After about three and a half NBA seasons in Houston, including three extended playoff runs, veteran striker PJ Tucker moves from the Rockets to the Milwaukee Bucks.
But before talking about his new team, known for Wednesday’s trade deal, Tucker looked back on the nearly four years that have passed since his July 2017 decision to sign with Houston. In an extended message to his Instagram account, Tucker wrote:
It’s crazy, but for a place I love wholeheartedly, I can’t find the words to describe what the city of Houston means to me. The city hugged me from day one and stole my heart, with all the love it showed me.
I gave blood, sweat and tears to the ground and sacrificed everything to try to carry a chip [championship] in the city. City H, thank you for giving me some of the best years of my life. I will not forget you soon.
Tucker, a longtime Rockets defensive back, is in the final year of his contract and recently requested an operation after he was unable to agree with the team on his desired contract extension. The Bucks will also offer the 35-year-old the chance to compete for his first NBA title, something Tucker couldn’t really do with the Rockets after superstar James Harden’s guard left in January.
In addition to his defense, Tucker was a clear leader in the Houston locker room and one of the toughest players in the league. During his time with the Rockets, Tucker played most games for any NBA player. Houston also won at least one playoff series in each of Tucker’s years with the team, something no other Western Conference team achieved during that period.
During Tucker’s first season with the team, Houston reached 65-17, which was easily the best mark in the NBA that season and the highest record in team history. Although the Rockets never won a championship at this time, it remains one of the most successful throws of all time in the franchise.