National Basketball Association

Gail Goodrich - Phoenix Suns' First Point Guard

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Gail Goodrich was known as “Goody” by the other players on the Phoenix Suns during the team’s first two seasons in the league.  And he was the Suns’ first true point guard.

Goodrich grew up in Pasadena, California – and played for John Wooden at UCLA. He was a member of the Bruin’s teams that won NCAA Championships in 1964 and 1965.

After his senior season, the Los Angeles Lakers took Goodrich as a territorial pick in the 1965 NBA Draft.  (A territorial pick was a type of special draft choice used in the Basketball Association of America in 1949 and later in the NBA draft after 1950, the year in which the BAA was renamed the NBA. Territorial picks were eliminated when the draft system was changed in 1966)

Goodrich mostly rode the bench behind Jerry West in his first three seasons, his height a big reason.  At only 6’1″ Goodrich earned the nickname “Stumpy” from Lakers’ superstar Elgin Baylor.

The Suns selected Goodrich in the 1968 expansion draft, and he quickly became a fan favorite in Phoenix.  As a starter in the backcourt along with Dick Van Arsdale, Goodrich averaged 23.8 points per game to top a very bad Phoenix team.

To the surprise of critics who considered him a shooter only, Goodrich also averaged 6.4 assists per game and played in the 1969 All-Star game.

Goodrich averaged 20.0 points per game and 7.5 assists the following year, in one of the franchise’s most tumultuous seasons.

It was the year the Suns lost a coin flip for Lew Alcindor – but won a consolation coin toss for Connie Hawkins.  The former Harlem Globetrotter and ABA star had sued the NBA and won the right to play after being unjustly blacklisted for his alleged part in a game fixing scandal that was never proven.  Now, Goodrich had to share the spotlight with a player who was also an instant fan favorite, The Hawk.

Goodrich and “The Hawk”

According to some, that didn’t go well for “Goody.”

In his book about Connie Hawkins, “Foul”, author David Wolf said that both backcourt players for Phoenix, Goodrich and Van Arsdale, would overlook  Hawkins, refusing to pass him the ball.  But that “The Hawk” felt Goodrich was the primary culprit.

He said Goodrich over-dribbled on the fast break, and missed several chances to hit Hawkins in stride for one of his trademark dunks.  But Hawkins had to share some of the blame too.  He often zoned out during a game, and it’s hard to pass to someone when he’s standing still.

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After one particular bad stretch that season, Goodrich called a players only meeting.  According to Wolf, all the players exchanged criticism, but there were no fights.  However, Goodrich singled out Hawkins, saying he didn’t know what made Connie “tick.”

“Sometimes you don’t try at all,” Goody said.  Hawkins was seething, but said nothing during the meeting.  He later confronted Goodrich.  Hawkins said, “The next time you talk to me like that, I’m going to punch you in your mother—-ing mouth.”  Goodrich acted like he was surprised by Hawkins’ reaction.

Despite what may have been some hurt feelings, Goodrich certainly established himself as a team leader.  And results speak louder than words, as the Suns crushed Chicago the following night and Goodrich made several “snappy” passes to his teammates.

Phoenix was the hottest team in the league for two weeks, winning seven of nine games – and were back in playoff contention.  So maybe Goody’s team meeting, including his scolding of Hawkins, was just what the Suns needed.

Goodrich Leads Suns to First Playoff Appearance

In one of the most exciting playoff rounds in Suns history, Phoenix took a first round 3-1 lead over the mighty Los Angeles Lakers.  Los Angeles featured future Hall of Famers Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain who was rounding into form after a long injury recovery.  “Stumpy” Goodrich averaged 20.3 points per game, second only to The Hawk’s 25.4 points.

Goodrich played a key role in winning 3 of the first 4 games.  His knowledge of his former team, the Lakers, helped the Suns coaching staff game plan for Los Angeles.

Suns fans went nuts.  In those early years, Phoenix fans weren’t known for their basketball knowledge.  They booed every call that went against the Suns, and the Madhouse on McDowell was not affectionately known outside Phoenix as the snake pit of the league.  But they loved their Suns.

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Unfortunately, the Suns lost a heartbreaker at home in game 6 of the series, and after losing center Jim Fox to injury, lost the series 4-3.  It was the first time an NBA team had taken a 3-1 lead and lost the series under the new NBA playoff format.

Suns After Goodrich

Goodrich made his mark, and impressed his former employers enough that the Lakers traded 7-footer Mel Counts to the Suns the following year to get Goodrich back.  Inexperienced GM Jerry Colangelo got fleeced on that one.

Goodrich would become a key component of a strong run by the Lakers in the early 70’s, culminating with a NBA Championship in 1971-72, the first since the Lakers moved from Minneapolis.  With West and Goodrich in the backcourt, the Lakers set an NBA record 33 game winning streak that still stands today.

After his departure from the Suns, Phoenix won a lot of games the next two seasons, but couldn’t reach the playoffs playing in a very tough Midwest Division.  Whether or not “Stumpy” would have helped, we’ll never know.

But Suns fans from that era will forever remember Gail Goodrich as the team’s first star, first All-Star and first leader of the newly minted desert franchise.  He may not have been the best point guard the Suns ever started, but he was certainly the first.  And he set the tone for a franchise that always featured a marquee point guard for years to come.

Goodrich Memories

If you’ve been a Suns fan as long as I have, and remember watching Goodrich play, please share your memories in our comments section below.

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