One-on-One with Alando Tucker

Through five games, Tucker has averaged 17.4 ppg and 2.4 rpg for the Summer Suns and continues to work on making an impression on the team that selected him as their first round draft pick less than a month ago.

Suns.com: Alando, you come into this organization with a nice resume, putting former Sun Michael Finley's collegiate records to rest on your way to Big 10 Player of the Year at Wisconsin. What kinds of expectations does that kind of pedigree bring?

Alando Tucker: It brings a lot. The biggest thing on my behalf is that I know the coaches expect a lot from me. They know I have experience, so I think they're looking for that – not for me to try and do too much, but for me to show them what I can do. It's crazy, because there are a lot of guys fighting for jobs. My position is set, but I still have to show the coaches something. I try not to force many shots, I try to stay involved in offense and on defense, but I'm not trying to put too much pressure on myself out here.

Suns.com: The Suns are known as an offensive team, yet you bring a package of defensive skills. You played very well on both sides of the ball at Wisconsin, and you're locked up with a guaranteed contract, but you also know that Head Coach Mike D'Antoni plays a somewhat short rotation. Talk about your role on this team.

Tucker: I've talked to the coaching staff, and I know what they're going to ask of me. I understand it. Once I get on the court with some of the veteran guys, I'll try to learn from them. But right now, I'm just trying to keep improving every time I step on the court. I'm just trying to recognize the sets right now. But once I learn them, I think I'll be much more comfortable. Right now, we're throwing a lot of sets. Summer league is a big adjustment, because you're running a season worth of sets over a couple days for a couple of games. Being around the veterans, they'll teach you. I'll learn from them and see what I can pick up.

Suns.com: What kind of feedback is the coaching staff giving you here at summer league?

Tucker: They like how I'm playing. They like the energy I'm playing with at both ends of the court, and they like that I'm not trying to force any shots. At the same time, they want me to be more ready to shoot the ball. Once I get it, I need to take the shot that I have open. I have the ability to knock down the score, so they want me to exert myself a little bit more on offense. At the same time, they feel I'm playing steady.

Suns.com: As you look in the mirror every day, what do you feel you have to work on the most?

Tucker: For me, it's just finding consistency from the three-point line at the professional level. It's a big adjustment from college. I think any rookie coming has to have good consistency with the three-point shot. But the way the Suns use it, and the way Steve Nash sets up plays, I'll have to be open and ready. I'll be open. Look at Raja Bell and some of those other guys. They're open and Steve Nash does so well with the ball, I have to be ready to knock it down.

Suns.com: How glad are you that you dropped into the lap of the Suns?

Alando Tucker: Actually it couldn't have worked out any better for me. I said if I didn't go in the (lottery), then I wanted to go to a team with experience and one that had a chance to make a run for a championship.

Suns.com: Is there anything that people may not know about you that you want Suns fans to know?

Tucker: Oh, man. They've got a lot to see this year. They can expect a lot from me this year and for years to come in a Phoenix Suns jersey.