PHOENIX, Arizona – After a month and a half of deliberation, local sports writer John Voita has completed the Phoenix Suns All-Time Pyramid, a tiered ranking of the 21 most impactful players in franchise history. The project, initiated as a response to the NBA All-Star break, aims to categorize players into six distinct levels: “The Face of the Franchise,” “MVP Royalty,” “Franchise Pillars,” “Era-Defining Stars,” “All-Star Impact,” and “Core Contributors.”
The final tier, “Core Contributors,” proved the most challenging, according to Voita, requiring a focus on impact within a Suns uniform, discounting achievements elsewhere. Players with short tenures, such as Gale Goodrich and Shaquille O’Neal, were excluded based on this criteria. A minimum games-played requirement of 146, dubbed the “KD Rule” after Kevin Durant, was also enforced.
Voita ultimately selected Goran Dragic as the final player in Tier 6, citing his six seasons with the team and a standout 2013-14 campaign where he averaged 20.3 points per game and earned All-NBA Third Team honors. Dragic led a surprising Suns team to the edge of playoff contention that season. He also delivered a memorable performance against the San Antonio Spurs in the 2010 playoffs, scoring 26 points in the fourth quarter alone, a feat still remembered by fans.
Eddie Johnson, a former Sixth Man of the Year winner, also earned a spot in Tier 6. Johnson averaged 18.4 points per game across 222 games, starting only 70 of them, demonstrating his effectiveness as an instant offensive threat. The Suns ranked second in offensive rating in 1988-89 and third in 1989-90 during his tenure.
Raja Bell, known for his defensive impact, was included for his contributions to the team’s defensive identity, particularly during his three and a half seasons in Phoenix. He made two All-NBA Defensive First Teams and currently ranks fifth all-time in three-point percentage for the Suns. His memorable defensive performance against Kobe Bryant remains a highlight for fans.
Larry Nance, who played seven seasons with the Suns from 1981 to 1988, was recognized for his consistent performance and leadership during a turbulent period for the franchise. He averaged 17.3 points, and 7.8 rebounds per game and remains the franchise’s all-time leading shot blocker. He also won the 1984 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, defeating Julius Erving.
Stephon Marbury, despite a relatively short stint of two and a half seasons, was selected for his electrifying play and role in bridging the gap between the Jason Kidd and Steve Nash eras. He averaged 21.3 points per game for the Suns and earned an All-Star selection. His game-winning shot in overtime against the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs is a lasting memory for fans.
Dennis Johnson, who played three seasons in Phoenix, was chosen for his defensive prowess and championship pedigree, having previously won a title with the Seattle SuperSonics. He was named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team in all three seasons with the Suns and earned two All-Star selections.
Voita acknowledged the difficulty in making the final selections, noting that several other players, including Boris Diaw, Mikal Bridges, Leandro Barbosa, Mark West, and P.J. Tucker, had legitimate cases for inclusion. The completed Phoenix Suns All-Time Pyramid is available for review, with Tier 5 scheduled to be released next.
