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Phoenix Suns Trivia Quiz: 20 Questions to Test Your Fandom
From the "Suns-Sational" 1976 Finals run to the "Seven Seconds or Less" era and the modern dominance of Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns remain one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. As a sports historian, I’ve watched this team redefine offensive basketball and cultivate a fan base that is as loyal as it is loud. Think you know everything about the Valley’s team? Let’s put that knowledge to the test.
1. In what year did the Phoenix Suns join the NBA as an expansion team?
Answer: B) 1968
The Story Behind the Stat: The Phoenix Suns were one of two expansion teams to join the league in 1968, the other being the Milwaukee Bucks. This brought professional basketball to the Arizona desert for the first time, making the Suns the oldest professional sports franchise in the state.
The Story Behind the Stat: The Phoenix Suns were one of two expansion teams to join the league in 1968, the other being the Milwaukee Bucks. This brought professional basketball to the Arizona desert for the first time, making the Suns the oldest professional sports franchise in the state.
2. Who was the first player in Phoenix Suns history to win the NBA MVP award?
Answer: C) Charles Barkley
The Story Behind the Stat: "Sir Charles" took the league by storm in his first season in Phoenix (1992-93), leading the team to the best record in the NBA and winning the MVP. He remains one of only two Suns to ever win the award, alongside Steve Nash.
The Story Behind the Stat: "Sir Charles" took the league by storm in his first season in Phoenix (1992-93), leading the team to the best record in the NBA and winning the MVP. He remains one of only two Suns to ever win the award, alongside Steve Nash.
3. Which Suns legend holds the franchise record for the most career points scored?
Answer: B) Walter Davis
The Story Behind the Stat: Known as "The Greyhound" for his smooth playing style, Walter Davis scored 15,666 points during his tenure in Phoenix. While Devin Booker is rapidly climbing the ranks, Davis has held the top spot since the late 1980s.
The Story Behind the Stat: Known as "The Greyhound" for his smooth playing style, Walter Davis scored 15,666 points during his tenure in Phoenix. While Devin Booker is rapidly climbing the ranks, Davis has held the top spot since the late 1980s.
4. The Suns famously lost a coin flip in 1969 for the rights to draft which future Hall of Fame center?
Answer: A) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Story Behind the Stat: In one of the most infamous moments in franchise history, the Suns lost a coin toss to the Milwaukee Bucks for the #1 pick in the 1969 draft. The Bucks chose Lew Alcindor (Kareem), who went on to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer for decades.
The Story Behind the Stat: In one of the most infamous moments in franchise history, the Suns lost a coin toss to the Milwaukee Bucks for the #1 pick in the 1969 draft. The Bucks chose Lew Alcindor (Kareem), who went on to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer for decades.
5. Who was the head coach during the "Seven Seconds or Less" era of the mid-2000s?
Answer: B) Mike D'Antoni
The Story Behind the Stat: D'Antoni revolutionized the NBA with an extremely fast-paced offensive system that prioritized three-pointers and quick transitions. Under his leadership, the Suns became the league's most exciting team and a perennial title contender.
The Story Behind the Stat: D'Antoni revolutionized the NBA with an extremely fast-paced offensive system that prioritized three-pointers and quick transitions. Under his leadership, the Suns became the league's most exciting team and a perennial title contender.
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Shop Phoenix Suns Gear6. Against which team did Devin Booker score a franchise-record 70 points in 2017?
Answer: B) Boston Celtics
The Story Behind the Stat: On March 24, 2017, a 20-year-old Devin Booker became the youngest player to ever score 60+ points in a game. His 70-point performance at TD Garden remains one of the highest-scoring individual games in NBA history.
The Story Behind the Stat: On March 24, 2017, a 20-year-old Devin Booker became the youngest player to ever score 60+ points in a game. His 70-point performance at TD Garden remains one of the highest-scoring individual games in NBA history.
7. What is the nickname of the Suns' home arena when it first opened in 1992?
Answer: A) The Purple Palace
The Story Behind the Stat: When the arena opened as America West Arena, it was dubbed "The Purple Palace" due to the team's primary color and the vibrant energy of the fans. It replaced the "Madhouse on McDowell," which was the nickname for the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Story Behind the Stat: When the arena opened as America West Arena, it was dubbed "The Purple Palace" due to the team's primary color and the vibrant energy of the fans. It replaced the "Madhouse on McDowell," which was the nickname for the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
8. Which player was known by the nickname "Thunder Dan"?
Answer: A) Dan Majerle
The Story Behind the Stat: Majerle earned the name "Thunder Dan" for his thunderous dunks and fearless defensive play. He was a three-time All-Star in Phoenix and remains one of the most beloved figures in franchise history.
The Story Behind the Stat: Majerle earned the name "Thunder Dan" for his thunderous dunks and fearless defensive play. He was a three-time All-Star in Phoenix and remains one of the most beloved figures in franchise history.
9. In the 1993 NBA Finals, the Suns lost in six games to which opponent?
Answer: A) Chicago Bulls
The Story Behind the Stat: Despite having home-court advantage and the league MVP in Charles Barkley, the Suns fell to Michael Jordan and the Bulls. The series ended in Game 6 when John Paxson hit a dramatic game-winning three-pointer.
The Story Behind the Stat: Despite having home-court advantage and the league MVP in Charles Barkley, the Suns fell to Michael Jordan and the Bulls. The series ended in Game 6 when John Paxson hit a dramatic game-winning three-pointer.
10. How did the "Suns Gorilla" mascot originally start?
Answer: B) A singing telegram messenger stayed to entertain the crowd
The Story Behind the Stat: Henry Rojas was sent to the arena to deliver a singing telegram in a gorilla suit. Fans loved his antics so much that he was invited back, eventually becoming the official mascot and one of the most famous mascots in all of sports.
The Story Behind the Stat: Henry Rojas was sent to the arena to deliver a singing telegram in a gorilla suit. Fans loved his antics so much that he was invited back, eventually becoming the official mascot and one of the most famous mascots in all of sports.
11. Steve Nash won back-to-back MVP awards in which two seasons?
Answer: B) 2004-05 & 2005-06
The Story Behind the Stat: Nash became the first Canadian to win the MVP and joined an elite group of point guards to win the award in consecutive years. His vision and passing were the engine of the "Seven Seconds or Less" offense.
The Story Behind the Stat: Nash became the first Canadian to win the MVP and joined an elite group of point guards to win the award in consecutive years. His vision and passing were the engine of the "Seven Seconds or Less" offense.
12. Who holds the Suns' franchise record for the most assists in a single game (25)?
Answer: C) Kevin Johnson
The Story Behind the Stat: KJ recorded 25 assists against the San Antonio Spurs in 1994. While Steve Nash and Chris Paul are legendary playmakers, Johnson’s single-game explosion remains the gold standard for the franchise.
The Story Behind the Stat: KJ recorded 25 assists against the San Antonio Spurs in 1994. While Steve Nash and Chris Paul are legendary playmakers, Johnson’s single-game explosion remains the gold standard for the franchise.
13. Which Suns player won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2003?
Answer: A) Amar'e Stoudemire
The Story Behind the Stat: Stoudemire was the first player drafted straight out of high school to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award. His explosive athleticism made him the perfect pick-and-roll partner for Steve Nash years later.
The Story Behind the Stat: Stoudemire was the first player drafted straight out of high school to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award. His explosive athleticism made him the perfect pick-and-roll partner for Steve Nash years later.
14. What was the nickname of the 1975-76 Suns team that made a surprise run to the NBA Finals?
Answer: C) The Sunderellas
The Story Behind the Stat: After a mediocre regular season, the 1975-76 Suns went on an improbable playoff run to reach the Finals. Their "Cinderella" story earned them the nickname "The Sunderellas" among the local faithful.
The Story Behind the Stat: After a mediocre regular season, the 1975-76 Suns went on an improbable playoff run to reach the Finals. Their "Cinderella" story earned them the nickname "The Sunderellas" among the local faithful.
15. In 2022, the Suns set a new franchise record for most wins in a regular season. How many games did they win?
Answer: C) 64
The Story Behind the Stat: Led by Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the 2021-22 Suns surpassed the previous record of 62 wins (held by the 1992-93 and 2004-05 teams). They finished the season with the best record in the NBA by an eight-game margin.
The Story Behind the Stat: Led by Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the 2021-22 Suns surpassed the previous record of 62 wins (held by the 1992-93 and 2004-05 teams). They finished the season with the best record in the NBA by an eight-game margin.
16. Which former Suns point guard went on to serve as the Mayor of Sacramento?
Answer: B) Kevin Johnson
The Story Behind the Stat: After a Hall of Fame-caliber career in Phoenix, Johnson entered politics. He served two terms as the Mayor of Sacramento from 2008 to 2016, notably helping to keep the Kings from moving to another city.
The Story Behind the Stat: After a Hall of Fame-caliber career in Phoenix, Johnson entered politics. He served two terms as the Mayor of Sacramento from 2008 to 2016, notably helping to keep the Kings from moving to another city.
17. Who was the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the first #1 pick in Suns history?
Answer: B) Deandre Ayton
The Story Behind the Stat: After 50 years of waiting, the Suns finally won the NBA Draft Lottery in 2018. They selected Ayton, a standout center from the University of Arizona, to anchor their frontcourt.
The Story Behind the Stat: After 50 years of waiting, the Suns finally won the NBA Draft Lottery in 2018. They selected Ayton, a standout center from the University of Arizona, to anchor their frontcourt.
18. Which Suns player is the all-time leader in games played for the franchise?
Answer: A) Alvan Adams
The Story Behind the Stat: "The Oklahoma Kid" played his entire 13-season career with the Suns, appearing in 988 games. He was the 1976 Rookie of the Year and is a member of the Suns Ring of Honor.
The Story Behind the Stat: "The Oklahoma Kid" played his entire 13-season career with the Suns, appearing in 988 games. He was the 1976 Rookie of the Year and is a member of the Suns Ring of Honor.
19. The Suns retired the #5 jersey in honor of which "Original Sun"?
Answer: B) Dick Van Arsdale
The Story Behind the Stat: Known as the "Original Sun," Van Arsdale was the team's first selection in the 1968 expansion draft. He was a three-time All-Star and scored the first points in the history of the franchise.
The Story Behind the Stat: Known as the "Original Sun," Van Arsdale was the team's first selection in the 1968 expansion draft. He was a three-time All-Star and scored the first points in the history of the franchise.
20. In the 1976 NBA Finals, the Suns played a triple-overtime thriller against which opponent?
Answer: A) Boston Celtics
The Story Behind the Stat: Game 5 of the 1976 Finals is legendary for its three overtimes and controversial finishes. Despite a heroic effort by the Suns, the Celtics eventually won the game 128-126 and took the series in Game 6.
The Story Behind the Stat: Game 5 of the 1976 Finals is legendary for its three overtimes and controversial finishes. Despite a heroic effort by the Suns, the Celtics eventually won the game 128-126 and took the series in Game 6.
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