Following a win in Game 6 over the Nets, Milwaukee Bucks forward PJ Tucker praised Kevin Durant. 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 the best players in the world on the biggest stage of basketball.
“It’s the playoffs,” said Tucker. “I don’t know what people think. We dream about this our whole lives. You dream about being in the playoffs and guarding the best player in the world. Like, I’ll die out there. I’m living my dream. I’m not backing down from nothing. I’m fighting for every inch. I don’t understand all this little stuff. Me and Kevin fight every year. I’ve guarded him every year in the playoffs.”
When the Bucks veteran mentioned fighting with Durant, he was referring to his physical defense on the Nets forward and their vocal altercations after plays, such as this one from Game 3:
Kevin Durant also addressed Tucker’s physicality earlier in this series when asked if he thought it too aggressive. He replied saying “nah, it’s the playoffs.” Both players have mutual respect for each other, and they are friends off the court.
“I love guarding him,” said the 36-year-old Bucks forward. “He’s the best scorer I’ve ever seen in my life. I told Rick Barnes on his visit when he was a junior in high school, “he’s going to be the best player I’ve ever seen in my life.”