Tucker Starts

Tucker got his chance
Logged big-time minutes and scored
May be start of dream

(A Haggy Haiku)

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It's good to see former Badger Alando Tucker finally get his opportunity at the next level. A rash of injuries to the Phoenix Suns allowed Tucker to start for the first time in his career Thursday against Los Angeles.
He made the most of his opportunity and point guard Steve Nash's absence, scoring a personal-best 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
Playing in garbage time of just six contests during his rookie campaign in 2007-08 and none until the turn of the new year this season, Tucker didn't seem fit for the NBA.
Scarcity can be a beautiful thing.
Tucker -- considered an undersized forward at 6-6 with underwhelming quickness and outside touch -- has played in 15 of the team's 25 games since his recall from the Developmental League. Shaky, garbage minutes again, until Thursday.
He must have done something right in practice this week. Certainly, his exposure to the D-League helped. Suns interim coach Alvin Gentry selected the former first round pick to start -- ahead of Matt Barnes, who has started 16 games this season.
It's only one game. But when you're living day-to-day at the end of the Phoenix bench, solid production like that can make all the difference.
Maybe it's the real start to his professional career.
If so, Tucker, welcome to the NBA.
With solid production, albeit in a blowout loss,