Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from huge Game 4 vs. Warriors
2. P.J. Tucker will not be denied
Despite being relatively undersized and unheralded compared to the majority of his counterparts at the forward position, P.J. Tucker demonstrated in Game 4 why many of his peers regard him as one of the league’s most valuable role players.
Just days after battling through foul trouble to help the Rockets eke out an epic overtime win in Game 3, the 34-year-old wing took on the challenge of intensely guarding Golden State forward Kevin Durant, among several other key assignments for the fourth straight contest. In conjunction with rediscovering his shooting stroke, the former overseas journeyman provided Houston with an invaluable presence and grit on both ends of the floor.
Tucker, who shot 6-for-12 from the field, was the only player to finish with a double digit positive plus-minus rating on Monday (+11).
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"“I’m glad people get a chance to see it front and center,” Rockets guard Chris Paul told reporters after the game. “All the commercials…it ain’t about guys that defend…it’s about guys that make shots and dunk. “That’s basketball what he’s doing. That’s work…it ain’t just all offense. You can be a star in your role guarding and that’s what he does every night.”"
Although Tucker’s name will more than likely not ring among the likes of hallowed players such as Paul, Harden or Durant when his career is all said and done, the 6″6″, 245-pound product, who is viewed as the heart and soul of Houston’s defense, has uncovered a method to thrive by doing the little things that won’t often stand out on the final box sheet.
In a grit-and-grind battle that came down to the wire, Tucker hauled in several rebounds among a sea of arms in the final frame, converting on a pair of shots to help the Rockets weather a Golden State run that played a pivotal factor for the second straight game.
Should this continue, then Houston could cause havoc for any given challenger that stands in its way, as the NBA’s sneaker king will most certainly be called upon to pick up where he left off in Game 5.