Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Lessons on Talen Horton-Tucker night vs Clippers

By Ronald Agers

Dec 13, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Just think, Talen Horton Tucker was a late second-round pick for the Los Angeles Lakers last year!

Let the fact that Talen Horton-Tucker was the 46th pick in the NBA Draft last year by the Orlando Magic sink in. The Lakers traded for him for cash considerations. This second-round pick could be the biggest impact on this franchise since Nick Van Exel (He was the 37th pick).

His night of dominance started here.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1338301558136528897

  • THT takes Kawhi Leonard’s lunch money on the left-wing playing him one on one.
  • After going to the other end of the floor, watch how he reads the play and gives Marc Gasol an alley to receive the cross-court pass.
  • Then he doesn’t hesitate to shoot the ball in rhythm for the first of a tidal wave of 3 point shots for the Lakers.

This play here shows the adjustments and growth from the previous game. Most of the 17 shots he took were forced, lowering his head taking the ball to the basket. In this game, he made reads and took what the Clippers gave him, which was a lot.

Talen Horton-Tucker destroyed the Clippers with a filled box score of 33 points (11-17 shooting 4-5 from distance!), 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. He had a game-high plus/minus of +36. The comfort level and confidence is on the rise. LeBron James was totally engaged watching him and at times was coaching him during the game on certain situations.

Talen Horton-Tucker became the 4th Lakers player in the last 10 years to score over 30 points in a preseason game. The other three? Brandon Ingram, D’Angelo Russell (Twice!) and the “Icon” Kobe Bryant.

When THT figures how to play the game with a change of pace, he’s going to be a multi-millionaire.

Kendrick Perkins caused quite a stir on social media during the game.

"Talen has the most valuable contract in the league right now. Not comparing game or skill but reminds me of the situation. He’s gonna be forced to have to start like a young Kobe running Eddie Jones outta town. Too good to wait for his time, his time is now! Carry on…"

Why do we bring up this statement? Because it just created another narrative for this player to be traded. Will he be traded? Nope. But get used to the Lakers trade rumors thanks to how well Horton-Tucker is playing. Read on to see who the player is. (We think you might have figured it out by now!).

Home/Lakers News