Even though Kevin Durant has left his mark on the series with his legendary Game 5, PJ Tucker continues to put his heart and soul into defense on the two-time NBA champion.
A true defensive pit bull, the strong winger is not far from accomplishing his mission since everything will be played on a Game 7 at Barclays Center on Saturday night.
Asked about his opponent at a press conference, the defender can only see the talent of Kevin Durant night after night, and the difficulty of slowing him down. “Kevin Durant is perhaps the best scorer of our generation” loose entry PJ Tucker. “He is 30 points on average in the playoffs, everyone knows he will put baskets. It’s a test for any defender. Some say so-and-so should go or someone else should stick to it, it doesn’t matter. He will have the advantage against any player. I have never seen anyone do what they do. You just have to make her life as complicated as possible. “
Words that recall those of the Clippers after being eliminated by the 50 points of Kevin Durant in 2019.
“He’s the best striker I’ve seen in my life. I told Rick Barnes (editor’s note: a university coach) from his period in high school that he was going to be the best ”
However, there is no question of backing down in the face of the challenge proposed by the 2014 MVP. “It’s the playoffs, I don’t know what people imagine but we dream of these moments all our lives” continue PJ Tucker. “We dream of being in the playoffs and defending the best player in the world. I would die in the field if I had to. I am living my dream. I’m not going to slip away, I’m going to fight for every inch. Me and Kevin, we go head to head every year. I have defended on him every year in the playoffs, whether against Golden State or Oklahoma City. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the regular season or in the playoffs, I love to face him, I take advantage of those moments. He’s the best striker I’ve seen in my life. I told Rick Barnes (editor’s note: a university coach) from his time in high school he was going to be the best. He’s my brother, we compete each time and we will fight again in a Game 7. “
Admiringly, PJ Tucker responded with a smile on the “strategy” to adopt against Kevin Durant. ” What do you want to do ?! You can fight as much as possible but he has some amazing moves. I can defend it in different ways […] I try everything possible in every game. I just have to frustrate him and make no one come to his aid. “
But despite the intensity of the fight, and the moments of tension it can generate, PJ Tucker and Kevin Durant do not forget to discuss a little technique on the field. All this remains a game, in the end.
