With the 2014-15 campaign written and closed, Suns.com’s Matt Petersen takes an end-season look at each member of Phoenix’s roster heading into the summer. Key points include what went well, what could be improved, and a notable advanced stat for each player are included, as is their offseason status with the team.
MORE REVIEWS: Earl Barron | Eric Bledsoe | Reggie Bullock | Archie Goodwin | Danny Granger | Gerald Green | Brandon Knight | Alex Len | Jerel McNeal | Marcus Thornton | P.J. Tucker | T.J. Warren | Brandan Wright
P.J. Tucker
Bio: 6-6, 224 pounds, 29 years old
History with Suns: Signed as a free agent on Aug. 1, 2012
2014-15 stats: 30.6 mpg, 9.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.4 spg, 34.5 3FG%
Offseason status: Under contract with Phoenix
What Went Well
Tucker started the season as a reserve, but re-earned his starting spot with his trademark hustle and rebounding. His board work, in fact, ranked second-best in the league among players 6-6 or shorter.
The veteran forward parlayed his nose for the ball into crunch-time heroics, usually an offensive rebound in traffic or being the first to dive on and save a loose ball.
What Could Be Improved
Tucker was still a threat on offense, but his three-point marksmanship dipped over four percent from a season ago. His free throw shooting also plummeted by five percent, a drop shared by the rest of the team in the second half of the season.
Assuming Phoenix is still a guard-oriented, drive-and-kick team next season, the Suns will need Tucker to rediscover his shooting stroke.
Notable Advanced Stat: Tucker was actually a better shooter with defenses playing him tightly. He shot 46.3 percent with defenders 0-2 feet away from him and 53.9 percent with defenders 2-4 feet away.
Quotable: “I think [the front office] works diligently every day to try to get us better. I think every trade, everything they do is to try to make this organization better through everything they do. I definitely have faith. I can't wait until next year.” – P.J. Tucker