I’m curious as to why you weren’t able to re-sign with the Bucks after winning a championship with them last season. PJ Tucker: Look at Andre Iguodala. He’s right back at Golden State. He left and was in the shade for a minute, but he is right back. I feel like every player wants that. That home where everybody loves you and you can go back and it’s love. I felt like I was building that [in Milwaukee]. And then to win it, it was like, ‘Oh, yeah, for sure.’ And they just weren’t going over the luxury tax. It just is what it is. They love you and whatever, whatever, but they weren’t going to go over it. They felt like they could replace me, and they did replace me. Even as a vet being around, it’s like, ‘All right, you f—— replaced me. Cool.’ You figure it out and that’s just what I had to do. And for me, it wasn’t even about money. It was more about respect because they basically told me to go find an offer and they would match it. After hearing that for me, I’m not coming back even if I had to take less money. To me, that was disrespectful. So, as soon as they said that, I told my agent Andre [Buck], basically, ‘We are moving on, whatever we get out of that, that’s what we’re doing.’
Source: Marc J. Spears @ Andscape
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Currently hearing that Miami may have 6 starters tonight:
Gabe Vincent
Max Strus
Jimmy Butler
PJ Tucker
Bam Adebayo
DeAndre Jordan – 9:05 AM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
When Spo was comparing PJ Tucker to the guy at the bottom of the pile going for a fumble:
“I wouldn’t want to be in that pile.” – 1:25 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Big night for PJ Tucker! 🔥
@Sam Mitchell tells @Grady about PJ’s commitment
#HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/9CVrE3aTaW – 12:33 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Heat’s PJ Tucker makes huge impact in Game 1 win over 76ers (from @AP) apnews.com/article/d82642… – 6:56 AM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
James Harden on PJ Tucker: ““P.J. is P.J. P.J. is P.J. Plays hard, but it’s not something that I’m worried about.” – 11:01 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Every person that steps on this podium just turns every question into PJ Tucker praise
The respect is through the roof
Bam now:
“He’s one of the best defenders in this league.” – 10:33 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Getting ready to ask PJ Tucker a question about feeding Bam
Bam walks up to the podium
Said I was actually just about to ask about Bam
PJ: “Oh, great.” – 10:29 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
A writer (not sure who) asked Harden what Miami did to keep off the free throw line (he was 4 for 4): “Next question,” Harden said, shaking his head…..Asked about PJ Tucker’s good defense against him: “PJ is PJ. Plays hard. That’s not something I’m worried about.” – 10:26 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Spo on PJ Tucker:
“He has a way of doing things that just inspire your whole team.” – 10:13 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
🚨New Piece🚨
Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over 76ers in Game One
Tyler Herro
Bam Adebayo
PJ Tucker
@5ReasonsSports fivereasonssports.com/news/five-take… – 9:50 PM
Yu Fu @YuFuTroy
Every team should want PJ Tucker – 9:04 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Energy picking up
PJ Tucker and Bam getting the team second chances
This is the run right here
Go inside – 9:04 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
THAT POSSESSION WAS ALL PJ TUCKER. – 9:04 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
PJ Tucker man
Double out, Tucker slip, feed to Bam in the dunker spot
Then help at the nail for the turnover
Now opens up Bam on a face-up
Finding their base again – 8:58 PM
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Why on Earth is Jimmy Butler telling PJ Tucker to postup 20 feet from the basket with 5 on the shot clock? – 8:33 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
PJ Tucker gives up no ground on Harden
Great scramble switch from Gabe/Strus
Bam heads in other direction
Butler layup – 8:25 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
PJ Tucker continues to be the ultimate producer on both ends
Not only is he providing energy defensively
But he’s active on the offensive boards and playing master facilitator at the 5
Special – 8:13 PM
Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Disastrous start for the Sixers and DeAndre Jordan: Heat are 8-11 from the field, Sixers have one stop through the first four minutes. And that was when PJ Tucker missed a wide-open 3. – 7:40 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
PJ Tucker contested corner 3 off the kick
Then immediate denial off the inbound on Harden
Man he’s ready – 7:35 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
PJ Tucker is picking up James Harden 94 feet. – 7:35 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
PJ Tucker on James Harden to start is Spo dropping a mic. – 7:34 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
I’ll go into more detail on this in my series preview (coming soon), but I think PJ Tucker is the X-factor of MIA/PHI.
The Heat will probably counter the Sixers’ switch-hunting by playing Tucker on smalls. If he can hold his own & contain Harden/Maxey, it’ll be 2-0 Miami quick. – 9:32 PM