⌕Games, players, teams…↗

Phoenix Suns · Franchise era 4 of 7

The bridge to Seven Seconds: the Phoenix Suns story

Franchise era

1996–97—2003–04

The bridge to Seven Seconds

Phoenix Suns

The story in one sentence

Phoenix remained competitive through changing backcourts and drafted the explosive big man who would define its next style.

01

Kidd, Hardaway and a teenage Stoudemire

02

Jason Kidd, Penny Hardaway and Amar'e Stoudemire gave the era its recognizable core.

03

Its ending created the conditions for seven seconds or less.

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Before 1996–97

    What came before

    A revitalized roster became elite before Barkley's arrival; his MVP season then carried Phoenix to 62 wins and the Finals.

  2. 1997

    Western Conference First Round: Phoenix Suns vs Seattle SuperSonics

    Western ConferenceFirst Round
    1997
    PHOENIXSUNS
    SEATTLESUPERSONICS
    COMPLETE SERIES

    Western Conference First Round · 5 games

    Phoenix Suns vs Seattle SuperSonics

    Open the complete series →

    Series finale · Game 5 · May 3, 1997Phoenix Suns at Seattle SuperSonics →Closest game · Game 1 · Apr 25, 1997Phoenix Suns at Seattle SuperSonics →

  3. 2000

    Western Conference Semifinals: Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers

    Western ConferenceSemifinals
    2000
    PHOENIXSUNS
    LOS ANGELESLAKERS
    COMPLETE SERIES

    Western Conference Semifinals · 5 games

    Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Lakers

    Open the complete series →

    Series finale · Game 5 · May 16, 2000Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers →Closest game · Game 2 · May 10, 2000Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers →

  4. 2003

    Western Conference First Round: Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs

    Western ConferenceFirst Round
    2003
    PHOENIXSUNS
    SAN ANTONIOSPURS
    COMPLETE SERIES

    Western Conference First Round · 6 games

    Phoenix Suns vs San Antonio Spurs

    Open the complete series →

    Series finale · Game 6 · May 1, 2003San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns →Closest game · Game 1 · Apr 19, 2003Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs →

  5. After 2003–04

    What came next

    Nash's return unlocked a revolutionary offense and three conference-finals trips, influencing a generation without reaching the Finals.

The core

Faces of the chapter

01Jason Kidd→02Penny Hardaway→03Amar'e Stoudemire→
← Previous eraBarkley and the 1993 Finals1988–89—1995–96Next era →Seven Seconds or Less2004–05—2009–10