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Suns Report Cards: Frontcourt Grades

By Brendan Kennealy

Oct 21, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) is double teamed by Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) and forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half at American Airlines Center. Phoenix won 99-87. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) is double teamed by Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) and forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half at American Airlines Center. Phoenix won 99-87. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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P.J. Tucker

Apr 13, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) reacts against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 114-105. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) reacts against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 114-105. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

To me, P.J. Tucker is the heart-and-soul of the Suns organization. No one on the team gets on the offensive boards with more aggression than Tucker. No one on the team sacrifices his body for loose balls more often or with more grace and skill than Tucker. Also, no one gets more upset with foul calls against himself or teammates more than Tucker (he’s lucky Draymond Green isn’t on the team as Green would take the cake for this).

Tucker was the only player on the Suns to play each and every game this past season and he made a team-high 80 starts. In fact, the next closest player was Chandler with 60 starts. Tucker’s play didn’t necessarily translate to the box score, but his efforts are felt beyond the stat line. Tucker finished the year averaging 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, but his terrific defense night-in and night-out was much needed for an offensively focused ball club.

Grade: B

Next: Suns: Backcourt Report Cards

It will be interesting to see if the Suns front office drafts another big man with the 4th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft to add to these four players. This is a solid core of four big men, but getting younger at these positions could be essential toward finally getting back to the playoffs.

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