1990–91 Phoenix Suns season
NBA team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 1990–91 Phoenix Suns season was the 23rd season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association .[ 1] For the season opener, the Suns traveled to Japan to play their first two games against the Utah Jazz at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium , making history by being the two first teams in U.S. professional sports to play a regular season game outside of North America.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] The Suns got off to an 8–7 start early into the season as they traded sixth man Eddie Johnson to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for Xavier McDaniel .[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] The Suns would post a 7-game winning streak as they won 17 of their next 21 games, holding a 30–16 record at the All-Star break,[ 10] and ending the season finishing third in the Pacific Division with a 55–27 record.[ 11]
Kevin Johnson and Tom Chambers were both selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game .[ 12] [ 13] Johnson led the Suns with 22.2 points, 10.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team , while Chambers averaged 19.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. In addition, Jeff Hornacek provided the team with 16.9 points, 5.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game, while McDaniel averaged 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game with the Suns after the trade, sixth man Dan Majerle contributed 13.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, and Mark West and Andrew Lang both led the team with 2.0 blocks per game each.[ 14]
In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs , the Suns faced the Jazz again, and lost in four games to the 5th-seeded team.[ 15] [ 16] [ 17] [ 18] Following the season, McDaniel was traded to the New York Knicks .[ 19] [ 20] [ 21]
Draft picks
First round pick Jayson Williams did not reach an agreement with team president Jerry Colangelo over his rookie contract, and after months of discussion Phoenix sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for a conditional first round selection in the 1994 NBA draft .[ 22] Rights to Miloš Babić were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the rights of Stefano Rusconi .
Roster
1990–91 Phoenix Suns roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
C
2
Carroll, Joe Barry
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1958–07–24
Purdue
F
23
Ceballos, Cedric
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1969–08–02
Cal State Fullerton
F
24
Chambers, Tom
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1959–06–21
Utah
G
14
Hornacek, Jeff
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1963–05–03
Iowa State
G
7
Johnson, Kevin
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1966–03–04
California
G
32
Knight, Negele
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1967–03–06
Dayton
C
28
Lang, Andrew
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
1966–06–28
Arkansas
F
51
Lockhart, Ian
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1967–06–25
Tennessee
F
9
Majerle, Dan
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1965–09–09
Central Michigan
F
35
McDaniel, Xavier
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1963–06–04
Wichita State
F
45
Nealy, Ed
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
238 lb (108 kg)
1960–02–19
Kansas State
C
34
Perry, Tim
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1965–06–04
Temple
F
31
Rambis, Kurt
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
213 lb (97 kg)
1958–02–25
Santa Clara
C
41
West, Mark
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1960–11–05
Old Dominion
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster Last transaction: January 26, 1991
Pre-season
Regular season
Season standings
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
1990–91 NBA records
Team
ATL
BOS
CHA
CHI
CLE
DAL
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
LAC
LAL
MIA
MIL
MIN
NJN
NYK
ORL
PHI
PHO
POR
SAC
SAS
SEA
UTA
WAS
Atlanta
—
3–1
1–4
1–4
3–2
2–0
1–1
0–5
1–1
1–1
4–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–3
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
0–4
0–2
1–1
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–2
Boston
1–3
—
3–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–2
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
4–1
2–2
2–0
4–1
5–0
1–1
2–3
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
5–1
Charlotte
4–1
1–3
—
0–5
1–4
1–1
0–2
1–4
1–1
0–2
0–5
1–1
0–2
2–2
2–3
1–1
2–2
0–4
2–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
Chicago
4–1
2–2
5–0
—
5–0
2–0
2–0
3–2
1–1
0–2
4–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
4–1
2–0
3–1
4–0
2–0
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
0–2
2–0
2–0
3–1
Cleveland
2–3
1–3
4–1
0–5
—
2–0
1–1
2–3
0–2
0–2
1–4
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–3
1–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
Dallas
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
—
3–1
0–2
2–2
1–3
2–0
1–3
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–4
2–0
2–0
1–4
1–1
0–4
1–3
2–2
1–4
2–2
0–5
2–0
Denver
1–1
0–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
1–3
—
0–2
1–3
0–5
0–2
0–4
0–4
0–2
1–1
3–2
1–1
1–1
2–3
0–2
0–4
0–4
3–1
1–4
0–4
1–3
1–1
Detroit
5–0
2–2
4–1
2–3
3–2
2–0
2–0
—
1–1
2–0
3–2
2–0
0–2
3–1
2–3
2–0
3–1
1–3
2–0
2–2
0–2
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
3–1
Golden State
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
—
2–2
1–1
3–2
2–3
2–0
1–1
3–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–3
2–3
2–3
2–2
3–1
1–3
0–2
Houston
1–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
5–0
0–2
2–2
—
1–1
2–2
1–3
2–0
2–0
5–0
2–0
2–0
3–2
2–0
3–1
0–4
3–1
2–3
2–2
2–2
1–1
Indiana
1–4
2–2
5–0
1–4
4–1
0–2
2–0
2–3
1–1
1–1
—
1–1
0–2
2–2
2–3
1–1
3–1
2–2
1–1
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–2
L.A. Clippers
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
4–0
0–2
2–3
2–2
1–1
—
0–4
0–2
1–1
3–1
1–1
0–2
1–3
0–2
2–3
1–3
3–2
2–2
2–3
1–3
0–2
L.A. Lakers
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–2
4–0
2–0
3–2
3–1
2–0
4–0
—
2–0
0–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
1–1
3–2
2–3
4–0
3–1
3–2
2–2
2–0
Miami
0–4
1–4
2–2
0–4
1–3
2–0
2–0
1–3
0–2
0–2
2–2
2–0
0–2
—
0–4
0–2
3–3
1–4
1–1
1–4
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
3–2
Milwaukee
3–2
2–2
3–2
1–4
3–2
1–1
1–1
3–2
1–1
0–2
3–2
1–1
2–0
4–0
—
1–1
2–2
4–0
2–0
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
Minnesota
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
4–1
2–3
0–2
1–3
0–5
1–1
1–3
1–3
2–0
1–1
—
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–0
0–4
0–4
3–1
0–4
2–2
1–4
1–1
New Jersey
1–3
1–4
2–2
1–3
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–1
0–2
1–3
1–1
0–2
3–3
2–2
1–1
—
0–5
1–1
2–3
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
2–3
New York
1–3
0–5
4–0
0–4
1–3
0–2
1–1
3–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
2–0
1–1
4–1
0–4
1–1
5–0
—
0–2
5–1
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
3–2
Orlando
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
4–1
3–2
0–2
2–2
2–3
1–1
3–1
0–4
1–1
0–2
2–2
1–1
2–0
—
0–2
2–2
0–4
2–2
1–3
1–3
1–4
1–1
Philadelphia
4–0
3–2
2–2
3–1
2–2
1–1
2–0
2–2
0–2
0–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
4–1
2–2
0–2
3–2
1–5
2–0
—
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
3–2
Phoenix
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
4–0
4–0
2–0
3–1
1–3
1–1
3–2
2–3
2–0
1–1
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
1–1
—
3–2
3–1
1–3
3–2
2–2
2–0
Portland
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
4–0
1–1
3–2
4–0
2–0
3–1
3–2
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–0
2–0
4–0
1–1
2–3
—
3–2
2–2
4–0
3–1
2–0
Sacramento
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
2–2
1–3
0–2
3–2
1–3
0–2
2–3
0–4
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
0–2
2–2
1–1
1–3
2–3
—
1–3
1–4
1–3
2–0
San Antonio
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
2–0
4–1
4–1
2–0
2–2
3–2
1–1
2–2
1–3
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
3–1
2–2
3–1
—
3–1
2–3
2–0
Seattle
1–1
0–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
2–2
4–0
1–1
1–3
2–2
1–1
3–2
2–3
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
3–1
1–1
2–3
0–4
4–1
1–3
—
1–3
2–0
Utah
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
2–0
5–0
3–1
2–0
3–1
2–2
0–2
3–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
4–1
2–0
0–2
4–1
2–0
2–2
1–3
3–1
3–2
3–1
—
2–0
Washington
2–2
1–5
2–2
1–3
3–1
0–2
1–1
1–3
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–0
0–2
2–3
1–3
1–1
3–2
2–3
1–1
2–3
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
—
Game log
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adding to it .
(January 2011 )
Playoffs
Game log
1991 playoff game log
First Round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
1991 schedule
Awards and records
All-Star Game
Awards
Records
In a game against the Denver Nuggets on November 10, 1990, the Suns broke the NBA scoring record for a team in a half, by finishing the first two quarters ahead 107–67.[ 33]
In Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against the Utah Jazz , Phoenix suffered their worst playoff loss in franchise history up to that point, by losing 129–90.[ 34]
Injuries/Missed games
10/30/90: Ricky Blanton : Viral infection; placed on injured list until waived on November 14
10/30/90: Negele Knight : Pulled hamstring; placed on injured list until November 21
10/30/90: Andrew Lang : Leg stress fracture; placed on injured list until November 16
11/03/90: Jeff Hornacek : Sore neck; did not play
11/07/90: Jeff Hornacek : Sore neck; did not play
11/16/90: Ian Lockhart : Knee, ankle injuries: placed on injured list for rest of season
11/21/90: Tim Perry : Sprained ankle; placed on injured list until December 5
12/05/90: Andrew Lang : Bruised arm; placed on injured list until December 26
12/26/90: Kenny Battle : Sprained ankle; placed on injured list until waived on January 23
01/02/91: Tom Chambers : Pulled hamstring; did not play
01/04/91: Tom Chambers : Pulled hamstring; did not play
01/05/91: Tom Chambers : Pulled hamstring; did not play
01/27/91: Joe Barry Carroll : Placed on suspended list until February 19
01/27/91: Kurt Rambis : Sprained ankle; placed on injured list until February 5
02/19/91: Tim Perry : Knee tendinitis; placed on injured list until March 17
03/17/91: Joe Barry Carroll : Sore hamstring; placed on injured list until April 21
04/05/91: Kevin Johnson : Strained hamstring; did not play
04/05/91: Dan Majerle : Injured hip; did not play
04/07/91: Kevin Johnson : Strained hamstring; did not play
04/07/91: Dan Majerle : Injured hip: did not play
04/09/91: Tom Chambers : Back spasms; did not play
04/09/91: Kevin Johnson : Strained hamstring; did not play
04/09/91: Dan Majerle : Spinal nerve irritation; did not play
04/12/91: Tom Chambers : Back spasms; did not play
04/12/91: Kevin Johnson : Strained hamstring; did not play
04/12/91: Dan Majerle : Spinal nerve irritation; did not play
04/14/91: Tom Chambers : Back spasms; did not play
04/14/91: Kevin Johnson : Strained hamstring; did not play
04/14/91: Dan Majerle : Spinal nerve irritation; did not play
04/21/91: Tim Perry : Knee tendinitis; placed on injured list for rest of season
Player statistics
Season
* – Stats with the Suns.
+ – Minimum 50 games played.
^ – Minimum 125 free throws made.
Playoffs
Transactions
Players Added
Draft [ 35]
Free agency
Players Lost
Released
Waived
Free agency
Trades
See also
References
^ "1990-91 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats | Basketball-Reference.com" .
^ "Suns and Jazz to Play in Tokyo" . United Press International . May 28, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ Rock, Brad (July 20, 1990). "Jazz Schedule Features Opener Vs. Suns in Tokyo" . Deseret News . Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ "NBA 1990-91: NBA Enters a New World as Suns, Jazz Open Season in Tokyo" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. November 2, 1990. Retrieved March 10, 2022 .
^ "Sports People; Historical Hoops" . The New York Times . November 4, 1990. Retrieved March 10, 2022 .
^ "X Marks Suns' Spot in Trade with Seattle: Pro Basketball: McDaniel to Phoenix. SuperSonics Get Eddie Johnson, Two No. 1 Picks" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. December 8, 1990. Retrieved December 15, 2021 .
^ Peoples, John (December 8, 1990). "Sonics Say So Long to X-Man -- McDaniel Traded to Suns" . The Seattle Times . Retrieved September 5, 2022 .
^ "X-Man Traded to Suns for E.J., 2 1st-Round Picks" . Deseret News . Associated Press. December 8, 1990. Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ "McDaniel Traded for Eddie Johnson" . Tampa Bay Times . December 8, 1990. Retrieved April 10, 2023 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved November 21, 2022 .
^ "1990–91 Phoenix Suns Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021 .
^ Smith, Sam (January 30, 1991). "Pippen Bypassed for All-Star Team" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ "1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 2, 2021 .
^ "1990–91 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021 .
^ "BASKETBALL; Utah's Malone Terminates Suns' Season" . The New York Times . Associated Press. May 3, 1991. Retrieved September 5, 2022 .
^ "Whooping It Up" . Deseret News . May 3, 1991. Retrieved September 5, 2022 .
^ "Jazz 101, Suns 93" . United Press International . May 3, 1991. Retrieved April 10, 2023 .
^ "1991 NBA Western Conference First Round: Jazz vs. Suns" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved April 10, 2023 .
^ Brown, Clifton (October 2, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Knicks Add Firepower by Acquiring McDaniel" . The New York Times . Retrieved December 15, 2021 .
^ "Riley Gets Wish: Knicks Obtain Suns' McDaniel: Pro Basketball: Phoenix Gets Mustaf, Tucker and Second-Round Draft Picks in 1992 and 1994 for 6-7 Forward" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. October 2, 1991. Retrieved November 20, 2022 .
^ "Knicks Trade Mustaf for McDaniel" . The Washington Post . October 2, 1991. Retrieved November 20, 2022 .
^ a b Suns Ship Williams for 1st-Round Pick Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine , Casa Grande Dispatch , October 29, 1990
^ Ceballos Sparkles, Suns Scorch Nuggets Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine , Casa Grande Dispatch , October 12, 1990
^ Ceballos Fuels Suns Comeback Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine , Casa Grande Dispatch , October 17, 1990
^ Battle, Suns Sink Cavaliers Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine , Casa Grande Dispatch , October 19, 1990
^ Suns Subdue Warriors, Improve Record to 4-0 Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine , Casa Grande Dispatch , October 22, 1990
^ Suns Overhaul Cavs, Stretch Record to 5-0 Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine , Casa Grande Dispatch , October 24, 1990
^ Scoreboard -- Basketball Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine , Casa Grande Dispatch , October 25, 1990
^ Chambers' Jumper Sinks Pacers Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine , Casa Grande Dispatch , October 27, 1990
^ a b "1990–91 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 3, 2022 .
^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Schrempf Gets Award" . The New York Times . May 1, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ "Schrempf Nips Majerle as NBA's Top 6th Man" . Deseret News . May 1, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022 .
^ PRO BASKETBALL; Suns Score 107 in First Half , The New York Times , November 10, 1990
^ Suns go down big in playoff opener , The Daily Courier , April 26, 1991
^ a b Knight, Ceballos sign with Suns , Mohave Daily Miner , September 5, 1990
^ Bulls lose Nealy to Suns, can't get Davis , Chicago Tribune , July 21, 1990
^ Bullets Trade Pick For D.C.'s Morrison;Suns Get 1993 Second-Rounder for Guard , The Washington Post , September 29, 1990
^ Sonics Trade X-Man to Suns , The Hour , December 8, 1990
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