Michael Redd returns to Milwaukee as a Sun

Redd wore the green and red (and at times, purple) of the Bucks for 11 seasons and trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Glenn Robinson and Sidney Moncrief on Milwaukee's all-time scoring list.

So it'll be a little strange for Redd when he takes the court in the uniform of the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee to face his former team. Many Bucks fans are miffed at Redd, who signed a $91 million deal with the Bucks before the 2004-05 season and then missed 233 games over the next seven seasons.

So not only is Redd dealing with what should be an interesting homecoming, he's also continuing to play himself back into shape after missing the better part of three years because of devastating knee injuries.

Redd got his first start in over two years in a win over Charlotte last Saturday, and chipped in with 17 points. He followed that up with a 10-point performance in the Suns' win in Atlanta Monday night and looks to be working his way into regular minutes in Alvin Gentry's rotation.

Redd had been signed in time for Milwaukee's visit to Phoenix on January 8th, but watched from the bench in street clothes.

Word is, the Bucks will be paying tribute to Redd via a video montage before the game.

The Suns will be looking to win three straight for the first time this season and the first time since late February last season, when they won four in a row.

Steve Nash is celebrating his 38th birthday, and is doing so in a way that few players in league history can relate to. Nash is leading the league in assists (10.0 per game) and is shooting a career high .556 from the field. Nash's numbers are very similar to the stats he posted in 2004- 05, when he won the first of back-to-back league MVP awards.

The Suns have owned the rivalry with the Bucks, winning 10 of the last 11 games and are 36-5 in their last 41 contests vs. Milwaukee.