3. Talen Horton-Tucker can be a better passer
Horton-Tucker has the ability to handle the rock and push it up court in transition. To really make the most of that skill, he needs to improve a related skill: his passing.
At this point of his career, he doesn’t seem like a natural or gifted passer who has good court vision. He has plenty of tunnel vision, which may not be a bad thing on the surface, but too much of it is detrimental.
However, he has had a few big assist games this season. Last week, he tallied 11 of them when the Lakers burned the Brooklyn Nets in the New York area, 126-101.
A few weeks before that, he dropped 10 dimes in a wipeout of the Golden State Warriors, a few games before James went out with a severe ankle sprain.
With his ability to seek the rim and convert layups, Horton-Tucker forces the other team to build a wall in or around the paint. By making the defense collapse like that, he could riddle opponents with precision passing if he develops that skill set.
In doing so, it may open up lanes to the basket and make it easier for him to slash and finish himself.