Trent Tucker’s New Job Combines Both His Passions

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State Speech Tournament

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Trap Shooting Gaining Popularity In Minn. Schools

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It is an honor for me to interview my dearest friend and client, Trent Tucker in regard to a shot he made that changed NBA history on a very special day. Oh what a game.  I remember it well as I was sitting in the seats of former NY Knicks star Charles Oakley, which were located behind the Knicks bench and it was a very exciting game down to the last .3 tenths of a second on the clock.  It was MLK day and what better way to spend the day but at Madison Square Garden watching the Knicks play Michael Jordan and his Bulls.

MJ Pedone: I know you remember that game as if you just played in it yesterday. Can you take us back to the final seconds of the game?

Trent Tucker:  I can remember the game like it was yesterday. It was the first season they went to tenths of seconds on the game clock. The play designed was an alley-oop pass for Patrick Ewing. I was used as the decoy to empty out the backside hoping that Michael Jordan would follow me. Because he such a smart player, he read the play and we didn’t have a back up option. So I ran along the sideline and Mark Jackson gave me a little flip pass; I caught the ball and shot it as quickly as I could…and the rest is history.

MJ Pedone: I remember the crowd exploding.  What were you thinking after you made that shot?

Trent Tucker: My first and only thought was to get off the court as quickly as we could so they couldn’t bring us back or replay that possession.

MJ Pedone: I know MJ and a few others had some words for you heading to the locker room. Care to share any?                                                                                

Trent Tucker: They just said it was a great shot and a great win for the team.

MJ Pedone:  The Bulls protested that shot.  What was the outcome?

Trent Tucker: After further review, the shot counted and we won the game. They changed the rule the following season.

MJ:  Talk to us about the Trent Tucker Rule.

Trent Tucker: The Trent Tucker Rule is a basketball rule that disallows any regular shot to be taken on the court if the ball is put into play with less than three-tenths of a second left on the game or shot clock. The rule was passed after the 1989-90 season due to the shot I made against the Bulls that season.  There has to be .03 seconds or more on the shot/game clock in order to be able to catch and shoot the ball.

MJ Pedone: Lets fast-forward to the final year that you played in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls.  Did your Bulls teammates ever say anything about that shot once you joined their team?

Trent Tucker: Michael Jordan said, “You know that shot didn’t count.” We laughed about it.

MJ Pedone: Bring us back to when you won the championship.

Trent Tucker: Winning the championship was one of best days of my life. I can go on, but we would need a few hours.

MJ Pedone:  Obviously, I have the privilege of working with you on a daily basis.  Can you let the world know the many great things you are doing post NBA career?

Trent Tucker: I have always been involved in philanthropy and started my nonprofit in 1998 in which we support underprivileged youth. The All 4 Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) committed to educating at-risk youth academically, personally, socially and physically through a curriculum that expands their horizons and encourages them to participate in new areas of learning.  Our mission includes striving to develop the whole students mind so that they have the tools to make decisions that are intellectual, moral and ethical. In 2001, The Trent Tucker University Scholars Program was implemented in the University of Minnesota and has been adopted by Columbia University and will begin this spring. I also lend my time to other organizations in order to raise awareness and funds that will benefit children who are in need. I enjoy speaking on a national level at corporations, being a mentor for both youth and adult programs and hosting fundraising events in order to bring awareness to my educational programs. I have a great team that I work with in Minneapolis and of course you and your team at Indra Public Relations in NYC, who I work with daily. I have been blessed in so many ways and will always continue to give back.

MJ Pedone: Thank you for your time and reliving such a historical day with us.

Trent Tucker: My pleasure.

-MJ Pedone Indra Public Relations http://www.indrapr.com MJ@indrapr.com January 21, 2013

About Trent: Trent Tucker is known as one of the premier 3-point shooters in the history of the NBA. Drafted sixth in the first round of the NBA draft, Trent started his career with the NY Knicks where he played nine seasons before he went on to the Chicago Bulls for his final year, earning a Championship Title in 1993. In 1998, Trent started his nonprofit foundation dedicated to empowering youth to make positive choices, increase self-respect and develop a vision for the future.  Today, Trent can be heard on KFAN, MinneapolisRadio every Saturday morning lending his expertise on all sports topics as well as the Trent Tucker Youth Program.  As one of the leading philanthropists to come out of the NBA, Trent is proud to have raised millions of dollars throughout the years for his foundation as well as many others.

Mission: The All 4 Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) committed to educating at-risk youth academically, personally, socially and physically through a curriculum that expands their horizons and encourages them to participate in new areas of learning. Our mission includes striving to develop the whole students mind so that they have the tools to make decisions that are intellectual, moral and ethical.

Further, Trent Tucker partners with other causes in order to raise national awareness and funds to benefit children in need.

Main Event: For 13 years, The Trent Tucker Celebrity Golf Tournament &Dinner Gala has received the star support from Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, Charles Oakley, Kevin Garnett, BJ Armstrong, Kenny Lofton and Kris Humphries to name a few.  What started out as a local golf event in Minneapolis, has turned into a major celebrity golf event that raises a significant amount of money each year providing the at-risk students of the youth program benefits that would never be possible otherwise. In 2011, Trent brought this exciting two-day event to New York City.  The All 4 Kids Foundation has teamed up with The Max Cure Foundation for pediatric cancer causes and will present the 2^nd Annual All 4 Kids Celebrity Golf Tournament & Dinner Gala this coming September 9-10, 2012.

Youth Program: In 2001, the Trent Tucker University Scholars Program was created to provide at-risk youth with the tools necessary to develop academically, mentally and socially through tutoring and mentoring programs. Throughout the years, many of these students not only have graduated from high school, but also now attend some of the top private and public colleges in the country.  This March 2012, Trent Tucker’s program is expanding into New York City and is partnering with Columbia University to take 20 kids from a middle school in Harlem and promote early college awareness.

Dunk Your Kicks: “Dunk Your Kicks” for pediatric cancer provides a meaningful fundraising opportunity for everyone while teaching kids philanthropy through the art of giving back by “dunking” their old “kicks” into recycling bins and taking a step to finding a cure for pediatric cancer. On average, for every pair received, one dollar will be donated to various pediatric cancer causes that The Max Cure Foundation and the All 4 Kids Foundation support.

Beyond Barriers: “Beyond Barriers” is a family navigation system put in place by The Max Cure Foundation for pediatric cancer causes that provides low-income families certain necessities of life as they, with their children, fight to overcome cancer.  Trent Tucker has been named a celebrity ambassador to the “Beyond Barriers” initiative and has met with some of the afflicted children and their families, offering his support and encouraging words of perseverance.

Recognition:   The Trent Tucker All 4 Kids Foundation: 2010 – Present

The Trent Tucker University Scholars Program:Present- Minneapolis 2001 &NYC 2012

The Max Cure Foundation “Beyond Barriers”Ambassador: 2011 – Present

Breakthrough Spirit Award:Children’s Cancer & Blood Foundation – 2010

Bachelor of Science Psychology of Communication – University of   Minneapolis 2007

Color Commentator: Big 10 Network – 2007-2009

Trent Tucker Nonprofit Foundation: Founder – 1998

Color Commentator: Minnesota Timberwolves – 1995-2000

World Championship Title: Chicago Bulls – 1993

Trent Tucker Rule: NBA Rule Book– 1990

NBA 1^st Round Draft Pick: NY Knicks – 1982

All-American at the University of Minnesota

Jersey retired by the Minnesota Golden Gophers

Visit Trent Tucker for more information.

TRENT

The Trent Tucker All 4 Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that was established to provide at-risk youth an opportunity to grow academically and understand how to be successful despite the temptations they face in their neighborhood environments. The Trent Tucker Youth Program  provides middle school students a chance to be successful socially, emotionally and academically through tutoring and mentoring programs. Throughout the years, many of these students not only have graduated from high school, but also now attend some of the top private and public colleges in the country.  
        
Goals of the All 4 Kids Foundation:
To raise $1 million annually to fund the Trent Tucker Youth Program in order for at-risk youth to thrive and excel in spite of their socioeconomic status
To continue expanding youth programs and eventually develop charter schools in New York City and Minneapolis
To partner with other foundations and Trent’s celebrity to heighten brand awareness and raise additional funds for other causes
 
This year, Trent Tucker has named Clay Walker’s Band Against MS (BAMS) Foundation and the Nancy Davis Foundation as two of the recipients of proceeds of the All 4 Kids & Max Cure Celebrity Golf Tournament & Gala on September 9 and 10, 2012. 
*Details to follow

Maybe he was a good coach but he is a terrible announcer.  Simply put he doesn’t shut up.  He fills every single second of dead air with his nasally, raspy, drone of a voice.  There is no such concept as ‘letting the game breathe’ when Brown is behind the mic.  He has a didactic way of intoning, as if he’s talking down to us. 

Outside of Marv Albert I cannot think of one good basketball announcer.  I used to love Walt Frazier who does color commentary for the Knicks.  There must be some other good local announcers that I am unaware of, but nationally they are either grating, like Brown, or generically bland. 

In baseball and football I can name several announcers that I enjoy listening to.  I am not a big hockey fan but I have watched enough games to know that they have a much higher caliber announcer than basketball does. 

So I ask you:  Who are they, and where are they?

Hubie Brown

I MISS THE OLD NEW YORK

It’s been a wild week regarding NBA Free Agency.  Trent Tucker joins the program to talk about how the dust settled when names like LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Stoudamire, and Boozer made their decisions.

Don’t think the Timberwolves weren’t affected by all the free agency hoopla.  Michael Beasley looks set to join the roster, but will Al Jefferson be part of the Minneapolis scene come November?  Eric caught up with the Wolves’ forward earlier this week.

Larry Fitzgerald’s summer programs attract some of the biggest legends that played the position.  This year is no different, with one of those being Hall of Famer Michael Irvin.  Eric had a chance to speak to the “Playmaker” about the camp’s host, a Viking  legend, and the impending return of one Brett Favre.

Retired NBA Player, Trent Tucker, Plays Fantasy Football with Best Buy

Best Buy, the nation’s leading consumer electronics retailer, has announced that Retired NBA Player, Trent ucker, will compete in week 15 of the Best Buy Fantasy Football Challenge.

Trent is an avid supporter of the Life Time Fitness Foundation that was established in 2003 to support the health and well-being of children and families in our communities. 100% of each dollar raised is provided to non-profit organizations that align with our mission, with a particular focus on helping young people maximize their potential. The support we provide includes financial and in-kind grants, and volunteerism.

Every week, Best Buy provides the opportunity for fantasy football fans to compete against a celebrity opponent to win entries into the weekly sweepstakes.  Prizes include a 50” Plasma TV, a laptop computer, an Xbox 360 console and a portable satellite TV.

To participate in the Best Buy Fantasy Football challenge, simply go to www.BestBuyFantasy.com and choose your players from the drop down menu on the home page.   You can change your roster as often as you like during the week, except for 15 minutes before the start of each player’s first game.  For every point by which your team beats Tucker’s team, you will receive one entry into this week’s prize drawing.

Empecemos con la parte histórica: el 15 de enero de 1990, en un partido entre los Knicks y los Bulls en el Madison Square Garden, Trent Tucker (otro cañonero histórico) metió una estratosférica canasta que daba la victoria a los Knicks cuando sólo quedaban 0,1 segundos de tiempo. La espectacular acción fue objeto de una inmediata protesta por parte de los Bulls, que sostenían, y con toda la razón, que Tucker había tardado más de ese tiempo en lanzar el balón. Sin embargo, los árbitros dieron como buena la canasta y los Knicks se llevaron la victoria.

La protesta de los Bulls se mantuvo una vez concluido el partido, y el asunto cobró trascendencia hasta que, finalmente, David Stern estableció la llamada “regla de Trent Tucker”. Según ella, son necesarios al menos 0,3 segundos para que un jugador reciba un pase desde la banda y lance a canasta en un partido. Si quedan menos de 0,3 segundos, se considerará inválido el tiro. La única opción de un equipo al que le queda menos de ese tiempo es la de realizar un palmeo. Algo ciertamente difícil, y que curiosamente sólo se ha logrado en una ocasión, de nuevo con un jugador de los Knicks como protagonista. El 20 de diciembre de 2006, David Lee palmeaba un saque de banda cuando sólo quedaban 0,1 segundos de tiempo y empataba el partido a 113 frente a los Cleveland Cavaliers. Aquí podéis ver la acción (y también, al principio del vídeo, la jugada original de Tucker en 1990):

Sin embargo, los chicos de FSN Sports Science decidieron hace unos meses intentar demostrar que se puede recibir y tirar en menos de 0,3 segundos, cuestionando así la regla de Trent Tucker. Para ello, llamaron al bueno de Jason Kapono (campeón, recordemos, del torneo de triples de la NBA en 2007) para demostrarlo. Le cubrieron la mano de sensores de movimiento para poder calcular a la perfección el tiempo que tardaba en lanzar y, de paso, no sé muy bien para qué, llamaron a Jordan Farmar para que le diera el pase. Los resultados podéis verlos en el siguiente vídeo (dura 7 minutos, pero vale la pena):

En resumidas cuentas: Kapono logró recibir y tirar en 0,22 segundos (“menos tiempo del que se tarda en parpadear”, como repiten hasta la saciedad en el vídeo). En lugar de recibir, cuadrarse y tirar, consiguió la proeza eliminando el segundo paso de la ecuación y haciendo el movimiento del tiro al mismo tiempo que recibía el balón. Impresionante, la verdad… pero no lo bastante para invalidar la regla de Trent Tucker. ¿Por qué? Muy fácil, la regla afecta a situaciones de partido en que quedan menos de 0,3 segundos. Teniendo en cuenta que los relojes de la NBA no cuentan las centésimas de segundo, sino sólo las décimas, Kapono debería haber tirado al menos en 0,2 segundos para invalidar realmente la regla. Por lo tanto, más que cuestionar la regla, lo que cuestiona el récord de Kapono es la forma de medir el tiempo que tiene la NBA. De hecho, me llama mucho la atención que una liga como la NBA aún no considere las centésimas a día de hoy. Será, imagino, porque cambiar este tipo de cosas requeriría cambiar los relojes de todas las canchas de la liga, y requeriría probablemente un grado de precisión mucho más elevado del que se tiene ahora mismo…

Y ahora, una vez lograda esta “tontería”, Kapono ya puede empezar a ganarse el sueldo en los Raptors, que ya le toca… y yo me despido recordando que en Europa también hay quien ha logrado la proeza de meter una canasta en 0,1 segundos. Y si no, echad un vistazo a este vídeo de un partido de Euroliga entre Unicaja y DKV Joventut. ¿El protagonista? Rudy Fernández, quién si no…