Last Updated on September 13, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
League Search Page > NBA > Phoenix Suns > Roster & Statistics
The 1997–98 Phoenix Suns were powered by Jason Kidd, whose playmaking, rebounding, and defensive impact made him the team’s central figure. Cliff Robinson supplied consistent scoring and versatile frontcourt production, while Rex Chapman added perimeter offense and outside shooting. Phoenix combined balanced scoring with strong ball movement and solid defensive play, using depth and all-around contributions to offset the absence of a single dominant high-volume scorer.
Everything flowed through Kidd’s tempo and decision-making. National coverage repeatedly described Phoenix as a fast, positionless team that thrived because he pushed the ball after every rebound, controlled matchups and elevated teammates more than his own scoring suggested. (Los Angeles Times)
NBA All-Star (1998); 13th in NBA MVP Voting (1998)
Antonio McDyess
Starter/Star (1.1)
30.1
High (1.2)
15.1
7.6
1.3
2.9
70.75
McDyess gave Phoenix the athletic interior presence it had lacked. Writers frequently noted that his explosive finishing and weak-side shot blocking perfectly complemented Kidd’s transition game, allowing the Suns to play faster without sacrificing rim protection. (FOX Sports)
Clifford Robinson
Starter/Star (1.1)
29.5
High (1.2)
14.2
5.1
2.1
2.3
62.62
Robinson quietly filled every frontcourt need, defending bigger players one night and spacing the floor the next. Analysts often pointed to his versatility as the reason Danny Ainge could comfortably deploy unconventional lineups throughout the season. (Los Angeles Times)
Danny Manning
Key Contributor (1.05)
25.6
Medium (1.1)
13.5
5.6
2.0
1.7
52.86
Manning embraced a reserve role without disrupting the offense, giving Phoenix reliable scoring from the bench and experienced half-court play. His adaptability and professionalism were widely credited as major reasons the Suns developed one of the league’s deepest rotations. (Los Angeles Times)
NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1998)
Rex Chapman
Starter/Star (1.1)
33.3
High (1.2)
15.9
2.5
3.0
1.2
59.24
Chapman functioned as Phoenix’s primary perimeter scorer, stretching defenses with quick-trigger shooting. Opponents had to respect his range, creating driving lanes that fit perfectly with the Suns’ attacking backcourt. (Los Angeles Times)
Kevin Johnson
Key Contributor (1.05)
25.8
Medium (1.1)
9.5
3.3
4.9
0.7
42.12
Knee problems reduced Johnson’s workload, yet he remained a trusted secondary creator whenever healthy. His experience allowed Phoenix to survive stretches without overloading Kidd, and teammates still leaned on his composure late in games. (Wikipedia)
Steve Nash
Key Contributor (1.05)
21.9
Medium (1.1)
9.1
2.1
3.4
0.9
35.65
Nash spent much of the season learning behind two accomplished point guards, but scouts and coaches already viewed him as one of the draft’s biggest steals. Danny Ainge publicly praised his vision and decision-making long before he became a full-time starter. (Sporting News)
Cedric Ceballos
Key Contributor (1.05)
17.9
Medium (1.1)
9.5
4.3
1.0
0.8
36.27
Ceballos provided efficient scoring in a reduced role after returning to Phoenix. Rather than dominating possessions, he attacked gaps, finished around the rim and added another experienced option to an unusually deep forward rotation. (Los Angeles Times)
George McCloud
Key Contributor (1.05)
19.3
Medium (1.1)
7.2
3.5
1.3
1.1
30.49
McCloud accepted a complementary assignment built around floor spacing and defensive flexibility. His outside shooting fit neatly into Phoenix’s spread attack, giving the second unit another dependable perimeter threat. (Los Angeles Times)
Hot Rod Williams
Key Contributor (1.05)
18.8
Low (1.0)
3.6
4.4
0.7
1.3
21.00
Williams anchored the reserve frontcourt with physical screens, rebounding and interior defense. Even in limited offensive possessions, coaches valued the toughness and stability he brought whenever the rotation turned to the bench. (Los Angeles Times)
Dennis Scott
Bench (1.0)
17.0
Low (1.0)
6.2
1.7
0.8
0.5
18.40
Scott’s role centered almost entirely on perimeter spacing after arriving during the season. His reputation as a three-point specialist continued to influence defensive game plans despite modest minutes. (Wikipedia)
Mark Bryant
Bench (1.0)
15.9
Low (1.0)
4.2
3.5
0.7
0.7
18.20
Bryant handled the less glamorous work inside, setting hard screens and defending stronger post players. Contemporary coverage rarely focused on him individually, but coaches consistently trusted his physical play. (Los Angeles Times)
Horacio Llamas
Bench (1.0)
5.3
Low (1.0)
3.0
2.3
0.1
0.5
11.80
Llamas appeared only sparingly, so independent reporting was limited. Most coverage viewed him as developmental center depth while Phoenix relied on more experienced veterans in meaningful situations. (Wikipedia)
Marko Milič
Bench (1.0)
4.9
Low (1.0)
2.8
0.8
0.4
0.3
8.60
Milič flashed athleticism in brief appearances but remained a long-term project. Contemporary scouting reports tended to emphasize his explosiveness more than his immediate readiness for a regular rotation role. (Suns Digital)
Brooks Thompson
Bench (1.0)
3.5
Low (1.0)
2.0
0.4
0.2
0.3
5.80
Thompson saw limited action behind one of the league’s deepest point guard groups. Independent season coverage was minimal because his appearances were confined to short reserve stretches. (Wikipedia)
Phoenix’s offense still began with Kidd’s ability to dictate pace, but San Antonio’s length forced him into tougher finishes. Series coverage nevertheless praised his competitiveness and disruptive defense, as he constantly pressured passing lanes while carrying the Suns’ playmaking load. (Basketball Reference)
Antonio McDyess
Starter/Star (1.1)
36.8
High (1.2)
17.8
13.3
1.0
2.0
89.50
McDyess emerged as Phoenix’s most reliable interior weapon, attacking David Robinson and Tim Duncan without hesitation. Reporters highlighted his relentless rebounding after consecutive double-double efforts, even as San Antonio’s frontcourt gradually wore the Suns down over the four games. (Basketball Reference)
George McCloud
Key Contributor (1.05)
31.5
Medium (1.1)
14.3
4.8
2.0
0.6
49.17
Rather than creating offense, McCloud punished defensive collapses with quick catch-and-shoot threes. His Game 2 perimeter barrage was repeatedly identified as one of the biggest reasons Phoenix evened the series before momentum shifted back to San Antonio. (Wikipedia)
Kevin Johnson
Key Contributor (1.05)
30.5
Medium (1.1)
13.8
2.3
4.8
0.8
49.43
Johnson provided a needed secondary creator alongside Kidd, attacking gaps whenever the Spurs overloaded on the primary ball-handler. Even in a reduced role, his veteran composure kept Phoenix organized during difficult stretches. (Wikipedia)
Mark Bryant
Key Contributor (1.05)
23.3
Low (1.0)
10.0
5.8
0.3
1.5
36.96
Bryant embraced the physical work inside, setting bruising screens and battling two Hall of Fame big men. Contemporary coverage rarely focused on his scoring, but his willingness to absorb contact helped stabilize the frontcourt rotation. (Wikipedia)
Rex Chapman
Starter/Star (1.1)
29.0
Medium (1.1)
9.0
0.0
2.0
1.0
29.04
Chapman never found his shooting rhythm against San Antonio’s disciplined perimeter defense. Even so, defenders stayed attached to him because of his reputation as a dangerous scorer, preserving valuable spacing for Phoenix’s guards. (Wikipedia)
Clifford Robinson
Starter/Star (1.1)
23.0
Medium (1.1)
6.3
3.0
0.8
1.3
27.83
Robinson spent much of the series handling difficult defensive assignments instead of hunting shots. His offensive numbers dipped sharply, yet coaches continued trusting him because of his positional versatility and experience. (Wikipedia)
Steve Nash
Bench (1.0)
12.8
Low (1.0)
5.5
2.5
1.8
0.5
20.60
Nash’s minutes remained limited behind two established point guards. Available postseason reporting focused on his poise when called upon rather than expecting him to change the series as a young reserve. (Wikipedia)
Dennis Scott
Bench (1.0)
15.5
Low (1.0)
4.3
2.0
0.3
0.3
13.80
Scott’s assignment was straightforward: stretch San Antonio’s defense with perimeter shooting. Independent series coverage was limited, reflecting his specialized role off the bench. (Wikipedia)
Hot Rod Williams
Bench (1.0)
11.0
Low (1.0)
2.0
1.3
0.3
0.7
8.60
Williams supplied veteran depth in brief frontcourt minutes. Contemporary reporting was sparse, but his role centered on physical defense and preserving fouls for the primary big men. (Wikipedia)
Marko Milič
Bench (1.0)
2.0
Low (1.0)
2.0
0.5
0.0
0.5
6.00
Milič appeared only briefly, leaving almost no independent playoff analysis. The limited attention he received continued to focus on his athletic upside rather than his postseason impact. (Wikipedia)
Mike Brown
Bench (1.0)
1.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Brown logged only a token appearance, and no meaningful independent postseason coverage discussing his role during the series could be located.
