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 Tucker Back From Summer League, Ready to Roll
Posted By: Alando Tucker |
 Fresh off his solid play in Las Vegas, Tucker is now practicing back at the US Airways Center. (NBAE/Getty Imags) |
As far as my individual performance goes, I felt good and I’m getting more and more confident when I step out onto the court. My 3-point shooting has really improved as has my ability to shoot off the dribble. Working with assistant coach Dan Majerle, I’ve gotten a lot more shooting reps then usual and there have been times when I’ve shot the ball so much I could no longer lift up my shooting arm. That hard work though is really resulting in more confidence when it comes to me shooting the ball. My only regret is that I wish as a team we would’ve won a few more ballgames. Anytime I compete I’m looking to win and unfortunately we dropped some games towards the end.
Summer league also offered me my first opportunity to play with Phoenix’s new rookie, Robin Lopez. Robin has tremendous upside and is going to be a lot of help to us, especially down low. He’s got a lot of length and knows how to use that to his advantage. A lot of guys don’t realize his length and he’s going to be a solid shotblocker. Working with guys like Amaré Stoudemire is only going to help him in terms of his offensive game. The most important thing about Robin though is that he’s a good listener. You could see he took in and applied the things the coaches were looking for and that’s what’s really going to be important for him during his rookie season.
“Thunder Dan” helped coach our team in Vegas and was great. He’s easy to interact with, fun to talk to and the guys really appreciate that. Most importantly, he understands the game and offers a lot of basketball knowledge to his players. He’s just like me in the sense he eats, sleeps and breathes the game of basketball and it was great playing for somebody like that. He offers a lot of help but at the same time he’s intense when we hit the court. He’s out there looking to compete, looking to win. We share a lot of similarities and I’m looking forward to working with him more this upcoming season.
Speaking of which, the season is just around the corner. Guys like Amaré, DJ and Boris Diaw are already working out with me at the arena. Also, I spoke to Grant Hill this week, who said he’ll be joining us shortly. It feels good to see the guys out there preparing and to know that they’re dedicated. It’s exciting to see how focused the veterans on this team are and how important it is to them to make this season a successful one.
The key for the rest of the summer is keeping in shape and continuing to work on the things the coaches tell me they’re looking to see. I think I’ve done a good job in gaining the confidence of our coaches and am looking to enter training camp in as good of shape as possible. For some players in the league, training camp is about getting in shape and getting ready for the season. I want to head to Tucson for training camp already in good shape and this way will be able to focus more on improving my game. As a player you’re always looking for ways to improve. For me right now it’s about expanding my range and working on my ballhandling skills.
Away from the court, I’ve really just been checking out as many movies as possible. Arizona summers have taught me the importance of staying indoors as much as possible and a great way to do that is checking out new films. So far, The Dark Knight has been my must-see movie of the summer and I’ve already seen it twice. The Incredible Hulk movie was another one I really enjoyed and was definitely a lot better than the one that came out a few years ago. I’m a big comic book fan and everybody tells me all the time that I’m really just a big kid. In fact, I think I’m going to wrap up this blog entry, go home and fix myself a bowl of cereal and watch some cartoons. I’ll check back in soon and always appreciate reading your responses. Enjoy the rest of your summer Suns fans, and I’ll see you for training camp.
Comments
AcucracK - PHX
Always nice to hear PHX Suns players motivated. I am excited for all of you to get into training camp with each other.
Make sure you guys help Goran with the amount of pressure thats about to get tossed onto him coming into this season. I am sure as a fellow rookie you all will be able to help him through hard times.
Can't wait to see you on the court more Tucker, gonna be an exciting season!
Best of luck!
mike kompani -
Work on your "D" and you are going to be just fine
Gordon Green - Orange, CA via Phoenix
Did you get a chance to catch Iron Man? I really liked the Dark Knight but I also thought Iron Man held its own pretty well.
Hellboy 2 was good too, but more fantasy this time round.
Laters
dave - philippines
hey alando...nice to hear that you are working real hard to improve your game...hope to see you alot on the rotation..GO SUNS!!!
Martin - Shreveport, LA
As always Alando, I love your attitude about basketball. Your work ethic seems outstanding. I look forward to seeing you in a bigger role this upcoming season. Go get 'em, we're all rooting for you.
latry - Tempe
this ya boy lat and I just wanted to say stay up keep working hard and remember this game is like a bear hunt,
stay up, doe-boy
Ben - England
YEAH, Go Alando best of luck for the upcoming season.
bingbong123 - roxas city philippines
Good to hear you are doing great. the team right now really needs more defensive tenacity, hopefully RL could provide that. the problem with the perimeter defender has been solved with the signing of matt barnes. And i heard Dragic is coming to phoenix shortly. at this point i expect you to win the championship, its now or never. you have the line up, the talent and i think the suns has what it takes to win.. most of all you have Steve Nash.. good luck for the upcoming season alando.. hope you do great... Win the title
Sam - Tempe AZ
I look forward to seeing you get quality minutes this year, Alando!
Matt - New York, New York
way to go alando ur gunna be awesome if u get to start...a perfect fit in the starting lineup.
Starting 5
C-Shaq
PF-Amare
SF-Alando
SG-Raja
PG-Steve
and boris leandro robin and matt can be awesome bench players
Karl - Philippines
Good luck to you, Alando, and to the whole Phoenix Suns team. I'm looking forward to you guys winning the championship this year! Haha.
I'm really glad the Phoenix Suns roster of 13 is finally completed. Go kick some butts!
Meagan - Chicago, IL
Tuck,
I am a Badger and I was in Madison at the same time as you... now I am living in your home town of Chicago. You know we have to cheer for the Bulls around here, but the Suns have a special place in my heart too because of #42!! I really hope you get to see more playing time this year because I know first hand how truly talented you are. Even bigger than that though, I really see how good of a person you are and how positive you are; I really, really respect that about you. Keep plugging away at your goals and remember that us Badgers are still out here and we will always be in your corner!! The team hasn't been the same without you, although last season was pretty great!! Good luck and take care!
Ryan Stock - South Jordan, Utah
I really like to hear that kind of attitude. I here about players always going into training camp out of shape so the player takes longer to develop during the season, so I am very happy that you have this great attitude. I am excited to see what you can do for this team this year. I really enjoyed watching you play for Wisky and I have been excited to see you play for the Suns. Good Luck.
Jermaine - Great Falls, Montana
Alando what's good man? Im a die hard suns fan from NY. How do you think this years team wilL be with the acqusition of terry porter as head coach, matt barnes, goran dragzic( I think i spelled it right) yourself and DJ having a year under your belts and a healthy trimmed down "BIG CACTUS"
Carla - Cottonwood,AZ
Hi Alando!
Welcome home! I'm so excited for Basketball season to start...it's driving me crazy not having a Suns game to go to! Gas isn't cheap, and we live 110 miles from Phoenix, but I really don't care. I want to see you guys in action! TV just isn't the same ;)
Loved Batman: The Dark Knight as well. Have to say the second movie of the summer I liked was Iron Man.
You take care, and I'll see you on the court soon!
*HUGE HUGS*
Mo -
Hey Alando, its good to see ur bak and even better to know that u have improved ur game and r working out with the team. I saw u play in Vegas and im pretty sure ur easily gonna crack the lineup. It also made me feel better to hear that some of the team has begun working out already, cuz we need 2 win the upcomin championship. Hope to c u do well in the season...
PS: Watch "Get Smart"...really funny
BOOBIE - PHILADELPIA
GOOD WORK KEEP IT UP I'M A FAN OF YOUR'S AND BEEN WATCHING THE GAMES. I JUST HOPE YOU ARE THE BACK-UP GUARD WE NEED.
Anthony - Phoenix
Alando, great blog and entertaining insight on the work you've been doing with "Thunder Dan." As a 20+ year Suns fan, he's one of my all-time favorite players and it's great to hear that he's been such a positive influence, at least on the younger players, thus far. I think I can speak for every Suns fan in saying we're all pulling for you to get some meaningful PT this season and show everyone what you've got. You've got sick athleticism and with all the extra reps you've been getting, there's absolutely no reason your career can't take off this year. Good luck, buddy!
sunsforeverfan - Florida
Hi Alando i always look forward to reading your blog. Very interesting to read from someone on the inside. I wish the best for you and the rest of the team in the new season. I can wait to see another game, maybe in New Orleans or Orlando even if i have to drive 4 hours it is worthed. Go Suns.
John - Vancouver
Good luck this season, A. You were looking good the summer games NBA TV broadcast.
JZ - New York
Alando, if all of your hard work pays off, this team looks to go 9 or 10 deep in terms of real, dependable talent. Best of luck to you!!
Sam - Mesa
Hope you kick but this year man we all believe in you.
Go Suns!
JeeJay - Philippines
Alando! Great to hear from you mehn.. With the way you've played this past D-League & Summer League plus the more intense work-outs you've been going through with Thunder Dan (not to mention the great attitude) Im really optimistic you're going to be a key role player this season and one of the Suns future franchise players once Steve N and the others may retire. Appreciate your accomplishments but don't stop there. I can feel the 'force' is strong with you hehehe.. Great job Alando and keep up the good blogging job! GO SUNS!!
Brett - Provo
Congrats on the great summer league. I've been following you and DJ's progess all summer and it looks to me you've improved tremendously. Keep workin on that D and you'll slowly but surely start to get minutes. We need you Goran and DJ to really contribute this year so keep working hard!
GO SUNS
Amy - Wisconsin
Hey Alando I am happy that things are going great for you in Phoenix. You sure are missed by UW fans though. Last season just wasn't the same with you gone. Hope to get to see you play more this season. Good luck!!
Tabor - Scottsdale
Congrats for sure and that sux bro business is business but what do u think bout your boy dj and the trade??
miles - madison
hey alando I'm 13 and used to go to 5 or 6 games a year when you were playing. I also went to the badger camp and you were supposed to be my coach but they said you were busy with school or something but thats ok. I hope your shot got better this year so you can play more. good luck.
marvin - philippines
im just glad about the free agent signings and the transactions!
i hope you'll get goran as fast as you can!
just work on your defense and the fans will get NASCAR LIKE OFFENSE MIXED WITHOUT LOCK DOWN DEFENSE!
GO SUNS!
ADRIAN SMITH - JOLIET/ MIAMI
DO YA THANG MANE!!
Ryan G - Gilbert, AZ
Whats the vibe like in the locker room??
Is it a Team type atmosphere??
Eric - Tucson
I'm originally from Madison and followed your college career and am a HUGE fan! It's great to read your blog and to see your progress. I'm rooting for some big minutes for you this year!
SASUX.com - Planet Orange
I'm really looking forward to seeing you take off this season, Alando. I have you down as my prediction for breakout player of the year in the NBA! Go Suns and down with the Spurs!!
Joe - Wisconsin
Hey Tuck. Glad to see things are progressing nicely in Arizona. Good luck with your continued success.
Badger basketball hasn't been the same without you! We miss you here!
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