There’s a saying in sports, ‘respect the streak’ and Suns fans need to.

It came from one of my favorite sports movies of all time, Bull Durham.

Kevin Costner’s character, Crash Davis, a minor league catcher, explains why athletes can’t ignore when things are going well.

“I told him that a player on a streak has to respect the streak…You know why? Because they don’t–they don’t happen very often.”

It’s not just athletes that have streaks though. Sometimes it’s the diehard fans who love their teams that accomplish them. They deserve to be respected as well and, in fact, celebrated.

Phoenix Suns fans will hit a milestone Saturday, March 21 when the Milwaukee Bucks come to Mortgage Matchup Center. 

As fans file in and sit down in the house that Barkley, Nash and Book built, they’ll reach the 200-game straight sellout threshold. A streak that started on December, 19 2021 and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. 

Some of you may be saying “who the hell cares?” and to that I answer simply … respect the streak.

It is the the second longest sell-out streak in Mortgage Matchup Center history behind the 277 straight games from when it opened its doors in 1992 until 1999.  It’s the third longest streak in Suns history with the longest starting in 1990 at the Madhouse on McDowell and extending through the aforementioned 1999 season. 

It’s also the 4th longest active streak in the NBA right now behind only Miami (677), Golden State (599) and Utah (364) — yeah, that last one surprised me too.

Those numbers are all well and good. It’s fun to be part of the record books. It’s why people do stupid things like longest distance cycling backwards with a violin or the most snails on a face just to make it in the Guiness Book of World Records. (By the way, both of those things are true. I didn’t just make them up.) 

But it’s not the real story. 

The real story here is you, the fans. 

What It Means To Be a Phoenix Suns Fan

Being a Suns fan isn’t exactly glamorous. In fact, at times, it’s downright frustrating and at its ultimate worst, downright embarrassing (thanks to the disgraced former owner among others.) 

It is, however, our birthright growing up in the Valley. A love forged in the 100+ degree heat we stood in to celebrate the 2021 Western Conference Championship as they arrived home from defeating the Clippers or the 1993 parade in broad daylight after losing to the Chicago Bulls in the finals. Something that started as a slight fascination in 1968 and has turned into a full blown obsession over the decades since.

It’s a passion that lasts longer than those who wear the uniform or own the team. A feeling embedded deep inside that travels regardless of the building the team calls home. 

That passion and dedication in the good and the bad times is why 200 straight sellouts is impressive. It’s a testament to those who love this team like it’s family. 

Why does it mean so much to be in the building? Suns superfan and season ticket holder, Veronica, AKA Suns Tutu Girl, shared her thoughts.

“​​My dad used to take me to games as a kid back at the Madhouse, since then I’ve always dreamed of being a season ticket holder,” she shared. “Once I found a job that allowed me the flexibility to make it to all the games I found a way to make it happen. 

“Over the last 10 years it’s turned into a family in that arena. From my neighbors to the arena/Suns staff. It’s become my happy place. My escape from the outside world for a few hours. Time to spend with my mom and my friends now that we all sit together. It’s become bigger than basketball. Even on those rough losses we still find a way to have a blast watching the game we all love.”

‘Bigger than basketball.’ 

That’s exactly what the Suns are for this city. Something bigger than sports. A common language. A bonding force. And, once again, something to be proud of. 

It’s personal. It’s a relationship. It’s love.

Like Crash Davis taught me as a kid, respect the streak. 

A streak that started amidst a pandemic that kept us apart has brought us together for five straight seasons through the ups, downs and everything in between. 

So celebrate Suns fans. You’ve earned it, and the free popcorn and giveaways the team will be giving you at the game too.