1968–69 Phoenix Suns season

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

1968–69 Phoenix Suns season
Head coachJohnny "Red" Kerr
General managerJerry Colangelo
OwnersKarl Eller, Don Pitt, Don Diamond, Bhavik Darji, Marvin Meyer, Richard L. Bloch
ArenaArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Results
Record16–66 (.195)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKTAR-TV
RadioKTAR
1969–70 >

The 1968–69 Phoenix Suns season was the inaugural season for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. Head coach Red Kerr led the franchise to its first win in their debut game, over the Seattle SuperSonics. The Suns lost more games in their initial season than in any year since, and did not have a winning record against any other team. They played all their home games in the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Dick Van Arsdale was the franchise's first All-Star selection when he was selected to play in the 1969 All-Star Game. He was the team's second leading scorer at 21 points per game, behind eventual Hall of Fame member Gail Goodrich, who averaged 23.8, the seventh-highest in the league for the season. Goodrich was selected to replace an injured Jerry West in the All-Star Game.

Offseason

NBA expansion draft

Player Position Nationality Former team
John Barnhill Guard  United States San Diego Rockets
Em Bryant Guard  United States New York Knicks
Gail Goodrich Guard  United States Los Angeles Lakers
Dennis Hamilton Forward  United States Los Angeles Lakers
Neil Johnson Forward  United States New York Knicks
Dave Lattin Forward  United States San Francisco Warriors
Paul Long Guard  United States Detroit Pistons
Stan McKenzie Forward  United States Baltimore Bullets
McCoy McLemore Forward  United States Chicago Bulls
Bill Melchionni Guard  United States Philadelphia 76ers
Dave Schellhase Guard  United States Chicago Bulls
Dick Snyder Guard  United States Atlanta Hawks
Craig Spitzer Center  United States Chicago Bulls
Bumper Tormohlen Center  United States Atlanta Hawks
Dick Van Arsdale Forward  United States New York Knicks
Roland West Guard  United States Baltimore Bullets
John Wetzel Forward  United States Los Angeles Lakers
George Wilson Center  United States Seattle SuperSonics

The Suns participated in the NBA's fourth expansion draft along with the Milwaukee Bucks, the other expansion team that joined the league in 1968. Each of the league's other 12 teams protected seven of their top players, with the remaining unprotected players available in the draft. The two expansion teams selected three players from each team, totaling 18 selections each.

The Suns received the first, fourth and fifth picks, while the Bucks, which had not yet chosen their team name at the time, received the second and third picks. The Suns' first selection was swingman Dick Van Arsdale of the New York Knicks. The Bucks then selected center Wayne Embry of the Boston Celtics, and power forward Fred Hetzel of the San Francisco Warriors. The Suns rounded out the top five by picking point guard Gail Goodrich of the Los Angeles Lakers and shooting guard Dick Snyder of the Atlanta Hawks.[1] "The Original Sun" Dick Van Arsdale would have a historic career with the Suns after being drafted, with him being an All-Star in his first three seasons with the team, as well as be named a member of the All-Defensive Second Team in 1974 and helping the team reach the 1976 NBA Finals before retiring in 1977, having his number become the second in franchise history to be retired into the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor in the 1977–78 season, behind Connie Hawkins.

NBA draft

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 8 Gary Gregor Forward  United States South Carolina
2 22 Dick Cunningham Center  United States Murray State
3 36 Art Beatty Center  United States American
4 49 Rich Jones Forward  United States Memphis
5 64 Harry Hollines Guard  United States Denver
6 77 Rod Knowles Center  United States Davidson
7 92 Charles Parks Forward  United States Idaho State
8 105 Brian Clare Center  United States Denver
9 120 Mervin Jackson Guard  United States Utah
10 133 Lee Davis Center  United States North Carolina Central
11 147 Ron Boone Guard  United States Idaho State
12 160 Bill Davis Forward  United States Arizona
13 171 Pat Hobart Forward  United States California State

Roster

1968–69 Phoenix Suns roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 31 Fox, Jim 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1943-04-07 South Carolina
PG 25 Goodrich, Gail 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1943-04-23 UCLA
PF 44 Gregor, Gary 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1945-08-13 South Carolina
PF 11 Johnson, Neil 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1943-04-17 Creighton
PF 43 Lattin, Dave 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1943-12-23 UTEP
SF 40 McKenzie, Stan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1944-10-06 NYU
SF 10 Snyder, Dick 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1944-02-01 Davidson
SG 5 Van Arsdale, Dick 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1943-02-22 Indiana
SG 23 Warlick, Bob 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1941-03-20 Pepperdine
Head coach

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 20, 1969

Regular season

Standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Neutral Div
x-Los Angeles Lakers 55 27 .671 32–9 21–18 2–0 30–10
x-Atlanta Hawks 48 34 .585 7 28–12 18–21 2–1 26–14
x-San Francisco Warriors 41 41 .500 14 22–19 18–21 1–1 20–20
x-San Diego Rockets 37 45 .451 18 25–16 8–25 4–4 20–20
Chicago Bulls 33 49 .402 22 19–21 12–25 2–3 19–21
Seattle SuperSonics 30 52 .366 25 18–18 6–29 6–5 15–23
Phoenix Suns 16 66 .195 39 11–26 4–28 1–12 8–30

Record vs. opponents

1968–69 NBA records
Team ATL BAL BOS CHI CIN DET LAL MIL NYK PHI PHO SDR SFW SEA
Atlanta 2–4 3–3 6–1 4–2 6–0 3–4 4–2 2–4 1–5 6–0 3–4 4–3 4–2
Baltimore 4–2 5–2 6–0 4–3 7–0 3–3 5–1 3–4 2–4 6–0 5–1 3–3 4–2
Boston 3–3 2–5 4–2 5–2 5–1 2–4 5–1 1–6 5–2 6–0 4–2 3–3 3–3
Chicago 1–6 0–6 2–4 1–5 3–3 3–4 5–1 2–4 1–5 4–2 3–3 4–3 4–3
Cincinnati 2–4 3–4 2–5 5–1 3–4 2–4 5–1 4–2 3–4 4–2 2–4 3–3 3–3
Detroit 0–6 0–7 1–5 3–3 4–3 3–3 2–4 3–4 3–4 4–2 3–3 2–4 4–2
Los Angeles 4–3 3–3 4–2 4–3 4–2 3–3 5–1 5–1 1–5 6–0 7–0 4–3 5–1
Milwaukee 2–4 1–5 1–5 1–5 1–5 4–2 1–5 0–6 0–6 6–2 4–2 3–3 3–5
New York 4–2 4–3 6–1 4–2 2–4 4–3 1–5 6–0 4–3 5–1 3–3 5–1 6–0
Philadelphia 5–1 4–2 2–5 5–1 4–3 4–3 5–1 6–0 3–4 5–1 4–2 2–4 6–0
Phoenix 0–6 0–6 0–6 2–4 2–4 2–4 0–6 2–6 1–5 1–5 1–7 2–4 3–3
San Diego 4–3 1–5 2–4 3–3 4–2 3–3 0–7 2–4 3–3 2–4 7–1 3–3 3–3
San Francisco 3–4 3–3 3–3 3–4 3–3 4–2 3–4 3–3 1–5 4–2 4–2 3–3 4–3
Seattle 2–4 2–4 3–3 3–4 3–3 2–4 1–5 5–3 0–6 0–6 3–3 3–3 3–4

Game log

1968–69 game log
Total: 16–66 (home: 12–29; road: 4–37)
October: 4–3 (home: 3–2; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
1 October 18 Seattle W 116–107 Gail Goodrich (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,112
1–0 W 1
2 October 20 Baltimore L 122–134 Dick Van Arsdale (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,474
1–1 L 1
3 October 22 @ San Francisco L 101–109 Gail Goodrich (29) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
4,291
1–2 L 2
4 October 24 New York W 109–92 Gail Goodrich (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,450
2–2 W 1
5 October 27 Atlanta L 100–123 Gail Goodrich (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
4,603
2–3 L 1
6 October 30 @ Seattle W 115–108 Gail Goodrich (32) Seattle Center Coliseum
2,657
3–3 W 1
7 October 31 Chicago W 112–103 Gail Goodrich (30) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,029
4–3 W 2
November: 1–12 (home: 1–5; road: 0–7)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
8 November 3 Los Angeles L 109–127 Dick Van Arsdale (38) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,150
4–4 L 1
9 November 4 San Francisco L 108–119 Dick Van Arsdale (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,019
4–5 L 2
10 November 10 Detroit W 130–128 (OT) George Wilson (33) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
4,440
5–5 W 1
11 November 14 Detroit L 109–111 Gail Goodrich (25) Tucson, AZ
2,712
5–6 L 1
12 November 15 @ Seattle L 124–128 (2OT) Dick Van Arsdale (34) Seattle Center Coliseum
4,368
5–7 L 2
13 November 17 Boston L 98–130 Gail Goodrich,
Dave Lattin (13)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,109
5–8 L 3
14 November 19 @ Philadelphia L 110–126 Dick Van Arsdale (29) New York City, NY
16,664
5–9 L 4
15 November 22 @ Boston L 106–133 McCoy McLemore (18) Boston Garden
8,224
5–10 L 5
16 November 23 @ Milwaukee L 112–115 McCoy McLemore (28) Milwaukee Arena
6,090
5–11 L 6
17 November 26 Philadelphia L 119–126 Gail Goodrich (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,209
5–12 L 7
18 November 27 @ Detroit L 111–125 George Wilson (24) Cobo Arena
11,016
5–13 L 8
19 November 29 @ Baltimore L 106–124 Gail Goodrich,
Dick Van Arsdale (24)
Baltimore Civic Center
6,596
5–14 L 9
20 November 30 @ Chicago L 96–100 Dick Van Arsdale (29) Chicago Stadium
3,246
5–15 L 10
December: 3–15 (home: 2–5; road: 1–10)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
21 December 2 Seattle L 108–118 Gail Goodrich (26) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,171
5–16 L 11
22 December 3 @ Los Angeles L 108–122 Gail Goodrich (23) The Forum
8,277
5–17 L 12
23 December 4 San Francisco W 126–97 Gail Goodrich (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,387
6–17 W 1
24 December 6 @ San Diego L 106–117 Dick Van Arsdale (33) San Diego Sports Arena
5,782
6–18 L 1
25 December 8 Atlanta L 99–121 Dick Van Arsdale (17) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,243
6–19 L 2
26 December 10 @ New York L 106–111 Gail Goodrich (29) Madison Square Garden
16,337
6–20 L 3
27 December 11 @ Philadelphia L 123–143 Gail Goodrich (19) The Spectrum
6,780
6–21 L 4
28 December 13 @ Cincinnati L 123–130 (OT) Dick Van Arsdale (31) Cleveland, OH
2,114
6–22 L 5
29 December 14 @ Detroit W 123–118 Gail Goodrich (41) Cobo Arena
5,024
7–22 W 1
30 December 15 @ Cincinnati L 101–119 Stan McKenzie (28) Omaha, NE
5,886
7–23 L 1
31 December 17 Philadelphia L 128–145 Dick Snyder (25) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
1,946
7–24 L 2
32 December 18 Cincinnati W 123–114 Gail Goodrich (34) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,462
8–24 W 1
33 December 21 @ Baltimore L 117–131 Gail Goodrich (28) Baltimore Civic Center
8,529
8–25 L 1
34 December 22 @ Milwaukee L 116–127 Dick Van Arsdale (26) Milwaukee Arena
3,466
8–26 L 2
35 December 25 Los Angeles L 99–119 Dick Van Arsdale (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10,355
8–27 L 3
36 December 26 @ San Francisco L 118–119 Gail Goodrich (40) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
4,916
8–28 L 4
37 December 28 San Diego L 126–136 Gail Goodrich (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
5,749
8–29 L 5
38 December 30 @ Seattle L 118–120 Jim Fox (24) Seattle Center Coliseum
3,920
8–30 L 6
January: 3–12 (home: 3–6; road: 0–6)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
39 January 1 Boston L 87–93 Dick Van Arsdale (22) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
4,757
8–31 L 7
40 January 3 @ Milwaukee L 104–121 Dick Snyder (22) Milwaukee Arena
4,230
8–32 L 8
41 January 4 @ Chicago L 92–103 Jim Fox (27) Chicago Stadium
3,107
8–33 L 9
42 January 5 @ Atlanta L 96–97 Dick Snyder,
Dick Van Arsdale (22)
Alexander Memorial Coliseum
3,235
8–34 L 10
43 January 7 Seattle W 116–112 Gail Goodrich (35) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,875
9–34 W 1
44 January 9 New York L 120–134 Stan McKenzie (18) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,591
9–35 L 1
45 January 11 Baltimore L 107–118 Gary Gregor (19) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,807
9–36 L 2
All-Star Break
46 January 16 @ Atlanta L 107–112 Gary Gregor (26) Columbia, SC
5,815
9–37 L 3
47 January 17 @ Atlanta L 107–112 Gail Goodrich (27) Alexander Memorial Coliseum
4,565
9–38 L 4
48 January 19 San Diego L 118–136 Gail Goodrich (29) San Diego Sports Arena
2,867
9–39 L 5
49 January 22 Atlanta L 107–125 Bob Warlick (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,527
9–40 L 6
50 January 24 Chicago W 117–106 Dick Van Arsdale (27) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
6,275
10–40 W 1
51 January 25 @ San Diego L 120–133 Jim Fox,
Gail Goodrich (22)
San Diego Sports Arena
4,128
10–41 L 1
52 January 26 San Francisco L 93–117 Neil Johnson (22) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,452
10–42 L 2
53 January 29 Milwaukee W 111–107 Gail Goodrich (33) Tacoma, WA
3,013
11–42 W 1
February: 3–14 (home: 2–4; road: 1–10)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
54 February 2 Milwaukee W 122–121 Gail Goodrich (37) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,926
12–42 W 2
55 February 4 Philadelphia W 125–116 Jim Fox,
Dick Van Arsdale (25)
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,317
13–42 W 3
56 February 6 Cincinnati L 103–124 Gail Goodrich (35) Tucson, AZ
3,849
13–43 L 1
57 February 7 @ San Diego L 119–130 Gail Goodrich (33) San Diego Sports Arena
6,214
13–44 L 2
58 February 8 Los Angeles L 104–122 Gail Goodrich (29) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
9,106
13–45 L 3
59 February 9 @ Los Angeles L 116–134 Gail Goodrich (29) The Forum
8,840
13–46 L 4
60 February 12 @ New York L 105–112 Gail Goodrich (26) Madison Square Garden
12,017
13–47 L 5
61 February 14 @ Detroit L 123–128 Jim Fox (24) Cobo Arena
2,853
13–48 L 6
62 February 16 @ Cincinnati W 125–113 Gail Goodrich (25) Cincinnati Gardens
3,922
14–48 W 1
63 February 18 @ Boston L 110–116 Gail Goodrich (29) Boston Garden
7,022
14–49 L 1
64 February 20 @ Baltimore L 121–124 Dick Van Arsdale (44) Detroit, MI
7,066
14–50 L 2
65 February 21 Chicago L 121–133 Gail Goodrich (43) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
4,939
14–51 L 3
66 February 22 Boston L 100–124 Dick Van Arsdale (21) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
8,295
14–52 L 4
67 February 23 @ Milwaukee L 103–107 Gail Goodrich (29) Green Bay, WI
4,347
14–53 L 5
68 February 25 @ Boston L 99–112 Dick Van Arsdale (22) New York City, NY
19,500
14–54 L 6
69 February 26 @ Philadelphia L 97–104 Dick Van Arsdale (22) The Spectrum
7,781
14–55 L 7
70 February 28 @ Los Angeles L 117–121 Gail Goodrich (43) The Forum
15,728
14–56 L 8
March: 2–10 (home: 1–7; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points Location
Attendance
Record Streak
71 March 1 @ San Francisco W 119–118 Gail Goodrich (33) Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
3,580
15–56 W 1
72 March 4 Cincinnati L 122–141 Gail Goodrich (37) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,165
15–57 L 1
73 March 6 @ Chicago L 117–125 (OT) Gail Goodrich (33) Carbondale, IL
3,125
15–58 L 2
74 March 7 @ New York L 87–119 Bob Warlick (18) Philadelphia, PA
15,244
15–59 L 3
75 March 9 San Diego W 146–133 Gail Goodrich (47) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
2,384
16–59 W 1
76 March 10 Baltimore L 121–140 Dick Van Arsdale (37) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
4,133
16–60 L 1
77 March 11 @ San Diego L 106–116 Dick Van Arsdale (26) San Diego Sports Arena
4,172
16–61 L 2
78 March 15 San Diego L 124–141 Gail Goodrich (38) Tucson, AZ
2,616
16–62 L 3
79 March 17 Detroit L 95–119 Stan McKenzie (18) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,128
16–63 L 4
80 March 19 Milwaukee L 110–117 Dick Van Arsdale (32) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,033
16–64 L 5
81 March 21 New York L 104–139 Gary Gregor (23) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
7,175
16–65 L 6
82 March 23 Milwaukee L 118–128 Dick Van Arsdale (31) Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
3,204
16–66 L 7
1968–69 schedule

Team-by-team results

Opponent Home Road Total All-time record Suns leading scorer Opp. leading scorer
Atlanta Hawks 0–3 0–3 0–6 0–6 (.000%) Bob Warlick (16.4) Zelmo Beaty (24.8)
Baltimore Bullets 0–3 0–3 0–6 0–6 (.000%) Dick Van Arsdale (31.0) Earl Monroe (26.8)
Boston Celtics 0–3 0–3 0–6 0–6 (.000%) Dick Van Arsdale (18.2) Bailey Howell (21.7)
Chicago Bulls 2–1 0–3 2–4 2–4 (.333%) Gail Goodrich (26.7) Bob Boozer (25.8)
Cincinnati Royals 1–2 1–2 2–4 2–4 (.333%) Gail Goodrich (28.0) Oscar Robertson (25.2)
Detroit Pistons 1–2 1–2 2–4 2–4 (.333%) Gail Goodrich (22.7) Dave DeBusschere (23.5)
Los Angeles Lakers 0–3 0–3 0–6 0–6 (.000%) Dick Van Arsdale (26.7) Wilt Chamberlain (31.2)
Milwaukee Bucks 2–2 0–4 2–6 2–6 (.250%) Dick Van Arsdale (23.9) Len Chappell (22.6)
New York Knicks 1–2 0–3 1–5 1–5 (.167%) Gail Goodrich (21.0) Willis Reed (27.3)
Philadelphia 76ers 1–2 0–3 1–5 1–5 (.167%) Dick Van Arsdale (20.2) Billy Cunningham (26.3)
San Diego Rockets 1–3 0–4 1–7 1–7 (.125%) Gail Goodrich (30.5) Elvin Hayes (31.6)
San Francisco Warriors 1–2 1–2 2–4 2–4 (.333%) Gail Goodrich (29.0) Nate Thurmond (24.8)
Seattle SuperSonics 2–1 1–2 3–3 3–3 (.500%) Gail Goodrich (23.8) Bob Rule (26.7)

Awards and honors

All-Star

Season

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game
 PPG  Points per game

Season

Player GP MPG FG% FT% RPG APG PPG
Ed Biedenbach 7 2.6 .000 .667 0.3 0.4 0.6
Jim Fox* 51 38.8 .470 .734 13.3 2.8 13.8
Gail Goodrich 81 40.0 .411 .747 5.4 6.4 23.8
Gary Gregor 80 27.3 .415 .649 8.9 1.2 11.1
Neil Johnson 80 16.5 .481^ .621 5.0 1.7 5.8
Rod Knowles* 8 5.0 .286 .333 1.1 0.0 1.1
Dave Lattin 68 14.5 .410 .634 4.8 0.7 6.0
Stan McKenzie 80 19.6 .427 .763+ 3.1 1.5 9.3
McCoy McLemore* 31 22.9 .385 .773+ 5.4 1.6 11.8
Dick Snyder 81 26.0 .472^ .725 4.0 2.6 12.1
Dick Van Arsdale 80 42.4 .442 .705 6.9 4.8 21.0
Bob Warlick* 63 15.5 .423 .606 2.4 2.1 8.0
George Wilson* 41 31.6 .397 .616 12.3 1.9 11.6

* – Stats with the Suns.
^ – Minimum 230 field goals.
+ – Minimum 230 free throws.

Transactions

Trades

August 27, 1968 To Boston Celtics
United States Em Bryant
To Phoenix Suns
1969 second-round draft pick (United States Gene Williams)
September 11, 1968 To Atlanta Hawks
United States Dennis Hamilton
To Phoenix Suns
1969 third-round draft pick (United States Lloyd Kerr)
September 12, 1968 To Milwaukee Bucks
United States Dick Cunningham
To Phoenix Suns
1973 second-round draft pick (United States Gary Melchionni)
Cash considerations
December 17, 1968 To Detroit Pistons
United States McCoy McLemore
To Phoenix Suns
United States Jim Fox
1969 third-round draft pick (United States Lamar Green)
January 20, 1969 To Philadelphia 76ers
United States George Wilson
To Phoenix Suns
United States Jerry Chambers

Free agents

Additions

Date Player Contract Former Team
October 18, 1968 Ed Biedenbach Undisclosed Los Angeles Lakers
November 8, 1968 Bob Warlick Undisclosed Milwaukee Bucks

Subtractions

Date Player Reason Left New Team
October 1, 1968 Paul Long Waived Los Angeles Lakers
November 6, 1968 Rod Knowles Waived New York Nets (ABA)
November 21, 1968 Ed Biedenbach Waived — (Retired for coaching)

References

  1. ^ Boatner, Verne (May 7, 1968), "Suns Stress Youth in Draft Choices", Arizona Republic