.png)
Did I miss something? Prior to his senior season Alando Tucker was considered a Lottery Pick and rightfully so after earning 1st Team All Big Ten honors and averaging 19.0 points per game. His final year should have done nothing to cause Tucker's stock to plummet, merely earning 1st Team All American honors while improving in his scoring ability and rebounding.
Now Tucker is projected to be taken with the 42nd pick in Chad Ford's latest Mock Draft 32.0 and NBA Draft Net has him going to Utah at a more respectable 25th.
What gives?
Doesn't Tucker remind you of Josh Howard. Roughly the very same size, both quietly drop 20+ games, above average rebounder for position, and most of all a very high basketball IQ and drive to win.
ESPN says the following about Tucker: Lacks reliable perimeter skills. Not much range from three-point line. Below- average free throw shooter. Not a great ballhandler. Undersized for his position. A power forward in a two guard's body. Had an excellent season for Wisconsin, but questions about his fit in the NBA continue to hurt his stock. On the first-round bubble, but teams are intrigued.
NBA Draft Net tends to agree: Defensively Tucker could stand to improve on his intensity … Doesn’t seem to possess great anticipation skills nor the awareness to play the passing lanes … Ball handling, while improved, still isn’t great … Perimeter shooting remains prone to streakiness … Not a great shooter coming off screens … Solid three point shooter when his feet are set but struggles to hit with regularity due in part to his slow release.
I can't disagree with the general assessment of Tucker's weaknesses above. However, there seems to be a formula for success in the NBA for a veteran 3-4 year collegiate player with high IQ that just found ways to score regardless of how it looked. Josh Howard, Tayshaun Prince, and Michael Redd all fit this description, yet have been extremely successful despite being overlooked. We'll see where Alando actually ends up, teams could just be quiet, but it appears NBA teams haven't learned from these examples. Alando Tucker should be taken in the 10-15 range.
Where do you think Tucker will end up? Where should he be drafted?
more
