Record 51–31 (.622) | Arena America West Arena | |
The 2000–01 Phoenix Suns season was the 33rd season for the Phoenix Suns, members of Pacific division in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Suns signed free agents Mario Elie and Tony Delk. The Suns were coached by Scott Skiles, who enjoyed his first full season as head coach as the Suns finished the regular season with a 51–31 record. For a franchise-record 13th season in a row, the Suns earned a trip to the playoffs but would later lose in the first round. America West Arena was the home court venue for the Suns.
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The Suns were led by point guard Jason Kidd, who again topped the league in assists per game while earning another All-NBA First Team selection and NBA All-Defensive First Team (after being selected to the Second Team the year previous). He was also the team's lone representative in the All-Star Game. Shawn Marion averaged a double-double, leading the team in scoring at 17.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game). Kidd and Clifford Robinson were the other starters to provide the majority of the team's scoring, while reserves Delk and Rodney Rogers brought offensive firepower from the bench, averaging 12 points per game. Anfernee Hardaway was the teams's highest-paid player but played in just four games, battling injury.
For the fourth season in a row, the Suns finished third in the Pacific division. The team earned a first-round match-up with the 3rd-seeded Sacramento Kings. Phoenix would take Game 1 but lose the next three in a row, losing three games to one. Following the season, Kidd was traded to the New Jersey Nets, Robinson was dealt to the Detroit Pistons and Elie retired.
For the season, the Suns changed their logo and uniforms which lasted until 2013.
West First Round
(3) Sacramento Kings vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
Last Playoff Meeting: 1981 Western Conference Semifinals (Kings won 4-3, then in Kansas City, Missouri)
All-Star
Season
Season
* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
^ – Minimum 125 free throws made.