Top Five Classic Suns Teams for NBA 2K18

#1 – Charles Barkley (1992-1993)

CHICAGO – JUNE 18: Charles Barkley #34 of the Phoenix Suns displays emotion against the Chicago Bulls in Game Five of the 1993 NBA Finals on June 18, 1993 at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois. The Suns won 108-98. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Obviously Charles Barkley isn’t the only reason this is number one on the list, but he’s always been a sticking point on NBA 2K. The reason is that, as far as the latest news is concerned, Barkley has yet to allow 2K to use his likeness on classic teams (except for the 2k17 Dream Team which you either had to pre-order or purchase separately to play with him). That is really unfortunate for Suns fans, since he was the star of our most successful team in franchise history.

So, unless something changes, it is unlikely NBA 2K would include this team on its classics list. They could include it without Barkley and allow fans to add him after the game is released, although I doubt 2K will do that. Therefore barring any last minute agreements, the 1992-93 Suns probably can’t be on NBA 2K18.

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A guy can dream though, can’t he? I mean, this was the first team I looked for when I turned on NBA 2K17. It featured an MVP Barkley who averaged 25.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, and 5.1 APG. It featured two All-Stars in Barkley and Dan Majerle. KJ missed too much time from injury to become an All-Star himself, but he was still good enough, making this a three All-Star team. It also had several other Suns favorites, including Tom Chambers, Danny Ainge, and Cedric Ceballos, not to mention Paul Westphal as the head coach.

These Suns would go on to win a franchise record 62 games and lose to Jordan’s Bulls in the Finals. It’s now the only team that made it to the Finals during the 90’s not featured on NBA 2K’s classics (aside from a couple that made it twice, but each is represented at least once except for the Suns). That’s pretty frustrating. Maybe someday Barkley will come around and Suns fans will be able to relive the glory days.