Thoughts on PJ Tucker

nevetsov · Post #1 » by **nevetsov** » Thu Dec 3, 2015 6:15 am

Reading a lot of comments lately on how we should be trading PJ, how he doesn't contribute, is worthless, makes boneheaded plays. While a lot of that is substantiated, i've been thinking about it and submit that it's not really that he's useless, but moreso that he's being overutilised and being asked to do way more than his capability. I don't think that necessarily means he can't contribute to our team, but more that we should be smarter in the ways which we are using him.

Now I am far from a PJ apologist, but this is how see it:

- PJ is a hustle player, pure and simple. He's a hard nose defender who will bring energy and take on any assignment you throw at him. That's how he was when we brought him back into the league, and that's still his calling card today. He's not going to back down from anyone, and in a league where so many players get by on talent, that's something that coaches love.

- He went on to develop a semi-reliable 3 point shot, which even though is not something that I think is part of his natural game, he worked on and for a time was able to provide at an NBA capable level. Although it seems this has now eluded him so far this season.

- He's been awarded the starting spot for a while now and even though it's recently been by default, his toughness has been a nice complement for the soft as tissue lineups we've put out in season's past (Frye, Morris, Lopez, Gortat etc.)

- He continues to start even though there is clearly a talented young prospect behind him. Many believe Warren's development is being hindered by the fact that PJ is playing in front of him. Thus, many want PJ gone.

Even over the course of last night's game, we saw some flashes of brilliant hustle from PJ, but also some clanked shots and boneheaded plays. The problem is, these moments were happening at crucial stages of the 4th quarter when the game was on the line.

Now I can understand to some degree why PJ starts - I liken it to Omer Asik starting alongside Anthony Davis in Nawlins. We all know (and saw) that NO are best with Davis at C and Anderson at PF. However, they aren't the starting unit. Teams often start their key defenders (Tony Allen is another example) to get under the opposition's skin from the get go; to get the opposing scorers out of rhythm and uncomfortable early on and hope it carries on through the game. This is not a bad strategy at all.

Starting a brute defender also keeps one of your own stars out of foul trouble early - Davis is protected, much like Duncan was, with a C starting next to him for all those years. So in that respect, I have no issue continuing to start PJ.

But after that, these guys should only be playing on an as-required basis. You don't see Asik closing out games alongside AD - they play their best lineup of Anderson and Davis, which they can do, because Asik has kept Davis from guarding centres and thus kept him out of foul trouble early. Short of offense-for-defense substitutions, talent will win you the game at the end. Spurs used to bring Manu off the bench behind a role playing SG, but he'd always be in there at crunch time.

In summary, I don't think we need to trade PJ, I don't even think we should really be ripping on the guy, because it's no his fault he's being played in crunch time and asked to win us games that his limited talent won't allow him to. He should continue to start the first and third quarters, but after that, we really need to defer to the talent, especially down the stretch.

RaisingArizona · Post #2 » by **RaisingArizona** » Thu Dec 3, 2015 6:35 am

Ugh, he's just not good. Guys continually light him up but he's touted for his defense. He can only shoot from 2 spots on the court. Bad character, makes stupid decisions. Hustles but a lot of guys hustle in this league.

It's my opinion that he's the main issue we have.

Post #3 » by **lilfishi22** » Thu Dec 3, 2015 6:36 am

Great post nev! Vey well thought out with many valid points.

I agree with TJ continuing to come off the bench. Right now he's a great spark off the bench and we need that.

thamadkant · Post #4 » by **thamadkant** » Thu Dec 3, 2015 6:41 am

People complain Goodwin and Len look terrible like deers struck with headlights on the court.. But these guys are still learning and their lack of smoothness is due to lack of consistent play time WHICH will improve in time.

Tucker looks terrible offensively almost all the time... Gets by through his bulk... Which actually has hurt his defense a bit IMO... He isnt as good as he was... Being that bulky and moving fast laterally takes its toll.

But on a contender... And a proper grind it out half court team like the Spurs... Tucker would be more effective... He'd be told to only practice corner shots and defense.... Ala Bruce Bowen.... And Popovic will get through to him.

But on a Suns team that requires offensive skills at the SF spot... Tucker is limiting their potential.

Post #5 » by **lilfishi22** » Thu Dec 3, 2015 6:43 am

ginobiliflops wrote:Ugh, he's just not good. Guys continually light him up but he's touted for his defense. He can only shoot from 2 spots on the court. Bad character, makes stupid decisions. Hustles but a lot of guys hustle in this league.

It's my opinion that he's the main issue we have.

Really? He's the cause of our bad ball movement? He's the cause of us giving up 105.8ppg (27th in the league)?

Who do you put on guards/forwards that is lighting us up? TJ? Kieff?

It's just crazy to see how much hate PJ gets. He makes mistakes in the clutch but so do many other players and this point constantly getting brought up every time there's a Bash PJ party.

RaisingArizona · Post #6 » by **RaisingArizona** » Thu Dec 3, 2015 8:38 am

Our main issue in that both of our starting forwards are below average players.

Saberestar · Post #7 » by **Saberestar** » Thu Dec 3, 2015 2:57 pm

I like Tucker and I think he is a valuable player on any team...but he is a bench player if you want to be a playoff team or a contender.

OK, he can be an starter if you have Harden or Durant on your starting five....but on our team? Come on, he has been starting for us 3 consecutive years and we were not a playoff team because he and the rest of those teams weren't good enough. He is a decent player and I like his effort and intensity, but 18 minutes per game is enough for him.

We saw yesterday that the other team doesn't even try to defend him, he was a liability out there and he played 40 minutes...we can not afford that luxury because we don't have All Stars around him.