P.J. Tucker Re-Signs with the Clippers

One of the NBA’s most non-traditional players, P.J. Tucker, has opted into his 11.5 million dollar player option with the Los Angeles Clippers. What makes P.J. Tucker so non-typical is that he is statically not a good basketball player, yet he has played more seasons than anyone outside of LeBron James. So why does he continue to be picked up by teams around the NBA?

Tucker is a masterful defensive specialist in the NBA. He can’t shoot particularly well outside of corner threes, but he more than makes up for his lack of production on the offensive end with his contributions on defense. Although he doesn’t stand out in defensive stats either, averaging only about one steal a game, he does have the ability to make the other team's best player uncomfortable. At 6’5” and 245 lbs he gives a ton of effort to the defensive side and forces opponents into taking bad shots or forcing their primary scorer to go elsewhere with the basketball.

In an era of basketball that is all about scoring and looking flashy with the basketball, P.J. Tucker embraces the mantra of shutting that down. He can be a great complimentary piece to a team that has great offensive abilities, but a lackluster defense. Tucker can bring a defensive intensity to a team and enhance the entire defensive unit while on the court.