This offseason, the Miami Heat formed one of their best teams ever from top-to-bottom. The Heat will look to avenge their first-round exit last season. With their new additions, they should be successful in doing so.
The signing that made major headlines was tat of Kyle Lowry. He is a former NBA champion and All-Star, and his impact on the team will be very apparent from day one.
However, the signing of P.J. Tucker might be even more important than signing Lowry. Here are the three biggest reasons why.
Why the PJ Tucker signing was the most important for the Miami Heat: He’s no longer on the Bucks
For the past two seasons, the Milwaukee Bucks have been the Heat’s biggest rivals. In the 2020 playoffs, the Heat eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks after creating the perfect defensive scheme to take Giannis Antetokoumpo out of the game.
The following year, the Bucks added more shooting and eliminated the Heat in the first round. However, it was the Heat’s assistant coach Caron Butler who called attention to Antetokoumpo’s long free-throw routine, which eventually led to the infamous ten-second count by entire opposing stadiums.
Last year, the Miami Heat were outplayed on all levels by the Bucks. If the Heat find any way to weaken the Bucks, they will execute that plan. One way they have done exactly that this offseason was by signing P.J. Tucker.
Tucker was a huge piece for the Bucks last year. He was a part of their starting lineup and guarded some of their opponent’s best players. The addition of Tucker to the Heat makes their roster stronger while simultaneously weakening the Bucks’ roster.
Not only will Tucker help cut the talent gap between the Heat and the Bucks, but he also provides the Heat with information they may have never had before.
Tucker was at the Bucks’ practices and was in their locker room. He learned how their players think and feel. What he learned about the Bucks’ stars, particularly how they respond to pressure, could be more valuable than initially realized.
Why the PJ Tucker signing was the most important for the Miami Heat: Versatility
P.J. Tucker is a solid role player, but what makes him special is his versatility on the defensive end. With a height of 6’5” and a weight of 245 lbs, Tucker is small and fast enough to guard smaller players. However, he is also strong enough to guard bigger players. Essentially, he can guard all five positions when needed.
During the 2020-21 playoffs, Tucker guarded some of the best players on the opposing teams. Some notable names include Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Miami’s own Jimmy Butler.
Guarding Durant was probably the most impressive, considering that Durant is a generational scoring talent and is almost seven feet tall with the handles of a guard.
Obviously, KD still got buckets, but it could be argued that the pressure that Tucker and the Bucks put on him all series helped them to secure the victory in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Tucker will be able to make huge contributions to Miami’s already great defense. His biggest help will come when Bam Adebayo needs to rest. Last year, the Miami Heat didn’t have an effective backup center option for when Adebayo left the floor.
While Tucker will likely start at power forward, there will be times where the Heat need him to guard the five. And he will deliver.
Why the PJ Tucker signing was the most important for the Miami Heat: Perfect Heat Culture fit
When the phrase Heat Culture is thrown around, it typically refers to the Miami Heat’s dedication to defense and diligent effort. P.J. Tucker is the perfect type of player to be playing within the so-called “Heat Culture.” His biggest strengths as a player are his defense and mental toughness.
When Tucker crosses paths with the perfect team that can complement his strengths, his skills will be prominent on the floor. The Miami Heat are the perfect match for Tucker.
He is already a very disciplined player. Playing alongside Jimmy Butler and under the coaching of Erik Spoelstra, Tucker will be able to thrive.
As previously mentioned, Tucker’s defensive versatility is a huge part of what makes him special. But what makes him effective on the defensive end is the effort he puts into games every night.
Of all of the teams to ever win a championship, there is usually at least one player that plays the role of the “tough guy” on the team.
If you take a look at this Miami Heat roster, you could probably pick out four or five guys who could fill that role. P.J. Tucker is one of them. He was huge for the Bucks and he will be huge for the Heat.