PHOENIX SUNS

7 seconds or less: 15 years ago, Suns clinched division title

Mar 30, 2020, 3:29 PM

With the sports world on hold, Cronkite News will take a daily look at this day in sports history and reflect on some of the biggest moments in Arizona sports.

PHOENIX – One word best described the 2004-2005 Phoenix Suns’ playing style: pace. Fifteen years ago Monday, that pace helped the team clinch its first Pacific Division title in 10 years.

The accomplishment came following a 116-87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in what was then called America West Arena. Steve Nash had a triple-double and Quentin Richardson set team records for three-point shooting.

Richardson broke Dan Majerle’s marks for three-pointers and three-point attempts, prompting Majerle, who was sitting courtside as a game analyst, to wipe away a fake tear. Richardson went 4-for-11 to finish with 201 made in 559 tries.

“The whole thing that we try to do is play a fast-paced game, keeping the tempo up and having great ball movement and great teamwork and having guys all pulling for each other,” then-Suns coach Mike D’Antoni told Suns Gametime. 

The Suns were known for getting the ball up court as quickly as possible and putting a shot up early in the shot clock, leading to the moniker, “seven seconds or less” Suns. The style created problems for opposing defenses, both in transition and in matchups.

“They’re the most unique team in the league,” said Stan Van Gundy, who was coaching the Miami Heat at the time. “I mean that style of play is incredible.”

In 2005, the Suns were the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The only team that was able to counter their aggressive playing style was the San Antonio Spurs, led by coach Gregg Popovich. The Spurs defeated the Suns in five games in the Western Conference Finals and went on to win the NBA title.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Ketel Marte paces Diamondbacks in MLB Network’s top 100 ranking....

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte paces Diamondbacks in MLB Network’s top 100 ranking

Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte leads the way for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB Network’s running top 100 ranking.

58 minutes ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort looks on. It's officially NFL mock draft season with Arizona's...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will Cardinals do with No. 16 pick?

A look across the NFL mock draft landscape when it comes to the Arizona Cardinals' No. 16 overall pick in this year's draft.

2 hours ago

ASU...

Damon Allred

Turnovers seal ASU’s fate in 2OT marathon loss at No. 12 Texas Tech

ASU's offense couldn't sustain through the second overtime in a classic, a 111-106 marathon defeat at No. 12 Texas Tech on Wednesday.

12 hours ago

Suns...

Kellan Olson

Shorthanded Suns put up fight, lose steam vs. Rockets

The Phoenix Suns fought like hell in Wednesday's 119-111 loss to the Houston Rockets, an admirable effort so shorthanded but still a performance when their key problems persisted.

12 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Does Devin Booker need to do more when Kevin Durant is not on the floor?

Does Devin Booker need to do more when Kevin Durant is not on the floor? Kellan Olson debates with Gambo on Burns & Gambo.

18 hours ago

The Arizona Cardinals announced a handful of coaching staff changes on Wednesday...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals undergoing even more coaching staff changes in 2025

The Arizona Cardinals continue to tweak their coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season with new hires and promotions from within.

18 hours ago

7 seconds or less: 15 years ago, Suns clinched division title