Should P.J. Tucker Have Stayed with the Miami Heat?

Some fans are pointing out Tucker’s lackluster performances

Philadelphia 76ers forward P.J. Tucker is facing a wave of criticism after his third consecutive game with zero points. During the stretch, Tucker has attempted just two field goals. For the month of November, he has averaged 2.1 points on 1.8 shot attempts.

PJ Tucker is on pace to average the fewest FGA per game (3.1) by any player with 28+ MPG in a season.

He has 0 points in 3 straight games. 17 total points in November. pic.twitter.com/VyBFKwLptD

— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 20, 2022

PJ Tucker ran around for 30 minutes and didn’t put up one shot. That seems impossible. If I’m out there playing defense for 30 minutes y’all gonna have to live with me taking at least 3 ill-advised shots. PJ out there getting musty for no reason

— The Anonymous Nobody (@el_budget) November 14, 2022

Some users say Tucker should have stayed with the Miami Heat. Tucker had arguably one of the best seasons of his career with the Heat, helping them nearly reach the Finals. He averaged 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists, while shooting a career-best 41.3 percent from three-point range. Tucker was a beloved figure in Miami by players and fans alike.

Notice his best year was with the heat

— 𝓝𝓲𝓬𝓴🔥⚡️ (@SSJ_Nick3) November 20, 2022

Wouldn’t have happened if he stayed his ass in Miami…

— Big Rome (@LONDO87540615) November 20, 2022

Despite the critiques, some Sixers have defended Tucker, saying his impact goes beyond the stat sheet. Sixers forward Georges Niang talked about his influence after Philadelphia’s Friday night win against the Milwaukee Bucks.

“P.J.’s been tremendous,” Niang said. “He’s a savvy veteran and a leader. He knows what it takes to win a championship, and demands it from us night in and night out. His unselfish play shows in his stat line, but his stat line doesn’t show how much he means to us. He was tremendous tonight to slow Giannis up. Giannis was on a tear, and he slowed him down to give us a chance to win this game. Big rebounds, big tip-outs, just talking and keeping us dialed in as a unit. That guy does not get enough credit, and he wins games just by being P.J. Tucker.”

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Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.