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2004–05 Phoenix Suns season

The 2004–05 NBA season was the 37th for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association.[1] During the offseason, the Suns re-acquired All-Star guard Steve Nash from the Dallas Mavericks, and signed free agent Quentin Richardson. During that same period of time, it also became the team's first season under Robert Sarver's ownership tenure, as he controlled major duties with the franchise for 18 seasons after Jerry Colangelo sold the team to him until a year-long suspension during the 2022–23 season for actions he did behind the scenes from as early as this season caused him to eventually sell off the team during that season in 2023. The Suns got off to a fast start winning 31 of their first 35 games, but then lost six straight afterwards. They finished with the best record in the NBA at 62–20 under head coach Mike D'Antoni, tying their franchise best 1992–93 season record which would hold until 2021-22, when they won 64 games. Three members of the team, Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion were all selected for the 2005 NBA All-Star Game. The Suns also gained solid play from Richardson and Joe Johnson. Nash finished the season averaging 11.5 assists per game, while making 50.2% of his field goals and 43.1% of his three-pointers in the regular season. He ended up winning the MVP award. D'Antoni was awarded Coach of the Year, and Bryan Colangelo Executive of the Year.

2004–05 Phoenix Suns season
Division champions
Head coachMike D'Antoni
General managerBryan Colangelo
Owner(s)Robert Sarver
ArenaAmerica West Arena
Results
Record62–20 (.756)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finishWestern Conference Finals
(lost to Spurs 1–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioKTAR
< 2003–04 2005–06 >

In the first round of the playoffs, the Suns swept the Memphis Grizzlies in four games, and, in the semifinals, defeated Nash's former team, the Dallas Mavericks, in six games. In the Western Conference finals, however, the Suns lost 4-1 to the 2-seed, and eventual NBA champion, San Antonio Spurs. The Suns' 62-20 record was the best in the league and tied the franchise record for wins.[2] The 33-win improvement over the 2003–04 campaign constituted the third-best year-to-year jump in NBA history.[3] The 2004-05 Phoenix Suns were the youngest team to earn the 1-seed since seeding began in 1984 (and held the record until the 2023-24 Oklahoma City Thunder displaced them).[4] Following the season, Johnson was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, and Richardson was dealt to the New York Knicks.

Offseason

NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
17Luol DengForward  United KingdomDuke
Head coach Mike D'Antoni

The Suns drafted Luol Deng with the 7th pick, who was immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls for second-round pick Jackson Vroman, a conditional first-round pick (which conveyed as the 21st overall pick in 2005), and cash considerations.[5][6] The Suns received the 16th pick (Kirk Snyder) in a trade with the New York Knicks, but traded the pick to the Utah Jazz. The Suns second-round pick was traded to the Orlando Magic in 2003.

Free agency

After trading Stephon Marbury (owed $76 million through 2008–09) and Penny Hardaway (owed $30.4 million through 2005–06), the Suns freed enough cap space to sign free agent point guard Steve Nash to a 6-year, $65.6 million deal, with a sixth-year team option, and swingman Quentin Richardson to a 6-year, $43.5 million deal, with a sixth-year player option.[3] The Suns also signed Steven Hunter, Yuta Tabuse and Derrick Dial as free agents. Hunter played the season as a back-up center, Tabuse played 4 games before being waived in December, and Dial was waived before the start of the season.

Regular season

Before the season, the Suns were widely predicted to finish in the middle of the pack of the Western Conference.[3] Defying expectations, Phoenix won 31 of its first 35 games.[1] The team then lost its next six games, in large part due to a thigh injury suffered by Nash.[7] Despite this minor blip, the Suns finished with a record of 62–20.[1] Nash won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award, while three Suns – Nash, Stoudemire, and Marion – were named to an All-NBA Team.[8]

In their first full year under D'Antoni, the Suns channeled his particular basketball philosophy, which emphasized rapid ball movement, pick-and-rolls, and high-volume three-point shooting.[9][10][11] This style of play benefitted from rule changes enacted in 2002, which including new penalties against hand check fouls committed on the perimeter.[3] Over the course of the season, Phoenix led the NBA in a large number of metrics, including points per possession, points per game, three-point shots attempted, and three-point shooting percentage.[8][12] The Suns' fast style of play earned them the moniker "Seven Seconds or Less."[13][14]

Legacy

Writing for the Washington Post in 2017, Tim Bontemps credited D'Antoni and his Suns teams – starting with the 2004–05 squad – with demonstrating the possibility of success for a team built to play small ball, run a high-tempo offense, and shoot a large number of three-pointers. Bontemps argued that the Suns' model inspired teams around the league to adopt many of D'Antoni's offensive principles, leading to dramatic changes in the NBA's style of play.[13] Other writers have made similar arguments in favor of the proposition that the "Seven Seconds or Less" Suns revolutionized the modern game of basketball.[3][9]

Multiple commentators have drawn direct parallels between D'Antoni's Phoenix teams and the 2015–16 Golden State Warriors, who also shot a large number of three-pointers and used small ball lineups.[15] The Stephen Curry-led Warriors set the regular season record of 73 wins before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 NBA Finals.

The team's roster is featured in the video games NBA 2K16,[16] NBA 2K17, and NBA 2K18.

Roster

2004–05 Phoenix Suns roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G10Barbosa, Leandro6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)176 lb (80 kg)1982-11-28Brazil
F/C45Hunter, Steven7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)220 lb (100 kg)1981-10-31DePaul
G/F21Jackson, Jim6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)220 lb (100 kg)1970-10-14Ohio State
G/F2Johnson, Joe6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg)1981-06-29Arkansas
F31Marion, Shawn6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg)1978-05-07UNLV
F0McCarty, Walter6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg)1974-02-01Kentucky
PG13Nash, Steve6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)195 lb (88 kg)1974-02-07Santa Clara
F46Outlaw, Bo6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)210 lb (95 kg)1971-04-13Houston
G/F3Richardson, Quentin6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)223 lb (101 kg)1980-04-13DePaul
PF17Shirley, Paul6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg)1977-12-23Iowa State
F/C32Stoudemire, Amar'e6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)245 lb (111 kg)1982-11-16Cypress Creek HS (FL)
C43Voskuhl, Jake6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)245 lb (111 kg)1977-11-01Connecticut
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Results

Standings

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Phoenix Suns6220.756–31–1031–1012–4
x-Sacramento Kings5032.6101230–1120–2110–6
Los Angeles Clippers3745.4512527–1410–316–10
Los Angeles Lakers3448.4152822–1912–296–10
Golden State Warriors3448.4152820–2114–276–10
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1z-Phoenix Suns6220.756—
2y-San Antonio Spurs5923.7203
3y-Seattle SuperSonics5230.63410
4x-Dallas Mavericks5824.7074
5x-Houston Rockets5131.62211
6x-Sacramento Kings5032.61012
7x-Denver Nuggets4933.59813
8x-Memphis Grizzlies4537.54917
9Minnesota Timberwolves4438.53718
10Los Angeles Clippers3745.45125
11Los Angeles Lakers3448.41528
12Golden State Warriors3448.41528
13Portland Trail Blazers2755.32935
14Utah Jazz2656.31736
15New Orleans Hornets1864.22044

Record vs. opponents

2004-05 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHACHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMEMMIAMILMINNJNNOHNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAWAS
Atlanta—1–31–30–40–41–10–21–30–21–10–30–21–10–20–41–21–10–31–11–31–31–30–20–20–20–20–21–20–20–4
Boston3–1—4–02–21–20–20–21–31–11–11–22–01–11–11–23–11–11–32–03–13–01–31–11–10–20–22–03–12–03–1
Charlotte3–10–4—0–40–40–21–12–10–22–00–30–20–20–21–30–41–10–41–11–33–10–30–20–21–10–20–21–21–10–4
Chicago4–02–24–0—2–21–11–12–21–10–22–20–21–12–01–32–22–00–41–14–03–02–10–22–01–10–21–13–02–01–2
Cleveland4–02–14–02–2—1–11–12–22–00–21–31–11–12–00–32–21–11–32–01–33–10–31–12–00–20–20–23–12–01–2
Dallas1–12–02–01–11–1—2–11–13–12–21–11–22–24–02–02–02–22–04–02–01–11–11–24–03–11–33–12–03–02–0
Denver2–02–01–11–11–11–2—1–12–21–22–02–12–24–01–12–02–21–14–01–11–11–10–43–11–22–22–22–02–22–0
Detroit3–13–11–22–22–21–11–1—2–02–02–22–02–00–22–12–21–12–12–03–03–13–11–11–11–11–11–13–11–14–0
Golden State2–01–12–01–10–21–32–20–2—1–21–10–41–31–30–22–01–20–22–21–11–11–12–22–23–10–32–21–12–11–1
Houston1–11–10–22–02–02–22–10–22–1—1–13–02–23–11–11–11–22–03–11–12–02–02–24–02–22–23–11–12–21–1
Indiana3–02–13–02–23–11–10–22–21–11–1—0–21–12–03–12–22–02–21–12–21–30–41–12–00–21–10–22–12–02–2
L.A. Clippers2–00–22–02–01–12–11–20–24–00–32–0—2–21–31–11–11–31–13–11–11–11–10–42–20–40–42–11–12–21–1
L.A. Lakers1–11–12–01–11–12–22–20–23–12–21–12–2—0–30–22–02–11–13–01–11–10–20–42–11–30–41–31–11–30–2
Memphis2–01–12–00–20–20–40–42–03–11–30–23–13–0—1–12–03–12–03–11–11–12–02–23–10–33–10–32–03–00–2
Miami4–02–13–13–13–00–21–11–22–01–11–31–12–01–1—4–01–13–02–04–04–02–21–11–12–01–10–23–12–04–0
Milwaukee2–11–34–02–22–20–20–22–20–21–12–21–10–20–20–4—1–12–11–12–12–10–40–20–20–20–21–12–21–11–3
Minnesota1–11–11–10–21–12–22–21–12–12–10–23–11–21–31–11–1—2–04–01–11–12–01–34–03–11–21–30–23–11–1
New Jersey3–03–14–04–03–10–21–11–22–00–22–21–11–10–20–31–20–2—2–03–11–33–10–21–11–10–20–22–22–01–3
New Orleans1–10–21–11–10–20–40–40–22–21–31–11–30–31–30–21–10–40–2—1–10–21–10–42–11–20–40–30–22–21–1
New York3–11–33–10–43–10–21–10–31–11–12–21–11–11–10–41–21–11–31–1—1–23–10–21–10–21–10–21–32–02–1
Orlando3–10–31–30–31–31–11–11–31–10–23–11–11–11–10–41–21–13–12–02–1—2–20–21–11–11–11–12–22–02–2
Philadelphia3–13–13–01–23–01–11–11–31–10–24–01–12–00–22–24–00–21–31–11–32–2—0–21–10–20–21–13–11–12–1
Phoenix2–01–12–02–01–12–14–01–12–22–21–14–04–02–21–12–03–12–04–02–02–02–0—3–02–21–22–12–03–11–1
Portland2–01–12–00–20–20–41–31–12–20–40–22–21–21–31–12–00–41–11–21–11–11–10–3—1–31–21–31–12–20–2
Sacramento2–02–01–11–12–01–32–11–11–32–22–04–03–13–00–22–01–31–12–12–01–12–02–23–1—1–31–31–12–12–0
San Antonio2–02–02–02–02–03–12–21–13–02–21–14–04–01–31–12–02–12–04–01–11–12–02–12–13–1—2–21–12–21–1
Seattle2–00–22–01–12–01–32–21–12–21–32–01–23–13–02–01–13–12–03–02–01–11–11–23–13–12–2—2–03–10–2
Toronto2–11–32–10–31–30–20–21–31–11–11–21–11–10–21–32–22–02–22–03–12–21–30–21–11–11–10–2—2–01–3
Utah2–00–21–10–20–20–32–21–11–22–20–22–23–10–30–21–11–30–22–20–20–21–11–32–21–22–21–30–2—0–2
Washington4–01–34–02–12–10–20–20–41–11–12–21–12–02–00–43–11–13–11–11–22–21–21–12–00–21–12–03–12–0—

Playoffs

Game log

2005 playoff game log
First Round: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 24MemphisW 114–103Shawn Marion (26)Shawn Marion (13)Steve Nash (13)America West Arena
18,422		1–0
2April 27MemphisW 108–103Amar'e Stoudemire (34)Shawn Marion (13)Steve Nash (15)America West Arena
18,422		2–0
3April 29@ MemphisW 110–90Amar'e Stoudemire (30)Shawn Marion (13)Steve Nash (8)FedExForum
18,119		3–0
4May 1@ MemphisW 123–115Joe Johnson (25)Shawn Marion (11)Steve Nash (9)FedExForum
17,243		4–0
Conference Semifinals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 9DallasW 127–102Amar'e Stoudemire (40)Amar'e Stoudemire (16)Steve Nash (13)America West Arena
18,422		1–0
2May 11DallasL 106–108Amar'e Stoudemire (30)Amar'e Stoudemire (16)Steve Nash (13)America West Arena
18,422		1–1
3May 13@ DallasW 119–102Amar'e Stoudemire (37)Amar'e Stoudemire (14)Steve Nash (17)American Airlines Center
20,896		2–1
4May 15@ DallasL 109–119Steve Nash (48)Shawn Marion (12)Steve Nash (5)American Airlines Center
20,894		2–2
5May 18DallasW 114–108Steve Nash (34)Amar'e Stoudemire (18)Steve Nash (12)America West Arena
18,422		3–2
6May 20@ DallasW 130–126 (OT)Steve Nash (39)Shawn Marion (16)Steve Nash (12)American Airlines Center
20,915		4–2
Conference Finals: 1–4 (home: 0–3; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 22San AntonioL 114–121Amar'e Stoudemire (41)Marion, Stoudemire (9)Steve Nash (13)America West Arena
18,422		0–1
2May 24San AntonioL 108–111Amar'e Stoudemire (37)Shawn Marion (12)Steve Nash (15)America West Arena
18,422		0–2
3May 28@ San AntonioL 92–102Amar'e Stoudemire (34)Amar'e Stoudemire (11)Johnson, Nash (3)SBC Center
18,797		0–3
4May 30@ San AntonioW 111–106Amar'e Stoudemire (31)Shawn Marion (14)Steve Nash (12)SBC Center
18,797		1–3
5June 1San AntonioL 95–101Amar'e Stoudemire (42)Amar'e Stoudemire (16)Steve Nash (10)America West Arena
18,422		1–4
2005 schedule

Awards and honors

Steve Nash
Amar'e Stoudemire
Shawn Marion

Week/Month

  • Amar'e Stoudemire was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played November 14 through November 20.
  • Shawn Marion was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played November 21 through November 27.
  • Amar'e Stoudemire was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played December 5 through December 11.
  • Shawn Marion was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played December 12 through December 18.
  • Steve Nash was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played December 19 through December 25.
  • Steve Nash was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played February 6 through February 12.
  • Steve Nash was named Western Conference Player of the Month for November.
  • Amar'e Stoudemire was named Western Conference Player of the Month for April.
  • Mike D'Antoni was named Western Conference Coach of the Month for December.

All-Star

Season

Injuries/Missed games

Player statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG% Field-goal percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage
 RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
 BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game

Season

Phoenix Suns statistics
PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Leandro Barbosa63617.3.475.367.7972.12.00.50.17.0
Žarko Čabarkapa*303.7.571†.1.000^1.00.0.0.03.0
Steven Hunter76313.8.614†.000.4793.00.20.11.34.6
Jim Jackson*40324.9.435.459.960^3.92.40.30.18.8
Casey Jacobsen*40019.2.414.382.7741.70.90.3.05.3
Joe Johnson828239.5.461.478+.7505.13.51.00.317.1
Maciej Lampe*1607.4.347.667+.6672.00.10.10.12.8
Shawn Marion818138.8.476.334.83311.31.92.01.519.4
Walter McCarty*28012.6.388.385.5002.20.40.40.23.5
Steve Nash757534.3.502.431.887^3.311.51.00.115.5
Bo Outlaw3905.5.353..5561.40.30.20.30.7
Smush Parker*506.8.467.250.0.60.80.4.03.0
Quentin Richardson797835.9.389.358.7396.12.01.20.314.9
Paul Shirley903.3.455..5000.20.3.0.01.3
Amar'e Stoudemire808036.1.559†.188.7338.91.61.01.626.0
Yuta Tabuse404.3.1671.000+1.000^1.00.8.0.01.8
Jake Voskuhl3819.5.458..6842.40.40.10.32.1
Jackson Vroman*1015.7.375..5711.30.70.30.21.6

* – Stats with the Suns.
† – Minimum 300 field goals made.
+ – Minimum 55 three-pointers made.
^ – Minimum 125 free throws made.

Playoffs

Phoenix Suns statistics
PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Leandro Barbosa1209.7.343.400.5001.41.00.2.02.5
Steven Hunter15014.2.558..6002.50.20.11.24.2
Jim Jackson15631.6.488.516.8754.11.50.70.511.0
Joe Johnson9939.4.504.556.6974.33.31.10.418.8
Shawn Marion151542.3.484.419.76911.81.51.41.717.6
Walter McCarty806.9.222.333.0000.80.40.20.20.8
Steve Nash151540.7.520.389.9194.811.30.90.223.9
Bo Outlaw102.0.000..0.01.01.0.00.0
Quentin Richardson151537.6.403.390.6395.11.71.30.211.9
Paul Shirley000.0...0.00.0.0.00.0
Amar'e Stoudemire151540.1.539.000.78110.71.20.72.029.9
Jake Voskuhl000.0...0.00.0.0.00.0

Transactions

Trades

June 22, 2004To Charlotte Bobcats
2005 first-round draft pick ( Sean May)		To Phoenix Suns
Charlotte agrees to draft Jahidi White in 2004 NBA Expansion Draft
June 24, 2004To Chicago Bulls
/ Luol Deng		To Phoenix Suns
Jackson Vroman
2005 first-round draft pick ( Nate Robinson)
January 3, 2005To Golden State Warriors
Žarko Čabarkapa		To Phoenix Suns
2007 second-round draft pick ( Aaron Gray)
2009 second-round draft pick ( DeJuan Blair)
January 21, 2005To New Orleans Hornets
Casey Jacobsen
Maciej Lampe
Jackson Vroman
To Phoenix Suns
Jim Jackson
2005 second-round draft pick ( Marcin Gortat)
February 8, 2005To Boston Celtics
2007 second-round draft pick ( Aaron Gray)		To Phoenix Suns
Walter McCarty

Free agents

Additions

DatePlayerSignedFormer Team
July 14, 2004Steve NashSigned 6-year contract for $65.6 millionDallas Mavericks
July 29, 2004Quentin RichardsonSigned 6-year contract $43.5 millionLos Angeles Clippers
August 20, 2004Steven HunterSigned 1-year contract for $720,046Orlando Magic
September 7, 2004Yuta TabuseSigned multi-year contractLong Beach Jam (ABA)
October 1, 2004Derrick DialUndisclosedOrlando Magic
November 8, 2004Bo OutlawSigned 1-year contract for $1.1 millionMemphis Grizzlies
January 19, 2005Smush ParkerSigned two 10-day contractsAris Thessaloniki (Greece)
January 23, 2005Paul ShirleySigned 2-year contractChicago Bulls

Subtractions

DatePlayerReason LeftNew Team
June 22, 2004Jahidi WhiteExpansion DraftCharlotte Bobcats
July 16, 2004Antonio McDyessFree agentDetroit Pistons
October 22, 2004Donnell HarveyFree agentAtlanta Hawks
October 26, 2004Derrick DialWaivedAnaheim Arsenal (NBA D-League)
October 29, 2004Howard EisleyWaivedUtah Jazz
December 19, 2004Yuta TabuseWaivedBakersfield Jam (NBA D-League)
February 8, 2005Smush ParkerWaivedLos Angeles Lakers

References

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