Alvan Adams
Encyclopedia
Alvan Leigh Adams is a retired American professional basketball
player. After starring at the University of Oklahoma
, the 6'9" (2.06 m) power forward
/center
was selected by the Phoenix Suns
with the 4th pick of the 1975 NBA Draft
. Adams was a rookie
on a Suns team whose season included an improbable playoff
run that took them all the way to the 1976 NBA Finals
. In the same year, he was selected to play in the All-Star Game
and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award
as well as being named to the All-NBA Rookie Team. Adams spent his entire career with the Suns and retired in 1988 as the second all-time Suns scorer with 13,910 career points
.
, 1969–70 also had 21 in 27 games). That record stood until it was broken by Blake Griffin
on February 14, 2009.
Adams is one of only three players in the history of the University of Oklahoma men's basketball program to score at least 40 points and get 20 rebounds
in a game (Wayman Tisdale
(61 points, 22 rebounds against Texas–San Antonio in 1983) and Griffin (40 points, 23 rebounds against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 14, 2009).
He is one of only four Sooners to have his college jersey (#33) retired by the OU program (Wayman Tisdale
(#23), Mookie Blaylock
(#10) and Stacey King (#33) are the other three).
against the Buffalo Braves
. He is one of four players in NBA history (along with Elgin Baylor
, Wilt Chamberlain
and Vince Carter
) to have as many as 46 points and 16 rebounds in a triple-double performance.
Adams's jersey number (33) was retired, but on the signing of free agent Grant Hill
, Adams granted him permission to wear his familiar No. 33 with the Suns.
Adams is the franchise leader in games played, minutes played, rebounds, and steals
; second in field goals
made and attempted; third in assists; and fourth in blocks
.
| align="left" | 1975–76
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 80 || – || 33.2 || .469 || – || .735 || 9.1 || 5.6 || 1.5 || 1.5 || 19.0
|-
| align="left" | 1976–77
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 72 || – || 31.6 || .474 || – || .754 || 9.1 || 4.5 || 1.3 || 1.2 || 18.0
|-
| align="left" | 1977–78
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 70 || – || 27.3 || .485 || – || .730 || 8.1 || 3.2 || 1.2 || .9 || 15.5
|-
| align="left" | 1978–79
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 77 || – || 30.7 || .530 || – || .799 || 9.2 || 4.7 || 1.4 || .8 || 17.8
|-
| align="left" | 1979–80
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 75 || – || 28.9 || .531 || .000 || .797 || 8.1 || 4.3 || 1.4 || .7 || 14.9
|-
| align="left" | 1980–81
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 75 || – || 27.4 || .526 || .000 || .768 || 7.3 || 4.6 || 1.4 || .9 || 14.9
|-
| align="left" | 1981–82
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 79 || 75 || 30.3 || .494 || .000 || .781 || 7.4 || 4.5 || 1.4 || 1.0 || 15.1
|-
| align="left" | 1982–83
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 80 || 75 || 30.6 || .486 || .333 || .829 || 6.9 || 4.7 || 1.4 || .9 || 14.2
|-
| align="left" | 1983–84
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 70 || 13 || 20.7 || .462 || .000 || .825 || 4.6 || 3.1 || 1.0 || .4 || 9.6
|-
| align="left" | 1984–85
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 82 || 69 || 26.0 || .520 || .000 || .883 || 6.1 || 3.8 || 1.4 || .6 || 14.7
|-
| align="left" | 1985–86
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 78 || 45 || 25.7 || .502 || .000 || .783 || 6.1 || 4.2 || 1.3 || .6 || 10.8
|-
| align="left" | 1986–87
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 68 || 40 || 24.9 || .503 || .000 || .788 || 5.0 || 3.3 || .9 || .5 || 11.1
|-
| align="left" | 1987–88
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 82 || 25 || 20.1 || .496 || .500 || .844 || 4.5 || 2.2 || 1.0 || .5 || 7.5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 988 || 342 || 27.5 || .498 || .133 || .788 || 7.0 || 4.1 || 1.3 || .8 || 14.1
|-
| align="left" | All-Star
| align="left" |
| 1 || 0 || 11.0 || .500 || – || – || 3.0 || – || – || – || 4.0
|}
| align="left" | 1975–76
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 19 || – || 35.2 || .452 || – || .817 || 10.1 || 5.2 || 1.4 || 1.1 || 17.9
|-
| align="left" | 1977–78
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 2 || – || 35.5 || .455 || – || 1.000 || 8.0 || 2.0 || 1.0 || .5 || 16.0
|-
| align="left" | 1978–79
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 12 || – || 31.0 || .475. || – || .710 || 7.5 || 4.4 || .9 || 1.0 || 12.8
|-
| align="left" | 1979–80
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 8 || – || 31.4 || .566 || – || .895 || 9.6 || 5.8 || .9 || 1.3 || 16.1
|-
| align="left" | 1980–81
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 7 || – || 31.1 || .450 || – || .714 || 5.9 || 3.7 || .6 || .1 || 10.6
|-
| align="left" | 1981–82
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 7 || – || 33.3 || .522 || – || .786 || 7.9 || 3.7 || 2.0 || .7 || 16.9
|-
| align="left" | 1982–83
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 3 || – || 28.0 || .469 || – || .714 || 6.0 || 4.7 || .6 || 1.7 || 11.7
|-
| align="left" | 1983–84
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 17 || – || 18.4 || .421 || – || .679 || 5.1 || 2.5 || 1.0 || .6 || 18.4
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 78 || – || 29.3 || .473 || – || .766 || 7.5 || 4.1 || 1.1 || .9 || 13.8
|}
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. After starring at the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, the 6'9" (2.06 m) power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
/center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
was selected by the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
with the 4th pick of the 1975 NBA Draft
1975 NBA Draft
The 1975 NBA Draft was the 29th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 29, 1975 before the 1975–76 season. In this draft, 18 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
. Adams was a rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
on a Suns team whose season included an improbable playoff
1976 NBA Playoffs
The 1976 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1975-1976 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns, four games to two in the NBA Finals; the series was...
run that took them all the way to the 1976 NBA Finals
1976 NBA Finals
The 1976 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round for the 1975-76 NBA season.-Background:The Phoenix Suns finished the season with 42 wins and 40 losses, but beat the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in the playoffs and went on to play the Boston Celtics in the NBA...
. In the same year, he was selected to play in the All-Star Game
1976 NBA All-Star Game
GAME 26: at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, February 3, 1976.MVP: Dave BingCoaches: East: Tom Heinsohn, West: Al Attles.-Eastern Conference: -Western Conference: -Score by periods: *Halftime— West, 50-45*Third Quarter— East, 83-30...
and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award
NBA Rookie of the Year Award
The National Basketball Association's Rookie of the Year Award is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1952–53 NBA season, to the top rookie of the regular season. The winner receives the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy, which is named in honor of the Philadelphia Warriors head...
as well as being named to the All-NBA Rookie Team. Adams spent his entire career with the Suns and retired in 1988 as the second all-time Suns scorer with 13,910 career points
Point (basketball)
Points in basketball are used to keep track of the score in a game. Points can be accumulated by making field goals or free throws ....
.
College career
During 26 games of the 1973–74 season Adams tied an Oklahoma school record with 21 double-doubles for a season by a Sooner (Garfield HeardGar Heard
Garfield "Gar" Heard, is a retired American professional basketball player and coach. He played collegiately at the University of Oklahoma and was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics in the third round of the 1970 NBA Draft...
, 1969–70 also had 21 in 27 games). That record stood until it was broken by Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin
Blake Austin Griffin is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association . Griffin had a renowned high school career at Oklahoma Christian School, winning state titles each of his four years under his father, Tommy Griffin, who was the...
on February 14, 2009.
Adams is one of only three players in the history of the University of Oklahoma men's basketball program to score at least 40 points and get 20 rebounds
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
in a game (Wayman Tisdale
Wayman Tisdale
Wayman Lawrence Tisdale was an American professional basketball player in the NBA and a smooth jazz bass guitarist. A three-time All American at the University of Oklahoma, he was elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.-Early life:Tisdale was born in Fort Worth, Texas...
(61 points, 22 rebounds against Texas–San Antonio in 1983) and Griffin (40 points, 23 rebounds against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 14, 2009).
He is one of only four Sooners to have his college jersey (#33) retired by the OU program (Wayman Tisdale
Wayman Tisdale
Wayman Lawrence Tisdale was an American professional basketball player in the NBA and a smooth jazz bass guitarist. A three-time All American at the University of Oklahoma, he was elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.-Early life:Tisdale was born in Fort Worth, Texas...
(#23), Mookie Blaylock
Mookie Blaylock
Daron Oshay "Mookie" Blaylock , is a retired American professional basketball player. He spent 13 years in the NBA with three teams.-Professional career:...
(#10) and Stacey King (#33) are the other three).
Professional career
On February 22, 1977, Adams recorded a triple-double with 47 points, 18 rebounds and 12 assistsAssist (basketball)
In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist...
against the Buffalo Braves
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. He is one of four players in NBA history (along with Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor
Elgin Gay Baylor is a retired Hall of Fame American basketball player and former NBA general manager who played 13 seasons as a forward for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers....
, Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
and Vince Carter
Vince Carter
Vincent Lamar "Vince" Carter is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns. He is a shooting guard who can also play small forward....
) to have as many as 46 points and 16 rebounds in a triple-double performance.
Adams's jersey number (33) was retired, but on the signing of free agent Grant Hill
Grant Hill
Grant Hill is the name of:* Grant Hill, American basketball player* Grant Hill , Canadian politician* Grant Hill, San Diego, California, an urban neighboorhood in central San Diego...
, Adams granted him permission to wear his familiar No. 33 with the Suns.
Adams is the franchise leader in games played, minutes played, rebounds, and steals
Steal (basketball)
In basketball, a steal occurs when a defensive player legally causes a turnover by his positive, aggressive action. This can be done by deflecting and controlling, catching, or batting to a teammate a pass or dribble of an offensive player...
; second in field goals
Field goal (basketball)
In basketball, the term field goal refers to a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the distance of the attempt from the basket. "Field Goal" is the official terminology used by the National Basketball Association in their rule book,...
made and attempted; third in assists; and fourth in blocks
Block (basketball)
In basketball, a block , not to be confused with blocking, occurs when a defensive player legally deflects a field goal attempt from an offensive player. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hands or otherwise a foul is called. In order to be legal, the block must occur while the shot...
.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 1975–76
| align="left" | Phoenix
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
| 80 || – || 33.2 || .469 || – || .735 || 9.1 || 5.6 || 1.5 || 1.5 || 19.0
|-
| align="left" | 1976–77
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 72 || – || 31.6 || .474 || – || .754 || 9.1 || 4.5 || 1.3 || 1.2 || 18.0
|-
| align="left" | 1977–78
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 70 || – || 27.3 || .485 || – || .730 || 8.1 || 3.2 || 1.2 || .9 || 15.5
|-
| align="left" | 1978–79
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 77 || – || 30.7 || .530 || – || .799 || 9.2 || 4.7 || 1.4 || .8 || 17.8
|-
| align="left" | 1979–80
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 75 || – || 28.9 || .531 || .000 || .797 || 8.1 || 4.3 || 1.4 || .7 || 14.9
|-
| align="left" | 1980–81
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 75 || – || 27.4 || .526 || .000 || .768 || 7.3 || 4.6 || 1.4 || .9 || 14.9
|-
| align="left" | 1981–82
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 79 || 75 || 30.3 || .494 || .000 || .781 || 7.4 || 4.5 || 1.4 || 1.0 || 15.1
|-
| align="left" | 1982–83
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 80 || 75 || 30.6 || .486 || .333 || .829 || 6.9 || 4.7 || 1.4 || .9 || 14.2
|-
| align="left" | 1983–84
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 70 || 13 || 20.7 || .462 || .000 || .825 || 4.6 || 3.1 || 1.0 || .4 || 9.6
|-
| align="left" | 1984–85
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 82 || 69 || 26.0 || .520 || .000 || .883 || 6.1 || 3.8 || 1.4 || .6 || 14.7
|-
| align="left" | 1985–86
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 78 || 45 || 25.7 || .502 || .000 || .783 || 6.1 || 4.2 || 1.3 || .6 || 10.8
|-
| align="left" | 1986–87
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 68 || 40 || 24.9 || .503 || .000 || .788 || 5.0 || 3.3 || .9 || .5 || 11.1
|-
| align="left" | 1987–88
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 82 || 25 || 20.1 || .496 || .500 || .844 || 4.5 || 2.2 || 1.0 || .5 || 7.5
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 988 || 342 || 27.5 || .498 || .133 || .788 || 7.0 || 4.1 || 1.3 || .8 || 14.1
|-
| align="left" | All-Star
| align="left" |
| 1 || 0 || 11.0 || .500 || – || – || 3.0 || – || – || – || 4.0
|}
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 1975–76
1976 NBA Playoffs
The 1976 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1975-1976 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns, four games to two in the NBA Finals; the series was...
| align="left" | Phoenix
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
| 19 || – || 35.2 || .452 || – || .817 || 10.1 || 5.2 || 1.4 || 1.1 || 17.9
|-
| align="left" | 1977–78
1978 NBA Playoffs
The 1978 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1977-1978 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets defeating the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics four games to three in the Finals. Wes...
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 2 || – || 35.5 || .455 || – || 1.000 || 8.0 || 2.0 || 1.0 || .5 || 16.0
|-
| align="left" | 1978–79
1979 NBA Playoffs
The 1979 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1978-1979 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics defeating the Eastern Conference champion Washington Bullets four games to one in the Finals. The Sonics...
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 12 || – || 31.0 || .475. || – || .710 || 7.5 || 4.4 || .9 || 1.0 || 12.8
|-
| align="left" | 1979–80
1980 NBA Playoffs
The 1980 NBA Playoffs were the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1979-1980 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers four games to two in the Finals...
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 8 || – || 31.4 || .566 || – || .895 || 9.6 || 5.8 || .9 || 1.3 || 16.1
|-
| align="left" | 1980–81
1981 NBA Playoffs
The 1981 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament which followed National Basketball Association's 1980–81 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics winning their 14th overall championship by defeating the Western Conference champion Houston Rockets in...
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 7 || – || 31.1 || .450 || – || .714 || 5.9 || 3.7 || .6 || .1 || 10.6
|-
| align="left" | 1981–82
1982 NBA Playoffs
The 1982 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1981-1982 season. The tournament concluded with the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers, four games to two in the NBA Finals...
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 7 || – || 33.3 || .522 || – || .786 || 7.9 || 3.7 || 2.0 || .7 || 16.9
|-
| align="left" | 1982–83
1983 NBA Playoffs
The 1983 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1982-1983 season. This was the final postseason using the 12-team format, before the NBA expanded the postseason to 16 teams the next season...
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 3 || – || 28.0 || .469 || – || .714 || 6.0 || 4.7 || .6 || 1.7 || 11.7
|-
| align="left" | 1983–84
1984 NBA Playoffs
The 1984 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1983-84 season. This was the first postseason allowing sixteen teams to qualify, a format that is still in use as of 2011...
| align="left" | Phoenix
| 17 || – || 18.4 || .421 || – || .679 || 5.1 || 2.5 || 1.0 || .6 || 18.4
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 78 || – || 29.3 || .473 || – || .766 || 7.5 || 4.1 || 1.1 || .9 || 13.8
|}