Im like, yeah, you right. P.J. The video of the conversation between the two is the cutest thing on the internet today. Tucker. Chavez/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images. More on this storyline. "The Snake himself is now threatening me, bringing up my wife and wants to fight. Dallas Mavericks Star Struggles In Playoffs And Fans Worry, LeBron James: Building A Legacy Of Empowerment And Hope Through I Promise, The Resilience Of Love: A Look At LeBron & Savannahs Timeless Relationship. He played one season of college basketball for the University of Texas at Austin, where he was named the National Player of the Year. Tucker have been going head to head for years now, especially in the Playoffs. Chris Paul and Tucker have been friends since the were teenagers, a fact that made Paul's injury in last season's . It was a fun series just battling and being able to finally get over the hump against him was pretty nice. Me and Kevin fight every year. [ad_1] JIMMY BUTLER INTERRUPTED his pregame warmup and made a beeline toward half court. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports. He is great friends - "brothers," in his words - with Nets star Kevin Durant, and adding a player of Tucker's ilk would provide a much-needed toughness and frontcourt floor spacing to a . Abhishek is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports with over two years of However, several league sources say Tucker will choose the Sixers' three-year, $30 million offer over opportunities to remain in Miami or go back to Milwaukee after free agency begins at 6 p.m . I really take pride in being a good vet and helping guys see the way. Tucker fouled Kevin Durant, who sank both free throws while his mother sat nearby. Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge went to the same University of Texas school as each other, but they werent teammates during their college years. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. Butting Heads with LeBron James & All the Other Times Kevin Durant Showed His Anger. No, no, no, not me. Kevin Durant and PJ Tucker got right into each other's faces. I dont understand all this little stuff. Kevin Durant was the most widely regarded prospect among all forwards in the 2003 NBA draft. New team, same Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting in his Suns debut, helping Phoenix snap the Charlotte Hornets' five-game winning streak with a wire-to-wire 105-91 victory Wednesday night. He told the 36-year-old that he was an NBA All-Star level player as a junior in high school. Both Tucker and Durant were born to African-American mothers. 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. In addition to being a Michael Jordan fan, Abhishek is The friendship between Tucker and Durant is a testament to the power of college basketball. You can really change games that way.. F inal. That was a battle every single night. />. , If it wasnt for my wife and my agent, I wouldnt have come back. Both players are around the same height and weight, and both have played for several different teams throughout their careers. Tucker as the NBA's toughest one-on-one defender for him. Hes the best scorer Ive ever seen in my life. He also had four stints that season playing in the NBA Development League with the now-defunct Colorado 14ers. PJ Tucker is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. While his agent Andre Buck put an NBA out clause in the deal, Tucker was content being a star overseas. Tucker a stage play. Meanwhile, Phoenix sent them Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, and a 2028 pick swap for Durant and T.J. Warren. I gambled on myself, but I didnt want to. Getty Brooklyn's Kevin Durant and Milwaukee's P.J. Chris Paul added 11 assists. Josef Castillo is a basketball coach and the owner of a basketball blog called bashabearsbasketball.com. While Tucker fully expected to play in Russia in the fall of 2012, he accepted an offer from the Phoenix Suns to play for their summer league team. You feel like youre better than anybody. I cant wait to guard Kevin Durant. Durants mother, Wanda, is a businesswoman. 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. Tucker said he sees the NBA through a different lens now and truly appreciates every single game he plays. Twelve years ago, he thought hed already played in his last game in the NBA when he was waived as a rookie in Toronto. Tucker got into a verbal confrontation during Milwaukee . Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. 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. Kevin Durant and PJ Tucker got right into each other's faces. WATCH THIS STORY: Butting Heads with LeBron James & All the Other Times Kevin Durant Showed His Anger. Rockets P.J. Though they are not related by blood, the two have developed a strong bond both on and off the court. This article first appeared on Sideline Sources and was syndicated with permission. By New Years Eve, I was starting, Tucker said. He only made it to the NCAA tournament once. Jun 19, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) controls the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward P.J. Over there, it aint dropping 30 every night and being the man. In fact, Tucker never got to play with Durant at Texas, instead going to the NBA just before the All-Star arrived. Did yall just see security run on the court? Im living my dream. Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA writer for Andscape. wo Longhorns went nose to nose Thursday night, and Draymond Green was amused by the whole scene. Market data provided by Factset. I was done fighting, trying to prove myself, Tucker said. He claimed to be an NBA All-Star level player during his high school career as a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rocketes. A Football Management However, Tucker cleared up any assumptions of the two sharing bad blood. One player Tucker has been mentoring is seldom-used forward Gary Clark, who was kept on the roster this season over 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony. In the 2017-18 NBA season, Durant . Durant will make his Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night, and one of the more anticipated experiments in the NBA this season will get off the ground. PJ Tucker and Kevin Durant are two professional basketball players who have a lot in common. It is difficult to win a Final Four game, but there is only one winner. During the third quarter, Tucker fouled Nets star Kevin Durant, sending him to the free-throw line. an ardent Steph Curry and Warriors guy, and believes they have a few more Tucker in Brooklyn& Aldridge played for the Longhorns from 2002-2006, while Durant played for the Longhorns from 2006-2007. When a prospective freshman named Kevin Durant visited the Austin campus, . Kevin Durant and P.J. During the interview, he revealed what exactly did he say to Kevin Durants mom during game 7 of Nets vs Bucks. I signed a two-year deal in Russia for all the money. In 2012, he led Brose Baskets Bamberg to a Basketball Bundesliga championship in Germany after averaging 16.2 points and 7.1 rebounds and earned Finals MVP honors. This is supposed to be Americas sweetheart right? One might say the series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets truly became a series when P.J. Tucker exchange words during the second half of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second-round playoff series at the Fiserv Forum on June 10, 2021 . Lamarcus Aldridge and Kevin Durant both played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns, but not at the same time. Durant even had a 49 point triple-double performance in the series where he played all 48 minutes. Id rather be here than be the last man on the bench in the NBA and never have a chance. It is especially so during the playoffs when he's more locked in than normal. NBA Playoffs: Is Chris Paul playing in Game 1 vs the Los Angeles Clippers? This league has gotten so soft, security ran on the court , Wait. Kevin Durant and PJ Tucker are alumni of the same college in Texas. They didnt need me. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The Battle may have come to an end, but both teams put up a great show of basketball and gave the world of basketball a treat to watch. The former University of Texas star was the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2006 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors. Tucker and Durant were engaged in a serious duel throughout the series. P.J. Tucker Q&A: Bucks Trade, Guarding James Harden and More The new Milwaukee forward opens up to The Crossover about getting traded and playing with Giannis Antetokounmpo. But somebody has to do it. Tensions ran high between Kevin Durant and Tucker during Game 3, a scuffle that led to the former's bodyguard being fired due to him trying to get involved with an on-court entanglement. Bettors are focusing on the latter. When Durant was with the Warriors, Tucker couldnt get the better of him as the Rockets faced the Warriors several times in the postseason. He replied saying nah, its the playoffs. Both players have mutual respect for each other, and they are friends off the court. . In addition to winning two titles with Portland in 2015 and 2015, he won two Finals Most Valuable Player awards in 2015 and 2017, a scoring title in 2015, and a regular-season Most Valuable Player award in 2015. Tucker was so intense that even KD's mom had to step in and call him out after a hard foul. Tucker: Im living my dream right now guarding Kevin Durant, Why does P.J. I was like, I am going to turn this money down? It was for way less money, Tucker said. Tucker is averaging 3.4 personal fouls per game during the series and accumulated five while guarding Durant last night. Its the playoffs I dream about being in the playoffs guarding the best player in the world Im living my dream. Tucker and Kevin Durants mom exchanged some words in a light-hearted moment during Game 7 on Saturday. But Durants 48 points became the most in a game 7 in NBA postseason history. 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. Miami Heat forward P.J. your username. 0:53. , I try to help guys who are on the brink of getting out. But he will play it as if it were his last. We bet on him. He was able to have more face time with KD on the court during last season's second round, when the Nets faced the Milwaukee Bucks.. Kevin Durant was the most widely regarded prospect among all forwards in the 2003 NBA draft.PJ Tucker and the rest of the college fraternity . Tucker have been going head to head for years now, especially in the Playoffs. PJ Tucker on if he gets discouraged guarding Kevin Durant: "No. Brooklyn received unprotected picks in 2023, 2025 . Tucker, and the two former Texas Longhorns had words for each other. #ImDaRealMVP. 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. Tucker during on-court dispute. But the 2006 Big 12 Conference Player of the Year averaged only 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 4.9 minutes per game during the 2006-07 season. I played hard. That was crazy for me.. People ask me why I play so hard. That is like a part of my job too. I say, Im happy to be here. For real.. Tucker said he did everything wrong his rookie year and admitted his ego caused him to believe he was destined for NBA stardom instantly. Tucker played for 20 minutes and finished with three . P.J. . Tucker had something of a contentious relationship throughout the Brooklyn . Tucker is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). the AFC Champions League. Kevin Durant and PJ Tucker are alumni of the same college in Texas. Throughout the series, hes averaging 33.3 PPG, 10.8 RPG, and 5.3 APG while having a 50.3 FG% and 34.9 3PT%. Still, the best-case scenario if Tucker made the Suns was a $762,195 minimum salary a pay cut of more than $1 million from what he would have earned in Russia. PJ continued telling reporters about the respect he has for Durant. Tucker has been guarding either Lebron James or Kevin Durant every time hes faced off with their teams for years now. Tucker, unhappy with the call, went after Durant but in the middle of the confrontation, a seemingly random security guard was seen running into the middle of the scrum to separate the two players . H's gt 50. Kelly Olynyk, Full Spectrum Services LLP 2022 | All Rights Reserved. Im still persevering through to make it so guys that are like me can have that lane to say, I can do it, said Tucker, who played in all 82 games in each of the past two NBA regular seasons. Nobody wants to guard Kevin Durant. Tuckers 2018 NBA playoff sneakers, James Harden is disrespecting the unwritten rules of the game. Tucker (17) in the first quarter during game seven in the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center. this is the playoffs man. It keeps me ticking. 02/16 . Texas Southern. It is undeniable that PJ and Durant have had their fair share of viral clips over the years where the two get into it during games. Nobody wants to do that. I told Rick Barnes on his visit when he was a junior in high school, hes going to be the best player Ive ever seen in my life., Sign up for the Nets Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. LeBron James: Spoiled Or Inspiring Role Model? Tuckers gamble paid off, as he made the Suns roster for the 2012-13 season. Quit playing football," she yelled at the big man. Thats not really what I want people to see and hear from me," Durant said. Ive guarded him every year in the playoffs.. Tucker found some time to have some fun. It was both a heated and hilarious exchange between Tucker and Wanda at the same time. I got drafted by Toronto, but they just took me because I was the best man on the board. Going back to Kevin Durant and PJ Tucker's war of words, the Bucks swingman still had the last laugh after Milwaukee edged the Nets, 124-118. The Nets, of course, lost to the Bucks in the last seconds of the game. PJ Tucker appeared on Iman Shumperts podcast two years ago. Furkan Korkmaz remains out due to personal reasons. "It's basketball. I got him a few times like real, like some tough hits. 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 the best players in the world on the biggest stage of basketball. However, since joining the NBA, the duo has faced each other on several big occasions. Tucker exchange words during the second half of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference second-round playoff series at the Fiserv Forum on June 10, 2021 . Durant was exposed by Michael Rapaport for using homophobic slurs in a private Instagram conversation. Learn more and register here. I got tired all of the stories about, He is a tweener. Author: And its big-boy basketball. 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. Im thinking Im all-world, and that is how every college guy thinks that coming in. Tucker finally had the last laugh in this long-standing battle with Kevin Durant as the Milwaukee Bucks advance to the Eastern Conference Finals . PJ Tucker on his relationship with Kevin Durant: Every year, we have a fight. That was a decision I had made.. 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. This series was memorable, but it's time to move on for both franchises. Getty Brooklyn's Kevin Durant and Milwaukee's P.J. Durant will need to show up big again, as the Nets have already ruled out Kyrie Irving and James Harden is clearly not playing like himself as he has only scored 14 points combined in his two games back. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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: Things got CHIPPY, chippy between #KevinDurant & #PJTucker in last nights game 3. The NBA's sneaker king talks his new Dolce&Gabbana collab, wrestling with Kevin Durant, and the challenges of shopping in Milwaukee. 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. Tucker, Danuel House Jr., and Montrezl Harrell in free agency. Kevin Durant also addressed Tuckers physicality earlier in this series when asked if he thought it too aggressive. And he was a fan favorite in Milwaukee despite not being a regular starter initially. Dan told me, I want you to get the best player on every team and shut them down, Tucker said. 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. However, the Bucks pushed the series to game-seven, where Tucker and Durant will have another opportunity to put everything on the line. However, Tucker got the better of Durant last season as the Bucks brushed past the Nets in the playoffs. 66. "Hopefully I can move past it and get back out on the floor.". Like, Ill die out there. Market data provided by Factset. Tucker: First debit card I ever had was because of eBay so I could buy shoes, The complete and insane list of P.J. Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets is defended by P.J. Over the last few months, more videos on YouTube showed PJ clearly loving going against KD and constantly pushing him around on the court. PJ made it clear that he loves going against KD, constantly pushing each other on the court. During the Nets second-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks last season, he had numerous more interactions with KD. Despite what it looks like on the court, PJ Tucker had nothing but good things to say about his rival Kevin Durant. Rapaport later posted a clip from the show of the two talking about seats for the NBA Finals while Durant was with the Golden State Warriors. Results reveal seven composites of closeness in interethnic friendship: disclosure, comfort, compatibility, reappraisal of the characters and other ethnic groups, support, similarity, and . KD might be a grown man now but when someone plays dirty with him, his mom is still going to protect her son. Tucker fouled Kevin Durant and sent him to the free-throw line. A foundation of success and high performance had been set.. Most of the guys who think like that dont last over there. Tucker will play in his 618th career NBA game when the Houston Rockets host the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of their second-round playoff series on Monday night. But Tucker said his wife, Tracy, and his agent told him he should give the league one more try. Also Read:NBA Playoffs: Is Kawhi Leonard playing in Game 1 vs Phoenix Suns, MANORCO PVT LTD 2022 | All Rights Reserved. But no one could decipher what Tucker really said to Wanda. They are extremely close friends and are devoted to one another. Guarding Kevin Durant is an impossible thing to do. The two have complementary skillsets that have helped them form a successful partnership both on and off the court. 72. Despite Tucker's solid defense, Durant still scored 32 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Subscribe to our YouTube chann. Alex Hinton breaks down his top NBA player prop picks for Wednesday, March 1, including plays on Donovan Mitchell and Jimmy Butler. The Controversy Surrounding LeBron Jamess Instruction To His Mother During A Post-Game Press Conference: An Analysis, The Phenomenal Polyglot: Uncovering LeBron James Multilingualism, Uncovering The Remarkable PPG Of Lebron James: Exploring His Incomparable Offensive Prowess, The King Of The Court: An Ode To LeBron James And His Record-Breaking Career, The Phenomenal LeBron James Matt: 35 Years Of Inspiration And Success. On Thursday, Durant addressed the exchange with Rapaport. Log into your account. Tucker is siding with Brooklyn Nets starKevin Durant. I dont know what people think. He said he learned how to play professional basketball while overseas. He feels that the team has a great chance to win a championship this season. James Harden has also been shaky for the Nets since coming back from injury faster than expected. Tucker and Blanks were actually friends with University of Texas ties. It is impossible to overestimate the friendship between Kyrie and Kevin. The former Houston Rockets had incredible duels against Kevin Durant during the entire series. Report: Kevin Durant's 'personal bodyguard' pushed P.J. I don't look at myself or my status in the league that I can't go through what other players in the league go through." But Tucker is making Durant work. I was going to get paid a couple million [in Russia]. The man deserves a raise. So the Raleigh, North Carolina, native went on an international odyssey over the next five years. He doesnt have a position. I knew I could play. KD and P.J. Durant and Tucker had to be separated by the other players on the court, Milwaukee coachesand security even had to run onto the court to make sure the incident didn't escalate. There, Utah Jazz swingman Joe Ingles stood, watched and waited as the All-Star closed in.Butler's mission: peace.At this point, the quick wits, sharp tongues and competitive fires of both Butler and Ingles had been clashing for . NBA player P.J. KDs mom was seen shooting words at Tucker for hurting her son. Rockets coach Mike DAntoni said his team won Game 3 because of Tucker, who had 7 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. However, this hasnt stopped Durant from lighting it up in the series. This of course, was a result of competitive spirit and nothing more as the two are great friends off the court. Tucker delightfully complimented Kevin Durant after getting scored on. Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. pic.twitter.com/wB4IvtAUxv. I was comfortable with it. And on March 24, 2007, Tucker was stunned when he was waived by the Raptors to open up a roster spot. They have kept in touch over the years and have even been known to exchange text messages during games. Please check your email for a confirmation. Im fighting for every inch. Is Luka Doncics Health At Risk? He even held him to 3-for-12 shooting while being his primary defender in game-four of the series. My wife just had my son. It could happen on Wednesday against the Hornets. Although P.J. This rumor has never been confirmed, but the two players have a close relationship and often speak highly of each other in interviews. Tucker have faced off multiple times over the years especially in the playoffs. He told Tucker he believed he could have a place in the NBA as a primary defender. Kudos to the refs, they were letting them talk. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Always free! In the third quarter of Game 3 of the second-round NBA playoff series between the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum, former Warriors forward Kevin Durant was fouled by P.J. Vote For Luka Doni To Make The 2020 NBA All-Star Team! PJ Tucker is listed as Probable due to calf tightness after missing the second half of Monday's game. 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. PJ Tuckers mother, Shirley Tucker, is a Durrant native. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. There is still uncertainty as to whether Irving will be able to play in Game Seven, which will air tomorrow. Who Is Bryn Forbes Girlfriend and What Does She Do? In 2018, Durants ESPN show "The Boardroom" had Rapaport on as a guest. Legal Statement. Its crazy., Said Buck: We took a chance. LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the NBAs all-time great players. Tuckers mother, Sharon, is a retired teacher. If they are not related, they are still close friends who have a lot of respect for each other. Tucker latches onto Kevin Durant every time both men step onto the hardwood together. He will be playing alongside Devin Booker, a player he has been following since college. They really caught it. In fact, before the playoffs, he started on just one occasion. So, I was talking crazy, and she was like I was in him (Durant), Tucker told JJ Redick. He writes about about basketball news, tips, NBA teams and more. NBA player P.J. Though they are not related, they have developed a strong bond both on and off the court. June 19, 2021 2:30 pm ET. PJ Tucker was a guest on Iman Shumperts podcast for two years ago. Tucker then looked over to Durants mom to say that he loved her, to which she replied I love you too., PJ Tucker and Kevin Durants mom share a few words and some laughs , : @HoHighlights pic.twitter.com/9XmpWc6mOM, USA TODAY NBA (@usatodaynba) June 20, 2021. LeBron James: Spoiled Or Inspiring Role Model? However, they were teammates on the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors, so its possible they are at least friendly. All rights reserved. Earlier in the quarter, Draymond tweeted about the night Durant was having. When LaMarcus Aldridge agreed to a buyout with the San Antonio Spurs last week, Kevin Durant moved quickly to ensure that they had not had another missed opportunity 15 years from now. They helped the Longhorns reach the NCAA tournament in 2006 and 2007, with Durant being named the tournaments Most Outstanding Player in 2007. However, it wasnt enough as the Nets crashed out of the series by losing 115111 in overtime. The Milwaukee Bucks were led by Giannis Antekounmpos 40 points in the second half. Bryn Forbes Wife and Kids: Is Forbes Married? P.J. Vin Diesel and Post Malone Onboard to Feature at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, Is Giannis Antetokounmpo Playing Tonight Against the Bulls? The guys that are trying to make it and the G League guys coming up, I try to help them as much as possible, Tucker said. Tucker went from one-and-done in the NBA to an eight-year veteran who has made $26 million in the league. PJ Tucker tell JJ Redick what exactly he said to Kevin Durant's mom during The Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks playoff game. (Benny Sieu / USA Today) For Tucker, going against Durant was the reward for everything he had gone . Dorian Finney-Smith is relieved to finally being able to hit some shots. The pay cut Harden accepted created enough cap space to sign his former teammates and friends, P.J. He used to be able to dunk on you, but he hasnt been able to in years and his knees still hurt. Kevin Durant is one of the leagues most talented players, and his best friend, Kyrie Irving, is also one of the leagues most talented players. Thats why the day seemed so long. In fact, Tucker and Durant faced each other in the conference semis . But Bucks forward P.J. All he would need to do was defend and pass the . Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. PJ Tucker is a well-known basketball player who has played for various teams throughout his career. Yet he had seven turnovers and wasn't as unstoppable as he was in Game 5 when he exploded for a 49-point . Ouch. It was crazy how they caught it and the timing of it, but it was that was for sure my moment of the playoffs.. your password PJ told his mother that he is very happy with his current situation with the Houston Rockets. Im living my dream right now guarding Kevin Durant in the NBA playoffs.. PJ Tucker recently appeared in an interview on JJ Redicks YouTube channel. This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission. You are going to come back and tell me, I wish I wouldve handled it different. Im trying to tell them about the sacrifice now because I did that.. I remember it. However, since joining the NBA, the duo has faced each other on several big occasions. It was the first overtime game in the NBA since 2006 and the first in a series since 1987. He played college basketball for the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a two-time All-Big 12 honorable mention. It sounds crazy, but this is my dream. So Soft: Twitter Reacts as Kevin Durant Gets Ejected for Elbowing Pistons "I thought I was going to retire in Miami," Tucker said to the . Tucker -- playing hours after having root canals on three teeth he cracked during the Rockets' loss in Game 6 -- went 45 minutes, guarding Durant much of the time, and finished with 14 points, 12 . Im not backing down from nothing. Giannis Antetokounmpo Injury Update: Will Giannis Play in the All-Star Game? From 2007-12, Tucker played in Israel, Ukraine, Italy, Greece, Montenegro, Puerto Rico, Germany and Russia. Kevin and Kyrie have been close friends since their days together, as they have both been through rough times. Dallas Mavericks Star Struggles In Playoffs And Fans Worry, LeBron James: Building A Legacy Of Empowerment And Hope Through I Promise, The Resilience Of Love: A Look At LeBron & Savannahs Timeless Relationship.