Jerry Colangelo

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Lore & Background

Colangelo's early years with the Suns were marked by a tough break: he lost a 1969 coin flip to the Milwaukee Bucks for the rights to Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Despite that, the Suns were competitive through the 1970s, making the NBA Finals in 1976 but losing to the Boston Celtics in six games. Colangelo even served two stints as head coach during that decade, compiling a record of 59 wins and 60 losses. The 1980s brought difficulties: players like Garfield Heard were involved in a drug scandal, and young center Nick Vanos died in a 1987 plane crash. From 1985 through 1988, the Suns failed to qualify for the playoffs. Colangelo then assembled a group of investors to buy the Suns in late 1987, and made a trade for Kevin Johnson that same year. The turnaround was immediate: in 1988–89, the Suns nearly doubled their win total from 28 to 55, starting a streak of 13 straight playoff appearances. In 1989, Colangelo was essential in providing financial backing to build America West Arena. The 1992 trade for Charles Barkley sent Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang to the Philadelphia 76ers. The Suns reached the NBA Finals again in 1993, losing to the Chicago Bulls in six games. Barkley's relationship with Colangelo grew sour, and he was traded to the Houston Rockets in 1996. Colangelo eventually turned over the Suns' presidency to his son Bryan, who later left to become general manager of the Toronto Raptors.

In Their Own Story

In 1968, Jerry Colangelo left the Chicago Bulls and was hired as the first general manager of the expansion Phoenix Suns. He was the youngest general manager in professional sports. When he and his family left for Arizona, he had $200 in his wallet. His start was unlucky: he lost a 1969 coin flip to the Milwaukee Bucks for the rights to UCLA phenom Lew Alcindor. The Suns reached the NBA Finals in 1976 but lost to the Boston Celtics in six games. During the 1980s, the Suns faced a drug scandal involving players like Garfield Heard, and young center Nick Vanos died in a 1987 plane crash. From 1985 through 1988, the Suns missed the playoffs. Colangelo assembled a group of investors that bought the Suns in late 1987. He traded for Kevin Johnson in 1987. The Suns made one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history in 1988–89, nearly doubling their win total from 28 to 55 and making the first of 13 straight playoff appearances. In 1989, Colangelo was essential in providing financial backing to build America West Arena. In 1992, he traded Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang to the Philadelphia 76ers for Charles Barkley. The Suns reached the NBA Finals for the second time in 1993, losing to the Chicago Bulls in six games. Barkley's relationship with Colangelo grew sour, and in 1996, he was traded to the Houston Rockets. Colangelo won four different NBA Executive of the Year honors with the Suns, the most honors for an executive of one team in the NBA. He holds the distinction of the second-longest tenure running an NBA franchise, exceeded only by Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics.

Reader's Guide

Jerry Colangelo is the most influential executive in Phoenix Suns history. He was hired in 1968 as the team's first general manager, becoming the youngest GM in professional sports. He lost a 1969 coin flip for Lew Alcindor but built a competitive team that reached the 1976 NBA Finals. After a drug scandal and a playoff drought from 1985 to 1988, Colangelo bought the Suns in late 1987. He traded for Kevin Johnson in 1987 and for Charles Barkley in 1992. The Suns reached the 1993 NBA Finals. Colangelo won four NBA Executive of the Year honors with the Suns, the most for an executive with one team. He holds the second-longest tenure running an NBA franchise, behind only Red Auerbach. He stepped down as Suns president when his son Bryan took over, and Bryan later left to become general manager of the Toronto Raptors.

Did You Know?

• Jerry Colangelo was the youngest general manager in professional sports when hired by the Phoenix Suns in 1968.
• He lost a 1969 coin flip to the Milwaukee Bucks for the rights to Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).
• Colangelo won four different NBA Executive of the Year honors with the Suns, the most for an executive with one team.
• He holds the distinction of the second-longest tenure running an NBA franchise, exceeded only by Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics.
• Colangelo had two stints as head coach of the Suns, compiling a record of 59 wins and 60 losses.