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12 commentsby Paul Coro - Oct. 10, 2008 09:43 PM
The Arizona Republic
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - The Suns have every intention of picking up forward Alando Tucker's third-year option in the next three weeks before the deadline hits. And he has been giving them every reason to do so lately.
Tucker had been the player you only heard about playing well in the past year. There was a buzz about how he went on a midseason tear of great practices. There were the big numbers he was posting in the NBA Development League. And there was all the weight room dedication and on-court workouts with assistant coach Dan Majerle that had the Suns wishing he could get more chances than last season's six games.
With Leandro Barbosa in Brazil with his ailing mother, Tucker has made the most of the available backup shooting-guard time. After being dinged up to start training camp, Tucker scored 22 points in an intrasquad scrimmage last week and had 14- and 21-point efforts in preseason games Wednesday and Thursday.
He has mixed a knack for scoring inside, born out of the University of Wisconsin's system, with improved shooting.
Tucker made 3 of 4 3-pointers Thursday. He and Majerle worked often this summer on putting more arc in his jump shots and not leaning back on them. It has made for an easy call regarding his 2009-10 team option, especially at $1.07 million.
"I always feel when I get on the court that I can do things that are productive for the team, especially under the lights," Tucker said. "That's the type of player I've always been."
Tucker said he focused on what Majerle and assistant Igor Kokoskov told him this summer: "Make him (coach Terry Porter) have to put me on the court."
"I have to prove myself," Tucker said. "I'll be ready to step out there." Depending on the length of Barbosa's absence and acclimation time, Tucker might be called upon early this season.
"He's a good fit for that," Porter said. "With Matt (Barnes) and Grant (Hill) in that (small-forward) spot, he has to play (shooting guard) if he's going to have a chance, as far as the LB situation extends.
"He's earned it. I'll give the young man a lot of credit for the way he's taking this opportunity and performing at a high level."
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"I like to act decisively whenever I'm trying to get something done," Dumars said. "But I'm well aware that there has to be another team that's willing, and there has to be a good deal for both teams. Those two things will slow you down in doing a deal."
Last edited by Irish; October 11th, 2008 at 01:11 AM.
Good for him! I hope he does well and sticks with the club as a backup SG especially if he keeps improving from three point territory. We have to start thinking ahead when Bell retires. Will Barbosa be the starter or do we need to sign/draft a star SG? Is Tucker good enough to play consistent minutes off the bench? I hope he get some playing time this year.
Actually I had higher hopes for DJ Strawberry but that didn't turn out.
Alondo came into the NBA with a reputation for NOT being an outside shooter. I always felt that was a bad rap because he was the only serious scorer on his Wisconsin team and was the focus of every opponent's defense. Still he was not a guy you'd go to for catch and shoot.
Last year he shot over 40% for three in D-League and did the same thing in Summer league. He kept proving he COULD shoot, but still had a preference for going inside. But now he's getting open looks and all that work with Majerle seems to be giving him more confidence in his shot.
What the article did not cover was how his defense is. It looks like the second unit did fine in both games (the first unit imploded in the Atlanta game but did fine agaainst the Jazz). In the long run, his defense will be crucial since no one is going to hi 75% of his threes for the season.
It is worth considering that Leandro may be gone a long time. Alondo is playing for a possible rotation slot, so this is not just something to leave in pre-season.
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"I like to act decisively whenever I'm trying to get something done," Dumars said. "But I'm well aware that there has to be another team that's willing, and there has to be a good deal for both teams. Those two things will slow you down in doing a deal."
Just 2 preseason games, r u guys crazy? We all hope Tucker becomes a very good player. But it is just mid of Oct! Not even a single regular season game. Please, come back to this topic at least a month later.
Just 2 preseason games, r u guys crazy? We all hope Tucker becomes a very good player. But it is just mid of Oct! Not even a single regular season game. Please, come back to this topic at least a month later.
Coro wrote the article, so blame him.
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"I like to act decisively whenever I'm trying to get something done," Dumars said. "But I'm well aware that there has to be another team that's willing, and there has to be a good deal for both teams. Those two things will slow you down in doing a deal."
and Sean Marks was really looking like a contributor in the pre-season as well.
Was he? I don't remember that. Then again i don't pay any attention to the pre-season unless it's the NFL.
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"A quiet leader with a stern forceful hand, but still has a lot of humility about him. A calmness that resonates to the people around him in the middle of the storm. That’s the sports business we’re in and that makes for good leadership." Steve Kerr on HC Terry Porter
Eavesdropping on the St. Louis Rams Front Office http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU3D5C1XnV0
I watch the NFL but I don't really have a favourite team like I do with the Suns. Been an avid basketball fan since I was little and a pretty average player as well. Been getting more into football in recent years with the refs and the style of play being as it is in the NBA...
Anyway I look forward to the season and what little news and clippings that appear I'm willing to discuss. Even preseason chatter is good enough for me.
Was he? I don't remember that. Then again i don't pay any attention to the pre-season unless it's the NFL.
yeah, he was getting good minutes and putting up solid numbers. there were even people here who thought he had earned a spot in the rotation and scoffed at those who were still in a wait and see mode.
yeah, he was getting good minutes and putting up solid numbers. there were even people here who thought he had earned a spot in the rotation and scoffed at those who were still in a wait and see mode.
and I'm sure in the pre-season games thread peopler were jumping on the "he can play" idea as well.
pre-season numbers are meaningless IMO.
I am certainly not ready to crown Robin's arse either but there is one significant difference. They were pumped up by Mark's scoring (against scrubs no less) - something that was redundant and un-needed with Mike D. Robin Lopez blocked 7 shots and two were at the apex of Kenyon Martins dunk.
Oh wait - I just relaized this thread is about Alando Tucker.....
Sometimes guys looke good in camp and then disappear; but we can't be sure if it is that they fell apart since it's the coaches decision. Guys who change teams and bloosom are not that uncommon. However, as the competition gets better, it is harder to keep it up.
Does it matter whether WE are sold on a guy? Tucker is likely to go back to the deep bench with Amundson. But it is nice to know that those two are able to contribute.
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"I like to act decisively whenever I'm trying to get something done," Dumars said. "But I'm well aware that there has to be another team that's willing, and there has to be a good deal for both teams. Those two things will slow you down in doing a deal."
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