Alando Tucker-The invisible man

MaryvalesFinest · Post #1 » by **MaryvalesFinest** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:48 pm

People have been giving Amundson credit (of course he deserves alot of credit for everything he's done, people are watching the development of Lopez and Dragic, people are even wanting to see Dudley get playing time but the forgotten man on the Suns is Alando Tucker.

When Tucker was drafted with the #29 overall back in 2007, the pick was sort of "meh" to many fans. Even though he was one of the best players in the University of Wisconsin's history and broke many records people didn't expect much from him and even expected the Suns #59 pick DJ Strawberry to be better than Tucker.

A year later Tucker is still in the same situation, after almost half the season he finally got his first playing time of the season, I know he was injured for the most part but he should have got time before.

Tucker looks like he can be a solid player in this league, maybe not an all-star but he's a slasher with a sweet shooting touch and some nice ball handles. He can play both SF and SG and if given the oppurtunity can probally average double digit scoring per game along with rebounds and assists. Last season he didn't do good in the d-league for nothing, I know d-league doesn't speak for the NBA but last season averaging over 20 points in the d-league means something.

If Tucker was on almost any other team he would be getting more playing time than here, it's sad to see his potential go to waste. I hope if he's not in the Suns future plans they could at least trade him and give him the oppurtunity to play elsewhere or else in a year or so when he's out of the league or lands a spot with another team the Suns would realise this is the player they should have been focusing on.

Phoenix1977 · Post #2 » by **Phoenix1977** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 11:33 pm

I'd imagine the Suns are keeping Tucker around for NEXT year since Hill and Barnes are both FAs. So if one or both of them leave, Tucker will get his shot.

Mr. Sun · Post #3 » by **Mr. Sun** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 11:57 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:I'd imagine the Suns are keeping Tucker around for NEXT year since Hill and Barnes are both FAs. So if one or both of them leave, Tucker will get his shot.

Hill is sticking around for next season... Barnes will be the wildcard.

NashtyNas · Post #4 » by **NashtyNas** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 2:13 am

Mr. Sun wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:I'd imagine the Suns are keeping Tucker around for NEXT year since Hill and Barnes are both FAs. So if one or both of them leave, Tucker will get his shot.

Hill is sticking around for next season... Barnes will be the wildcard.

If Hill sticks around, Tucker is still not gonna see much playing time. Dudley will be ahead of him in the rotation.

Post #5 » by **rsavaj** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:02 am

Methinks Hill would probably retire or go back home if we don't win it all this year.

WTFsunsFTW · Post #6 » by **WTFsunsFTW** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 12:54 pm

I think Hill is done after this season but I would love to see him for another LLE contract

Post #7 » by **Miklo** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:37 pm

Dunno if I agree about Hill leaving. He's 36 yes, but he is looking so good (in both sense of the word :wink:

) no homo and I think with a career as shaky as his he probably loves proving himself at this point. With our team chemistry likely increasing and him being a key locker room guy, I could even see a vet min

TXSun · Post #8 » by **TXSun** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 5:36 am

please don't forget that Tucker was 1 of our best players in the summer league and in the preseason. The guy can shoot the ball and score, unfortunately for him he had surgery at the start of the season which really made him the odd man out. I expect him here next year.

nba_addict · Post #9 » by **nba_addict** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 2:30 pm

TXSun wrote:please don't forget that Tucker was 1 of our best players in the summer league and in the preseason. The guy can shoot the ball and score, unfortunately for him he had surgery at the start of the season which really made him the odd man out. I expect him here next year.

Preseason games is worth nothing compared to the competition you get in the NBA. See Jarred Bayless.

Me thinks Tucker is in a situation where the team dont need his scoring at the moment but rather looking for solid all around basketball player off the bench. This I think explains why Dudley is ahead of Tucker in the rotation even if the former is the better scorer.

Post #10 » by **Miklo** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:07 pm

This is gonna sound really sad, but...actually there's no way to make it sound less sad. I had a dream that Alando was sent to the D League. I'm probably one of his biggest homers but could this be a sign?

He looked excited/nervous the other night, and as I mentioned before had way too much trouble keeping up on defense. Honestly I don't think you can expect much out of someone whose first game comes 33 games into the season. If TP is going to continue this pattern of not playing 'Do, I'd like to see him get some time to develop so that next year if we need him in a bigger role we'll have a shot at him filling those shoes.