CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers made their big free agency signing in the 2022 offseason rather quickly when they brought in veteran PJ Tucker on a three-year, $33 million deal. The hope was he would give them that edge and that toughness needed to get the job done in the playoffs.
Well, the playoffs are here. The Sixers finished the regular season 54-28 and are the No. 3 seed for the playoffs. They begin their playoff run on Saturday when they play host to the sixth-seeded Brooklyn Nets. So it’s time for Tucker to make his biggest impact.
“Honestly, what he’s been bringing to the team all year,” Tobias Harris said of Tucker. “His toughness, his physicality, his defensive mindset, and approach. So all those things, myself and the whole group is excited for.”
The Sixers had to face Tucker when they took on the Miami Heat in the second round of the 2022 playoffs. The veteran out of Texas averaged 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in that series, but the Sixers felt his impact for Miami.
“I remember last year just playing against him,” Tyrese Maxey recalled. “It was particular times in the playoffs where he would get maybe a tap-out rebound and he’ll hit a corner 3. He would have like eight points and five rebounds and it would feel like he had 25 points and 10 rebounds. The impact he was making in every single game we would play against them was huge and now I’m just happy he’s on our team.”
Along with the production in key moments he brings on the court, there are also the intangibles Tucker brings. The Sixers believe they are a tougher group heading into this postseason.
“We’re a tougher team,” said coach Doc Rivers. “I don’t think I’m breaking any news, but we were not a very — we were skilled, but we were not a very physical, tough basketball team. We just were not. I said it before the playoffs, and unfortunately, it was the truth. Not just physically, like I think we’re mentally tougher team. I think there’s a lot to it, but we’re gonna get challenged in the playoffs and we’ll find out.”
Philadelphia will be challenged in the playoffs. That comes with every postseason in this league. Now is the time for Tucker to make his biggest impact and be sure everybody is on the same page.
“There’s gonna be some adversity somewhere,” Rivers added. “It always is when you plan on going where we hope to go and that’s when you know what team you have. You’ll get tested. Facing some tough questions. Somebody may not play as much as he thought and all that will come into play at some point. You will see.”
Either way, the Sixers are happy Tucker is on their side.
“I literally just told him that,” Maxey said of Tucker. “Like ‘I couldn’t stand you last year, now I’m glad you’re with us.’ ”
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