The NBA playoffs are in full swing, and as expected, the games have been intense and physical. During Game 1 between the Celtics and Sixers, veteran forward P.J. Tucker found himself in the middle of the action after swinging his fist and accidentally hitting Jayson Tatum below the belt. While Tatum writhed in pain, the benches briefly cleared, but Tucker was nowhere to be found. The incident was deemed unintentional, and Tucker wasn't fined, but it's no surprise that he landed in the middle of such action. Throughout his career, Tucker has made a name for himself by playing right to the edge and being a Grade A pest.
Tucker's job isn't to score but to antagonize and play rugged defense. He's like a junior version of Draymond Green, a tough, rugged, and selfless defender whose mere presence means opponents had better wear their hard hat and maybe a cup, too. Tucker has made a career out of playing this way and has been successful, especially during last year's playoffs, where he put on a clinic, checking Trae Young in the first round, banging with Joel Embiid in the second, and then giving Tatum all he could handle in the conference finals.
Opposing fans view Tucker in the same way Celtics fans view Marcus Smart. He's a pest, and he knows it. It's partly because the Celtics keep crossing paths with Tucker, who's basically at the hired-gun stage of his career. The Celtics considered acquiring him at the 2017 trade deadline, but he went to the Raptors for their playoff run. The Bucks acquired him in 2021 and he helped them win a title. He jumped to the Heat last year and nearly returned to the Finals with some excellent – and physical – defense on Tatum. Now he's a Sixer as Philly vies for a championship, with the Celtics once again standing in the way.
Tucker's perseverance is admirable, and the fact that he's even in the NBA is a credit to him. After being taken in the second round of the 2006 draft by the Raptors, he spent four years playing in places like Ukraine, Italy, and Israel before establishing himself as an NBA player six years later. Now, he can say he's one of only three members of his class who remain active, along with Utah's Rudy Gay and Miami's Kyle Lowry.
There's some question in Philadelphia about whether Tucker should remain in the starting lineup, as the Celtics have stopped guarding him on the perimeter. However, taking him out would alter the team's DNA because Tucker brings a certain toughness and intensity that can't be replaced. As the playoffs continue, fans can expect to see more of P.J. Tucker and his physical, pesky style of play, whether they love it or hate it.
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