Dan Majerle is still a Valley favorite

Mar 29, 2011, 12:40 AM | Updated: 4:18 pm

Imagine that you were hired for a new job right out of college and when
they introduced you to the staff and the company’s customers you were
received with a loud, intimidating and large amount of boos.

Would you
take it in stride and prove them all wrong or let it effect your performance
to the point where you proved them right?

That was the situation that faced former Phoenix Suns guard and current
assistant coach Dan Majerle. Before he even stepped foot in the state of
Arizona, the odds and the fans were against him.

It’s rare that someone in that situation would ever become legendary
among the fans of said towns, but that’s just what Majerle did.

His journey into the hearts of the Suns faithful began on a hot, late June
evening almost 23 years ago. That was the night Cotton Fitzsimmons
announced to a group of dedicated fanatics that with the 14th pick in the
1988 NBA Draft they had selected a 6-foot-6 guard from a university that
could only be considered the third best basketball school in Michigan
(although Majerle would probably disagree with that claim). The fans booed
and, in response, Fitzsimmons provided us with one of the most famous
Arizona sports quotes of all time.

Phoenix Suns

Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George, right, lies on the court after an injury during the secon...
Associated Press

Clippers’ Paul George out 2-3 weeks with sprained right knee

Paul George has a sprained right knee and the Los Angeles Clippers All-Star will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks.
22 hours ago
Devin Booker #1 and Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns look on during the third quarter against the ...
Kellan Olson

What happened to the Phoenix Suns in the clutch this season?

The Phoenix Suns went from a historically good team in the clutch last season to a bad one this year. What happened?
22 hours ago
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, right, drives around Phoenix Suns forward Torr...
Kevin Zimmerman

What’s at stake in each of the Suns’ remaining games?

Kevin Durant's potential return from an ankle injury after a reevaluation sits a week out for the Phoenix Suns.
2 days ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket past Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns collapse in 4th quarter of road loss to Thunder

The Suns were in control for most of Sunday's game against the Thunder but bad turnovers eventually caught up to them.
4 days ago
(Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)...
Wills Rice

Landry Shamet plays well in Suns return, loss to Thunder

The Suns collapsed late in the 124-120 loss to the Thunder on Sunday in guard Landry Shamet's return after missing 25 games to a heel injury.
4 days ago
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Landry Shamet #14 after scoring against the Washin...
Arizona Sports

Suns rule Deandre Ayton out, Landry Shamet probable vs. Thunder

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton will not suit up Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a right hip contusion.
5 days ago
Dan Majerle is still a Valley favorite