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by Matt Petersen
Phoenix held the number four overall pick two years in a row (1974, 1975). The latter selection, Alvan Adams, wound up being the runaway Rookie of the Year and an All-Star in the same season.
The former, John Shumate, was just as instrumental in the Suns’ 1976 NBA Finals run, albeit in a much different manner.
Shumate had missed his intended rookie year (1974-75) due to blood clots, but was cleared to play the following season – the same year Adams was to make his debut. Two top-five picks hitting the court in the same year?