Mike D'Antoni

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

D'Antoni's system was built around the talents of point guard Steve Nash, who was acquired as a free agent before the 2004–05 season. Nash excelled running D'Antoni's pick-and-roll offense, earning NBA MVP honors in 2005 and 2006. The Suns also featured All-Star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire and high-flying All-Star small forward Shawn Marion. D'Antoni's style was dubbed 'Seven Seconds or Less' and was described in a book of that name. The Suns won 50 or more games in four consecutive seasons and made consecutive appearances in the Western Conference finals in 2005 and 2006, losing to the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks, respectively. D'Antoni also served as the Suns' GM after Bryan Colangelo's departure before passing the post to Steve Kerr in 2007.

In Their Own Story

The 2004–05 season began with the Suns coming off a 29-win season. With the addition of Steve Nash and D'Antoni's full system in place, the team exploded to a 62–20 record, a 33-win improvement that earned D'Antoni the NBA Coach of the Year Award. The offense was relentless, pushing the ball up the floor in a blur of motion. Nash orchestrated the pick-and-roll with Stoudemire, while Marion flew through the lanes for dunks and kick-outs. The team reached the Western Conference finals, where they fell to the San Antonio Spurs. The next season, they returned to the conference finals, this time losing to the Dallas Mavericks. The Suns were eliminated in the playoffs by the Spurs again in 2007 and 2008, after which D'Antoni left Phoenix for the New York Knicks.

Reader's Guide

D'Antoni's tenure with the Phoenix Suns began when he replaced Frank Johnson with 61 games left in the 2003–04 season. Despite the team's failure to improve in the second half, he received a vote of confidence for producing inspired play from the injury-riddled team. The turning point came with the acquisition of free agent Steve Nash before the 2004–05 season. Nash was experienced in the run-and-gun style from his previous stints with the Dallas Mavericks and the Suns, and he excelled running D'Antoni's pick-and-roll offense. D'Antoni won the NBA Coach of the Year Award after his Suns went 62–20 to finish first in the regular season. His style, dubbed 'Seven Seconds or Less', was described in a book of that name. Overall, his Suns won 50 or more games in four consecutive seasons, while Nash earned NBA MVP honors in 2005 and 2006. In addition to Nash, D'Antoni's Suns also featured All-Star power forward Amar'e Stoudemire and high-flying All-Star small forward Shawn Marion. They made consecutive appearances in the Western Conference finals in 2005 and 2006, losing to the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks, respectively. D'Antoni became the Suns' GM after Bryan Colangelo's departure and passed on the post to Steve Kerr in 2007. The Suns were eliminated in the playoffs by the Spurs in 2007 and 2008, after which D'Antoni left Phoenix for the New York Knicks.

Did You Know?

• D'Antoni won the NBA Coach of the Year Award for the 2004–05 season after the Suns posted 33 more wins than the previous season.
• His style was dubbed 'Seven Seconds or Less' and was described in a book of that name.
• Guards Steve Nash and James Harden would win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award playing under D'Antoni's system.
• D'Antoni became the Suns' GM after Bryan Colangelo's departure and passed on the post to Steve Kerr in 2007.
• The Suns made consecutive appearances in the Western Conference finals in 2005 and 2006, losing to the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks, respectively.