Valley of the Suns
Fansided

A brief history of the Phoenix Suns on Mother’s Day

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX - MAY 12: Anfernee Hardaway #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a layup against Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2000 NBA Playoffs at America West Arena on May 12, 2000 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 105-99. 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 2000 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX - MAY 12: Anfernee Hardaway #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a layup against Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2000 NBA Playoffs at America West Arena on May 12, 2000 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 105-99. 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 2000 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX – MAY 12: Anfernee Hardaway #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a layup against Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2000 NBA Playoffs at America West Arena on May 12, 2000 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 105-99. 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 2000 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX – MAY 12: Anfernee Hardaway #1 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a layup against Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2000 NBA Playoffs at America West Arena on May 12, 2000 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 105-99. 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 2000 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Phoenix Suns 117 – Los Angeles Lakers 98

(6-1)

Backcourt 2000 was built to win, and Jason Kidd had predicted that the team was poised to win multiple championships during its run. Unfortunately while the Suns had Kidd and Penny Hardaway, they didn’t have Shaquille O’Neal, and those titles never came. On the first Mother’s Day of the new millennium, the Suns were able to pull out one win in a best of seven Semifinals series against the Los Angeles Lakers, who had rolled over Phoenix in the first three. Led by a Jason Kidd triple-double and a career-playoff-high 32 points from Cliff Robinson, Phoenix managed to save face and steal one victory at home before an embarrassing game five 87-65 blowout ending their season.

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