Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek will be faced with a difficult decision in the days leading up to the new NBA season, one that can be summed up as such: P.J or T.J.?
Does the proven veteran with a familiar skill set tailored around defensive efficiency get the nod in lieu of a player who looks to be a prolific scorer? Does that offensive firepower stay on the bench until it’s time for the second unit to keep the foot on the gas pedal?
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That deliberation might prove to play a role when Hornacek has to decide on whether he is going to stick with P.J Tucker or see what he has in second-year forward T.J. Warren.
At this point, it seems to as though the decision is going to come down to the wire.
During an intrasquad training camp scrimmage on Oct. 2, Warren was seen running with the starters against what looked to be the second unit. A second unit that featured Tucker.
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“We’ve moved guys around the whole time,” Hornacek said. “It was just the way it shook out, we have to throw guys left and right and it ended up looking like that.”
The difference in skill set between the two players is obvious; Tucker has built his reputation as the team’s versatile defender who can draw the assignment of anyone on the court, while Warren has managed to earn a reputation of a guy who can score from all over.
In his last two seasons in Phoenix, Tucker has had particular success as a perimeter defender, causing the three-point percentage of the player he was defending to drop by an average of 4.4 percent.
“P.J’s been a very valued player for us, the past two years especially since coach and I have been here,” general manager Ryan McDonough said. “We place a premium on versatility and guys who are able to play multiple positions, P.J last year; I think coach stuck him on everyone from Steph Curry to DeMarcus Cousins.”
Tucker’s value is undeniable; he averaged 9.1 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest last season, to go with the aforementioned defensive ability.
Warren isn’t going anywhere, though.
In his first season, Warren averaged 6.1 points in 15.4 minutes through 40 games. His true shooting percentage, 55.6 percent, ranked second behind Nikola Mirotic among rookies taken in the first round last season.
While his defensive efficiency ranked him in the bottom 50 percent among rookies, Warren has improved in the offseason.
“T.J.’s another guy who I think has taken a stride,” Hornacek said. “You watch him in these preseason pick-up games that they have, obviously you see his scoring ability, but I think his defense has really picked up. Defense always seems to get you on the court.”
Tucker has embraced the role of mentor, though, acknowledging Warren’s development:
“P.J has been a great example for me,” Warren said. “He’s been teaching me a lot of things, like how to play guys and what I need to do, so he’s been doing a great job of that.”
Warren acknowledges that he isn’t thinking too much in terms of a competition between himself and Tucker, but wasn’t shy when he mentioned his goal for the season:
“Obviously the main goal is to start,” Warren said. “But if that’s not the case, whatever coach Hornacek wants me to do, I’m gonna do it.”
Tucker’s skill set — a spot-up perimeter shooter who can defend anyone on the floor — and the current situation that seems to be unfolding in Phoenix regarding the 3-spot is reminiscent of a situation that unfolded with another team in the league last season.
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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr elected to move Andre Iguodala, a guy who had started every game in his 11-year career, to the bench in favor of third-year forward Draymond Green. In his new role, Iguodala flourished in the postseason, averaging 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game, helping the Warriors win their first NBA title since 1975.
Iguodala was named the Finals MVP, averaging 16.3 points in six games of the championship series, three of which he started.
Granted, the situations do have their differences. But the point remains that there is production to be found in a bench role, not to mention a reason for Tucker to remain optimistic should he be moved to the bench.
Again, Hornacek is going to take this decision down to the wire, simply because he acknowledges it will be one of that hardest decisions he has to make to start the year.
So don’t expect much from the fourth-year head coach when it comes to any hints regarding which way he’s leaning.
“When we come first game of the regular season, that’s when you’ll know who the starters are.” Hornacek said.
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