodrich 32 Seattle Center Coliseum2 657 3 3 W 1 7 October 31 Chicago W 112 103 Gail Goodrich 30 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 029 4 3 W 2 November 1 12 home 1 5 road 0 7 Game Date Team Score High points LocationAttendance Record Streak 8 November 3 Los Angeles L 109 127 Dick Van Arsdale 38 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum7 150 4 4 L 1 9 November 4 San Francisco L 108 119 Dick Van Arsdale 29 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 019 4 5 L 2 10 November 10 Detroit W 130 128 OT George Wilson 33 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum4 440 5 5 W 1 11 November 14 Detroit L 109 111 Gail Goodrich 25 Tucson AZ2 712 5 6 L 1 12 November 15 Seattle L 124 128 2OT Dick Van Arsdale 34 Seattle Center Coliseum4 368 5 7 L 2 13 November 17 Boston L 98 130 Gail Goodrich Dave Lattin 13 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum9 109 5 8 L 3 14 November 19 Philadelphia L 110 126 Dick Van Arsdale 29 New York City NY16 664 5 9 L 4 15 November 22 Boston L 106 133 McCoy McLemore 18 Boston Garden8 224 5 10 L 5 16 November 23 Milwaukee L 112 115 McCoy McLemore 28 Milwaukee Arena6 090 5 11 L 6 17 November 26 Philadelphia L 119 126 Gail Goodrich 32 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 209 5 12 L 7 18 November 27 Detroit L 111 125 George Wilson 24 Cobo Arena11 016 5 13 L 8 19 November 29 Baltimore L 106 124 Gail Goodrich Dick Van Arsdale 24 Baltimore Civic Center6 596 5 14 L 9 20 November 30 Chicago L 96 100 Dick Van Arsdale 29 Chicago Stadium3 246 5 15 L 10 December 3 15 home 2 5 road 1 10 Game Date Team Score High points LocationAttendance Record Streak 21 December 2 Seattle L 108 118 Gail Goodrich 26 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum2 171 5 16 L 11 22 December 3 Los Angeles L 108 122 Gail Goodrich 23 The Forum8 277 5 17 L 12 23 December 4 San Francisco W 126 97 Gail Goodrich 32 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum2 387 6 17 W 1 24 December 6 San Diego L 106 117 Dick Van Arsdale 33 San Diego Sports Arena5 782 6 18 L 1 25 December 8 Atlanta L 99 121 Dick Van Arsdale 17 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 243 6 19 L 2 26 December 10 New York L 106 111 Gail Goodrich 29 Madison Square Garden16 337 6 20 L 3 27 December 11 Philadelphia L 123 143 Gail Goodrich 19 The Spectrum6 780 6 21 L 4 28 December 13 Cincinnati L 123 130 OT Dick Van Arsdale 31 Cleveland OH2 114 6 22 L 5 29 December 14 Detroit W 123 118 Gail Goodrich 41 Cobo Arena5 024 7 22 W 1 30 December 15 Cincinnati L 101 119 Stan McKenzie 28 Omaha NE5 886 7 23 L 1 31 December 17 Philadelphia L 128 145 Dick Snyder 25 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum1 946 7 24 L 2 32 December 18 Cincinnati W 123 114 Gail Goodrich 34 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 462 8 24 W 1 33 December 21 Baltimore L 117 131 Gail Goodrich 28 Baltimore Civic Center8 529 8 25 L 1 34 December 22 Milwaukee L 116 127 Dick Van Arsdale 26 Milwaukee Arena3 466 8 26 L 2 35 December 25 Los Angeles L 99 119 Dick Van Arsdale 27 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum10 355 8 27 L 3 36 December 26 San Francisco L 118 119 Gail Goodrich 40 Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Arena4 916 8 28 L 4 37 December 28 San Diego L 126 136 Gail Goodrich 29 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum5 749 8 29 L 5 38 December 30 Seattle L 118 120 Jim Fox 24 Seattle Center Coliseum3 920 8 30 L 6 January 3 12 home 3 6 road 0 6 Game Date Team Score High points LocationAttendance Record Streak 39 January 1 Boston L 87 93 Dick Van Arsdale 22 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum4 757 8 31 L 7 40 January 3 Milwaukee L 104 121 Dick Snyder 22 Milwaukee Arena4 230 8 32 L 8 41 January 4 Chicago L 92 103 Jim Fox 27 Chicago Stadium3 107 8 33 L 9 42 January 5 Atlanta L 96 97 Dick Snyder Dick Van Arsdale 22 Alexander Memorial Coliseum3 235 8 34 L 10 43 January 7 Seattle W 116 112 Gail Goodrich 35 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum2 875 9 34 W 1 44 January 9 New York L 120 134 Stan McKenzie 18 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum2 591 9 35 L 1 45 January 11 Baltimore L 107 118 Gary Gregor 19 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 807 9 36 L 2 All Star Break 46 January 16 Atlanta L 107 112 Gary Gregor 26 Columbia SC5 815 9 37 L 3 47 January 17 Atlanta L 107 112 Gail Goodrich 27 Alexander Memorial Coliseum4 565 9 38 L 4 48 January 19 San Diego L 118 136 Gail Goodrich 29 San Diego Sports Arena2 867 9 39 L 5 49 January 22 Atlanta L 107 125 Bob Warlick 23 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum2 527 9 40 L 6 50 January 24 Chicago W 117 106 Dick Van Arsdale 27 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum6 275 10 40 W 1 51 January 25 San Diego L 120 133 Jim Fox Gail Goodrich 22 San Diego Sports Arena4 128 10 41 L 1 52 January 26 San Francisco L 93 117 Neil Johnson 22 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum2 452 10 42 L 2 53 January 29 Milwaukee W 111 107 Gail Goodrich 33 Tacoma WA3 013 11 42 W 1 February 3 14 home 2 4 road 1 10 Game Date Team Score High points LocationAttendance Record Streak 54 February 2 Milwaukee W 122 121 Gail Goodrich 37 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum2 926 12 42 W 2 55 February 4 Philadelphia W 125 116 Jim Fox Dick Van Arsdale 25 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 317 13 42 W 3 56 February 6 Cincinnati L 103 124 Gail Goodrich 35 Tucson AZ3 849 13 43 L 1 57 February 7 San Diego L 119 130 Gail Goodrich 33 San Diego Sports Arena6 214 13 44 L 2 58 February 8 Los Angeles L 104 122 Gail Goodrich 29 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum9 106 13 45 L 3 59 February 9 Los Angeles L 116 134 Gail Goodrich 29 The Forum8 840 13 46 L 4 60 February 12 New York L 105 112 Gail Goodrich 26 Madison Square Garden12 017 13 47 L 5 61 February 14 Detroit L 123 128 Jim Fox 24 Cobo Arena2 853 13 48 L 6 62 February 16 Cincinnati W 125 113 Gail Goodrich 25 Cincinnati Gardens3 922 14 48 W 1 63 February 18 Boston L 110 116 Gail Goodrich 29 Boston Garden7 022 14 49 L 1 64 February 20 Baltimore L 121 124 Dick Van Arsdale 44 Detroit MI7 066 14 50 L 2 65 February 21 Chicago L 121 133 Gail Goodrich 43 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum4 939 14 51 L 3 66 February 22 Boston L 100 124 Dick Van Arsdale 21 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum8 295 14 52 L 4 67 February 23 Milwaukee L 103 107 Gail Goodrich 29 Green Bay WI4 347 14 53 L 5 68 February 25 Boston L 99 112 Dick Van Arsdale 22 New York City NY19 500 14 54 L 6 69 February 26 Philadelphia L 97 104 Dick Van Arsdale 22 The Spectrum7 781 14 55 L 7 70 February 28 Los Angeles L 117 121 Gail Goodrich 43 The Forum15 728 14 56 L 8 March 2 10 home 1 7 road 1 3 Game Date Team Score High points LocationAttendance Record Streak 71 March 1 San Francisco W 119 118 Gail Goodrich 33 Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Arena3 580 15 56 W 1 72 March 4 Cincinnati L 122 141 Gail Goodrich 37 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 165 15 57 L 1 73 March 6 Chicago L 117 125 OT Gail Goodrich 33 Carbondale IL3 125 15 58 L 2 74 March 7 New York L 87 119 Bob Warlick 18 Philadelphia PA15 244 15 59 L 3 75 March 9 San Diego W 146 133 Gail Goodrich 47 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum2 384 16 59 W 1 76 March 10 Baltimore L 121 140 Dick Van Arsdale 37 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum4 133 16 60 L 1 77 March 11 San Diego L 106 116 Dick Van Arsdale 26 San Diego Sports Arena4 172 16 61 L 2 78 March 15 San Diego L 124 141 Gail Goodrich 38 Tucson AZ2 616 16 62 L 3 79 March 17 Detroit L 95 119 Stan McKenzie 18 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 128 16 63 L 4 80 March 19 Milwaukee L 110 117 Dick Van Arsdale 32 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 033 16 64 L 5 81 March 21 New York L 104 139 Gary Gregor 23 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum7 175 16 65 L 6 82 March 23 Milwaukee L 118 128 Dick Van Arsdale 31 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum3 204 16 66 L 7 1968 69 schedule Team by team results edit Opponent Home Road Total All time record Suns leading scorer Opp leading scorer Atlanta Hawks 0 3 0 3 0 6 0 6 000 Bob Warlick 16 4 Zelmo Beaty 24 8 Baltimore Bullets 0 3 0 3 0 6 0 6 000 Dick Van Arsdale 31 0 Earl Monroe 26 8 Boston Celtics 0 3 0 3 0 6 0 6 000 Dick Van Arsdale 18 2 Bailey Howell 21 7 Chicago Bulls 2 1 0 3 2 4 2 4 333 Gail Goodrich 26 7 Bob Boozer 25 8 Cincinnati Royals 1 2 1 2 2 4 2 4 333 Gail Goodrich 28 0 Oscar Robertson 25 2 Detroit Pistons 1 2 1 2 2 4 2 4 333 Gail Goodrich 22 7 Dave DeBusschere 23 5 Los Angeles Lakers 0 3 0 3 0 6 0 6 000 Dick Van Arsdale 26 7 Wilt Chamberlain 31 2 Milwaukee Bucks 2 2 0 4 2 6 2 6 250 Dick Van Arsdale 23 9 Len Chappell 22 6 New York Knicks 1 2 0 3 1 5 1 5 167 Gail Goodrich 21 0 Willis Reed 27 3 Philadelphia 76ers 1 2 0 3 1 5 1 5 167 Dick Van Arsdale 20 2 Billy Cunningham 26 3 San Diego Rockets 1 3 0 4 1 7 1 7 125 Gail Goodrich 30 5 Elvin Hayes 31 6 San Francisco Warriors 1 2 1 2 2 4 2 4 333 Gail Goodrich 29 0 Nate Thurmond 24 8 Seattle SuperSonics 2 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 500 Gail Goodrich 23 8 Bob Rule 26 7 Awards and honors editAll Star edit Dick Van Arsdale was selected as a reserve for the Western Conference in the All Star Game It was his first All Star selection Gail Goodrich was selected to replace Jerry West in the All Star Game It was his first All Star selection Season edit Gary Gregor was named to the NBA All Rookie First Team Player statistics editLegend GP Games played MPG Minutes per game FG Field goal percentage FT Free throw percentage RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game PPG Points per game Season edit Player GP MPG FG FT RPG APG PPG Ed Biedenbach 7 2 6 000 667 0 3 0 4 0 6 Jim Fox 51 38 8 470 734 13 3 2 8 13 8 Gail Goodrich 81 40 0 411 747 5 4 6 4 23 8 Gary Gregor 80 27 3 415 649 8 9 1 2 11 1 Neil Johnson 80 16 5 481 621 5 0 1 7 5 8 Rod Knowles 8 5 0 286 333 1 1 0 0 1 1 Dave Lattin 68 14 5 410 634 4 8 0 7 6 0 Stan McKenzie 80 19 6 427 763 3 1 1 5 9 3 McCoy McLemore 31 22 9 385 773 5 4 1 6 11 8 Dick Snyder 81 26 0 472 725 4 0 2 6 12 1 Dick Van Arsdale 80 42 4 442 705 6 9 4 8 21 0 Bob Warlick 63 15 5 423 606 2 4 2 1 8 0 George Wilson 41 31 6 397 616 12 3 1 9 11 6 Stats with the Suns Minimum 230 field goals Minimum 230 free throws Transactions editTrades edit August 27 1968 To Boston Celtics nbsp Em Bryant To Phoenix Suns 1969 second round draft pick nbsp Gene Williams September 11 1968 To Atlanta Hawks nbsp Dennis Hamilton To Phoenix Suns 1969 third round draft pick nbsp Lloyd Kerr September 12 1968 To Milwaukee Bucks nbsp Dick Cunningham To Phoenix Suns 1973 second round draft pick nbsp Gary Melchionni Cash considerations December 17 1968 To Detroit Pistons nbsp McCoy McLemore To Phoenix Suns nbsp Jim Fox 1969 third round draft pick nbsp Lamar Green January 20 1969 To Philadelphia 76ers nbsp George Wilson To Phoenix Suns nbsp Jerry Chambers Free agents edit Additions edit Date Player Contract Former Team October 18 1968 Ed Biedenbach Undisclosed Los Angeles Lakers November 8 1968 Bob Warlick Undisclosed Milwaukee Bucks Subtractions edit Date Player Reason Left New Team October 1 1968 Paul Long Waived Los Angeles Lakers November 6 1968 Rod Knowles Waived New York Nets ABA November 21 1968 Ed Biedenbach Waived Retired for coaching References edit Boatner Verne May 7 1968 Suns Stress Youth in Draft Choices Arizona Republic Retrieved from https en 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