BOSTON — The Philadelphia 76ers brought in PJ Tucker to promote accountability, toughen the team and contribute at both ends of to the floor.
He provided that leadership and accountability in the opener despite the Sixers falling to the Boston Celtics, 126-117. Tucker pulled Tyrese Maxey to the side late in the first half, and the two of them had a conversation, a little spat, if one will, that arose from Tucker directing Maxey on the floor.
“Yeah!” said Tucker after the loss. “This is what I love about right now in the season. Win, lose, or draw, you’re gonna win some, you’re gonna lose some, nobody’s winning 82 games, it doesn’t define your season, we’re gonna argue. I’m cool with that. We argue, figure it out, move on, cool, next play. Let’s go. We’ll figure it out, we’re gonna do it again, that’s it.”
Tucker is one of the roster additions who is going to play a large number of minutes. Tucker, De’Anthony Melton, Danuel House Jr. and Montrezl Harrell are going to be in the rotation on a nightly basis. This is a fairly new bunch.
That’s why Tucker got on Maxey on Tuesday. To begin building good habits now to be prepared down the line.
“We’re gonna have growing pains,” Tucker added. “Win some, lose some, but in the end, it’s about getting better, building up to be a team that’s standing at the end of the season.”
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