Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Suns All-Decade Teams Part One – 1960s-70s

By Patrick Nash

MILWAUKEE - 1970: Gail Goodrich #25 of the Phoenix Suns goes up for a shot against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 1970 season at the MECCA Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1970 NBAE (Photo by Vernon Biever/NBAE via Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE - 1970: Gail Goodrich #25 of the Phoenix Suns goes up for a shot against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 1970 season at the MECCA Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1970 NBAE (Photo by Vernon Biever/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Backup: Mike Bantom

BOSTON – 1976: Mike Bantom #40 of the Phoenix Suns walks on the court against the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1976 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1976 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON – 1976: Mike Bantom #40 of the Phoenix Suns walks on the court against the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1976 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1976 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The 1970s was a dry decade for the Suns at small forward. Not many players stood out at the position. Had George Gervin decided to play for the Suns in the NBA instead of the Spurs of the ABA, then this would have been an entirely different story (ad possibly a Championship one). However, as history played out, after Keith Erickson, there really aren’t many memorable players to play the position.

Mike Bantom, in fact, only controlled the wing for just a hair over two seasons before he was sold to the Seattle SuperSonics for cash. Although his two full seasons in Phoenix after being drafted eighth overall in 1973 brought the team an average of 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds, he left no lasting impression. He would play against the Suns in the 1976 Semifinals and average 9.7 points, but aside from a couple of decent seasons in his mid-20s, never panned out the way Jerry Colangelo and the Suns had originally hoped.

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