The NBA each year puts first-year players through the Rookie Transition Program to help ease the jump from the collegiate level to becoming a professional.
Players hear from experts on a number of different topics, including business development, financial literacy and other related subjects. The league also brings in former players to speak to the incoming class of rookies about the rigors of the NBA schedule and what they can expect.
In addition to the jam-packed curriculum already offered by the league, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has an additional suggestion: Players should watch highlights of P.J. Tucker.
The two-time champion coach pointed to the “winning” plays that Tucker makes on a consistent basis that should be shown to incoming players. He believes Tucker embodies precisely what players should strive to be in order to help their teams win at the highest level.
I’ve mentioned this before, I think there should be a highlight film of P.J. Tucker’s winning plays and it should be shown at the rookie orientation every year. You have all these young players coming in as teenagers and they have a view and they’re told what it is to be in the NBA and it’s usually about the numbers or the endorsements or how many points you can get up or how many shots.
The message really isn’t about winning and what goes into it. It’s exhausting and doing all the intangibles and being OK with that. Tuck is all about that. He fits us. We love what he does. We respect it and we think it directly translates to winning and that’s what matters most.
Of course, Tucker has established himself as one of the most productive players on the court during his 10 years in the league. He grinded overseas for several years before getting his first real opportunity in the NBA and eventually helped the Milwaukee Bucks win the title last year.
The Heat viewed Tucker as a key addition last year in free agency as a versatile defender and elite 3-point shooter. He is a huge reason why Miami is back in the Eastern Conference Finals for the ninth time under the watch of Spoelstra.
Tucker has seemingly found the blueprint to help his teams succeed at the highest level with his ability to make plays on a nightly basis. Certainly, incoming players, and those around the league, could learn a thing or two by watching Tucker.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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