PJ-Tucker, a man who never gives up. In the stars-studded NBA, every "little person" who fights for his dreams is particularly precious.
Tucker, whose full name is Anthony Leon PJ Tucker Jr., was born on May 5, 1985 in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2003, Tucker entered the University of Texas. In the 2005–06 NCAA season, Tucker scored 594 points and 107 assists and was named to the National Second Team, named the 2005–06 Grand Twelfth Division Player of the Year, named to the 2005–06 Grand Twelfth Division First Team, and the 2005–06 Grand Twelfth Division Defensive Team.
But Tucker, who entered the NBA, was not so smooth sailing, and he was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 35th pick in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft. Tucker, who was new to the NBA, didn't get many chances, and on January 5, 2007, the Raptors announced that tucker would be sent to the Colorado 14ers in the development league. On Feb. 6, the Raptors recalled Tucker. On March 6, Tucker was again sent to the 14ers. On March 24, the Raptors announced the layoff of Tucker in order to sign Luke Jackson. In the 2006–07 season, P.J. Tucker played in just 17 games for the Raptors, averaging 4.9 minutes per game and having 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds.
For his basketball dreams, Tucker embarked on his overseas wandering journey.
In the 2007–08 season, Tucker played for the Israeli league, helping hapoel Holon to the league championship and being elected MVP.
In the 2008–09 season, Tucker played for Donetsk in the Ukrainian Basketball Super League, averaging first in the league in points per game and helping the team to third place in the league.
In August 2010, Greek side Aris BC signed for Tucker. In March 2011, Tucker was cut by the team.
In April 2011, Italian side Sutor Basket Montegranaro signed Tucker.
In July 2011, Germany's Champions League members Brose Baskets Bamberg signed a one-year contract with Tucker. In the 2011-12 season, Tucker made 44 appearances, averaging 16.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, and was named the MVP of the Finals.
In the end, with its good performance overseas, the Sun threw an olive branch to Tucker. On July 24, 2012, Tucker and the Phoenix Suns signed a contract to represent the Suns in the Summer League. On August 2, 2012, the Suns announced that they had officially signed Tucker on a two-year base salary contract. Tucker spent 4 1/2 years at the Suns and won the Dan Marley Award four times. On July 11, 2014, after Tucker won the Dan Marley Award for the second time, the Suns and Tucker reached a three-year contract extension worth $16.5 million. Later, in an interview, Tucker cried. He said: "I was so excited that no one had ever experienced these things that I had gone through. It was God and faith that got me to where I am today, and I know I can play in the NBA and I try my best in every game. I just wanted to stay in the NBA and I tried to prove to everyone that I could play in the NBA. "Everyone who works hard for their dreams deserves to be respected, and every drop of sweat that has ever been shed shines brightly."
In February 2017, Tucker returned to the Raptors. The Raptors want to rush out of the East, no matter what, they have to pass the LeBron James level, so Tucker became a reinforcement on the Raptors' front line. Tucker played in 10 playoff games, averaging 25.1 minutes per game, and could get five points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks. Although Tucker's data may seem inconspicuous, he defends against James, who has dominated the East for many years, a super basketball player rare in history. Tucker used his body against James again and again, just to make his shot a little more uncomfortable and difficult.
In July of the same year, Tucker chose to join the Rockets. There was a big deal in the league that year, the Rockets got Chris Paul 7-for-1, teamed up with James Harden, and decided to take the defending champion Warriors off the horse. But under this great turmoil, accompanied by a "trivial" Tucker 4-year, 32 million signing, he gave up the Raptors' 3-year 33 million to respond to the call of his friend Chris Paul. In the Rockets' three-year playoffs, Tucker averaged 9.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 43.2 percent from three-point range. Tucker did his best "personnel", and everything else was "destiny".
On March 17, 2021, the Rockets traded PJ Tucker, Rodions Kuruc and a 2022 first-round pick from the Bucks to the Bucks, earning DJ Augustine, DJ Wilson and an unprotected first-round pick for 2023. The Rockets are in a slump and rebuild, and the Bucks reinforcements are once again on the championship.
The Bucks' aggressive signings eventually paid off, with a 4-2 win over the Suns in the Finals, and Tucker's path finally came to a perfect end. There are always players in the league who are "obscure" and whose stats are so bleak compared to the star players. But if you really calm down and enjoy their game, every fight, every defense is a perfect example of why they are an indispensable part of the team. PJ-Tucker is one of the best examples.
The Dan Marley Award, also known as the Dan Marley Fighting Award, is in honor of The Suns' star player in history, Dan Marley, which was founded by Suns owner Jerry Colangelo and awarded to the Suns' most fighting player after each season.