Sixers’ P.J. Tucker says team’s communication has ‘completely changed’ this season
According to P.J. Tucker, Joel Embiids communication was rather minimal during preseason practices.
To hear him talking today was crazy, Tucker said with a laugh on Oct. 7 of the Sixers All-Star center. So well try to build off that, see what happens tomorrow.
Many days later, Embiid is the NBAs MVP and the Sixers are set to play Game 6 of their second-round playoff series Thursday night against the Celtics at Wells Fargo Center. They hold a 3-2 lead over Boston.
That doesnt mean Tucker is now blown away by Embiids on-court communication.
He still doesnt talk much, but its more with his actions, Tucker said Thursday following the Sixers shootaround. Theres a lot of times where he comes out of nowhere on defense. And then on offense, just being aggressive. When he does that, it makes it easier for everybody else.
Of course, Tucker is especially disinclined to offer any insincere praise. In his first season as a Sixer, the 38-year-old has been a central figure in the teams culture of candidly, immediately addressing problems.
Beginning with the Sixers training camp in Charleston, South Carolina, Tucker has fixated on communication.
I think that was the No. 1 thing I talked about throughout (the year), he said. I was like, Its going to be a thing at the end, and weve got to communicate better and keep building on it all year. And looking back, weve come a long way for sure from those days in Charleston.
Obviously, its just one of those things where throughout the year, you keep harping on it. And then at the end, everybodys kind of like, Yeah. You dont necessarily think about it, but its actually happening.
Tucker has seen significant progress from fellow veteran forward Tobias Harris on that front.
Tobias talks a lot more now, Tucker said. Hes adapted a lot to playing with me and James (Harden). The group has completely changed from those days. Its funny now thinking about those days, because theyre so different.
Off the court, the consensus is that Embiid is not a loquacious leader.
As hed tell you, hes content playing video games at home and hanging out with his family.
Obviously, I dont do anything outside of basketball, whether its going out or going to dinner, Embiid said at his MVP press conference. I just hate restaurants and stuff, so thats not me. Sometimes I do it, but I think the guys around me, they have been extremely helpful. Theyre allowing me to just be myself and then also just take me as I am, and thats been great.
Still, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers has appreciated Embiids efforts to engage more with his teammates.
Joels not naturally talkative at times, Rivers said Wednesday. Hes a loner at times. And its been a concerted effort to give himself to the team. You dont have to lead by screaming and all that stuff. Just give yourself to each other, especially when youre the best player. Its so easy when youre the best player to just go, Im the best player and separate himself. And boy, it helps when hes not.
Hes playing cards. I dont think Jo wants to play cards, honestly. I really dont. (Kevin Garnett) would lose money on purpose. He had a lot of it, but he would play cards and you could see with some of the hands, hed wink at you. He just wanted guys to keep playing and being together. And Jos doing a lot of that. Its good.
For Embiid, having his locker next to Tuckers clearly has not hurt.
Everybody knows this team was made for these times right now. Its just people dont realize how long it takes to get to this point, and having to go through the process,” Tucker said. Thats what weve been talking about all year. Its a process from training camp, going through the season, the ups and downs, injuries all the stuff that happens to give yourself a chance to be able to win it all.
So its been a long process, its been fun building as a team, and now it kind of all goes out the window and its about winning.
