Calls Mount for Knicks to Make Key Decision on Veteran Big Man

It has, to say the least, been an interesting year for Knicks forward PJ Tucker. To start the season, he was a member of the Clippers, but on Feb. 1, he was part of a massive trade that saw him dealt to the Utah Jazz. Five days later, he was sent on from the Jazz to the Raptors, the team that originally drafted him nearly two decades ago. But that did not last long, either--by the end of February he was let go by Toronto. 

Tucker, 39, signed with the Knicks, at first on a 10-day contract, in March. It was not until March 19, in fact, that Tucker--despite having been on four rosters--finally played his first game, logging less than two minutes in garbage time.

On Friday, in a tough 115-106 loss to the Pistons in Detroit, a potential first-round playoff preview, Tucker finally got his first significant minutes for the Knicks. He played 27 minutes and had three points with six rebounds, but despite the limited statistical impact, his presence was certainly felt. 

Tucker brought a toughness that the Knicks often lack, one that they will need if they do, indeed, face Detroit in the playoffs.

That was clear late in the third quarter, after some Knicks took exception to the fact that the Pistons' Dennis Schroder fouled star Jalen Brunson, and stood over him, menacingly, as Brunson laid on the floor. A minute later, Tucker sent Schroder to the floor on a foul, and stood over him.