4. P.J. Tucker Playing The Best Ball Of His Career
The fact that P.J. Tucker is a locker room leader for the Phoenix Suns speaks volumes about the inexperience of the league’s fourth youngest team. But even the most vocal Tucker critics have to admit he’s been pretty sensational lately.
Against the Orlando Magic last night, the Suns needed Tucker’s 19 second half points. Against the Miami Heat, he held down the center position with 20 points and 14 boards after Len was ejected. He’s not the kind of player to take over games, but he deserves more credit than he’s been getting.
PJ Tucker's 2nd half in last 2 games:
— Bob Adlhoch (@badlhoch) March 5, 2015
18 pts, 7/9 FGs vs Heat
19 pts, 7/10 FGs vs Magic pic.twitter.com/5YyUyvvACp
Over the last nine games, Tucker is averaging 14.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 49.5 percent from the floor. He hasn’t been shooting the ball well from three-point range aside from a 4-for-7 outing against the Chicago Bulls, but look at those stats again.
I’m pretty sure the Suns would take those kinds of numbers from P.J. Tucker on a consistent basis.
Is this recent hot streak sustainable? Probably not. But from a rebounding and leadership perspective, Tucker has been one of the few players on this roster that’s been showing up every night. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Tucker has been an unnoticed leader who’s been trying to help in whatever area the Suns need from him on a given night.
Next: The Young Guns