Spurling called his family and the next day was on a flight to Arizona.
One of the first Phoenix players he met was Larry Nance, winner of the 1984 NBA Slam Dunk competition.
“He was out there fooling around before practice,” Spurling said. “He was doing a 360 degree windmill and all that. I said to him, ‘Dude, I saw you on TV in the dunk contest and I just don’t believe it.’ He said ‘What are you talking about rookie?’ I said ‘This dunk on TV. I think it was just smoke and mirrors. This guy, still warming up, jumps and dunks two basketballs at a time. He was 7 feet tall and had a vertical jump of 45 inches. I was thinking, ‘Oh my God, do I have to keep this?’ “
Georgetown’s Bill Martin was also in training camp with the Suns and provided another moment that Spurling fondly remembers.
“We used to have to run a mile and a half and Walter Davis always beat everyone,” said Spurling. “You had to run a while or you would be fined. Well I supported Alvin Adams, because they said he was a good guy to follow because he would beat you up and save you your time and I did. Well Billy Martin takes off and this guy ran a mile and a half in 7:59. They gave him a thousand dollars for beating Walter Davis. It was hilarious. “
Spurling never appeared in a regular season game with Phoenix, so he went on to spend time in training camp with the Chicago Bulls and had an extended stint in the Continental Basketball Association.
