Houston Rockets: 3 goals for P.J. Tucker in 2019-20
1. Earn All-Defensive Team honors
Despite lacking what the majority of his professional peers may have in size, titles and stature over him, P.J. Tucker has sought to utilize an incessant work ethic to become one of the game’s most valuable role players and all-around defenders in basketball.
"“To be honest with you, I don’t know if anybody [could replace him],” D’Antoni said per James Herbert of CBS Sports when asked about Tucker’s overall impact and value to the Rockets over the past two seasons. “I’m sure there are some out there, maybe superstars. Maybe. But, then again, I don’t think so because he’s perfect for us.” “We know that we’re going to plug P.J. in to the best player on the other team. He’s going to guard that guy regardless of position. And we can switch off him. He just gives us so many options defensively. I can’t calculate the value.”"
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1113531619678101504
PJ Tucker is the ultimate @NBA role player and poster boy for great Doug Collins quote: “Know your role. Stay in your role. Star in your role.” And well compensated at his job at 8 million a year. 👍🏼🏀
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) May 7, 2019
Yet in spite of receiving countless adoration from his beloved coach and close friends, Tucker would fall short in his quest to obtain one of the league’s esteemed honors.
The man — who sought to use defense as his calling card entry back into the league — finished one vote shy of making All-Defensive Second Team last season.
"“Not a great system on voting,” D’Antoni said following the final voting tally to Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston. “He definitely deserves to be on there. I’m sure there’s other guys that deserve to be on there.” “That’s just the way it goes. It’s too bad. Disappointed for PJ. [He had a] great year. He’s a key to what we try to do.”"
Although capturing a ring would likely make for Tucker’s No. 1 personal goal entering training camp, earning a spot on one of the All-Defensive Teams would make for a quite an individual accomplishment for a player who is approaching his mid-30s.
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Should he do so, then Tucker would become the first Houston Rockets forward to earn the honor since Ron Artest and Shane Battier in 2009. In conjunction with further cementing his own place in all-time franchise lore.