Hill's return poses playing time problems

If he was going to be sidelined for any more games, the fashion-conscience Grant Hill would have faced a wardrobe dilemma.

Read Jerry Brown's blog, Rim Shots

"I had to get back because I was running out of suits," Hill, who participated in the Suns' brief but full-speed practice Monday, joked after declaring himself ready for tonight's game at Milwaukee.

While Hill's return from a Jan. 9 appendectomy means the Suns are back at full strength, it also presents coach Mike D'Antoni with the challenge of what to do with the reserves who performed so well while filling in for Hill, such as Boris Diaw and D.J. Strawberry. Getting them similar minutes will help their confidence and progression, but it's an impossible task without taking time away from the starters.

"It's tough, unless they let us go 55 minutes a game," D'Antoni said.

Phoenix went 5-2 without Hill and during those two weeks, Diaw, who started in his place, was more aggressive and consistently played at the level the Suns expect. He had two double-doubles and averaged 11.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists while playing 37 minutes per game, all higher than his season averages of 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 28 minutes.

"We need Boris to continue to give us that same production," D'Antoni said.

He will have to do it as a reserve, though. Despite Diaw's improved play, D'Antoni said he never gave any thought to starting him and having Hill come off the bench.

"That's not our best team," D'Antoni said.

"(Diaw's) production is just not from starting. If you get 30 minutes, it should be the same. He has to be mentally able to accept that. That's the best way to go and that's the way we're going to go ... We've just got to keep his level where it is."

Meanwhile, Strawberry emerged as a valuable and versatile reserve, giving the Suns the size (6-foot-5), energy and defensive toughness they have been seeking from their bench all season.

He was rewarded with 19 and 21 minutes the past two games, passing Marcus Banks on the depth chart in the process, and D'Antoni said he'd like to find a way to keep Strawberry in the regular rotation.

"I liked his energy," D'Antoni said. "We don't need a lot of stuff. We just need energy and a willingness to do all the little things. He has demonstrated that and hopefully we can keep him with some minutes.

"Again, I've got to balance it between giving Boris all he needs and L.B. (Leandro Barbosa) all he needs and being able to work D.J. in and maybe cutting down Steve (Nash) or whatever, Grant a little bit. But at the same time, you still want to win. That's why Steve and Grant are so important. It's a little bit of a balancing act, but I would love to see (Strawberry) keep getting some minutes."

While it's yet to be determined how much playing time Strawberry will get, his play, coupled with a healthy Raja Bell shooting the 3-pointer like he did last year when he sank 205, has more than likely taken the Suns out of the running for Damon Stoudamire should the Memphis Grizzles buy out the veteran guard's contract as expected.

While the 5-10 Stoudamire would provide Phoenix with a true backup point guard if Nash were to get hurt, his defense is lacking and he doesn't provide the Suns anything they don't currently have.

BONUS SHOT: Phoenix recalled rookie swingman Alando Tucker from Albuquerque of the NBA Development League on Monday. In six games, Tucker averaged 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 40 minutes.

Suns at Bucks

When: 6 p.m. today

Where: The Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wis.

TV/Radio: KUTP (Channel 45)

Radio: KTAR (620 AM)

Records: Phoenix 29-12, Milwaukee 16-25

Line: Phoenix by 6

Series history: Phoenix trails 59-60 all time and 23-37 on the road but has won 29 of the last 33 meetings.

Scouting report: Suns – Grant Hill went through a full-court, five-on-five practice for the first time since his appendectomy just two weeks ago and gave a mostly positive report. Hill, who is expected to be back in the starting lineup tonight, said he was “a little hesitant when I exploded (toward the basket) just because of the stomach incision area.” He had a few breakaways where he finished below the basket rather than dunking, but he expects to play above the rim as soon as he gets his confidence back. Amaré Stoudemire sat out practice but said it was to give Hill more time, not for any other reason. This is the first of four straight games on the road, three of which are against teams with losing records (Milwaukee, Minnesota, Chicago). Forward Shawn Marion needs just 24 points to pass Dick Van Arsdale for fourth on the franchise’s all-time scoring list.

Bucks – Milwaukee lost 106-92 at New Orleans on Monday. It has lost five of its last six to fall to last in the Central. Center Andrew Bogut, who leads the team with 9.0 rebounds per game and is 15th in the league in field goal percentage (.532), recorded his sixth straight double-double. Forward Yi Jianlian is third among rookies in points (10.4), rebounds (5.9) and blocks (1.15). Guard Michael Redd is averaging 22.9 points per game after posting a career high 26.7 last season.