Mark West was a popular guy in the summer of 1990. The Suns’ starting center had just demolished the to the tune of 14.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game in the Western Conference Semifinals.
After years of seeing the team in gold bully Phoenix inside for decades, West had helped the Suns turn the table in dominant fashion, helping them “Beat L.A.” in the playoffs for the first time in team history.
Sensing he might have found an NBA home, West looked for off-court opportunities to make his presence felt just as strongly. He found one when a city official approached him with a good-natured fact and complaint.