‘We value those guys:’ On Tucker transcending a boxscore and why it’s critical for Heat
If you’re measuring someone’s value by whether he can fill the boxscore with crooked numbers, then P.J. Tucker isn’t necessarily for you.
Tucker scored in double figures only 22 times in 71 appearances in his first season with the Heat, not at all in his final 13 games. Only twice did he top 20 points.
But Tucker is the quintessential value-exceeds-the-boxscore guy. And he will join South Florida’s Mount Rushmore of those types if he delivers in these playoffs for the Heat like he did for the Milwaukee Bucks during their NBA championship run last year.
First, he must get healthy. Tucker sustained a strained right calf in a game last week but has assured coach Erik Spoelstra that he will be ready for Game 1 at 1 p.m. Sunday against the Cavaliers or Hawks.
Tucker averaged just 4.3 points and 4.8 rebounds for Milwaukee during last year’s Finals run that carried well into July.
But what the standard NBA boxscore doesn’t tell you is how he held Kevin Durant to 45 percent shooting when Tucker was guarding him in the second round — six percentage points less than Durant shot overall.
It doesn’t tell you that Tucker held Chris Paul to 3 for 14 shooting when Tucker guarded him in the Finals, and Jimmy Butler to 2 for 12 in the first round and Bogan Bogdanovic to 7 for 21 in the Eastern finals.
The boxscore doesn’t tell you how Tucker freed up Bucks shooters with textbook screens, or offered impeccably timed help defense, or usually made the right pass at the right time.
It doesn’t tell you that the Bucks were a plus-94 with Tucker on the court in the playoffs, fourth best on the team.
This year, a traditional boxscore doesn’t tell you that Tucker held the player he defended to 43.5 percent shooting — well below the 46.1 that those players shot overall and ninth best defensively among all NBA forwards who defended at least 800 shots.
It doesn’t tell you that Miami outscored teams by 230 points when he was on the court, the 21st best plus/minus among all NBA forwards.
Tucker appreciates the “contributions transcend the boxscore” compliment that often comes his way. In fact, he grew up admiring those types of players.
“I love Michael Jordan, so when I was watching Jordan, I used to always love Dennis Rodman do all the little stuff, just his energy and effort,” Tucker said. “There’s nobody like him. I didn’t aspire to be Dennis Rodman. You wanted to be Michael Jordan when you’re young.”
But few become Jordan, and so Tucker instead traveled a different path that has helped fuel an 11-year career in which he has averaged 7.1 points and 5.6 rebounds.
“I took that hard-working ethic, fighting every possession, being an animal, getting into people defensively all over the court and having an effect on the game,” he said.
Ask Udonis Haslem about what Heat players, all time, best exemplify the “value exceeds the boxscore” mantra — besides him — and he offers about a half dozen names.
“You go back to the Grant Longs, the P.J. Browns, Ike Austins. Fast forward you have myself, P.J. Tucker, Dwayne Dedmon. You have Shane Battier. We have those guys. And one thing about this organization is we value those guys.
“I think a lot of organizations understand how important those guys are but they don’t really value those guys. This organization, we value those guys. We value undrafted guys that put in the work and are willing to make themselves players.
“We value the guys that are willing to take the defensive challenge every night and not focus on getting shots. We truly value those guys. We built success on guys like that.”
There are other South Florida athletes this century who also would qualify.
Former Dolphins receiver O.J. McDuffie, now a broadcaster, cites three: offensive lineman Mark Dixon (“played every position, never complained”), defensive tackle Tim Bowens (“he kept guys off Zach Thomas”) and tight end Hunter Goodwin (“he blocked his [butt] off and didn’t get many opportunities in the passing game.)”
Several 2021 Dolphins assistant coaches cited Andrew Van Ginkel and Zach Sieler from last year’s team as players whose contributions exceed what’s reflected in the boxscore.
Infielder Alfredo Amezaga, with his hustle and versatility, was a Marlins example.
And there are others. But Tucker — if he’s at his best in these playoffs — would catapult near the top of any such list.
Several NBA players have approached him over the years to express admiration for the selfless nature to his game, the willingness to sacrifice personal stats, the toughness and the relentless defensive zeal.
The NBA player whose praise meant the most to him?
“I would say probably Rick Mahorn,” he said.
“I like that one because I was walking in the tunnel and he called me over and gave me a hug and told me how much he loves how I played, how I should have played in his [era]. That made me happy. Rick Mahorn laid the wood. He’s like big dog.”
To be sure, tangible stats from Tucker also would be helpful in these playoffs, particularly three-point shooting.
He led the league in three-point shooting before the All-Star break at 45 percent (72 for 160).
He shot only 24.2 percent on threes since (8 for 33 in 19 games) and closed the season at 41.5 percent on threes and 48.4 from the field, and with averages of 7.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in 71 games.
But whether the shots are falling, he will be on the court, helping set the tone.
“He’s the prime example,” Chris Bosh said, “of what hard work can do for you.”
