CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Philadelphia 76ers convened for Day 1 of training camp at The Citadel on Tuesday to prepare for what they hope will be a very successful 2022-23 season. With the talent on the roster, the team expects to be a title contender.
A big reason is the addition of PJ Tucker through free agency. Tucker was signed away from the Miami Heat at the start of free agency. By making the move, the Sixers weakened an Eastern Conference opponent and added toughness to their side.
On Day 1 of camp, coach Doc Rivers singled him out for his defense as well as his leadership on the floor.
“PJ stands out,” said Rivers. “Especially, defensively. When he’s on the floor, when he’s off the floor, it is night and day and that’s why we’re challenging guys because PJ’s not playing 48 minutes. Not just his defense. Just his talking and his knowledge. He came through the (Pat) Riley system. I came through the Riley system, so for him, defensively, it’s very easy to pick up everything. We need more of that from more people.”
Day 1 of training camp. James Harden, PJ Tucker, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris are already huddling up. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/vONOoELeyr
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) September 27, 2022
In order for the Sixers to become one of the better defensive teams in the league, they are going to need more communication on that end of the floor. They will need guys to get in each other’s ears and push each other.
That is where Tucker comes. He was a big factor in Miami being a great defensive team, so the Sixers are expecting the same.
“It starts more with team defense than individual defense, and that’s where a PJ Tucker who’s a great talker, that immediately helps your team defense and that’s where everybody — he was so loud at one point, that on both ends, you could hear him down on the other end, but you couldn’t hear the guys on the end I was standing,” Rivers added. “To me, that can’t happen, so that’s where we have to get better.”
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