Backup: Mike Bantom
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.