Relive the Phoenix Suns’ NBA Finals Run of 1993
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Relive the Phoenix Suns’ incredible 1993 NBA Finals run, one of the most memorable in NBA history From Charles Barkley’s dominant performance to Dan Majerle’s Game 3 buzzer-beater, relive all the highlights of this classic series.
The Suns’ historic 1993 NBA Finals run
In 1993, the Phoenix Suns made an unlikely run to the NBA Finals The Suns were led by point guard Kevin Johnson and Power Forward Charles Barkley and they managed to upset the heavily favored Chicago Bulls in the Finals. The Suns’ run was one of the most unlikely and impressive in NBA history and it is still remembered fondly by basketball fans
The Suns’ star-studded lineup
The Phoenix Suns had one of the most star-studded lineups in NBA history in 1993. The team featured future Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Dan Majerle, as well as all-time greats Kevin Johnson and Tom Chambers The Suns also had solid role players like Cedric Ceballos and Danny Ainge
The Suns swept the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, then beat the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games in the Western Conference Semifinals. In the Western Conference Finals, the Suns faced the defending champion Chicago Bulls who were led by Michael Jordan The Suns lost the series in six games, but it was a valiant effort against one of the greatest teams of all time.
The Suns’ high-powered offense
In the 1992-93 season, the Suns had one of the most potent offenses in NBA history They averaged a whopping 119 points per game which is still the fourth-highest single-season average in league history. Led by All-Star point guard Kevin Johnson, the Suns torched opposing defenses with their quickness and outside shooting. They also had a strong inside presence with 7-foot center Mark West and 6-10 power forward Charles Barkley
The Suns steamrolled their way to a 62-20 regular-season record, which was good for first place in the Western Conference In the playoffs, they dispatched the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the first round and then took down the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games in the conference semifinals.
That set up a much-anticipated Western Conference Finals matchup against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls The Suns had beaten Jordan’s Bulls earlier in the season, but they were no match for them in the postseason. The Bulls Won the series in six games on their way to their third consecutive NBA title
Despite coming up short of their ultimate goal, it was still a hugely successful season for the Suns. Johnson was named MVP of the All-Star game Barkley was named league MVP, and Head Coach Paul Westphal was named Coach of the Year.
The Suns’ stingy defense
In the 1993 NBA Finals the Suns allowed 100.8 points per game which is still the best defensive rating for any team in NBA Finals history. The Suns had a +7.5 Point Differential in the series, meaning they outscored their opponents by 7.5 points per game on average. The Suns’ starting lineup during the series was Dan Majerle, Kevin Johnson, Richard Dumas, Charles Barkley and margin Oliver Miller.
The Suns’ clutch performers
In the 1993 NBA Finals the Suns were led by their clutch performers, Charles Barkley and Dan Majerle. Barkley averaged 27.3 points and 13.0 rebounds per game while Majerle averaged 19.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game The Suns also received strong performances from Kevin Johnson and Danny Ainge. Johnson averaged 17.2 points and 12.4 assists per game while Ainge averaged 11.5 points and 4.5 assists per game
The Suns’ head coach
In 1993, the Phoenix Suns made a historic run to the NBA Finals Led by head coach Paul Westphal, the Suns defeated the defending champion Chicago Bulls in six games. The Suns then went on to lose to the Patrick Ewing led New York Knicks in seven games.
The Suns’ run was one of the most memorable in NBA history It was also one of the most controversial. In Game 5 of the Finals, with the score tied at 107 and just seconds remaining, Suns point guard Kevin Johnson hit a jumper to give his team the lead. But on the ensuing inbound pass, Bulls forward Scottie Pippen inexplicably fouled Johnson, who made both Free throws to seal the win.
The finals were marred by several other controversies, including a fight between Knicks center Xavier McDaniel and Suns forward Charles Barkley in Game 6, and a last-second timeout called by Westphal in Game 7 that negated a game-winning shot by Johnson.
Despite all of the drama, the 1993 NBA Finals was one of the most thrilling and exciting series ever played.
The Suns’ opponent
The Suns’ opponent in the 1993 NBA Finals was the Chicago Bulls who were in the midst of a dynasty that would see them win six championships in eight years. The Suns had home-court advantage in the series, but they were facing a team that had won 67 games in the regular season and was coming off a five-game victory over the defending champion Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals. The Suns would need to play their best basketball of the year to have a chance of winning the series.
The Suns’ Game 7 victory
On June 20th, 1993, the Phoenix Suns won Game 7 of the NBA Finals defeating the Chicago Bulls by a score of 111-105. The Suns had been down 3-1 in the series, but they fought back to win three straight games and take the title. It was an incredible achievement for a team that had never won an NBA Championship before.
The Suns were led by their two stars, Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson. Barkley was named the Finals MVP after averaging 25.6 points and 12.2 rebounds in the series. Johnson was also outstanding, averaging 22.6 points and 9.0 assists in the seven games.
The Suns’ victory was a huge moment for the city of Phoenix. It was the first time that a major professional sports team had won a championship in Arizona. Thousands of fans celebrated in the streets, and the Suns became heroes overnight.
The 1993 NBA Finals will always be remembered as one of the greatest moments in Phoenix Suns history.
The Suns’ post-game celebration
The Suns’ post-game celebration after their win in game five of the 1993 NBA Finals is one of the most iconic moments in franchise history. Here’s a look back at that special moment.
The Suns’ legacy
The Suns made it to the NBA Finals in 1993, losing to the Chicago Bulls in six games. They were the first team in NBA history to lose the Finals after leading three games to one. The Suns were led by Charles Barkley who won the league MVP that year, and had other star players such as Kevin Johnson and Dan Majerle. The team’s run is considered one of the best in NBA history and they are still remembered fondly by fans today.
