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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons why Talen Horton-Tucker is legit

By Jason Reed

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 13: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a slam dunk against Jabari Parker #33 of the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 13, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 13: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a slam dunk against Jabari Parker #33 of the Sacramento Kings during the third quarter at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 13, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Talen Horton-Tucker is talented on both ends of the floor

Talen Horton-Tucker is going to succeed in the league for this reason alone. It is easy to get excited about a young player that has a smooth three-point stroke or can make some highlight passes. It is also easy to get excited about a blue-chipper defender that can disrupt on the defensive side of the court.

However, unless those players can also contribute (or learn to contribute) on the other side of the floor then they won’t blossom into legitimate rotation players. Of course, there are the examples of blessed offensive players that are terrible defensively, but those offensive players are extremely blessed — think Trae Young or Lou Williams.

THT is already showing the capabilities to be an asset on both ends of the court and that is naturally going to give him the early-career playing time that he needs to blossom into a true rotation player.

He was great on both ends in college and that has translated thus far in the short time we have seen him in the NBA. Again, it is just a preseason game, but he was impressive both offensively and defensively and was also impressive in the short time we saw him in the NBA bubble as well.

There are examples of players making it work. Alex Caruso worked on the offensive side of the ball, and while he is still better defensively, he took his game to the next step to become a player that the Lakers could confidently put in the rotation.

THT already has that two-way skillset. So even if he does not reach his potential ceiling, he will eventually blossom into a backend rotation player, at the very least, because he is good on both ends.

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