PJ "Padlock" Tucker: Suns Report Card

[jonathanlambert33]

P.J. Tucker was one of the very few bright spots from the 2012-13 season. He went from out of the league to a summer league invite to a roster spot and eventually a starting role. He won over fans, teammates and coaches alike with his heart and hustle.

Tucker was very good in his role as a defender, rebounder and all-around hustle guy. However, at 28 years old with limited offensive skill and physical upside, there did not appear to be much room for improvement for the journeyman. Fortunately for the Suns, nobody told Tucker that.

Defense is how he made the Suns in the first place, and as his offensive game has improved he hasn't allowed his defense to slip one bit. Tucker was asked to guard the opposing team's best player every night, and not once did he ever back down. He isn't the quickest or most athletic of wings, but his strong, physical style of play and relentless effort allow him to make even the best of scorers work for every shot they get.

Tucker's tendency to get up in opponents's shirts and never leave earned him the nickname "Padlock" from Bright Siders.

Individually, Tucker locks down opponents as well as anyone. Per Synergy, opponents shot 32.3 percent against him in isolation, 35.2 percent as a pick-and-roll ball-handler and 29.3 percent off hand-offs. In comparison, Andre Iguodala - widely considered one of the very best perimeter defenders in the NBA - held opponents to 37.7 percent, 40.8 percent and 43.9 percent on those three play types. Iguodala forced more turnovers, but overall Tucker's results (on a much weaker defensive team) are very comparable.

In summary, Tucker is second on the Suns in minutes played and rebounds, third in 3-point percentage and win shares and the best perimeter defender on the team. And he did all of that for less than $1 million this season, making him the most underpaid player in the league according to Forbes.

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2014/4/27/5656708/phoenix-suns-report-card-p-j-tucker

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Afternoon bump.