P.J. Tucker on Rockets and smaller lineups: ‘It changed the game’

Veteran big man P.J. Tucker doesn’t mind Houston’s small-ball approach. “It makes it so a lot of people can’t play,” he said to fans.

P.J. Tucker has a unique role as a 6-foot-5 starting center in the NBA. The Rockets have sacrificed traditional size at the position for improved floor spacing and defensive versatility, and Tucker’s attributes as a defensive ace and corner 3-point shooter are key to Houston’s plan.

In an live Q&A session with fans on Instagram, the 34-year-old was asked Tuesday night if he liked “small ball.” Tucker responded:

Nobody’s ever asked if I liked it. I don’t mind it. I think if you look at us versus the Warriors in the West the last two years, both teams always finished the game with small ball.

I think being able to spread the court and being able to eliminate shot blockers, and really just have all guards out with versatile forwards — it changed the game. It makes it so a lot of people can’t play. I think it’s different, but I think it works in some cases. We’ll see.

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Best known for his defense and leadership, Tucker has averaged 7.1 points (37.0% on 3-pointers) and 6.9 rebounds in 34.4 minutes per game during his third season in Houston. Since the team permanently switched to its smaller lineup on Jan. 31 with Tucker at center, the Rockets have won 11 of 17 games — including 10 of 12 through the end of February.

Tucker is likely to be 35 years old when the 2019-20 season resumes, since his birthday is May 6 and the NBA’s current stoppage due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic appears set to last until at least June.

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