PJ Tucker goes on shoe-buying binge amid lockdown, brings 80 pairs to NBA bubble

FILE – P.J. Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 07, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona.  Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

The NBA’s undisputed sneaker king finds ways to come up with grails despite the lockdown.

P.J. Tucker made it a habit to visit sneaker shops during Houston’s road trips but with COVID-19 pandemic limiting movement, the Rockets forward turned to eBay to get his fix and bump his collection as he prepared for life in the NBA Bubble in Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.

Talking to ESPN’s Nick DePaula, Tucker said that he’s even bought more shoes during the lockdown than when the world was still normal.

“I’ve bought more shoes during the coronavirus than I ever have,” said Tucker. “Probably my entire life.”

“I’ve been bored. I’ve just been talking to people online [tracking down shoes], and it’s been crazy. It’s all I’ve been doing.”

FILE — P.J. Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets ties his shoes before the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 29, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP

Tucker, who wears size 14 for games and 13 or 14 casually, said that hunting down sneakers in the larger spectrum is often a difficult task, especially for those limited-edition models.

That’s why eBay has been his preferred platform as he can find the rare gems.

“I don’t know anybody that buys more shoes on eBay than me,” said Tucker. “I like eBay because I can always find rare gems in my size. I always have upwards of 40 sneakers in my cart at any given time.”

To satisfy his urges, Tucker brought with him 80 pairs of sneakers for a potential three-month-long stay in Orlando while also having an 85-inch TV for his hotel room.

His sneaker hunt, however, isn’t done as Tucker found out that he can still order shoes online despite being in the bubble.

Tucker listed down the Nike Air Total Foamposite Max – White/Black, Nike Air Max CW – Black/ White/Red, Nike Vis Zoom Uptempo – Black/White/Royal, Nike Zoom Flightposite 1 TB – Black/ White/Red, and the Nike Air Max 1 ‘Parra’ Amsterdam Friends and Family as the sneakers he’s targeting during his stay in Orlando.

DePaula, however, reported that Tucker already copped a pair of the Foamposite Max, a shoe that Tim Duncan made famous during San Antonio’s 1998 playoff run, and he immediately rocked the joints when he arrived at Walt Disney World Resort.