Milwaukee Bucks: P.J. Tucker talks about departure before facing Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks found themselves shrouded in controversy this past offseason after they shockingly let P.J. Tucker walk out the door in free agency.

Following Milwaukee’s title, it seemed concrete that they would hand him a new deal right when free agency began, but for luxury tax purposes, they elected not to bring him back. That paved the way for him to sign with the Miami Heat on a solid two-year deal, joining one of Milwaukee’s most prominent rivals within the Eastern Conference. The decision that divided the fanbase, and Tucker himself has expressed his shock that he did not receive a new deal. It seems like he has taken the decision personally also as his Heat are set to take on the Bucks tonight.

As detailed in a recent article from the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang, Tucker has been thinking about this matchup with his former team for the past few months.

"“I mean, come on, we’re competitors. I was part of that… To not be back? For sure. You know it’s like natural human behavior. Definitely, I want to win this game better than I want to win any other game. Yes, I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t.”“I just felt like it for the fans, because everybody blamed me… All the fans blamed me right away, not knowing the situation, what happened. So that was definitely a raw emotion, right in that moment. But it is what it is. It’s business. They made a decision, I made a decision, and we move on. It is what it is. But to say that I’m not circling every time we play Milwaukee, I would be lying to you.”"

P.J. Tucker will not be forgetting his surprising exit from the Milwaukee Bucks anytime soon

Once Tucker left the Bucks for the Heat, it added another layer to the rivalry that is brewing with these two franchises. These two teams have met in back-to-back postseasons, with each beating the other once. After falling short in the 2020 postseason, the Bucks bounced back against Miami this past season after they made it clear they wanted a rematch with the Heat in the playoffs. It proved to be a great mindset as the Bucks swept their foe, redeeming themselves from the year prior. Now, both teams are retooled after busy offseasons, and Miami’s addition of Tucker will be a hot topic of discussion throughout the regular season and especially if these two teams meet in the postseason for a rubber match.

Things tend to get physical whenever these two teams meet up, and Tucker should help keep that sentiment true. Bucks fans know about the intensity and toughness he brings to the table, and judging by his comments, he should be lacking zero motivation heading into this matchup. While this matchup alone will not dictate whether or not the Bucks made the right decision in letting the forward leave for nothing, Tucker will be playing like it, and understandably so. His teammates will also be very motivated as they look to rebound from the embarrassing close to last season.

It will be tough to see Tucker in that opposing jersey when he takes the floor tonight, but this matchup between the Bucks and Heat will have some fireworks because of him.