How to Collect | The Phoenix Suns

Collecting the Heroes of the Desert

Welcome to the desert, where the Phoenix Suns have burned hot for much of the last three decades in the league. From a Finals trip in 1976 to Barkley’s run at the GOAT in 1993, to Steve Nash and Mike D’Antoni’s Seven Seconds or Less teams that redefined offensive basketball, to one of the best present-day scorers in the world, Phoenix has lit up the basketball world.

With teams through the decades known for exciting play and entertaining style, the Suns are a great option for anyone looking to get into team collecting.

Phoenix Suns Mount Rushmore

From wizards at the point to a force in the paint, and a pure scorer, Phoenix has two MVPs, a Rookie of the Year, and a Most Improved Player etched into the mountaintop. Current franchise star Devin Booker is already forcing himself into the conversation.

1996 Topps Chrome Basketball #182 Steve Nash RC Refractor

1996 Topps Chrome Basketball #34 Charles Barkley

1992 Topps Basketball Beam Team #3 Kevin Johnson / Michael Jordan / Dennis Rodman

1978 Topps Basketball #10 Walter Davis RC #10

Phoenix’s Finest

Charles Barkley was traded to Phoenix in the summer of 1992, and all he did was win MVP while leading the Suns to a league-best 62-20 record and a trip to the Finals in his first season in the desert. A must-have for any Suns collector, Barkley’s Topps cards include this gem from 1993 Topps Finest, featuring a player image that just screams Sir Charles.

Barkley received All-League honors in all four seasons in town, part of a remarkable 11 years in a row in which he got the nod.

While the ’93 Suns would lose in six games in a highly competitive series to Jordan’s Bulls, the team remains perhaps the best in Phoenix history. In addition to Barkley, collectors can chase sharp-shooter Dan Majerle, and elite point guard (and current Mayor of Sacramento) Kevin Johnson.

Going further down the roster, all told there are six former All-Stars to be found on the 1993 Finals team: these three stars along with Danny Ainge, Tom Chambers, and Cedric Ceballos (who missed the Finals through injury).

The Seven-Second Suns

Just over a decade on, a new MVP was taking the Suns back into contention. Steve Nash, who was originally drafted by the team, returned to Phoenix after over a half decade in Dallas. Just like Barkley, the brilliant point guard embarked on an MVP campaign right away, orchestrating Mike D’Antoni’s high-paced, high-flying offense as the team went 62-20 only a year after a 29-53 season.

Nash led the Suns to three conference finals in a six year span. While Nash’s most valuable Topps card is his 1996 Chrome rookie, this Topps Finest Refractor RC has sold for as much as $510.

Nash’s running mate, Amare Stoudemire, is one of the most athletic big men in modern basketball history. The six-time All-Star could at times give fits to generational talent Tim Duncan, as the two went toe-to-toe in the paint.

At only 22, Stoudemire averaged 37 PPG and 9.8 RPG in the 2005 conference finals loss to Duncan’s Spurs. The 2003 Rookie of the Year earned All-League honors five times in a brilliant six year span before leaving for the Knicks.

Stoudemire cards across famous Topps releases in 2003 and 2008, as well as this 2002 Chrome RC, are all great options for a Suns collector.

The Matrix, Shawn Marion, is another player to chase from this era. It was the first-round pick Phoenix acquired by initially trading future MVP Nash that allowed the team to bring in the uber-athletic wing. Marion was a four-time All-Star in his time in the desert, and he has a great catalogue of Topps cards to chase. 

A Suns Fan Favorite

The Brazilian Blur, Leandro Barbosa was every fan’s dream as a point guard coming off the bench. A prototypical microwave scorer, he averaged 18.1 PPG while winning Sixth Man of the year in 2006/07. His rookie card is found in the iconic 2003 Topps Chrome set alongside a loaded rookie class that includes LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Phoenix Bench Bosses

Phoenix’s best teams were guided by offensive masterminds Paul Westphal and Mike D’Antoni. Westphal was a five-time All-Star and remains a fan favorite for his contributions as both a player and a coach.

D’Antoni had a short stint in the league, but both of these innovative coaches have Topps cards to collect and provide a fun twist to a Phoenix collection.

Vintage Phoenix

Phoenix entered the league as an expansion franchise in 1968, making the playoffs just once in seven years. In 1975/76, however, the Suns crashed the party, taking down the defending champion Warriors to make the Finals for the first time.

Phoenix lost in six games to the Celtics but were led admirably by 1976 Rookie of the Year Alvan Adams. Only 21, he averaged 23 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 4.7 APG. Westphal also averaged over 20. Adams’ RC can be found in 1976 Topps Basketball. 

For more vintage flavor, collectors can go after six-time All-Star Walter Davis, who led the Suns to the playoffs in eight straight seasons. A Rookie of the Year in 1978, Davis’ unbelievable jumper helped him average 20 or more points per game on six separate occasions in the desert.

Capturing History Your Way

From MVP legends to innovative coaches and high-level entertainment, Phoenix Suns basketball is a story of scorching scoring and playoff epics against some of the sport’s best teams.

Armed once again with a walking bucket in Devin Booker, who’s already brought the franchise to another Finals appearance, the Suns offer collectors pathways both past and present to take on a compelling team collection.

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