Source: https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/2023/05/07/pj-tucker-explains-his-pep-talk-with-joel-embiid-late-in-win-over-celtics/
> “Nobody can guard Joel one-on-one,” Tucker said. “There’s no way. I’m sorry. There’s not a disrespect to Al or anybody else, but I’ve guarded him for a lot of years, and when he’s aggressive and assertive, it’s impossible. I saw him two or three plays in a row not do that, and we can’t have that. We can’t have that. Not with the season on the line. We can’t have that.”
> In the extra session, Embiid had four of the nine points Philadelphia scored in overtime as the Sixers went on to win it 116-115. Tucker also had a big And-1 to tie the game at 105 in regulation. He gave the Sixers a huge boost with his toughness and his ability to make the little plays.
> “Just will, determination, just wanting to win,” Tucker said. “I just got back in the game, so I had to leave an imprint somehow. Usually, it’s an offensive rebound in those moments when James (Harden), Joel, or Tyrese (Maxey) are attacking.”
by efranklin13
31 Comments
PJ leads league in Dawg per 36
Giannis punching air
Problem is Embiid just had zero lift at the end of the game. Might not really have been “not wanting it enough” and more his body was not responding. The knee issue seems to be more of a problem when the game goes on than early on.
the rest of this series will show if Embiid has that dawg in him
Id honestly pay him Tobias’ $40m for what he brings to the table. Got that DAWG in him.
Somewhere in Spain, the Gasol signal lights the sky.
Stuff like this is why I’m thankful to have a guy like PJ on the team. It looked like he pretty much chewed Embiid out and it motivated Embiid. Props to Al too, he played some damn good defense.
I really think Jo was trying to draw a foul there on Horford. He waits till Horford’s right arm is above him then jumps up into it.
Horford then times the jump and makes a decent block, but Jo wasn’t fading back or elevating enough.
Embiid’s better than that and should have cooked him.
>There’s not a disrespect to Al or anybody, but I’ve guarded him for a lot of years,
With all due respect to PJ Tucker, You are six inch shorter than Al Horford… And I’ve also seen Marc Gasol do it
Al literally just did but ok 👍
I keep reading Al as AI, so in my brain Im picturing Allen Iverson trying to guard Embiid 1 on 1
I’m not even tryna argue or discredit what he saying but that 4q by Al was incredible
So why you put him in PnR when you can just post him at the elbow and just space the floor.
Those akward midrange shots are just waste of possessions
Al Horford: “hold my beer” goes on to block Joel 4 times in 4th
He’s right. When Embiid is whole. He needs to get his legs under him to have it at the end of games. He’ll get there as he plays more. If Philly advances, he should be better late.
PJ got that dawg in him
Problem with Joel and why the game got so close was because he left the paint for like the majority of the second half once they got the lead up and started hanging around the 3pt line every single possession. It completely fucked their offense up. Even if he’s in the paint and misses, it’s better than just lingering on the perimeter because it’s limits everyone else’s ability to operate
NBA needs a Nuggets vs Sixers final. The 2 best bigs going at it will be epic.
Prime Marc Gasol wants a word with you
i think they should fired Doc and replace him with PJ.
Loved when PJ immediately after scoring a huge and 1 immediately goes out of his way to get in Joel’s ear before even thinking of going to the free throw line.
Okay. Make it to the Finals and let’s see if he feels that way when AD is guarding him
I always think they mean Allen Iverson
I’m scared.
Am I the only one that saw Al shut Embiid down in crunch time multiple times? lol….
I thought horford did a great job guarding embiid 1 on 1
Horford literally did…
Al is doing a solid job so far. Harden is the issue here
Al Horford is a much better defender than he gets credit for. A lot of stars like to choose to attack him, but it seems like he doesn’t get cooked too often. Even when the other team is scoring on him, you look at the replays at it seems like he is always staying with his guy and making a pretty good contest.
Big Spain sends his regards.
Embiid needs Miami Heat vibes to get into better shape (manifesting)