Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Fan Vote Results: The most popular Phoenix Sun of all time

By Luke Duffy

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 01: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns applies chalk powder to his hands during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on February 01, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nets 121-111. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 01: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns applies chalk powder to his hands during the second half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on February 01, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nets 121-111. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Phoenix Suns, Charles Barkley
Phoenix Suns’ Charles Barkley with Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls (Photo by BRIAN BAHR / AFP) (Photo credit should read BRIAN BAHR/AFP via Getty Images) /

4. Charles Barkley (6% of the vote)

A true shock to see Charles Barkley rank so lowly here, and at only six percent of the vote no less. The “round mound of rebound” is undoubtedly the biggest personality to play for the organization, and to some people that is enough to warrant him being the most popular.

There is little doubt that his popularity worldwide was at an all time high in the early 90s as a result of being a part of the 1992 “Dream Team” that Team USA put together. Barkley joined the Suns ahead of the 1992-93 season, so right away he endeared himself to a lot of fans because they knew of his outsized personality.

An All-Star every year he was with the team, Barkley would only play in The Valley for four seasons. As we have seen with Bridges and even Dumas making this list, longevity isn’t a prerequisite to be known as one of the most beloved Suns of all time. But it can’t hurt.

But leaving for the Houston Rockets in 1996 “as a matter of pride” as Barkley himself put it at the time, is sure to penalize you some here. The reality is that Barkley was getting older and saw a better chance to win a championship with the Rockets. You can’t blame him for that. In today’s league he’d be celebrated for it by some. But it saps as his votes on this occasion.

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