Phoenix Suns Organization

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Lore & Background

The 2006–07 season was defined by historic winning streaks. On December 19, the Suns made franchise history by winning their fifteenth straight game with a 115–98 win over the Toronto Raptors, breaking the 14-game win streak of the 1992–93 team. The streak ended on December 22 against the Washington Wizards in overtime, 144–139, with Gilbert Arenas scoring a game-high 54 points. On January 28, 2007, the Suns made franchise history yet again by winning their seventeenth straight game with a 115–100 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Up to that time, the only other teams in NBA history with 17-game win streaks were the 1946–47 Washington Capitols, the 1959–60 Boston Celtics and the 1995–96 San Antonio Spurs. The streak ended at 17 games with a 121–112 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as Kevin Garnett scored 44 points and had 11 rebounds.

In Their Own Story

The Suns' marketing slogan for the 2006–07 season was Eyes on the Prize. Billboards and bus wraps showed closeups of the eyes of a different Suns player, each face photographed in a strongly tinted purple color (orange on some ads), with small reflections of the NBA championship trophy reflected in the pupils. This was the last season the Suns won their division until the 2020–21 season. Ann Meyers-Drysdale was hired as a vice-president for the Suns during the offseason.

Reader's Guide

The 2006–07 Suns were led by Steve Nash, who had 15 assists to go with 10 points in the December 19 win, while Amar'e Stoudemire scored a game-high 28 points and brought in 10 rebounds. During the 17-game winning streak, Steve Nash contributed 23 points and 15 assists in the win over Cleveland. Shawn Marion had 23 points, Amar'e Stoudemire had 22 and Leandro Barbosa scored 19. Due to inflammation of his right shoulder, Nash did not play in the second half of a February 5 road game against the Denver Nuggets and missed the following night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Nash was forced to withdraw from the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. In the All-Star game, the Suns were represented by Amar'e Stoudemire (29 points) and Shawn Marion (18 points) in the 153–132 West squad victory over the East. Stoudemire scored the most points ever by a Phoenix Suns player in an All-Star Game (29).

Did You Know?

• The Suns' 17-game winning streak in 2006–07 placed them among only three other teams in NBA history at that time: the 1946–47 Washington Capitols, the 1959–60 Boston Celtics, and the 1995–96 San Antonio Spurs.
• Amar'e Stoudemire scored 29 points in the 2007 NBA All-Star Game, the most ever by a Phoenix Suns player in an All-Star Game, surpassing Tom Chambers' 21 points in 1990 and Paul Westphal's 21 in 1980.
• The Suns' marketing slogan for the 2006–07 season was 'Eyes on the Prize,' with billboards showing closeups of players' eyes with small reflections of the NBA championship trophy in their pupils.
• This was the last season the Suns won their division until the 2020–21 season.
• Ann Meyers-Drysdale was hired as a vice-president for the Suns during the 2006 offseason.

Season Overview and Playoff Run

The 2006–07 campaign marked the franchise's thirty-ninth year. The team delivered a spectacular regular season performance, posting a dominant 61–21 record while boasting the league's superior offensive rating. Their playoff journey began with a decisive five-game victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, avenging a previous first-round collapse where they had overcome a three-one deficit. However, their championship aspirations were halted in the Western Conference semifinals by the eventual NBA champions, the San Antonio Spurs. Despite facing a heavily favored and experienced squad, Phoenix fought hard but ultimately fell in six games. This season also held historical significance as the final time the Suns secured their division title until the 2020–21 campaign.

Historic Winning Streaks

The team etched its name into NBA history books twice during this season by setting new franchise records for consecutive victories. In mid-December, Phoenix secured a fifteenth straight win against the Toronto Raptors, surpassing the previous club record set in 1992–93. This achievement was particularly ironic given that the Raptors were led by Bryan Colangelo, a former Suns executive who had recently departed. The momentum continued into January when the team extended their run to an unprecedented seventeen games with a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. This remarkable streak placed them among elite company in NBA history, joining only the 1946–47 Washington Capitols, the 1959–60 Boston Celtics, and the 1995–96 San Antonio Spurs at that specific milestone. Although a loss to Kevin Garnett's Minnesota Timberwolves eventually ended the run at seventeen games, the feat highlighted the team's offensive potency under coach Mike D'Antoni.

Marketing Identity and Organizational Shifts

To capture the championship aspirations of the roster, the organization launched a distinct marketing campaign titled 'Eyes on the Prize.' This initiative featured striking billboards and bus wraps displaying close-up portraits of players in intense purple or orange tints. A defining visual element included small reflections of the NBA championship trophy mirrored within the pupils of each athlete, symbolizing their singular focus on winning the title. Beyond the courtside branding, the front office underwent significant structural changes during this period. Ann Meyers-Drysdale was appointed as a vice-president, signaling an evolution in leadership diversity and strategy.

Key Injuries and All-Star Performances

The season faced notable disruptions due to injuries affecting key personnel, most prominently starting guard Steve Nash. Suffering from right shoulder inflammation in early February, Nash was forced to sit out critical games and eventually withdrew from the 2007 NBA All-Star Game entirely. Despite his absence, the Suns' contingent at the Las Vegas showcase delivered a memorable performance. Amar'e Stoudemire stepped up significantly, scoring a franchise-record twenty-nine points for an All-Star game, surpassing previous highs set by Tom Chambers and Paul Westphal. Shawn Marion also contributed eighteen points as the Western Conference secured a decisive victory over the East. Nash's replacement on the roster was Ray Allen of the Seattle SuperSonics, while Nash watched from the sidelines.