Doc Rivers assesses how PJ Tucker makes an impact on offensive end
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CAMDEN, N.J.–Philadelphia 76ers veteran forward PJ Tucker is not a player one can judge based on stats alone. If one looks at Tucker’s season averages of 3.3 points and 3.9 rebounds, the judgment would be that he isn’t worth the 3-year $33 million deal he received from the Sixers in the offseason.
However, Tucker continues to make an impact without scoring. He has been a leader in the locker room and he has been helpful on defense. He also does the little things on offense to ensure his teammates get looks. Tucker’s movement off the ball allows Joel Embiid, James Harden, and the rest of the offense to flow.
After Tucker scored 10 points in Sunday’s loss to the New York Knicks, he discussed his own impact within the offense. On Tuesday back at practice, coach Doc Rivers gave out his expectations of the forward on that end.
“Just make shots when you get them, set picks, be a good spacer,” Rivers stated. “We want PJ to be what he’s been everywhere else. We know he shoots to 3. In his heyday, he shot the hell out of the 3. He got three a game. We don’t want to overdo it.”
When Tucker was with the Houston Rockets, he averaged 4.0 3-point attempts per game. In Philadelphia, he’s only averaging 1.7 as the offense flows through Embiid and Harden, but he’s still shooting 38.1% from deep when he gets the opportunity.
“We’re not upset with PJ at all,” Rivers finished. “We just want him to keep playing the way he plays and I think his value will still come more later than it is now. We all know that and that’s why we’re not panicked about PJ. We love what he’s bringing to this team. This team needs toughness. This team needs defensive knowledge and talk. PJ provides all that for us.”
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