In an Instagram Live Q&A on the NBA’s account, Houston Rockets veteran P.J. Tucker showed diplomacy when asked about a potential one-on-one matchup between teammates Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
Upon reading a fan’s question, Tucker weighed in on how the future Hall of Fame guards might play against one another:
That is a good question. Whoever gets the ball first, I think that’d make a big difference. Out of the gate, Russ is going to come out playing so hard, and James is going to be just chilling.
And then, if Russ goes up, then James is going to get mad and get real. … I think it ends in them just fouling each other and fighting. Both of them are the two most competitive dudes I’ve probably ever played with. It wouldn’t end, it would just be a fight.
PJ Tucker on who would win in a 1on1 game between Russ & Harden
“Out the gate Russ is gon come out so hard and Harden is just going to be chilling and then it’s going to get real serious, I think it just ends up in both of them fighting because they’re so competitive” pic.twitter.com/U5pR3UqXQ5
— ⚡️ (@TheWestbrookEra) March 26, 2020
After Harden’s October 2012 exit from Oklahoma City, he and Westbrook played against each other 27 times (regular season and playoffs) until the July 2019 trade that reunited the duo of former MVPs in Houston.
By record, Harden holds a 14-13 edge, including 4-3 in the playoffs. Harden averaged 30.6 points and 7.7 assists per game in those meetings, while Westbrook was at 29.0 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 9.8 assists. Westbrook has shot slightly better from the field in those games.
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