1971–72 Phoenix Suns season


The 1971–72 Phoenix Suns season was the fourth season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. With a 49–33 record, the Suns hold the NBA record as the team with the best winning percentage to not make the playoffs. The team broke the record they set the previous year with a 48–34 finish. Head coach Cotton Fitzsimmons led the Suns in their debut season as members of the Pacific division. All home games were played at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Paul Silas again led the team in rebounds, averaging 11.9 per game, while also leading the Suns in assists with a 4.3 average. Connie Hawkins's 21 points a game led the club, while Dick Van Arsdale was second with his 19.7 average. Silas averaged 17.5 for the season, while both Clem Haskins and Neal Walk averaged 15.7.

Draft picks

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
114John RocheGuardUnited StatesSouth Carolina
348Dennis "Mo" LaytonGuardUnited StatesUSC
465Walt SzczerbiakForwardUnited StatesGeorge Washington
582Ken GardnerForwardUnited StatesUtah
584Bob KissaneCenterUnited StatesHoly Cross
699William GrahamForwardUnited StatesKentucky State
7116Ralph BraterisForwardUnited StatesTrenton State
8133Vernell EllzyForwardUnited StatesFlorida State
9149Mike JohnsonGuardUnited StatesKansas State
10165Tom NewellGuardUnited StatesHawaii
11179Paul LeitzForwardUnited StatesWestern Carolina
12192Floyd MasonForwardUnited StatesAlcorn A&M
13204Ron DorseyGuardUnited StatesTennessee State
14213Ken BookerGuardUnited StatesUCLA
15222Curtis CarterForwardUnited StatesBishop

Roster

Regular season

Standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

!!Streak
!!Streak
!!Streak
!!Streak
!!Streak
!!Streak

Team-by-team results

Awards and honors

All-Star

Season

^ – Minimum 350 free throw attempts.

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Additions

Subtractions