March 16, 2022 – Jacksonville, FL
Every season starts the same for the Jacksonville Giants. They never start the season as the #1 ranked team in league power rankings, but it seems that they win the ABA national championship every year. The Giants have won the past 5 ABA championships and are looking to add to their 7-title total this year. Looking to lead the Giants to their eighth championship is Giants head coach Jerrod Tucker. What makes Coach Tucker unique is the fact that he also played for the Giants and was a team captain. Coach Tucker has proven he can win as a player, winning several championships with the Giants, but can he win a championship as a coach? That is the big question that will be answered as the ABA post season moves forward.
Coach Tucker has always known that the Giants have had a target on their back and he believes it will only help him improve as it has helped him as a player in the past. “I’ve stepped into a spot that is used to winning championships. As a player I always knew we would get everyone’s best shot so it made me a better player. But it has also made me a better coach. I’ve had to become a better motivator and leader along with preparing my team to be the best they can be.” says Coach Tucker. Coach Tucker has proven this season that he is 100% qualified to be the man at the helm as the Giants have only lost one game on the year and that was to the Palm Beach Stampede. The Giants would get their revenge on the Stampede on February 26th, 2021 with a score of 127-97.
After their victory against the Stampede, Coach Tucker said a phrase in a post game interview that seems to be the theme of the season. Coach Tucker said, “no motivation required.” When asked to expand on what that meant, Coach Tucker said, “No motivation required meant I didn’t need to get my team ultra motivated for the game. They knew what was at stake and they also wanted to avenge their only loss on the season. This group is super competitive like myself so they didn’t need any extra motivation to come out and get the job done.” Nobody needs to remind the Giants what’s on the line. In the eyes of Coach Tucker and his team, the only one that can get in their way is themselves. The front office has provided Coach Tucker with the talent he needs to not just make a post season run but to add to their 8 titles. It has always been championship or bust and this year is no different. For updates on the Jacksonville Giants and all of the ABA, visit www.SPCSN.com.
