CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers made their big move early in free agency when they brought in PJ Tucker on a 3-year $33 million deal. The Sixers made the move hoping Tucker can bring in the necessary toughness and intangibles needed to help the team win.
In his first season with the Sixers, Tucker’s numbers aren’t extraordinary. He’s averaging 3.4 points and 4 rebounds in 25.8 minutes per game, but he has been important to Philadelphia’s success. He does all of the dirty work and he creates extra possessions for the Sixers to get more looks at the basket.
On Monday, the Sixers welcomed the 1983 championship team into the building at shootaround. Bobby Jones, who was the sixth man of that team and did the dirty work for that group, detailed how important Tucker is to this current team.
“Two things, one, the toughness that he brings, and then two, the attitude that he has of what, what can I do to help the team win?” Jones explained. “It’s like when I watch him play, if he has an open shot, he’s gonna take it, but if he doesn’t, he moves the ball quicker than anybody else on the team. He gets it out of his hands, and just shuffles it up to somebody else.”
Tucker has done so many things that don’t show up in a box score. For example, he boxes multiple guys out to help his teammates grab a rebound rather than the opposition. That shows up in key moments.
“Then he’s also waiting, as the shot goes up to knock three guys sideways, and he does!” Jones added. “He’s got quick hands. He’s got strong hands, and he kicks it out and gets it to somebody else. So when you have a player like that who knows his role and fulfills his role, it inspires other people to say, ‘Hey, we’ll he’s doing that. Why won’t I do that?'”
Jones sees what Tucker does as something of a motivating factor. An opportunity for others to step up and do the little things in order to get the job done out on the floor.
“It kind of motivates other people to do the same kind of thing,” Jones finished. “To figure out what their role is, but also to do more. To be tougher.”
Tucker is dealing with ankle soreness and wasn’t able to participate in the shootaround Monday morning. There is a chance he doesn’t play against the Chicago Bulls. However, it’s obvious how important he is to this team’s success.
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