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Phoenix Suns: 10 Best Draft Picks In Team History

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek talks with guard Archie Goodwin (20) in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 96-69. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek talks with guard Archie Goodwin (20) in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 96-69. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. Walter Davis

It was a close call between our No. 2 and our No. 1, but Walter Davis gets the early nod as the fifth overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft.

Though he was selected two spots ahead of Hall of Famer Bernard King, it was “Sweet D” who took home Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 24.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. With his slim build and impressive speed, “The Greyhound” gave Phoenix 11 great seasons, averaging 20.5 points, 4.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game as a Sun.

His later years in the NBA were marred by back problems and a cocaine addiction, but Davis was a six-time All-Star and a two-time member of the All-NBA Second Team. Walter Davis is the Suns’ all-time scoring leader with 15,666 points and another member of the Suns Ring of Honor.

And to be honest, any player that can coax nicknames like “The Candyman” and “The Man with the Velvet Touch” out of Al McCoy deserves some recognition. He never found substantial playoff success, but Walter Davis is one of the greatest Phoenix Suns of all time and was one of the few top five picks they didn’t screw up.

Next: No. 1

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