NBA FINALS: BUCKS VS. SUNS

July 5, 2021

Jeff Teague

Milwaukee Bucks

Media Day

Q. Hi, Jeff. Welcome to Phoenix. What's a guy like P.J. Tucker bring to this team? The guy has seen a lot, done a lot, and just the toughness and everything else. What's his personality like?

JEFF TEAGUE: P.J.'s a competitor. He's a funny guy, great teammate, but he brings a toughness to this team. Just the attitude, never-backing-down attitude, and he's really important to the group.

Q. I know he hasn't played here for a while, but can he still help at all with the game plan in terms of going against guys like Booker and CP?

JEFF TEAGUE: Yeah, sure. He was teammates with Chris Paul the past couple of years before last year. Especially knowing Devin's game, I think they're really close friends, and they compete against each other in one-on-one series and things like that. So, he knows these guys really well, and I think that can help play in the series.

Q. I'm just wondering, in the postseason, when you weren't playing a lot in the postseason, how were you able to keep yourself ready, keep yourself on point, so when the time came in Game 6 the other night, you were able to deliver as much as you did? What confidence does that give you heading into the Finals, the way you played the other night?

JEFF TEAGUE: Just being around the league for a while, you have to stay ready. You never know when your number is going to be called and your opportunity may come. I just try to work every day. Coaches did a great job just being open and available for me to get some extra shots and I just try to make the most of it.

Q. You guys switch a lot defensively. That's where your strengths are defensively. I'm curious, what are the differences between defending Trae Young versus Devin Booker and Chris Paul, maybe some of the similarities and the challenges they pose in the pick-and-roll, but also some of the differences and kind of the style of their games.

JEFF TEAGUE: All three of those players are really dynamic. I think Devin Booker, obviously, he's bigger, so he can create a lot more space. He finishes just really well around the rim. They're all super challenging for our group. Trae Young is so fast and so quick with the basketball and his ability to draw a lot of fouls, put a lot of pressure on our defense. But Chris Paul is very similar. He draws a lot of fouls. He's going to make the right read. He's going to play, get to his mid-range game. He makes tough shots, and he's a clutch player, and we know that. Very similar to Devin Booker, his ability to stretch the floor from the three, make mid-range shots and finish at the rim.

It's a big challenge, but if we want to win, it's just something we're going to have to do.

Q. Looking at the big picture, what do you think are going to be the big challenges facing the Suns, especially tomorrow night?

JEFF TEAGUE: Trying to keep them out of transition. They play so fast at home, and they play really well. They have a lot of talented players on this team -- Deandre Ayton has been playing great, Chris Paul, Devin, Jae Crowder. Just try to limit their transition points, get back in defense, slow the game down a little bit because at home they play really, really fast, they play really hard, and they play really well.

Q. You are four wins away from the championship. What does that mean for you?

JEFF TEAGUE: It's just a huge opportunity. It's a blessing to be in this situation. From the beginning of the year until now, it's been a total 180 for me. I'm just happy to be here. The opportunity is big, and I think our group is excited, and I think it should be a really good series.