Miami Heat: Grading P.J. Tucker’s 2021-22 Season
By Will Salinas
Miami Heat: Grading P.J. Tucker’s 2021-22 Season
P.J. Tucker’s defensive grade for the season is a high one, hands down. He played a huge role in the Heat’s defensive scheme that allowed them to switch everything and for him being 37, he did not get abused very often.
Defensive Grade: A
To see a 6’5″ guy like Tucker go from locking up guards and forwards to occasionally guarding centers as well, you would think the guy is 25 and in his athletic prime. He had a personal defensive rating of 107.5, which helped lead the Heat to the NBA’s fourth-best defensive rating with a rating of 108. 4.
It’s one thing to be a great isolation defender and another, altogether, to be a great team defensive player.
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The beauty of having Tucker is that he filled both roles, locking up some of the league’s best players by being a pest] and also helped to make the correct rotations, also helping out the weaker defenders on the court.
He may not get every steal or block, but he will make his presence felt by getting into players. There would be moments where the opposing team is begging for a foul, but the referees wouldn’t call it.
He plays hard-nosed defense while staying disciplined and that is why he’s so crucial. He may be guilty of an unnecessary foul or getting a little too physical but you could never fault a guy who takes pride in defense.
Heading forward for Tucker on defense, he just has to stay healthy. He may not be as fast or agile as he used to be, but when you know what you’re doing and take pride on that side of the ball, you’ll always be a valuable defender.
This is why he receives an A for this year on defense.