While OGs like Gilbert Arenas, Nate Robinson and Tony Wroten set the precedent for Kicks on Court that Tucker took to a whole new stratosphere, the Rockets wing has made an impact not just on the hardwood but also in the tunnel.
PJ Tucker in the Nike SB Dunk Low “Skate or Die” with the Nike Kobe IV Protro “Carpe Diem” (via League Fits)
Seen above is what Tucker calls his favorite pre-game fit of the 2018-19 NBA Season.
However, what’s as important as what’s on his feet, legs and shoulders is what’s in his hand: his game shoes.
PJ Tucker in the Louis Vuitton Trainer Sneaker with the Nike Zoom Kobe V “Chaos” (via League Fits)
Over the course of the past few seasons, Tucker has been among the many NBA players who show up to the tunnel not just dripping from head to toe with sauce, but also among the players who preview their on court footwear by carrying it in.
SLAM calls it #HeatInHand with the likes of Russell Westbrook, Swaggy P and King James among the early adopters.
Russell Westbrook in the Off-White x Converse Chuck Taylor with the “Super Soaker” Jordan Why Not Zer0.2Brandon Ingram in the adidas Yeezy 500 with the adidas KB8 IINick Young in A Bathing Ape Bapestas with the adidas D Rose 4 “Chicago Fire”LeBron James in the Nike Air Fear of God 1 with the Nike LeBron 16
So, with all these stars making #HeatinHand pop, who exactly gets credit for starting the trend?
And better yet, how did it happen?
PJ Tucker in the Nike Air Max Susan “Missing Link” with the Nike Air Fear of God 1 “Orange Pulse” (photo via BR Kicks)
“I don’t know if people are trying to take credit for that,” says PJ with a laugh, “but if you run it back I definitely started that.”
Just how you ask?
“It wasn’t on purpose. I had a pair of shoes I was gonna play in — it wasn’t the purpose to show off shoes — but I must’ve left the bag at the hotel or the house so I had to walk in with them.”
PJ Tucker in the Nike Air Max 1 with the Nike Kobe VII “What the” (photo via League Fits)
Well, there you have it.
Peep some of PJ’s greatest #HeatinHand moments of the last season below.
PJ Tucker in the Nike Air Force 1 Low “Sager Strong” with the Nike Kobe IV Protro “Wizenard” (via Complex Sneakers)PJ Tucker in the Nike Air Max 1 “Chlorophyll” with the Nike KD III “All Star”PJ Tucker in the Nike SB Dunk Low “Reese Forbes Wheat” with the Air Jordan 10 “Aleali May” (photo via Houston Rockets)PJ Tucker in the sacai x Nike LDV Waffle with the Nike Air Force 1 High “Sheed” (photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)PJ Tucker in the Air Jordan 1 “Not for Resale” Yellow with the Air Jordan 11 Premium “Grey Suede”PJ Tucker in the Union x Air Jordan 1 with the Nike Shox BB4 “All Star” (photo by Jasear Thompson/NBAE via Getty Images)PJ Tucker in the Nike Air Force 1 Low “Nigel Sylvester” with the Nike KD II “Creamsicle”PJ Tucker in the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 “Volt” with the Nike Zoom LeBron II “Dunkman”PJ Tucker in the Nike Air Force 1 Low “Linen” with the Nike KD III “HORSE”PJ Tucker in the Air Jordan 4 “Doernbecher” with the Air Jordan 5 “Tokyo23” (photo by the Houston Rockets via Complex Sneakers)
