P.J. Tucker a ‘realist’ about spark he can give Knicks after long wait for NBA return

SACRAMENTO — P.J. Tucker understands his reputation as a hard-nosed player who is willing to vocalize displeasure.

He embraces it — “I’m just a realist,” Tucker said.

But the 39-year-old, who officially became a Knick on Monday, also is a voice of encouragement for struggling teammates, a trait that was brought up in the context of Mikal Bridges’ recent stumbles.

“I’ve been there. I know how it goes. It’s a long, long season. And when you’re in it, when you’re shooting bad, when it’s just not going right, you just need guys behind you to tell you those are good shots,” Tucker said. “Tell you to keep working. Keep doing this, keep doing that. Staying in that positivity. You need that.

“And a lot of times when you become a vet and be in the league, like young guys and stuff on the bench, they’re not going to do that. They’re not going to have your back like that. So it’s always good to have vets and like-minded guys that just have each other’s back. And that’s what really makes a team strong — just knowing that they have people there and I support you whether you’re playing good or bad. We’re in it together.”

Tucker’s wealth of winning NBA experience is unique to a locker room with no rotational players older than 30.