The greatest rookie seasons in NBA history share a number of qualities, starting with individual statistical dominance. However, you can't overlook the context beyond the box score; initial expectations, team success, and overall legacy all matter.
While we wait for the 2019-20 season to resume, theScore's NBA editors dusted off the record books to determine the top 25 rookie seasons in NBA history.
No. 22 in our series is former Phoenix Suns forward Alvan Adams. Catch up on previous posts in the series here.
Before the Association
Prior to being selected fourth overall by the Suns in the 1975 NBA Draft, Adams enjoyed an impressive three-season run with the Oklahoma Sooners from 1972-75.
While Oklahoma's football teams dominated throughout the 1970s, the school's basketball program quietly enjoyed some successful seasons led by Adams. The Sooners went 49-31 in his three years at the school, including a combined 36-18 mark during Adams' freshman and sophomore campaigns.
In 73 career games, the "Oklahoma Kid" averaged an impressive 23.4 points on 53.9% shooting and 12.8 rebounds. To honor his achievements with the school, Oklahoma retired Adams' No. 33 in 1998.
Draft day
After Hall of Famer David Thompson went first overall to the Hawks, Adams, in hindsight, should've been drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, or at least wound up joining Thompson in Atlanta as the third overall pick. Instead, a pair of unremarkable players in Dave Meyers and Marvin Webster got selected ahead of him, which allowed the Suns to snag Adams with the fourth overall selection to pair alongside Hall of Fame guard Paul Westphal.
Other recognizable names from an otherwise lackluster 1975 draft include Lionel Hollins, Joe Bryant - the late Kobe Bryant's father - and World B. Free.
Individual success
Coming off a disappointing 32-win campaign, Adams made an immediate impact in a lead role alongside Westphal in his rookie season in 1975-76.
Adams' 19 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game all ranked second on the team. He also managed to lead the Suns with 5.6 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest, showcasing an all-around repertoire well beyond his years across 80 games played. To few people's surprise, Adams became the first player in Suns history to win Rookie of the Year, while also making the lone All-Star appearance of his career.
Team success
Despite finishing the 1975-76 regular season with a 42-40 record - 17 games back of the division-leading Golden State Warriors - the duo of Westphal and Adams guided the Suns to a surprising appearance in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.
While Phoenix wound up losing in six games, the duo's role in helping a mid-tier squad make its first-ever Finals appearance still remains one of the most incredible accomplishments in franchise history.
During Westphal's Hall of Fame induction speech in 2019, he referenced Adams with the utmost respect, saying "Without him, there's no way I'm here tonight. He was the perfect player for me to play with."
Enduring legacy
Adams' rookie season at the age of 21 ended up being his most productive during his 13-year run in the NBA. He never averaged more points per game and was also never chosen to play in another All-Star Game.
Despite his statistical output peaking early on, Adams still managed to string together an impressive career in Phoenix.
His 13,910 career points rank second in franchise history behind Walter Davis (15,666). Adams also holds franchise records for games played (988), minutes played (27,203), rebounds (6,937), and steals (1,289).
Adams' No. 33 jersey was retired by the Suns in 1988.
Come back on Tuesday to see who came in at No. 21 in theScore's Top 25 Rookie Seasons series.
