After sweeping the Nets, the Sixers had a big week to prepare for the series against the Celtics. During a training a little too quiet, P.J. Tucker decided to push his mouth: ” What is this shit? It’s the playoffs, motherfuckers! »
“From that moment, all training changed” says Doc Rivers. “That was what had to happen. I couldn’t do it. Coaches couldn’t do it. It had to come from a player.”.
A leader at heart
Last summer, Philadelphia did everything to attract PJ Tucker to its ranks. We even remember that James Harden had reduced his salary to allow the franchise to offer a nice contract to his ex-teammate at the Rockets. Eventually, the veteran signed well with the Sixers for $33 million over three years.
“That’s why we brought him here. He always takes responsibility, which makes things very easy.” adds Doc Rivers. “So the other guys know that when he comes after them, it’s with good intentions. And that’s why it works.”.
The proof with this scene where he went to wake up Joël Embiid in the last minutes of Game 4 against Boston, while the Philadelphia season was at stake. The “franchise player” of the Sixers no longer returned any basket and hesitated more and more more against the very good defense of Al Horford. PJ Tucker’s yelling proved effective as the Sixers won in overtime to tie the game at 2-2.
“He took it out on me” said Joel Embiid. “He told me that I had to be myself. It was just before extra time. That’s when I pulled myself together, started thinking about how I could attack them better. I think in the 4th quarter, I was often well defended. I’m glad he’s on our side.”.
Few players would have dared to yell in the face of a frustrated Joel Embiid, but PJ Tucker can afford it.
“Some people, I don’t mean they’re afraid to talk to him, but they’re more careful with Joel” explains PJ Tucker. “But he lets me be the leader that I am because he knows where I come from, and I want nothing more than to win”.
NBA player and… social worker
NBA champion with the Bucks in 2021, PJ Tucker continues to have a valuable role in the title candidate teams at almost 38 years old. Last season, he finished first in the East with the Heat before going all the way to the conference finals. Proof of the valuable influence of the veteran, even if he scores few points.
” Talk to James Harden, talk to Tobias Harris, talk to Tyrese Maxey. It’s part of my job » underlines PJ Tucker. ” The coaches want to do it but it’s part of my job too. That’s why I don’t get paid enough. People don’t understand I’m a social worker and an NBA player “.
PJ Tucker is indeed a unique player, averaging 3.5 points per game in the regular season and 4 points per game in the playoffs. During his career, he was never an All-Star, and yet his impact through his presence on the court is evident. On 25 occasions this season, he finished a game without a basket scored, including the playoffs. This is a record in this campaign for a holder. And yet, the Sixers have a record of 19 wins for only 6 losses during these meetings.
“The effort he puts in, people see it and it’s contagious” explains Daryl Moreypresident of the Sixers. “He’s a guy who wasn’t born with the physical gifts of a lot of NBA players but who puts every ounce of his soul on the line for things like getting a rebound or causing a hard pass. It becomes contagious and raises everyone’s level. It is a source of inspiration”.
| P.J. Tucker | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2006-07 | TOR | 17 | 5 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 57.1 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1.8 |
| 2012-13 | PHX | 79 | 24 | 47.3 | 31.4 | 74.4 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 4.4 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 6.4 |
| 2013-14 | PHX | 81 | 31 | 43.1 | 38.7 | 77.6 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 9.4 |
| 2014-15 | PHX | 78 | 31 | 43.8 | 34.5 | 72.7 | 1.5 | 5.0 | 6.4 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 9.1 |
| 2015-16 | PHX | 82 | 31 | 41.1 | 33.0 | 74.6 | 2.0 | 4.2 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 8.0 |
| 2016-17* | All Teams | 81 | 28 | 41.3 | 35.7 | 77.4 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 6.7 |
| 2016-17* | PHX | 57 | 29 | 41.5 | 33.8 | 79.2 | 1.7 | 4.4 | 6.0 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 7.0 |
| 2016-17* | TOR | 24 | 25 | 40.6 | 40.0 | 68.8 | 1.0 | 4.4 | 5.4 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 5.8 |
| 2017-18 | HOO | 82 | 28 | 39.0 | 37.1 | 71.7 | 1.1 | 4.4 | 5.6 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 6.1 |
| 2018-19 | HOO | 82 | 34 | 39.6 | 37.7 | 69.5 | 1.5 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 7.3 |
| 2019-20 | HOO | 72 | 34 | 41.5 | 35.8 | 81.3 | 1.6 | 5.1 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 6.9 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 52 | 26 | 37.3 | 33.6 | 75.0 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 3.7 |
| 2020-21 * | HOO | 32 | 30 | 36.6 | 31.4 | 78.3 | 1.0 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 4.4 |
| 2020-21 * | MIL | 20 | 20 | 39.1 | 39.4 | 60.0 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 2.6 |
| 2021-22 | MIA | 71 | 28 | 48.4 | 41.5 | 73.8 | 1.4 | 4.0 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 7.6 |
| 2022-23 | PHL | 75 | 26 | 42.7 | 39.3 | 82.6 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 3.9 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 3.6 |
| Total | 852 | 29 | 42.5 | 36.6 | 74.9 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 5.5 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 6.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
