We need a documentary about the Phoenix Suns 1987 drug scandal
Not every story is a happy one and sometimes it’s even the darkest ones that resemble the best stories. In Phoenix Suns history, it’s difficult to find something uglier than the late-80s drug scandal.
The 1987-88 Suns struggled both on the court and off the court. That season, they put together an abysmal 28-54 record and had three players indicted on cocaine charges. The three players charged were Jay Humphries, James Edwards and Grant Gondrezick. Ex-Suns Mike Bratz and Garfield Heard were charged as well.
The craziest part of this whole thing? It was teammate Walter Davis who testified against those aforementioned players in exchange for immunity.
All in all, this resembles one of the sadder stories in team history and one certainly not to be celebrated like The Last Dance. It does however tell a story of interest and drama, which is pretty much what every HBO original is made out of.
This scandal does possess something of a happy ending though. Midway through that season, the Suns turned their franchise around, acquiring Kevin Johnson and Larry Nance. With those guys aboard, Phoenix made 13 straight postseasons soon after.