2000–01 Phoenix Suns season

NBA team season March 2026 August 2023 Phoenix Suns 2001 51 31 Pacific 3 6 Scott Skiles Bryan Colangelo Jerry Colangelo America West Arena First round(lost to Kings 1–3) PHO KUTP Fox Sports Net Arizona Cox 9 KTAR The 2000–01 Phoenix Suns season was the 33rd season for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. Phoenix Suns Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/ August 9, 2026 Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the Suns signed free agents Mario Elie, Mario Elie Signs with Suns United Press International September 15, 2000 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/09/15/Mario-Elie-signs-with-Suns/8566968990400/ July 27, 2021 Associated Press Plus: Pro Basketball: Barkley Agrees to Portland Deal The New York Times September 16, 2000 https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/16/sports/plus-pro-basketball-barkley-agrees-to-portland-deal.html October 19, 2022 Transactions Hartford Courant September 16, 2000 https://www.courant.com/2000/09/16/transactions-3037/ May 17, 2023 and Tony Delk, Associated Press Grizzlies Quickly Sign Swift to Deal The Register-Guard July 19, 2000 4E https://books.google.com/books?id=NldWAAAAIBAJ&dq=2000+Phoenix+Suns+signed+guard+tony+delk&pg=PA21&article_id=6705,5106768 December 7, 2024 Sports Update United Press International August 1, 2000 https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/08/01/Sports-Update/3075965102400/ October 19, 2022 and acquired Chris Dudley from the New York Knicks in a four-team trade. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: West Side Story, the Sequel The New York Times October 30, 2000 https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/30/sports/pro-basketball-west-side-story-the-sequel.html July 16, 2022 For the season, the Suns redesigned their primary logo, adding gray to their color scheme of purple, orange, black and white. The team's primary logo featured an orange basketball with black seams in front of a yellow sun in a purple box; the purple box is surrounded by a gray background featuring the city and team name in white letters. Phoenix Suns Primary Logo Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/g9agfgof0kzui4u445wrsj3e5/Phoenix_Suns/2001/Primary_Logo November 24, 2021 The team also redesigned their home and road uniforms, adding a V-shaped collar, and side panels to their jerseys and shorts, which featured their new alternate logo of a streaking basketball on their shorts. The white home uniforms featured the team name "Suns" on the front of their jerseys, a purple and orange trim, and purple side panels with orange outlines; the purple road uniforms featured the city name "Phoenix", a gray and orange trim, and gray side panels with orange outlines. Phoenix Suns Home Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/e9factz3m7e0sf5zr9kgapamr/Phoenix_Suns/2001/Home_Uniform November 24, 2021 Phoenix Suns Road Uniform Chris Creamer's SportsLogos.net https://www.sportslogos.net/logos/view/9p1hz1349hu4hxdjyg64aduzd/Phoenix-Suns-Logo/2001/Road-Uniform November 24, 2021 The team's new primary logo, and new uniforms would both remain in use until 2013. Regular season In their first full season with Scott Skiles as head coach, along with the addition of Delk and Elie, the Suns posted a seven-game winning streak early into the regular season, and held a 28–20 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 8, 2001 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=8&year=2001 September 12, 2022 The team posted another seven-game winning streak between March and April, and finished in third place in the Pacific Division with a 51–31 record, which earned them the sixth seed in the Western Conference; 2000–01 Phoenix Suns Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2001_games.html June 23, 2021 the Suns qualified for the NBA playoffs for the 13th consecutive year, which was a franchise record. Second-year forward Shawn Marion showed improvement averaging 17.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, while Jason Kidd averaged 16.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 9.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, and Clifford Robinson provided the team with 16.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. In addition, Delk and last season's Sixth Man of the Year, Rodney Rogers, both played sixth man roles off the bench, as Delk contributed 12.3 points per game, while Rogers provided with 12.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Meanwhile, Penny Hardaway was the team's highest-paid player, but only played in just four games due to a knee injury, averaging 9.8 points, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game, Associated Press NBA: Hardaway Wants to Mend Relationship with Daughter ESPN January 8, 2001 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/0107/1001324.html October 25, 2022 Smith Sam Hardaway's Career Takes a Painful Detour Chicago Tribune February 6, 2001 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-02-06-0102060327-story.html August 1, 2017 while Tom Gugliotta averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, but only played 57 games also due to injury, rookie center, and second-round draft pick Jake Tsakalidis provided with 4.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, and Elie contributed 4.4 points per game. 2000–01 Phoenix Suns Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2001.html June 23, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., Kidd was selected for the 2001 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Western Conference All-Star team. Ticker West Expected to Flex Muscle in NBA All-Star Game Sunday ESPN February 10, 2001 https://www.espn.com/gen/newswire/2001/20010210/01074948.html November 7, 2024 NBA.com Staff 2001 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-2001 May 14, 2023 2001 NBA All-Star Game: East 111, West 110 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2001.html November 28, 2021 In addition, Kidd also participated in the NBA 2Ball Competition for the second consecutive year, along with Brandy Reed of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, NBA All-Star Weekend Telegraph Herald February 11, 2001 6C https://books.google.com/books?id=dYleAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA42&dq=2001+NBA+slam+dunk+contest+baron+davis&article_id=3025,2122344&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUl_Cip5-QAxU25MkDHe-UFVg4ChDoAXoECA0QAw#v=onepage&q=2001%20NBA%20slam%20dunk%20contest%20baron%20davis&f=false October 16, 2025 Bender Patricia 2001 All-Star Weekend - at Washington: February 9-11 Eskimo.com https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/all-star01.txt October 16, 2025 while Marion was selected for the NBA Rookie Challenge Game, as a member of the Sophomores team. Liao Henry Rookies Game Lineup Known Philippine Daily Inquirer January 15, 2001 A22 https://books.google.com/books?id=OH42AAAAIBAJ&pg=PA22&dq=2001+NBA+rookie+sophomore+jason+terry&article_id=567,33422707&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjPwZWE8J-QAxXm5skDHcPRLjoQ6AF6BAgLEAM#v=onepage&q=2001%20NBA%20rookie%20sophomore%20jason%20terry&f=false October 16, 2025 2001 NBA Rising Stars: Sophomores 121, Rookies 113 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_2001_rookie.html October 16, 2025 Kidd finished in eighth place in Most Valuable Player voting, 2000–01 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_2001.html December 19, 2025 while Marion finished in fourth place in Most Improved Player voting; Kidd and Marion both finished tied in eleventh place in Defensive Player of the Year voting, while Rogers finished tied in sixth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and with Delk finishing tied in tenth place. The Suns finished ninth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 737,586 at the America West Arena during the regular season. 2000–01 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2001.html January 18, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 2001 NBA playoffs, the Suns faced off against the 3rd–seeded Sacramento Kings, who were led by All-Star forward Chris Webber, Peja Stojaković, and All-Star center Vlade Divac. The Suns won Game 1 over the Kings on the road, 86–83 at the ARCO Arena II, Associated Press N.B.A. Roundup: Suns Hush Sacramento as Marion Scores 21 The New York Times April 23, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/23/sports/nba-roundup-suns-hush-sacramento-as-marion-scores-21.html October 19, 2022 Associated Press Suns Surprise Kings Los Angeles Times April 23, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-apr-23-sp-54595-story.html July 16, 2022 2001 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 1: Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings Box Score, April 22, 2001 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200104220SAC.html July 3, 2026 but then lost the next three games, which included a Game 4 home loss to the Kings at the America West Arena, 89–82, thus losing the series in four games. Adande J.A. Lakers Next After Kings Eclipse Suns Los Angeles Times May 3, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-may-03-sp-58890-story.html June 3, 2022 Associated Press N.B.A.: Roundup: Kings Earn Trip to Second Round The New York Times May 4, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/04/sports/nba-roundup-kings-earn-trip-to-second-round.html July 23, 2021 2001 NBA Western Conference First Round: Suns vs. Kings Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2001-nba-western-conference-first-round-suns-vs-kings.html May 14, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Kidd was traded to the New Jersey Nets after four in a half seasons with the Suns, Associated Press NBA: Both Kidd and Marbury to Get Fresh Starts ESPN June 29, 2001 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/0628/1220083.html October 24, 2024 Robbins Liz Pro Basketball: Nets' Shake-Up Ships Marbury for Suns' Kidd The New York Times June 29, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/29/sports/pro-basketball-nets-shake-up-ships-marbury-for-suns-kidd.html April 4, 2017 Heisler Mark Kidd, Marbury Latest Big Deal Los Angeles Times June 29, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jun-29-sp-16532-story.html May 28, 2022 while Robinson was traded to the Detroit Pistons, Associated Press NBA: Pistons Add Robinson in Deal with Suns ESPN June 29, 2001 https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/0629/1220418.html October 24, 2024 Plus: Basketball: Suns' Robinson Is Dealt to Pistons The New York Times June 30, 2001 https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/30/sports/plus-basketball-suns-robinson-is-dealt-to-pistons.html July 24, 2021 Associated Press Suns Deal Robinson to Pistons Los Angeles Times June 30, 2001 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jun-30-sp-16917-story.html October 19, 2022 Dudley re-signed as a free agent with his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, and Elie retired. Offseason NBA draft 2000 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College / Club Team 1 25 Iakovos "Jake" Tsakalidis Center AEK (Greece) Roster Phoenix Suns 2000–01 #423189 #FFFFFF #808080 #000000 8 Vinny Del Negro G 6 4 185 1966–08–09 North Carolina State 00 Tony Delk G 6 1 189 1974–01–28 Kentucky 14 Chris Dudley C 6 11 235 1965–02–22 Yale 17 Mario Elie G 6 5 210 1963–11–26 American International 24 Tom Gugliotta F 6 10 240 1969–12–19 North Carolina State 1 Penny Hardaway G 6 7 195 1971–07–18 Memphis 32 Jason Kidd G 6 4 205 1973–03–23 California 31 Shawn Marion F 6 7 220 1978–05–07 UNLV 2 Elliot Perry G 6 0 150 1969–03–28 Memphis 30 Clifford Robinson basketball, born 1966 F 6 10 225 1966–12–16 Connecticut 54 Rodney Rogers F 6 7 235 1971–06–20 Wake Forest 15 Daniel Santiago C 7 1 256 1976–06–24 Saint Vincent 25 Jake Tsakalidis C 7 2 285 1979–06–10 Georgia (country)Georgia Scott Skiles Jim Boylan Frank Johnson Phil Weber https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2001.html January 26, 2001 Regular season Standings PHO PHO Playoffs Phoenix Suns 2001 yes #423189 #FF8800 Phoenix Suns First Round no yes yes #808080 #423189 0 2 1 1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 22 | @ Sacramento | W 86–83 | Shawn Marion (21) | Jake Tsakalidis (11) | Jason Kidd (14) | ARCO Arena17,317 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 25 | @ Sacramento | L 90–116 | Tony Delk (14) | Tom Gugliotta (8) | Jason Kidd (9) | ARCO Arena17,317 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | April 29 | Sacramento | L 96–104 | Jason Kidd (19) | Shawn Marion (10) | Jason Kidd (16) | America West Arena19,023 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 2 | Sacramento | L 82–89 | Clifford Robinson (24) | Jake Tsakalidis (12) | Jason Kidd (14) | America West Arena18,836 | 1–3 |- PHO 2001 yes Awards and honors All-Star Jason Kidd was voted as a starter for the Western Conference in the All-Star Game. It was his fourth All-Star selection. Kidd finished second in voting among Western Conference guards with 1,062,837 votes. Season Jason Kidd was named to the All-NBA First Team. Kidd also finished eighth in MVP voting. Bender Patricia 2000-01 Regular Season Award Winners Eskimo North https://www.eskimo.com/~pbender/misc/awards01.html December 5, 2024 Jason Kidd was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Kidd also finished 11th in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Jason Kidd led the league in assists per game, with a 9.8 average, and total assists with 753. Shawn Marion finished 11th in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and fourth in Most Improved Player voting. Rodney Rogers finished sixth in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Rogers won the award the previous year in 2000. Tony Delk finished tenth in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Player statistics Season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Blount, Corie Corie Blount* 30 6 12.9 .489† . .533 2.8 0.3 .4 .2 1.8 Del Negro, Vinny Vinny Del Negro* 36 0 14.6 .528† .000 .893^ 1.4 1.8 .6 .1 4.9 Delk, Tony Tony Delk 82 11 27.9 .415 .321 .787 3.2 2.0 .9 .2 12.3 Dudley, Chris Chris Dudley 53 33 11.6 .397 . .389 3.5 0.3 .3 .5 1.4 Elie, Mario Mario Elie 68 67 22.1 .423 .360 .797 2.3 1.9 .9 .2 4.4 Garcés, Rubén Rubén Garcés* 10 0 6.2 .467 . .250 2.2 0.4 .2 .1 1.6 Gugliotta, Tom Tom Gugliotta 57 2 20.3 .392 .250 .792 4.5 1.0 .8 .4 6.4 Hardaway, Penny Penny Hardaway 4 4 28.0 .417 .250 .636 4.5 3.8 1.5 .3 9.8 Kidd, Jason Jason Kidd 77 76 39.8 .411 .297 .814^ 6.4 9.8 2.2 .3 16.9 Marion, Shawn Shawn Marion 79 79 36.2 .480† .256 .810 10.7 2.0 1.7 1.4 17.3 McPherson, Paul Paul McPherson* 33 0 9.3 .490† .000 .750 1.5 0.5 .4 .1 3.4 Perry, Elliot Elliot Perry* 43 6 10.7 .465 .250 .727 1.0 1.7 .4 .0 3.2 Robinson, Clifford Clifford Robinson 82 82 33.5 .422 .361 .709 4.1 2.9 1.1 1.0 16.4 Rogers, Rodney Rodney Rogers 82 3 26.6 .430 .296 .761 4.4 2.2 1.2 .6 12.2 Santiago, Daniel Daniel Santiago 54 2 10.8 .478 . .689 1.9 0.2 .3 .4 3.1 Tsakalidis, Jake Jake Tsakalidis 57 39 16.6 .470 . .593 4.2 0.3 .2 1.0 4.5 * – Stats with the Suns. † – Minimum 300 field goals made. ^ – Minimum 125 free throws made. Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Del Negro, Vinny Vinny Del Negro 3 0 8.7 .571 . . 0.7 1.7 .0 .0 2.7 Delk, Tony Tony Delk 4 0 28.5 .419 .400 .636 4.0 1.0 .8 .0 11.8 Dudley, Chris Chris Dudley 3 0 8.7 .500 . . 2.3 0.0 .3 .3 0.7 Elie, Mario Mario Elie 4 4 25.8 .452 .154 .750 3.3 1.8 .8 .3 9.0 Gugliotta, Tom Tom Gugliotta 4 0 21.5 .308 . .778 3.8 0.8 2.0 .3 5.8 Kidd, Jason Jason Kidd 4 4 41.5 .319 .235 .750 6.0 13.3 2.0 .0 14.3 Marion, Shawn Shawn Marion 4 4 34.8 .371 1.000 .857 8.3 0.8 1.5 1.5 14.8 Perry, Elliot Elliot Perry 2 0 8.5 .600 .000 1.000 2.0 2.0 1.0 .0 6.5 Robinson, Clifford Clifford Robinson 4 4 28.5 .420 .250 .636 4.0 1.0 1.5 .5 15.0 Rogers, Rodney Rodney Rogers 4 0 20.5 .300 .200 .643 3.5 0.5 .5 .8 8.8 Santiago, Daniel Daniel Santiago 1 0 12.0 .500 . . 5.0 0.0 .0 2.0 2.0 Tsakalidis, Jake Jake Tsakalidis 4 4 18.8 .375 . . 7.0 0.0 .0 1.8 3.0 Player statistics citation: Transactions Trades September 20, 2000 To New York Knicks CUB Lazaro Borrell USA Travis Knight AUS Luc Longley USA Vernon Maxwell USA Glen Rice GEO Vladimir Stepania 2001 first-round draft pick (USA Jamaal Tinsley) 2001 second-round draft pick (USA Eric Chenowith) 2001 second-round draft pick (USA Michael Wright 2002 first-round draft pick (USA Kareem Rush) To Los Angeles Lakers USA Emanual Davis USA Greg Foster USA Horace Grant USA Chuck Person To Seattle SuperSonics USA Patrick Ewing To Phoenix Suns USA Chris Dudley 2001 first-round draft pick (USA Jason Collins) Cash considerations January 26, 2001 To Golden State Warriors USA Corie Blount PAN Rubén Garcés USA Paul McPherson To Phoenix Suns USA Vinny Del Negro Free agents Additions Date Player Contract Former Team August 1, 2000 Tony Delk Signed to 6-year contract for $19 million Sacramento Kings August 2, 2000 Daniel Santiago Signed to 1-year contract for $317,000 Pallacanestro Varese (Italy) August 3, 2000 Corie Blount Re-signed to 2-year contract for $3.2 million Phoenix Suns August 3, 2000 Justin Love Undisclosed August 3, 2000 Rubén Garcés Signed to 1-year contract for $317,000 La Crosse Bobcats (CBA) August 22, 2000 Paul McPherson Signed to 1-year contract for $317,000 September 15, 2000 Mario Elie Signed to 1-year contract for $1 million San Antonio Spurs September 29, 2000 Carlos Daniel Undisclosed Yakima Sun Kings (CBA) September 29, 2000 DeJuan Wheat Undisclosed Idaho Stampede (CBA) September 29, 2000 Lelan McDougal Undisclosed Billings RimRockers (IBA) September 29, 2000 Tim Kempton Undisclosed Toronto Raptors October 1, 2000 J. R. Koch Undisclosed Athlon Ieper (Belgium) October 1, 2000 Reed Rawlings Undisclosed December 8, 2000 Elliot Perry Undisclosed Orlando Magic January 17, 2001 Elliot Perry Signed two 10-day contracts Phoenix Suns February 6, 2001 Elliot Perry Signed for rest of season Phoenix Suns Subtractions Date Player Reason left New team June 30, 2000 Toby Bailey Free agent Los Angeles Stars (ABA) August 8, 2000 Kevin Johnson Retired August 31, 2000 Randy Livingston Waived Golden State Warriors September 13, 2000 Don MacLean Free agent Miami Heat October 6, 2000 J. R. Koch Waived Las Vegas Silver Bandits (IBL) October 6, 2000 Lelan McDougal Waived San Diego Wildfire (ABA) October 16, 2000 Carlos Daniel Waived Sioux Falls Skyforce (IBL) October 16, 2000 Reed Rawlings Waived Detroit Dogs (ABA) October 25, 2000 DeJuan Wheat Waived Panteras de Miranda (Venezuela) October 25, 2000 Justin Love Waived Kansas City Knights (ABA) October 25, 2000 Tim Kempton Waived November 20, 2000 Rex Chapman Retired January 5, 2001 Elliot Perry Waived Phoenix Suns Player Transactions Citation:2000–01 Phoenix Suns Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2001_transactions.html July 2, 2021 References External links Standings on Basketball Reference Category:Phoenix Suns seasons Phoenix