Valley of the Suns
Fansided

The Phoenix Suns are the centerpiece of the biggest what-if in NBA history

By Ryan Bawek

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 19, 1982 : Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a skyhook during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at The Forum, Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 19, 1982 : Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a skyhook during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at The Forum, Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Phoenix Suns, Dick Van Arsdale (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dick Van Arsdale
Phoenix Suns, Dick Van Arsdale (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dick Van Arsdale /

The NBA Adds Two New Franchises

Due to the sport’s growing popularity with generational superstars like Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor, and “The Logo” Jerry West (this doesn’t mean that the NBA didn’t struggle with its own racial and cultural issues as well) the league decided to expand to 14 teams for the 1968-69 season and the cities of Phoenix and Milwaukee were granted new franchises.

The idea of bringing a professional sports franchise to the Phoenix market was definitely outside forward-thinking for that era as the city of Phoenix was ranked 20th in U.S. population in 1970 (it would be 9th by 1980).

After a public contest in partnership with the Arizona Republic to determine the name of the first professional sports franchise in Phoenix, the Phoenix Suns were born on April 25.

Seriously, take some time to read that story above about the creation of the “Phoenix Suns.” It is a fantastic read and shows how invested The Godfather of Phoenix sports, Jerry Colangelo, was in picking a name and color scheme that represented the heart of the city and state and why he chose orange and purple (hint: it relates to the name).

The 1968 expansion draft took place on May 6, 1968. Each of the 12 existing NBA teams were able to protect seven players on their roster from being taken by the Phoenix Suns or Milwaukee Bucks.

After each round, NBA teams were able to protect one more player from being drafted and the draft went on that way for 18 rounds (drafts in all leagues had a ridiculous amount of rounds in those days).

The Suns would end up with two players of acclaim that you may have heard of, one of which is in their ring of honor, Dick Van Arsdale, and the other would go on to have a hall of fame career and star for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1970s, Gail Goodrich.

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