GLENDALE – Amar’e Stoudemire isn’t the only former Phoenix Suns legend to be a part of the 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class, with his former head coach Mike D’Antoni joining him on Saturday. The 74-year-old was a head coach in the NBA for 16 seasons, starting with the Denver Nuggets in the 90s and ending with the Houston Rockets in the 2020s.

In between those two stints was D’Antoni’s most successful job in Phoenix, where he coached for five years and recorded 37.8% of his 672 career wins. He is 22nd All-Time in wins by an NBA coach and a massive part was his time with the Suns. Does this recent Hall of Fame induction make him the best coach in franchise history?

Mar. 26 2010; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash (13) and forward Amare Stoudemire (1) talk with New York Knicks head coach Mike D’Anoni prior to the first half at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

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D’Antoni coaching stats ranking in Suns history:

Five years coached (T-3rd)

.650 Winning Percentage (2nd)

2 Conference title appearances

Mar. 26 2010; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash (13) and New York Knicks head coach Mike D’Anoni hug prior to the first half at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

There have been 23 head coaches in franchise history, dating back to Red Kerr in 1969. The Mount Rushmore of Phoenix head coaches are simple: D’Antoni, John MacLeod, Paul Westphal and Monti Williams. That foursome have inarguably the most success at the position for the organization. They are top four in playoff wins, and three of them had helped bring the Suns to all of their Finals appearance.

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MacLeod easily coached the longest, nearly doubling second place Cotton Fitzsimmons for the most time at the position. Eight of his 14 years in the Valley was winning record and help bring the team to their first NBA Finals appearance in 1976 at 42-40. His tenure did end sour, having three straight losing seasons.

Suns head coach Paul Westphal tries to encourage his faltering team in the final minutes of play in game 7. Syndication: Arizona Republic

Besides MacLeod, Westphal was a massive part of that 76′ Finals team as a player, being the leading scorer. His success as a player continued as a head coach in 1992. Westphal inherited the team from Fitzsimmons, who had just led the franchise to four straight 50+ win seasons and continued that trend with three more in his first three seasons.

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In his first year, the Hall of Famer led the Suns to their second Finals appearance, being a part of both in a major way. The organization is one Michael Jordan and Steve Kerr Game 6 shot away from potentially hanging its first banner. After a 14-19 start in Westphal’s fourth year, Bryan Colangelo surprisingly fired him and rehired Fitzsimmons.

Despite the abrupt exit, Westphal has the best winning percentage of any head coach in franchise history with .685, just ahead of D’Antoni.

Jun 22, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams (left) in the huddle with Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half during game two of the Western Conference Finals for the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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The final obstacle ahead of the new Hall of Famer is Williams. When hired in 2019, Williams joined Phoenix that had five straight losing seasons, including four straight 25 or less win years. In two years, he turned the Suns into a Finals team and a season later set the franchise record with 64 wins in 2022. The organization being as relevant as it is today is off the backs of Williams and got it out of the darkest period in its history.

Similar to the other three names, his exit was surprising. Williams was fired after a second-round exit in 2023, following the team trading for superstar Kevin Durant.

Apr 25, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams with forward Kevin Durant (35) and Torrey Craig (0) against the Los Angeles Clippers during game five of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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D’Antoni’s case is that his team comprised of Steve Nash and Stoudemire changed the game of basketball with the seven seconds or less offense. A more fast-pace approach to the sport that hadn’t been seen up to that point. The system turned a 29-win team to a then-franchise record 62-20, and its first Western Conference Finals appearance since 1993.

The team made it back to the WCF the following season, but once again fell short of a Finals appearance. D’Antoni had early playoff exits in his final threes years with the Suns, leading to the two sides parting ways, and him joining the New York Knicks in 2008.

While not having the most success, D’Antoni was a massive part of the franchise’s culture in the early 2000’s that has helped changed the game and establish it as a crucial part in NBA history.

There’s is plenty of correct answers from the foursome mentioned, but Westphal impact as a player leading to his short, successful coaching career might be the most compelling case.

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