Amar’e Stoudemire, Mike D’Antoni salute ‘7 seconds or less’ Suns in Hall of Fame speeches

Former Suns star Amar’e Stoudemire and former Suns head coach Mike D’Antoni were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, and both paid tribute to the era of Phoenix basketball that played a big role in their inductions.

As members of the Hall of Fame class of 2026, it was fitting that they were inducted together, given the success they shared as part of the “Seven Seconds or Less” Suns from 2004 to 2008.

As part of a fast-paced offense that aimed to shoot within seven seconds of getting the ball, the Suns amassed a 232-96 regular-season record from 2004 to 2008. Hall of Famer Steve Nash, forward Shawn Marion and Stoudemire were among the main stars of the offense under D’Antoni.

During that span, the Suns reached the Western Conference finals in 2005 and 2006.

“We had so much fun. We changed the game; the game was so easy for us, and we happened to adapt to the strategy of Mike D’Antoni. We started playing positionless basketball, and we went off to the races,” Stoudemire said.

D’Antoni, who spoke first, thanked former players from his five seasons (2003-08) as the Suns’ head coach, including Nash, who won back-to-back MVPs in 2005 and 2006, and Stoudemire. Nash and Stoudemire were two of five presenters for D’Antoni’s Hall of Fame speech. Nash and D’Antoni were two of six presenters for Stoudemire’s speech.

“Man, Amar’e, you posterized so many people, it’s crazy,” D’Antoni said. “Then we signed this long-haired Canadian soccer player — Steve Nash. Steve, I’m proud that your two MVP titles were won with the Suns. All of you guys, all of you guys, are why coaching is so rewarding.”

“A special organization and a great city”

🗣️ Mike D’Antoni in his Hall of Fame speech pic.twitter.com/jEN03Udv9Y

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) August 16, 2026

D’Antoni thanked his former Suns players and coaches for adapting to a style of play he credited with influencing the NBA.

“It wasn’t easy, but our players and coaches had the courage to embrace a different way of playing and together, we influenced the game,” D’Antoni said.

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