In the late 1970s and early 1980s , the Suns enjoyed several successful seasons , making the playoffs eight seasons in a row . Problems arose on and off the court in the mid-1980s . In 1987 , the Maricopa County Attorney 's Office indicted 13 people on drug-related charges , three of whom were active Suns ' players James Edwards , Jay Humphries and Grant Gondrezick . These indictments were partially based on testimony from star player Walter Davis , who was given immunity . No defendants ever went to trial : two of the players went into a prosecution diversion program , while another received probation . Nevertheless , the scandal , although now perceived in many respects to be a witch hunt tarnished the reputation of the franchise both nationally and within the community . The scandal did provide an opening for general manager Jerry Colangelo to lead a group that bought the team from its owners for $ 44 million at the start of the 1987 – 88 season , a record at that time . With a drug scandal and the loss of promising young center Nick Vanos , who was killed in the crash of Northwest Airlines Flight 255 , the franchise was in turmoil both on and off the court
Northwest Airlines Flight 255
Northwest Airlines Flight 255
Phoenix Suns