Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. Bucks fans made Kevin Durant the villain on Thursday night. Legal Statement. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. P.J. Tucker on Kevin Durant as Milwaukee Bucks star opens up on This of course, was a result of competitive spirit and nothing more as the two are great friends off the court. You come from the college, youre the man. In fact, Tucker and Durant faced each other in the conference semis last season. Rapaport posted screenshots of the conversation with Durant on Twitter. Tucker had something of a contentious relationship throughout the Brooklyn . Kevin Durant names P.J. Tucker as NBA's best one-on-one defender He played college basketball for the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a two-time All-Big 12 honorable mention. your username. 5 hours ago - via Twitter JGrasso_ Kevin Durant also addressed Tuckers physicality earlier in this series when asked if he thought it too aggressive. That was a battle every single night. Tucker have been going head to head for years now, especially in the Playoffs. "He didn't do nothing wrong," Tucker told the website. P.J. Tucker has Nets riled with guarding of Kevin Durant as Bucks draw Kelly Olynyk, Full Spectrum Services LLP 2022 | All Rights Reserved. In fact, Tucker not only called Durant the best scorer he has ever seen, but he said he dreamt to be in moments like this guarding one of . He said he thinks about his gamble all the time and remembers guarding then-Oklahoma City star forward Kevin Durant during his first start on Dec. 31, 2012. I really take pride in being a good vet and helping guys see the way. Tucker. When Kevin asked for a trade after requesting one, Kyrie knew the stakes were raised, and hes worked diligently ever since to stay on top of things. Closeness in Interethnic Friendship (Arabic, Javanese, Tionghoa): A NBA Playoffs: Is Chris Paul playing in Game 1 vs the Los Angeles Clippers? They didnt need me. October 30, 2021 10:43 am ET. This series was memorable, but it's time to move on for both franchises. After coming back from a 28-point deficit on Friday, Mikal Bridges feels that offense isn't the issue for the Nets. It is a reminder that even though players may move on to different teams and different levels of competition, the bonds they form during their time in college can last a lifetime. ESPN on Twitter: "Kevin Durant and PJ Tucker got right into each other The Milwaukee Bucks were led by Giannis Antekounmpos 40 points in the second half. The Nets, of course, lost to the Bucks in the last seconds of the game. Nets star Kevin Durant and Bucks forward P.J. I tell them, Youre going to remember this when youre on that bus in Europe, that you have older guys trying to help you see through this, and you wouldnt see that. In response to a question posed on Twitter, Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant identified Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker: Im living my dream right now guarding Kevin Durant, Why does P.J. Josef Castillo is a basketball coach and the owner of a basketball blog called bashabearsbasketball.com. LeBron James: Spoiled Or Inspiring Role Model? Tucker said he sees the NBA through a different lens now and truly appreciates every single game he plays. PJ cleared everything up following a game-six victory over the Nets. The Kevin Durant vs. P.J. Tucker defensive battle will - Newsday Alcorn State. They always push each other on the court, which is a big part of their chemistry. PJ Tucker opens up on Kevin Durant and their fierce competition - Yahoo! Throughout the series, he's averaging 33.3 PPG, 10.8 RPG, and 5.3 APG while having a 50.3 FG% and 34.9 3PT%. I signed a two-year deal in Russia for all the money. Aldridge played for the Longhorns from 2002-2006, while Durant played for the Longhorns from 2006-2007. Durant is one of the best scorers in the NBA, and Tucker is known for his defensive prowess. Getty Brooklyn's Kevin Durant and Milwaukee's P.J. Im thinking Im all-world, and that is how every college guy thinks that coming in. NBA Rising All-Stars Game 2023: Who Is Playing and Where to Watch? I didnt get a whole lot of help or guidance. Kevin Durant's mom, Wanda, starred in a heated and hilarious exchange with PJ Tucker during Game 7 of the Brooklyn Nets-Milwaukee Bucks series. "It's basketball. Then, in the offseason, the 76ers lured veteran power forward P.J. that peaked in the third quarter when a pair of former texas longhorns got tangled, as kevin durant and pj tucker came face to face to have words from a very close proximity after tucker got. NBA player P.J. The NBA's sneaker king talks his new Dolce&Gabbana collab, wrestling with Kevin Durant, and the challenges of shopping in Milwaukee. This league has gotten so soft, security ran on the court , Wait. However, based on their interactions on social media and at public events, it appears that they are at least on good terms with one another. Kevin Durant and PJ Tucker got right into each other's faces. Josef Castillo is a basketball coach and the owner of a basketball blog called bashabearsbasketball.com. Draymond has hilarious reaction to KD-Tucker skirmish. Latest Jonathan Isaac injury may signal end of his Magic career, Warriors owner sounds off on 'disingenuous' Blazers over Gary Payton II trade fiasco, Seven Cubs pitchers combine for spring no-hitter vs. Padres, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones comments on Tony Pollard rumor, Ben Simmons suffers back injury while rehabilitating, Insider: It's Packers, Jets 'or bust' for Aaron Rodgers, QB Anthony Richardson doesn't understand his 'project' label, Vikings HC reveals 'crazy' thoughts about star WR, XFL player released for giving another team plays from own playbook. This season, however, the Semi-finals between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks was intense and it all came down to the wire in Game 7. Given it was a do-or-die game, of course everyone involved is going to be tense. Tucker delightfully complimented Kevin Durant after getting scored on. I cant believe TNT caught it. Kevin Durant talks about playing alongside Devin Booker "I receive threats and disgusting messages DAILY, but never in my wildest dreams did I think @KDTrey5 would be among them," Rapaport wrote on Twitter. But now Dan is like a big brother to me. The NBA is gaining more backlash as star players continue to sit out games, and basketball legend Magic Johnson agrees with the criticism. Tucker has been guarding either Lebron James or Kevin Durant every time hes faced off with their teams for years now. Both Tucker and Durant were born to African-American mothers. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports. Tucker got into a verbal confrontation during Milwaukee . Returning to the court after recovering from a knee injury . PJ Tucker getting heckled by KD's mom and tells her, "I love you." The Nets weren't able to take down theBucks on Thursday, falling 86-83 as Durant's potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer clanked off the back of the rim. It is impossible to overestimate the friendship between Kyrie and Kevin. By the summer of 2012, Tucker was making a comfortable living for himself overseas and signed a two-year contract paying at least $2 million with BC Spartak St. Petersburg of Russia. There have been many instances between Tucker and Durant that showcase their competitive nature and passion. He has had a successful career since leaving Austin, having been a three-time All-Star and a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player since returning there. Durant, of course, previously played with the Golden State Warriors, who faced Tucker and the Rockets in the past two NBA playoffs. Tuckers mother, Sharon, is a retired teacher. Chris Paul added 11 assists. However, this hasnt stopped Durant from lighting it up in the series. wo Longhorns went nose to nose Thursday night, and Draymond Green was amused by the whole scene. Report: P.J. Tucker to sign with 76ers on three-year, $30M contract I was like, Im about to have my first NBA start. I was just in Germany, and nobody was thinking about me starting in an NBA game. Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant (35) passes the ball against the Houston Rockets PJ Tucker (17) during the fourth quarter of a NBA game at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. Kevin Durant Clashes With PJ Tucker In War Of Words His three All-Defensive First Team selections in 2014 and 2016 make him an All-Defensive First Team member for three straight years. It was crazy how they caught it and the timing of it, but it was that was for sure my moment of the playoffs.. As an NBA player, Tucker was never able to play with Kevin Durant at the University of Texas; he chose to leave for the NBA just before the All-Star arrived. A foundation of success and high performance had been set.. It is especially so during the playoffs when he's more locked in than normal. 4,763 Likes. Tucker finally had the last laugh in this long-standing battle with Kevin Durant as the Milwaukee Bucks advance to the Eastern Conference Finals . I love guarding him, said the 36-year-old Bucks forward. Kudos to the refs, they were letting them talk. Kevin Durant and PJ Tucker are alumni of the same college in Texas. Kevin Durant and PJ Tucker got right into each other's faces. Majerle called Tucker a man after my own heart for how hard he played and for taking all the tough defensive assignments. My first start was against KD and OKC. 2 min read. On Thursday, Durant addressed the exchange with Rapaport. The video of the conversation between the two is the cutest thing on the internet today.