At his introductory press conference, the first words to come out were, I'm Alando Tucker, from the University of Wisconsin, and I'm just happy to be here.""
Nevermind the contrast that draws with the draftee (or handlers) who - finally, we learn - have decided to report to a small market team that duly selected him. Yi Jianlian may end up being a great player, but he will not enter training camp with the inherent respect that a player like Tucker carries into Phoenix.
At every opportunity throughout the process, last year's Big Ten Player of the Year and the Badgers' all-time leading scorer has let inquiring minds know that he values not only a chance to play professionally, but also his education and his family.
Back at a pre-draft workout several months ago with the Suns, Tucker was asked what advantages he could bring over others to a team that is already stacked with talent.
Experience and leadership were the first two he came up with. And make no mistake about it, he was talking about more than just basketball.
""I know how to talk to the media,"" Tucker said as he held court with reporters, a comment that drew laughter. ""I'm a communications major. I graduated, so I've got a couple things on my resume.""
And at his press conference, the player who led the Badgers to their first No. 1 ranking ever spent more time discussing the event's significance to his family than he did about his own feelings.
He gave credit to his brother, who foretold that the Suns would pick Alando and who, just by coincidence, is a Suns fan. More generally, Tucker prided himself in the pleasure not gained by himself, but those around him.
""It's fun to experience those times with your family,"" he said.
In Tucker's last year as a Badger, a season that saw the Badgers win a school-record 17 games in a row, I used this column to argue that any team that picked Tucker was going to benefit. That could not be more true for a team like the Suns.
The organization will not miss a beat by picking a player who is a proven winner. Tucker will be able to defend both shooting guards and small forwards. Offensively, he will be playing with Steve Nash, the best facilitator in the game. And he is going to get minutes, because Grant Hill is, as always, likely to miss action.
Already, Phoenix fans are taking to Tucker. On a website frequented by NBA followers, one recent topic was a debate over nicknames. There was ""A-Tuck,"" ""Tucker Time"" and ""Lando."" Others wanted to see him on the floor before making a decision.
Eventually, the message posters figured out that he goes by ""Do."" His childhood friends reportedly chose it because they could never pronounce his full name correctly. My guess is that, in a couple of years, that should not be an issue.
Tell Jon whether you can pronounce Tucker's name correctly by e-mailing him at bortin@wisc.edu
