The Phoenix Suns were created in 1968 and was the first proffesional sports team in Arizona. Their early key players were Gail Goodricha and Dick Van Arsdale. The Suns would finish with a 48 and 49 win season in 1971 and 1972, but somehow didn't qualify for the playoffs. Their first playoff appearance was in 1976, and the team led by Paul Westphal made their first finals apperance that season too, but they lost to the Celtics in 6 games. From the late 70's to early 80's the team was successful, making the Western Conference Semifinals 3 times in a row and the WCF once. All that changed when drug-related scandals involving Suns players made the team in turmoil on and off the court. The Suns would rebuild for 4 years, aquiring Kevin Johnson, Jeff Hornacek, Dan "Thunder" Majerle, and Tom Chambers. During this 4 year period, they won at least 50 games every year. In 1992, they aquired Charles Barkley and Danny Ainge and had the best season of the franchise's history. The team went 62-20, took first in their division and made it to the finals. They lost it to Jordan's Chicago Bulls though. For the next few seasons until 2002, the team would still be successful and make the playoffs every year. Another period of success came for them, when by 2004, the team had star point guard Steve Nash, foward Amar'e Stoudamire, and Shawn Marion. This trio led the team to 50+ win seasons for 5 out of the next 6 years. Their overall record is 1996-1588 (.557). Their best seasons were their 1992-1993 and their 2004-2005 seasons, where they get an amazing 62-20 (.756) record, and their worst season was their 1968-1969 season where they got 16-66 (.195). They've retired 12 people. 5 (Dick Van Arsdale), 6 (Walter Davis), 7 (Kevin Johnson), 9 (Dan Majerle), 24 (Tom Chambers), 33 (Alvan Adams), 34 (Charles Barkeley), 42 (Connie Hawkins), 44 (Paul Westphal), 832 (Cotton Fitzsimmons), coach John MacLeod, and trainer Joe Proski.